Academic Gateway vs KIBS Zurich

	A Academic Gateway Zug, Switzerland	K KIBS Zurich Zug, Switzerland
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year CHF 19,000 - 68,000	Fees / year CHF 22,000 - 26,400
Age range	Age range 16 - 19 years	Age range 0 - 12 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), Swiss Curriculum	Curriculum Swiss Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 220
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 14
Instruction language	Instruction language English, German	Instruction language English, German
Opened	Opened —	Opened 2013
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The modern schoolhouse at Löwenstrasse 17 in the heart of Zurich was opened in August 2021. It is 500 meters from Zurich Hauptbahnhof and easily reachable from nearby stations (Zurich Enge, Wiedikon, Selnau and Stadeln). The campus features 14 rooms, state-of-the-art infrastructure and technology, lecture rooms, science rooms, a canteen, a library and a terrace.	Location Located in Seebach, Zurich. The address is Schaffhauserstrasse 550, 8052 Zürich, Switzerland.
Stages	Stages Offers Matura full-time (1 year and 2 years), Matura preparatory course, Matura in self-study, Matura part-time; IB Diploma Programme; BMS full-time with three orientations (Business & Services, Health and Social Care, Technology, Architecture, Life Sciences); Passerelle (1 year); Self-study options for Matura and BMS.	Stages Daycare, Pre-K, Kindergarten, Primary
School type	School type The Academic Gateway is a full private school.	School type Private German-English day school in Zurich
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Highly qualified teaching staff, central location, personal support with integrated free tutoring, and a comprehensive e-learning platform with the entire curriculum digitized, including HD lecture videos, prepared exercises and short explanations across subjects.	Additional learning support Individualised support is part of the bilingual learning approach.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Switzerland	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Enrollment fee - A non-refundable enrollment (registration) fee of CHF 500 is payable on contract signature for all main on‑site courses. Tuition fees by programme and year group (amounts and payment options as shown) - Full‑time Matura (1 year) - Payment in advance: CHF 35,000. - 2 installments: CHF 17,700 (per installment). - 12 installments: CHF 2,950 per month. - Included: E‑Learning access and Office365 package. - Excluded: federal examination fees and teaching aids. - Full‑time Matura (2 years / four semesters) - Total / first‑year listing on the programme page: Payment in advance: CHF 65,000; 2 installments: CHF 34,000; 12 installments: CHF 2,950 per month. - Included: E‑Learning access and Office365 package. - Excluded: federal examination fees and teaching aids. - Matura (part‑time / berufsbegleitend, online and self‑study options) - Berufsbegleitend (4 semesters) — total examples shown: Payment in advance: CHF 35,000; 4 installments: CHF 8,850; 24 installments: CHF 1,665 per month. - Online / self‑study Matura — examples shown: CHF 34,000 (online) and CHF 17,000 (self‑study), with installment options available. - Preparatory course (Matura Vorkurs, 1 semester): Payment in advance: CHF 6,000. - BMS – vocational baccalaureate (full‑time, one year / two semesters) - Total cost examples shown: Payment in advance: CHF 19,000; 2 installments: CHF 9,700; 12 installments: CHF 1,700 per month; 24 installments: CHF 900 per month. - Included: E‑Learning access and Office365 package. - Excluded: examination fees and teaching aids. - Passerelle (full‑time, one year) - Total cost examples shown (full‑time): Payment in advance: CHF 22,500; 2 installments: CHF 11,650; 12 installments: CHF 1,950 per month. - Self‑study Passerelle example: Payment in advance: CHF 11,250; 2 installments: CHF 6,025; 24 installments: CHF 570 per month. - Included: E‑Learning access and Office365 package. - Excluded: examination fees and teaching aids. - IB Diploma Programme (two‑year DP) - Payment in advance: CHF 68,000. - 2 installments: CHF 35,000. - 4 installments: CHF 17,700 (per installment as listed). - 24 installments: CHF 2,950 per month. - Included: E‑Learning access and Office365 package. - Excluded: IB/exam fees and teaching materials. Billing schedule and payment terms - The enrollment fee (CHF 500) is due on contract signature for main on‑site courses. Full tuition or the first instalment is due by the deadlines specified in the contract; if the contract is concluded more than 30 days before course start the full fee (or first instalment when a payment plan is agreed) is due by 30 days before course start. If the contract is concluded 30 days or less before course start, the full fee (or first instalment) is immediately due. Monthly instalments, when agreed, are billed monthly. - All standard payments are to be made by bank transfer to the accounts stated by Academic Gateway. In individual cases the school may allow other means, in particular cash, at the school management's discretion. - Payment plan options regularly offered: prepayment, 2 instalments, 12 instalments (monthly) and 24 instalments (monthly), depending on the course. - Late payment consequences: interest on arrears of 5% plus reminder fees (CHF 25 for first reminder, CHF 200 for second reminder). If two instalments are in arrears the full outstanding tuition becomes due; the school may suspend services until payment and may charge a CHF 500 re‑activation / Wiederaufnahme fee. Boarding / accommodation fees - Academic Gateway operates a day‑school campus in central Zurich (Löwenstrasse 17) with classrooms, canteen and library; the school does not list