Academia Bilingual School Winterthur vs Terra Nova Bilingual School
Academia Bilingual School Winterthur and Terra Nova Bilingual School are both in Zug, about 23 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge (Primary) and Swiss programmes, and Academia Bilingual School Winterthur also offers Cambridge (Secondary). Published annual fees are close, at CHF 25,200 - 27,240 for Academia Bilingual School Winterthur and CHF 22,110 - 29,040 for Terra Nova Bilingual School. Academia Bilingual School Winterthur takes pupils from 3 to 15, and Terra Nova Bilingual School from 3 to 12.
Terra Nova Bilingual School is located at Florastrasse 19, 8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
Stages
Stages
Kindergarten to Year 8
Stages
Pre-Kindergarten; Kindergarten; Primary school
School type
School type
Private bilingual day school
School type
Bilingual school
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Language booster lessons; smaller classes; differentiation; newcomer language support.
Additional learning support
Individual and differentiated instruction to cater to all learners.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Switzerland
Country affiliation
Switzerland
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
Day school with daily midday meals at L'Arena on campus and after-school care with clubs.
School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
Bus connections; WIN4 campus well connected by bus; Winterthur-Grüze railway station within walking distance.
Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application / registration fee
- A one-time registration fee of CHF 600 is payable when enrolling a pupil.
Tuition fees (annual, semester and monthly options) — current academic year
- Tuition is charged by school year and may be paid as an annual amount, by semester instalments or by monthly instalments (10 months). All amounts are in Swiss francs (CHF).
- School fees are invoiced in advance. If a pupil enters during the school year, fees are charged pro rata temporis.
- Payment timing and instalments: - Fees may be paid as a single one‑off payment in advance or in instalments; instalment payment carries an administrative surcharge where stated. - The general time allowed for payment is 30 days unless otherwise specified on the invoice or in the price list. Specific items (for example lunch and short courses) may have shorter payment deadlines.
- Deadlines and consequences: - Course/club fees are invoiced before the start of the programme and are due for payment within 10 days. Lunch invoices are due within 10 days. - If instalments are not paid on time, the school may exclude the pupil from the programme until outstanding amounts are settled; continued non‑payment may result in contract withdrawal and the imposition of administrative and cancellation fees. Interest on outstanding amounts may apply.
- Registration fee / deposit timing: - Where a registration fee and deposit are required, these are due within 5 days after conclusion of the school contract; the deposit is refundable on leaving the school provided the notice periods and payment conditions are fulfilled.
After‑school care, lunch and other additional charges
- After‑school care: - After‑school care is billed based on actual use in 15‑minute intervals. - Hourly rate quoted: CHF 14 per hour (Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 16:00–18:30; Wed 14:00–18:30).
- Lunch: - Lunch is invoiced for the whole school year in advance and the invoice is due for payment within 10 days; changes to lunch bookings are possible only at the beginning of the following month. - First and second semester (5 days per week): CHF 1,230 per semester for Primary and Secondary; CHF 1,100 per semester for Pre‑K and Kindergarten. - 1 day per week option: CHF 246 per semester (Primary/Secondary) and CHF 220 per semester (Pre‑K/Kindergarten). - Individual meal booking: CHF 15.40 (Primary/Secondary) and CHF 14.00 (Pre‑K/Kindergarten) per meal.
- Clubs, trips, camps and excursions: - Costs for after‑school clubs, holiday clubs, school trips and camps are charged in addition to tuition according to the applicable price lists or actual expenditure; club/course fees are invoiced prior to the activity and must be paid within 10 days. Teaching materials and care from 07:15 until lessons start are included in the school fee; excursions, trips, school camps and some certificates are not included.
Sibling discount
- A 10% sibling discount is available on the youngest child's school fee for families who are self‑financing and have more than one child enrolled concurrently.
Boarding fees
- Boarding fees are not applicable. Academia Bilingual School Winterthur operates as a day school; there is no boarding provision or boarding charges.
Other costs or fees (summary)
- One‑time registration fee: CHF 600. - After‑school care: billed per 15‑minute intervals at CHF 14 per hour. - Lunch: annual/semester prepayment options and individual meal prices as detailed above. - Clubs, holiday clubs, trips and camps: additional charges; invoiced in advance for each activity. Teaching materials and early morning care (from 07:15) are included in the tuition.
