Selecting a school in Switzerland can seem to be the toughest aspect of moving with kids. Online resources rarely reveal the day-to-day life, and each family’s priorities vary. This guide focuses on practical questions and a straightforward decision framework — especially for families planning a move to Zürich.
Step One: Decide What “Good” Means for Your Family
Before you compare schools, pin down your nonnegotiables. Most choice errors come from families evaluating everything at once without a clear priority list.
- Commute: the daily travel time matters more than you expect.
- Curriculum: British / American / IB / local options.
- Language environment: what your child is exposed to all day.
- Support: learning support, ESL support, pastoral care.
- Cultural fit: structure, discipline, communication style.
Choosing Without Getting Overwhelmed: A Practical Guide
A practical approach that works well for expat families:
A simple process
- Prioritize by location first. In Zürich, traffic can turn a decent school into a daily ordeal.
- Verify openings and admissions timelines. Waiting lists are common.
- Inquire about classroom realities. Class sizes, teacher turnover, and how communication works.
- Ask about support services. ESL / learning support / transition assistance for new students.
- Schedule a single visit (or virtual tour) per finalist. Trust your observations more than glossy brochures.
Pro tip: Create a one-page checklist and rate each school after the visit. It helps avoid the “everything feels the same” issue.
Questions to Ask Schools
These questions typically uncover more than generic “tell us about your program” discussions:
- What is the typical class size for this age group?
- How do you integrate new students who join mid-year?
- How do teachers communicate with parents—weekly updates, apps, or email?
- What does a typical day look like (start/end times, breaks, homework expectations)?
- How do you support children who are anxious or adapting to a new country?
- What is the policy on language support (ESL) if required?
- How do you manage indoor/outdoor time during hot months?
Costs & Logistics (The Unloved Realities)
School decisions aren't only about tuition. Consider the full ongoing cost of everyday life:
Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
- Choosing based only on reputation: everyday routines matter more.
- Overlooking commute time: it impacts sleep, mood, and family life.
- Assuming “international” means uniform everywhere: it isn’t.
- Failing to ask about support: transitions are real for children.
- Delaying too long: admissions timelines can be tighter than you expect.
Bottom Line
The best school is typically the one that aligns with your family’s real schedule: location, the available support, and day-to-day comfort for your child — not the one with the flashiest marketing.
If you'd like help sorting your priorities for Zürich (commute, routines, what questions to ask), get in touch — or call +41 44 123 45 67.