boarding or on‑campus residential accommodation as an offered service. No boarding fees apply. Other costs and common additional fees - School supplies / teaching materials not included: a typical school‑materials estimate is listed as CHF 900 (paper, stationery, textbooks and related items), paid by the family. Examination fees (federal and external exam fees) and specific teaching aids are not included in the tuition and must be paid externally. - Administrations and incidental fees shown in policy documents: - Course‑change / administration fee for moving a course to a later semester: CHF 500. - Compensation for missed individually booked lessons (if an agreed individual lesson is missed without timely notification): CHF 100 per missed unit. - Re‑activation / Wiederaufnahme fee charged when services are suspended and later reactivated: CHF 500. Refund and cancellation rules - The school reserves the right to cancel a course up to seven days before course start; in that case already paid course fees are refunded in full. - If a student or contracting party cancels the contract, the general rule in the school terms is that the full tuition remains due and refunds or reductions for reasons not caused by the school are generally excluded. For cancellations made up to 30 days before course start a processing fee of 10% of the tuition may be charged and remaining paid amounts refunded; later cancellations are subject to the full‑fee rule in the terms. Self‑study courses have specific semester‑based cancellation dates. Detailed contractual cancellation deadlines and any differing rules for multi‑year or self‑study courses are set out in the school contract and terms. How tuition billing is presented and what is included - Tuition listings for each programme show the payment alternatives (prepayment or instalment plans) and specify which standard school services are included (E‑Learning access, Office365 package) and which are excluded (external examination fees, textbooks and certain teaching aids). Families are expected to budget separately for exam fees and teaching materials. Summary of key practical points for parents - Expect an enrollment fee of CHF 500 due on contract signature for main courses; choose between prepayment and instalment schedules as shown for each programme. - Budget separately for school supplies (approx. CHF 900), external exam fees and teaching materials. - No boarding accommodation is offered by the school; boarding fees do not apply. - Payment is normally by bank transfer; late or missed payments trigger interest, reminder fees and possible suspension of services.	Fee details Application / Registration - A registration process and associated deposit/registration fees apply for all groups (Early Years, Pre‑K/Kindergarten, Primary). Tuition — Primary (Years 1–6, ages 6–12) - Tuition: CHF 2,200 per month. The monthly tuition covers supervision from 07:30–18:30, supervised homework time, breakfast and a healthy morning snack. Tuition — Early Years, Pre‑K and Kindergarten - The school publishes separate tariffs for Early Years groups (Little Teddies, Little Pandas & Little Bees) and for Pre‑K / Kindergarten (Little Stars & Little Einsteins). Specific monthly rates for these groups are shown in the school's tariffs. The monthly tariff for early years and kindergarten includes childcare, after‑lunch clubs, homework support and project weeks. Per‑term / Per‑year presentation - The published tuition figure for Primary is presented as a monthly amount (CHF 2,200 per month). Billing is structured around the monthly tariff; parents should expect charges expressed on a monthly basis. Per‑term or per‑academic‑year totals are therefore derived from the monthly tariff (school publishes the tariff as a monthly figure). Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is published as a monthly tariff. The school's general terms and conditions (Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen, AGB) set out contractual payment and price provisions. Families make arrangements in line with the school's AGB and the tariffs. Boarding - KIBS Zürich operates as a private day school; there is no boarding provision. Meals and extras - For Kindergarten groups (Little Einsteins, Stars and Bees), with the exception of the afternoon snack, all meals are included in the monthly tariff. For Primary pupils, breakfast and a morning snack are included; lunch is available at an additional charge of CHF 10 per day. School lunch is prepared on site by the school's chefs. Other charges and optional extra costs - A school shuttle bus service is offered for selected areas at an additional cost. - There is no school uniform and therefore no uniform cost. Parents are asked to dress children appropriately. - The tariffs page references deposits, registration fees and discounts for all groups; those additional one‑off or periodic charges may apply at enrolment. Refunds and contract termination - Refunds, notice periods and contract termination terms are governed by the school's Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen (AGB). The AGB set out rights and obligations relating to prices, contracts and obligations between parents and the school. Fee payment options - The school's tariffs and AGB describe the contractual and payment framework. Specific accepted payment methods (for example bank transfer or card) are set out in the school's payment instructions and contractual terms. Summary of available numeric figures - Primary tuition published: CHF 2,200 per month. - Meal extra for Primary lunch: CHF 10 per day. Brief note about missing detail (what could not be located on the published tariff pages) - The publicly presented tariff headings confirm the existence of deposits, registration fees and separate tariffs for each age group, but the site's published pages that were accessed do not contain the full line‑by‑line amounts for each age group and per‑term totals in a directly extractable form. The school's AGB holds the formal payment and refund rules.