Refund and cancellation rules affecting fees
- Refunds and cancellations: - If an entire course of study is definitely cancelled, fees already paid shall be refunded; reimbursement of further costs is excluded. - The deposit is refundable after the student leaves the school provided the notice of termination has been submitted within the prescribed notice period (not during the probationary period) and all tuition fees and additional charges have been settled. - If the student does not attend school despite a concluded school contract, the school is entitled to an administrative fee and a cancellation fee equal to three months' school fees. - Missed lessons do not release the payer from the payment obligation; there is no automatic right to reimbursement for missed lessons. - If lessons must be changed to distance learning or are affected by force majeure, lessons are deemed to have been held and there is no entitlement to fee reductions or refunds. - In the event of late payment, the school may withhold certificates and diplomas until outstanding amounts are paid and may charge collection and reminder fees; interest on overdue amounts may apply.
Fee payment options (credit card / bank transfer / other)
- The published price list and the school's general terms and conditions set out billing, instalment options and deadlines but do not specify accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, credit card, or other electronic payment providers). Therefore the specific payment methods accepted are not listed in the school's published fee documents.
Notes for budgeting
- All listed school fees and supplementary charges are quoted in Swiss francs (CHF). Teaching materials and early morning care (from 07:15) are included in the tuition; additional services such as clubs, trips and camps are invoiced separately. Instalment payments incur an administrative surcharge where indicated. If a student joins mid‑year fees are charged pro rata.
Fee details
Application fees
- Registration (one-time): CHF 500.
Tuition fees by programme and billing option
School fees are shown below as annual, per-semester, per-quarter and a 12-month instalment amount (the 12-month instalment price includes an administrative surcharge of 3%). All amounts are in Swiss francs (CHF). School fees are invoiced in advance; if a student enters during the school year, fees are charged pro rata. All teaching materials, supervision from 08:00 until lessons start and over lunch are included in the school fees; costs for after-school care, holiday camps, exam preparation, excursions and school camps are charged separately. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday lunches are included; Wednesday lunch is available at additional cost.
- Primary (Grades 1 to 6): - Annual: CHF 29,040 - Per semester: CHF 14,520 - Per quarter: CHF 7,260 - 12 monthly instalments: CHF 2,495.
Additional regular charges and discounts
- Refundable deposit (due on contract): CHF 2,500. The deposit is refundable after the student leaves the school provided notice of termination was submitted within the prescribed notice period (not during the probationary period) and all tuition fees and additional charges have been settled in full; otherwise the deposit may be forfeited.
- School bus (between Meilen and Tiefenbrunnen) — cost per semester for an individual trip: CHF 210. Departure times and locations are communicated before the semester begins.
- Sibling discount: 10% discount on the youngest child's school fees for self‑funding families with more than one child enrolled at the same time.
- Items charged separately (not included in tuition): after‑school care or courses, holiday camps, exam preparation, excursions, school camps, certain lunches (Wednesday), excursions/trips and certificates. Teaching materials are included in the tuition.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- School fees are invoiced in advance. Options shown in the price list include annual payment, per‑semester payment, per‑quarter payment and payment by 12 monthly instalments (the monthly instalment option includes an administrative surcharge of 3%). The time allowed for payment is 30 days unless otherwise specified on an invoice.
- The registration fee and deposit are due within five days after conclusion of the school contract when stated in the price list. Changes to payment arrangements (for example changing from semester payment to monthly payment) are only possible at the beginning of a new semester and must be notified at least six weeks before the semester begins.
- Consequences of late or non‑payment: the school may exclude a student from the programme if instalments are not paid by the agreed deadlines; continued non‑payment after reminders may result in contract withdrawal and the school charging an administrative fee and a cancellation fee of three months' school fees. Interest on outstanding amounts is charged at an annual rate of 3% and collection costs are chargeable to the payer.
Refund and cancellation terms
- If an entire course of study is cancelled by the school, fees already paid shall be refunded; reimbursement of further costs is excluded. Refund or forfeiture of the deposit depends on timely and correct notice of termination and full settlement of fees and charges. If a student does not attend despite a signed contract, an administrative fee and a cancellation fee of three months' school fees may be charged. There is a probationary period during which either party may withdraw; specific financial consequences for withdrawal are set out in the school contract and general terms. Missed lessons do not entitle the payer to a reimbursement of fees.
Boarding
- No boarding fees are listed. The school operates as a day school; boarding is not offered.
Fee payment options (invoicing and instalments)
- The published fee documents show that fees may be paid as a single advance payment or by instalments (monthly instalment option shown with a 3% administrative surcharge). The published general terms set standard payment deadlines (30 days) and allow payment in advance or by instalments subject to administrative fees. Specific payment methods (for example bank transfer, credit card, third‑party payment platforms) are not listed in the public price list or general terms; the invoice or school contract provides the applicable payment instructions and options for each payer.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
No boarding is offered; it is a day school.
Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
Freshly prepared daily lunch in the WIN4's L'Arena restaurant.
Food options
Lunches are included on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; Wednesday lunch is available at an additional cost.
House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
Private school; recognized by the Canton of Zurich.
Governance and ownership
Part of Academia Group (Academia Schools GmbH).
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Bilingual education for kindergarten, primary and secondary levels in an international environment; the school is private and recognized by the Canton of Zurich.
Curriculum details
Terra Nova Bilingual School provides a bilingual German–English program based on the Swiss curriculum from pre-kindergarten through Year 6, with English instruction based on the Cambridge International Curriculum. Primary (Year 1–6) instruction in language, mathematics, science and social studies is delivered in parallel in German and English by native speakers, with French introduced from Year 5. Pre-Kindergarten is bilingual from age 3, with a 1:6 supervision ratio and a focus on bilingual vocabulary and early numeracy. Kindergarten is a two-year bilingual program for children from age 4, with instruction split 50/50 between High German and English by native speakers, emphasizing early literacy, numeracy and social development. After Year 6, Terra Nova is part of Academia and offers higher-education pathways through Academia International School Basel, Winterthur and Zurich: a Pre-IGCSE program for Years 7–8 in bilingual format, followed by IGCSE and International A Levels to prepare for university studies in Switzerland and abroad. English instruction is based on the Cambridge curriculum, and the program is designed to support students in developing strong language and learning skills.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
Small classes; supervision ratio 1:6 in Pre-Kindergarten.
Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
Academia International School Basel, Winterthur and Zurich prepares Year 7 students for IGCSE and International A Levels. A Pre-IGCSE program (Years 7–8) is offered in bilingual format, followed by IGCSE and A Levels to support university studies in Switzerland and abroad.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
Holistic development is emphasized, focusing on high social competence, independence and creativity. The school culture is characterized by mutual respect. In small classes with committed and highly qualified teachers, each pupil is individually supported. A school island provides special care during lessons, ensuring targeted support for individual needs. For talent in sports or music, tailored solutions balance training with schooling. Tailor-made extracurricular care runs from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., including leisure courses, supervised homework hours and holiday programs.
Social & emotional learning
The school has a team of more than 40 teachers and around 150 students aged 3–12. It supports each child individually, welcomes diversity, and aims to nurture intelligence, creativity and personality. It fosters independence, empathy and healthy self-esteem, and provides a lively community with a broad range of extracurricular activities and after‑school care.
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
The school island offers special care during lessons. Individual support is provided for missed lessons or for students needing extra help. New students can join any time as long as places are available. Booster lessons help pupils acquire German or English as needed.
Special educational needs (SEN)
The school provides individual support for each child.
English as an additional language
English as an additional language
Kindergarten, primary and secondary levels are bilingual. Mothertongue, qualified and dedicated teachers support language learning. If a pupil does not yet speak German or English, booster lessons ensure rapid acquisition of the second language. Booster language support is available to help new students catch up in language skills.
English as an additional language
From pre‑kindergarten through Year 6 the school delivers a bilingual German/English education, with English taught by native speakers and English instruction based on the Cambridge international curriculum.
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
A positive learning atmosphere characterized by mutual respect supports pupil wellbeing. Small classes and highly qualified teachers provide individualized support to help each pupil realise their potential. The school island and tailored after-school care contribute to a balanced, supportive environment. The multilingual and international setting fosters resilience and independence.
Mental wellbeing
The school aims to help students mature into strong personalities, recognise talents and overcome barriers, and to develop self-esteem and resilience, while fostering social responsibility and a lifelong love of learning.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
The school is located on the WIN4 Campus in Winterthur. The campus offers modern sports, conference and catering facilities. It also houses the Academia International School and the Swiss Academy Zurich, enabling our secondary students to transfer to our international high school without exams. As a day school, daily lunch is freshly prepared at L'Arena restaurant on campus and there is comprehensive afternoon care with attractive clubs. The campus has excellent public transport connections and is easy to reach by car.
Facilities overview
The school is located in the heart of Küsnacht in a modern building described as an attractive and open educational and cultural hub. It serves around 150 students aged 3 to 12 with a team of more than 40 teachers. It provides bilingual education in High German and English, with English instruction based on the Cambridge curriculum. Lunch is included in the school fees and meals are catered by Meals for Kids. Homework supervision is provided and there is a diverse after-school programme and holiday activities.
