By 28 February, we ask our present ICS families to tell us if they are returning in the following school year. Before this date we may have limited information about the availability of places for the following year. After 28 February, we know more about how many places we can likely offer.

In March, we process applications from our corporate partners. We have an arrangement with these companies to prioritise applications for places for their employees' children.

From April, we begin to process all applications. We give priority to the following applicants:

1. International co-operation agreement (company partnership agreement) families with a child already enrolled
2. International co-operation agreement (company partnership agreement) families
3. Families with a child already enrolled
4. Alumni children
5. International families
6. Local internationally mobile families; those who may be moving abroad or to a non-German speaking canton in Switzerland are reviewed as of 01 April for the following academic year

From April to August we continue processing applications as they arrive. Applications from corporate partners receive priority, but no places are reserved for them.

Our school year begins in August so where possible, we encourage new students to start then. However, we do admit new students (when we have places available) at other times of the school year.

We accept applications at any time. However, we generally process applications in spring for places in the following school year, which begins in August. The earlier we receive your application, the better your chances of getting a place. There is more information about the key dates for applications on the School Calendar & Key Dates page.

Yes. We encourage students to join ICS at the start of the school year in August. But we do have some students who join ICS at other times of the year, for example in January. In such cases, we process the application during the school year if possible.

Please use our online application, which will ask for all relevant information and enable you to pay the application fee and upload the necessary documents.

Please refer to the section ‘EAL in our Secondary School’ on our website.

No. German is the language of our host country so we provide German classes for our students. See the Language Learning page for more details.

We review every application to determine whether the student can benefit from our teaching and contribute to our community. If we decide they can, we then offer up to four hours of learning support, where required, at no additional cost. If students need more than four hours' support, we ask parents to pay for additional help.

We do not have a school uniform. However, we ask students to dress in a way that does not cause offence or distraction and that allows them to move safely around the school. For physical education, we ask that students wear dark shorts or sweat pants and a white or orange t-shirt. 

On average, students stay at ICS for approximately three and a half years. Interestingly, our teachers stay with us longer than is the norm at international schools.

Yes. The IB is now the leading Secondary educational qualification in the world and is being adopted by more and more national systems as well as international schools. Over 3,500 school in 145 countries offer the IB curriculum. Universities all over the world recognize the IB Diploma. You can find out more on the International Baccalaureate Organisation's website.

Where possible, we encourage students to use public transport to get to school. There are good local public transport links close to ICS. As another alternative to private vehicles, we also offer a school bus service. This offers transportation to students living within approximately 25 kilometers of the school and is available at an additional cost.

We offer a lunch option to all students who would like to have a hot lunch. Primary students sign up for the lunch option on a semester basis. Secondary students buy lunch vouchers and can use them to purchase a hot or cold lunch. To see the lunch menu, please visit the School Services page.

The school day for students from Early Years to Grade 5 begins with registration at 08:25 and classes run until 15:15, Monday to Friday.

For students in Grades 6-10, registration is at 08:35 and classes run from 08:45-15:25.

Students in Grades 11 & 12 also register at 08:35 and their school day runs until 15:25. They may also, depending on their subjects, have classes during 8th Period (15:30 - 16:15) on any days other than Fridays. Students who do not have lessons at this time are free to leave after 7th Period finishes at 15:25.