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements No boarding is offered; it is a day school.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options There is an on-site cafeteria (Mensa) and a dining area on campus.	Food options The tuition includes breakfast and a healthy morning snack.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership Academic Gateway AG operates the school. The address is Löwenstrasse 17, 8001 Zürich. It is registered in the Zurich commercial registry as CHE-312.196.609. Alexandre Touihri serves as Chairman of the Board and Dimitar Jauch is a Board member.	Governance and ownership KIBS is a non-profit organisation.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Academic Gateway offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) and additional routes including Matura, BMS, Passerelle, and Self-study. The IB fosters international-mindedness and uses a transdisciplinary, inquiry-based learning approach that connects subjects and real-world contexts. The Diploma Programme emphasizes critical thinking, global contexts, multilingualism, and research skills essential for higher education. Most lessons are conducted in English, with German widely used by many community members and languages such as French, Italian, and Spanish appearing as part of the educational heritage. Assessments are authentic and contextualized, with external IB examinations for the Diploma Programme and progress shared with families through reports and conferences. EduQua Certification supports the school's commitment to quality education and a modern, digitally enabled learning environment.	Curriculum details The school is a private German-English day school in Zurich with nearly 20 years of experience. The tailored curriculum blends international standards with the learning goals of Canton Zürich in a bilingual English–German program, using cross-curricular teaching and hands-on exploration to develop critical thinking, independent problem solving, and confident learners.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates may choose to study internationally or in Switzerland.	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Personal support includes learning coaching and speech therapy; there are learning development conversations; short assessments (including personal analysis and a personal learning plan) and mock examinations (including personal analysis and a personal learning plan); tutoring is fully integrated and private lessons for 1–3 students are offered.	Social & emotional learning The school supports social and emotional development through a nurturing, inclusive community that fosters belonging, friendships, calm transitions, and peer support so children grow socially and emotionally.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school provides personal support including learning coaching and speech therapy; learning development discussions and individually tailored learning plans and assessments are part of the support offered; tutoring and private instruction are integrated into the program.	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language Most lessons are conducted in English, with German and French offered as language courses; the school supports language learning and offers internationally recognized language certificates in English, German and French.	English as an additional language The school teaches in English and German, with 50% of instructional time in German and 50% in English.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing is central to the learning approach, with emphasis on emotional well-being and a caring, safe community.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding Schul- und Hausordnung (School and House Rules) governs behavior and safety on campus, including explicit prohibitions on smoking (inside buildings), alcohol, and drugs; it describes emergency evacuation procedures and the location of emergency facilities, and it sets sanctions for violations.	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The modern schoolhouse at Löwenstrasse 17 opened in August 2021 and forms the heart of Academic Gateway. It is located in central Zurich, just 500 meters from Zürich Hauptbahnhof, with four nearby stations: Zürich Enge, Wiedikon, Selnau and Stadeln. The campus features 14 rooms and modern infrastructure and technology, including lecture rooms, science rooms, a canteen, a library, a terrace, and more. The learning environment is exclusive and excellent, with aesthetically pleasing and technically well-equipped classrooms.	Facilities overview The school is a private German-English day school in Seebach, Zurich, serving children from daycare through primary. It runs a full-day program open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with care from early morning to late afternoon. The school offers all-day care, project weeks, and After-Lunch Clubs included in the tuition, and provides a bus service. It operates a fully bilingual environment with a 50/50 curriculum, half the instruction in German and half in English, and uses a tailored curriculum that combines international standards with the Canton's educational goals. The school emphasizes small classes, an inclusive community, and intercultural understanding.