Sports facilities
Sports facilities
The WIN4 Campus provides modern sports facilities and is adjacent to the Deutweg sport complex.
Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
Lessons are held in a modern temporary facility on campus during the construction of our new classrooms. The WIN4 Campus also hosts Academia International School and the Swiss Academy Zurich, and offers on-campus dining and meeting spaces.
Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
After-school clubs range from free play to cooking, coding, football and dance; holiday clubs are offered; after-school supervision is provided; midday meals are served at L'Arena restaurant on campus.
Extra curricular facilities
An after-school program provides homework supervision and a diverse range of activities after classes, including after-school clubs and holiday programs. A Terra Nova school bus operates between Meilen and Tiefenbrunnen to transport students. Camps and excursions are part of the program, including a ski camp in Splügen for students in years 4–6. The extracurricular offering extends beyond the regular day to support students' interests. Terra Nova fosters an open, engaging environment outside teaching hours.
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
Established in Basel in 2010, Academia Bilingual School opened its second campus in Winterthur in August 2021.
History
Terra Nova Bilingual School was founded in 1996 in Küsnacht, near Zürich. It provides a bilingual German/English education from pre-kindergarten through the end of primary school, based on the Swiss curriculum with English taught via the Cambridge international curriculum. Lessons are taught in High German and English. Terra Nova joined Academia Group Switzerland in 2017 and has been rooted in the Swiss educational landscape for over 25 years.
Community
Community
The community is open and supportive. It welcomes pupils, parents and teachers.
Community
The community is lively, welcoming and supportive. The school values close relationships and tailors support to meet each child's unique needs. It is a day school with a homework club and a varied programme of extracurricular activities, including after-school clubs.
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
The school emphasizes holistic development and achievement of school goals, with a strong value placed on social competence, independence and creativity. Classes are small with committed, highly qualified teachers who provide individual support so every pupil can realise their potential. A modern, flexible classroom environment supports a wide variety of learning styles and fosters an inspiring learning atmosphere. Tailor-made extracurricular care runs from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., extending development beyond lesson times.
Academic & intellectual
We provide supervised homework support for Year 1 onwards. After-school clubs are led by experienced instructors and offer a broad range of activities. These programs enable pupils to pursue special interests, develop talents, and have fun after the regular timetable. During at least six weeks of the school holidays each year, we offer a range of exciting holiday courses across autumn, winter, spring, and summer breaks.
Arts & creative
Arts & creative
Talent Promotion supports students with identified talents in sports, music and dance. Students may be exempt from lessons to train or compete and receive individual or small-group lessons to catch up on missed work. Specific talent development is provided in cooperation with Swiss Academy and partners on the WIN4 site, including access to practice facilities. An exam-free transfer to the Swiss Academy's sports, dance and music upper secondary school is available after Year 8 or 9 (subject to academic aptitude).
Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
Bilingual kindergarten, primary and secondary education is offered. The teaching team is diverse and international, with teachers from Switzerland, Germany, France, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, the USA, New Zealand, Ireland, Sweden and Finland. The student body is diverse, with about one third from Switzerland, one third from English-speaking countries, and students from around 25 nations. New students can join at any time if there are places, and booster lessons support rapid acquisition of German and English when needed.
Cultural & language
The Parents' Association organizes special events regularly, including regional customs such as the Räbeliechtli parade and Advent or Halloween celebrations to promote cultural understanding. Literature Week is among the events that celebrate culture. From time to time interclass project weeks are run around a specific theme.
Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
Tailor-made extracurricular care is available from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and includes leisure courses, supervised homework hours and holiday programmes. On the school island, pupils receive individual support to catch up on missed lessons or to receive targeted help. The program fosters social engagement and personal development beyond the standard timetable.
Social & hobbies
Every afternoon Terra Nova offers a range of after-school clubs led by experienced instructors. The clubs are designed to be fun and to help students build friendships while developing social and practical skills.
Community & service
Community & service
A school for the whole family, Academia Bilingual School Winterthur maintains a warm and open relationship with pupils, parents, teachers and management. Regular interactions and information exchange among all stakeholders define the community. Respect, cooperation, trust and goodwill distinguish the school environment, which is described as loving, welcoming and open-minded by staff and families.
Community & service
Camps and excursions include a ski camp in Splügen for years 4–6, which combines skiing with camp life and runs during the winter season. Several day trips or longer excursions take place during the year to connect classroom learning with real-world contexts. Regular events are organized in collaboration with the Parents' Association to promote community and cultural understanding.
Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
Teaching is delivered by a collaborative team where two class teachers work closely with subject teachers. The school supports talent development in sports, music and dance through its Talent Promotion program, with exemptions from lessons to train or compete and access to tailored coaching in partnership with Swiss Academy and WIN4 facilities. After Year 8 or 9, students can transfer without exams to the English-language high school of Academia International School or to the Swiss Academy Zurich high school in Winterthur, or pursue other paths after the entrance exam.
Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
The campus features modern, flexible classrooms and is surrounded by sports facilities to foster a stimulating environment. The school offers fresh daily lunch in L'Arena and a comprehensive after-school program with flexible care and clubs. It is located on the WIN4 campus with excellent public transport connections and easy car access, supporting convenient and healthy daily routines.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lunch is included in the school fees and meals are catered by Meals for Kids, with a varied, healthy menu. The Terra Nova school bus operates between Meilen and Tiefenbrunnen, with departure times provided before the semester. Sports are active through the Terra Nova Tigers, which participate in matches and promote team spirit and fair play. During the school holidays, a range of holiday courses is offered across autumn, winter, spring, and summer.
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Bilingual education is provided across Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary School. Mother-tongue, qualified and dedicated teachers support language learning. If a pupil does not yet speak German or English, booster lessons ensure rapid acquisition of the second language. The student body is diverse, with about one third from English-speaking countries, and there is an English-language high school option at Academia International School.
Language provision
German (High German) and English are the languages of instruction. The English program uses the Cambridge International Curriculum in the secondary years. From pre-kindergarten to end of primary school (Year 6), the school operates a bilingual German/English program. The Pre-IGCSE years (Year 7 and 8) employ a unique bilingual concept.
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
The school offers bilingual education for Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary School.
Bilingual teaching
Lessons are taught in High German and English. Kindergarten is taught in German and English. Pre-Kindergarten is bilingual.
Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
A bilingual German/English education is offered from pre-kindergarten to the end of primary school (Year 6). A unique bilingual concept is used for the Pre-IGCSE years (Year 7 and 8). English instruction in the later years follows the Cambridge international curriculum.
Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Book a personal consultation and tour of the Winterthur campus. Academia Bilingual School Winterthur invites families to meet the team and learn about the bilingual Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary programs on the WIN4 campus. The visit includes a view of facilities and daily routines, including lunch at L'Arena and the after‑school care options. Contact the school to arrange your tour.
2. Admission is based on an interview, a recommendation from the current school, past report card, an entrance assessment and trial days where possible. When available, trial days are arranged to help both sides assess fit. This process helps us understand the applicant's readiness for bilingual instruction.
3. If a pupil does not yet speak German or English, booster lessons are provided to accelerate the acquisition of the second language. The booster lessons support both German and English language learners. These language supports are integrated with the school day to enable full participation in lessons.
4. New students can join at any time as long as there are free places. After admission, families select the schooling level (Kindergarten, Primary or Secondary) and the timetable, with options for before/after school care and lunch included in the day. The school day offers a comprehensive before and after school program from 7:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with on‑campus lunch and clubs.
5. Complete registration and costs: book the tour and follow the registration steps. Fees are invoiced in advance and include teaching materials and care from 7:15 a.m. until the start of lessons and during lunch. A one‑time registration fee is CHF 600. After‑school care and lunch are billed according to use; trips and camps are charged per the price list. The price list provides detailed fees for Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary levels.
Admissions
1. Visit and guided tour. We welcome you and your family for a visit and a guided tour of Terra Nova Bilingual School. If it meets your expectations, your child is welcome to spend a week getting to know us, our teaching staff, the other students and our daily routine. This initial contact helps families understand life at the school. Language of instruction is High German and English. 2. Initial consultation. An initial consultation is conducted to get to know the student and the family, and to discuss the student's needs, interests and background. This meeting helps assess fit for Terra Nova. 3. Trial week (Grades 1+). For students applying to Grades 1 or higher, a few non-binding trial days are arranged to get to know Terra Nova. The trial period lets both sides assess fit before enrollment. 4. Progress reports. We request the last two progress reports from the current or previous school to inform the admissions consideration. These reports help us understand the student's prior progress and needs. 5. Decision. The principal, together with feedback from teachers, the family and the child, decides whether Terra Nova is the right choice for the student. The decision reflects a holistic view of the student's readiness and fit with Terra Nova. 6. Next steps. Arrange an appointment with us to discuss enrollment. Fees and the price list are available for review, and contact us to arrange an initial consultation meeting.
