Academic Gateway vs Zurich International School - Secondary Campus
Academic Gateway and Zurich International School - Secondary Campus are both in Zug, about 6 km apart. Both schools offer IB and Swiss programmes, and Zurich International School - Secondary Campus also offers Advanced Placement (AP) and Bespoke. Published annual fees are CHF 19,000 - 68,000 at Academic Gateway and CHF 36,450 - 39,700 at Zurich International School - Secondary Campus, which puts Academic Gateway roughly 14% higher. Academic Gateway takes pupils from 16 to 19, and Zurich International School - Secondary Campus from 11 to 18.
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
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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
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School type
School type
The Academic Gateway is a full private school.
School type
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Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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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
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Switzerland
Country affiliation
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Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
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School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
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Bus service details
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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
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Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
There is an on-site cafeteria (Mensa) and a dining area on campus.
Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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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
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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
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Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Graduates may choose to study internationally or in Switzerland.
Higher education progression
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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
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
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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)
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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
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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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
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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 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
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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
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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
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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
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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
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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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
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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
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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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. 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.