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Academic Gateway uses an innovative digital school model that combines traditional instruction with e-learning, and university-style teaching methods (lectures and exercises) with small practice groups. The school provides up-to-date teaching materials and resources and offers a broad range of elective subjects. The campus includes a library, a music room, chemistry and physics laboratories, a terrace, and a design room with exhibitions. Streaming technology is available in all rooms to support hybrid learning. Learning support includes access to learning coaching and speech therapy, with learning development discussions, short assessments (including personal analysis and a personalized learning plan), mock examinations (including personal analysis and a personalized learning plan), and integrated tutoring, with private tutoring available for 1–3 students.	Academic facilities The school has a custom bilingual curriculum that blends international programs with the educational goals of the Canton of Zurich; instruction is cross-disciplinary, linking subjects to build meaningful learning; students are encouraged to think critically, solve problems independently, and take increasing responsibility for their learning.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities The campus includes a music room for practice and a design space for visual arts with exhibitions. There are spaces for exhibitions and a foyer area for gatherings, and a meeting room can be rented for external meetings, supporting student creative projects and related activities.	Extra curricular facilities Ganztagsbetreuung (full-day care), project weeks, and After-Lunch Clubs are included in the tuition; a bus service is available.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Academic Gateway operates as Academic Gateway AG. The campus at Löwenstrasse 17, 8001 Zürich, opened its modern schoolhouse in August 2021. The school follows a university education approach and aims to prepare students for federal maturity, vocational maturity or passerelle. It also seeks to develop proficiency in English and German to support studies at universities worldwide. The leadership includes Alexandre Touihri as chair of the board and Dimitar Jauch as a board member.	History KIBS was born from a mother's vision in 2008. Unable to find a day school where her daughter could grow up truly bilingual in German and English, she set out to create the learning environment she dreamed of. Guided by extensive research into the benefits of bilingual education, she developed her own curriculum—and founded Kid's Island: a daycare and kindergarten designed to give children the gift of bilingual learning from the very start. By 2013, Kid's Island Bilingual School (KIBS) was officially established as a primary school. Since then, KIBS has grown sustainably and with intention, preserving the authentic, family-like atmosphere that shaped its beginnings while blending the warmth of a close-knit community with the quality and ambition of a modern bilingual school.
Community	Community Art lessons are an integral part of the Academic Gateway's high school program, and art history is intensively studied. Excursions and research-based learning enrich school life; destinations include Kunsthaus Zürich, Kunsthalle, Landesmuseum, Zoological Museum and Museum Rietberg, with many closer-to-home options within walking distance. There are also excursions outside of Zurich, such as to Fondation Beyeler, and former students' works are showcased and alumni interviews are featured.	Community KIBS Stories provide a window into daily life—stories, short clips and monthly moments from the KIBS community, with new content every Wednesday. January theme: Bilingual Beginnings; February theme: Friendship and Belonging; March theme: Healthy Bodies & Calm Minds. These stories illustrate a focus on community-building and student well-being as part of school life. Life at KIBS fosters a sense of community among students and families.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Academic Gateway emphasizes experiential learning beyond the classroom. The school uses practical activities to deepen understanding, including hands-on experiments in the chemistry laboratory and structured excursions linked to Geography and Culture. Excursions provide real-world contexts for learning, complementing maturità curricula.	Academic & intellectual Small class sizes provide individualized attention. Through themed units, students are encouraged to question, explore, and connect subjects through a cross-curricular approach. The curriculum is taught 50% in English and 50% in German, creating a balanced bilingual learning environment. Homework Support and Gymnasium Preparation extend academic learning beyond the classroom.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Art and culture are a central part of Academic Gateway's curricula. The art program is a fixed component of the maturità pathways, fostering creative and critical thinking and a deep engagement with art history. Visual arts activities include drawing, collage, and watercolors, with student artworks regularly displayed as part of the artistic process. A dedicated music room supports musical practice, and a design space enables painting, drawing, sculpture, and digital art with high-quality materials.	Arts & creative Art and music are offered as part of Kindergarten extracurricular activities, alongside yoga and playball. Primary offers extra-curricular clubs such as choir, drama, Italian, and guitar, with other clubs varying by term.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Excursions enrich cultural learning with visits to institutions such as Kunsthaus Zürich, Kunsthalle, Landesmuseum, Zoologisches Museum, and Museum Rietberg, among others. Field trips extend beyond Zurich to places like Sammlung Oskar Reinhart, Bruno Weber Park, Fondation Beyeler, and Zentrum Paul Klee. These experiences connect cultural topics to on-site learning and museum contexts.	