The 1950s

Zurich becomes home to an English-speaking community as companies like Swissair, Ford Europe and Dow Chemical bring employees from Great Britain, the US, Canada and Australia. However, there is no English-language school in Zurich for employees' children - who either go to local Swiss schools or boarding schools in their home countries. The discussion begins about the creation of an English-language school in Zurich.

The 1960s

Expatriate families band together to create an international Primary school in Zurich. They recruit teacher Gerald Atkinson from the Pestalozzi Children's Village as the founding headmaster. In September 1960, ICS opens with 80 students ages 4 to 11. The numbers grow rapidly, and the school moves to two locations in Regensdorf and Dubendorf.

1970s

The search for a permanent home for ICS takes several years and in 1970 ICS buys land for a new school building in Zumikon, on the outskirts of Zurich. In 1973, students move into the new school and for the first time in 11 years, all students are together on one campus.

The 1980s

Meetings with companies underline the need for international Secondary school places. ICS expands to offer Secondary Grades 8-10 and introduces the International General Certificate of Secondary Education.

The 1990s

ICS continues to expand, adding classes up to Grade 12. ICS also introduces the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and the first Grade 12 class takes their IB Diploma exams in May 1996. To accommodate the new students, a purpose-built Secondary school building is constructed on the Zumikon campus.

The 2000s

The school develops its Mission & Vision Statements and ICS achieves accreditation with the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools & Colleges.

In September 2010, ICS celebrates a real milestone - its 50th birthday. Throughout the 2010-11 school year, events are held to remember our past, celebrate our present and look to our future.

The 2010s

After a five-year follow-up visit in January 2012, the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC) agreed that ICS should continue its good standing as an accredited school for a further five years. ICS then received confirmation of re-accreditation by CIS and NEASC and the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) in January 2017.

The 2020s

In August 2020, ICS opened its doors to the youngest members of the ICS family. Children from 18 months to 3 years were welcomed to our new Nursery facilities in the Primary building. Through the coming decade, ICS will strive to stay at the forefront of educational innovation, remaining focused on learning and growing, caring for others, and engaging with our communities.