Cultural & language The Kindergarten is a truly bilingual experience with English and German equally represented. In Primary, the curriculum is taught 50% in English and 50% in German.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies The Schulleben includes opportunities to share and celebrate student artwork, with exhibitions and projects that showcase creative work. The visual arts program emphasizes collaborative and individual inquiry, encouraging students to pursue personal topics and interests. The dedicated arts spaces, including the music room and design room, foster creative collaboration and ongoing personal projects.	Social & hobbies Forest Day is a weekly outdoor learning activity. Learning Beyond the Classroom includes field trips and hands-on activities to explore new interests. Primary offers after-lunch Extra-Curricular Clubs including table tennis, choir, drama, Italian, and guitar, with 7 Project Weeks offering themed activities each year.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing Movement and healthy habits are part of everyday learning. Forest Day promotes outdoor activity and nature appreciation. Yoga and other activities support physical well-being and mindfulness.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English is the primary language of instruction and is used for most of the school day. German is valued as part of the community's linguistic identity. Other languages such as French, Italian, and Spanish are part of students' heritage and are celebrated, though not explicitly taught. The teaching team represents over 20 language communities and language support is available.	Language provision English and German are taught; the curriculum is taught 50/50 in English and German; follows Lehrplan 21 Zurich curriculum and is enriched with elements of the IB framework; blends international programmes with Canton Zürich standards; education extends from daycare to Gymnasium preparation.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching Most lessons are conducted in English. German is valued as part of the community's linguistic identity. Other languages such as French, Italian, and Spanish are part of students' heritage and are celebrated, though not explicitly taught. The school does not describe a formal bilingual programme.	Bilingual teaching A fully bilingual German-English day school; 50% of instructional time in German and 50% in English; from daycare through Kindergarten and Primary, with preparation for Gymnasium-level education.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Contact and initial discussion. Inquiries can be made by phone at 044 310 10 67, by email, or via the contact form. A preliminary meeting is normally conducted so the student and the school can get to know each other. This meeting helps determine whether Academic Gateway is the right path for the student. 2. Suitability assessment. A suitability assessment is conducted with all interested applicants to determine if this is the right path. In addition to high resilience and perseverance, applicants should have solid language skills in German, English, and another national language (French or Italian), as well as basic mathematics. This assessment helps confirm readiness for the program. 3. Enrollment and contract. Enrollment can be initiated by signing the school contract by phone, email, or via the contact form. Alternatively, students can enroll directly for Matura, BMS, or Passerelle. This step formalizes admission to the chosen program. 4. Start date and deadlines. The enrollment deadline runs until the official school start, and late enrollments may be accepted in some cases. For questions about the program or to arrange a non-binding discussion, call 044 310 10 67. After enrollment, the student joins the program according to the official start date.	Admissions Applications are accepted year-round as long as spaces remain in a group; for the start of a new academic year, it is advised to submit by the end of February to avoid disappointment. KIBS does not require an entrance examination; a trial day may be offered to see how your child fits with the group. At kindergarten entry, children should have basic knowledge of German or English; at primary entry, students must master one of the instruction languages to near-native level. The school teaches in a bilingual setup with 50% of instructional time in English and 50% in German. French is part of the curriculum from 4th to 6th grade, and French and Spanish are offered free in lunch clubs. Our teachers come mainly from the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Germany, and Switzerland. The school is open Monday to Friday from 7:30 to 18:30; the teaching day runs 9:00 to 16:10, and students should be present by 8:50 for registration. KIBS is located near Zürich's public transport network; Bus 768 stops in front of the school; a paid shuttle is available to Seebach, Oerlikon, and Glattpark, with other locations on request. There is no school uniform; students should dress appropriately. Primary tuition is CHF 2,200 per month and includes care from 7:30 to 18:30, supervised homework, breakfast, and a morning snack. A school calendar with important dates is available on request. After KIBS, students may attend any national or international secondary school; most pursue the Swiss Gymnasium, and KIBS offers a free Gymnasium-entrance exam preparation program. For more information, contact the admissions team.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist No waitlist is described; admissions are open year-round as long as spaces exist, with a recommendation to apply by end of February to start a new academic year.
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