KIBS Zurich and Lakeside School - Kusnacht are both in Zug, about 10 km apart. Both schools offer Swiss and Bespoke programmes. Published annual fees are close, at CHF 22,000 - 26,400 for KIBS Zurich and CHF 20,400 - 27,600 for Lakeside School - Kusnacht. KIBS Zurich takes pupils from 0 to 12, and Lakeside School - Kusnacht from 3 to 12. The two are similar in size, at around 220 and 200 pupils. Typical class sizes are 14 at KIBS Zurich and 18 at Lakeside School - Kusnacht.
Located in Seebach, Zurich. The address is Schaffhauserstrasse 550, 8052 Zürich, Switzerland.
Location
Küsnacht, canton of Zürich, Switzerland. The campus is located in Küsnacht with a magnificent view of Lake Zurich. Getting to school is convenient by public transport: a ten-minute walk from the Küsnacht-Goldbach or Zollikon train stations. A school bus runs from the Tiefenbrunnen or Küsnacht train stations at no extra cost, and door-to-door service can be arranged depending on location. Bus routes are established each June for the next academic year.
Stages
Stages
Daycare, Pre-K, Kindergarten, Primary
Stages
Pre-Kindergarten; Kindergarten; Primary School
School type
School type
Private German-English day school in Zurich
School type
Private, non-profit bilingual day school
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Individualised support is part of the bilingual learning approach.
Additional learning support
In-house language and learning support rooms for small-group instruction
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
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Country affiliation
Switzerland
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
School bus from Tiefenbrunnen or Küsnacht train stations at no extra cost; door-to-door service possible depending on location; routes set each June for the next academic year
Fees
Fees
Fee details
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.
Fee details
Application & Entrance Fees
- Registration (Anmeldegebühr): CHF 500.- (non-refundable). - Deposit (security deposit payable when the contract is signed): CHF 3,500.- for the 1st child / CHF 2,500.- for the 2nd child / CHF 1,500.- for each further child. The deposit is retained if the school contract is terminated less than 16 weeks before the child's agreed start date; otherwise the deposit is refunded on exit after settlement of any outstanding amounts. - For Pre‑Kindergarten programmes a school fund (Schulfond) charge applies: CHF 1,000.-. Sibling deposit scale shown on Pre‑K information: 1st child CHF 2,000.- / 2nd child CHF 1,000.- / from 3rd child CHF 500.- (specific Pre‑K registration/deposit information is published with the Pre‑K programme).
Tuition fees by programme and year group (month / annual equivalents where published)
- Pre‑Kindergarten (full programme; Wednesday afternoon free): CHF 2,050.- per month (annual equivalent CHF 24,600.-). - Pre‑Kindergarten (five mornings per week): CHF 1,310.- per month (annual equivalent CHF 15,720.-). Additional morning: CHF 260.- per month (annual equivalent CHF 3,120.-). Additional afternoon: CHF 210.- per month (annual equivalent CHF 2,520.-). - Kindergarten (full programme; Wednesday afternoon free): CHF 2,310.- per month (annual equivalent CHF 27,720.-). Options with an additional free afternoon shown at CHF 2,150.- or CHF 2,200.- per month (annual equivalents CHF 25,800.- and CHF 26,400.- respectively). - Primary school (1st – 6th grade; full programme; Wednesday morning only): CHF 2,310.- per month (annual equivalent CHF 27,720.-).
Additional day‑care, lunch and extra-curricular charges
- Day Care (sample rates published): morning care (07:30–08:45, five days) CHF 307.- per month (annual CHF 3,684.-). After‑school care options (15:45–17:30) CHF 429.- per month (annual CHF 5,148.-); (15:45–18:30) CHF 678.- per month (annual CHF 8,136.-). Single sessions and Wednesday‑afternoon options also listed with published per‑session rates. - Hot Lunch (catered lunch; VAT excluded): Monday–Friday (including Wednesday) CHF 250.- per month (annual CHF 3,000.-); Monday–Friday (excluding Wednesday) CHF 200.- per month (annual CHF 2,400.-); Tuesday & Thursday option CHF 100.- per month (annual CHF 1,200.-). - Holiday care and semester leisure courses are charged separately; published materials note guaranteed minimum holiday‑care weeks and that some leisure courses incur additional fees. - School bus: a guaranteed spot on the school shuttle from the nearby Tiefenbrunnen or Küsnacht train stations is provided without additional cost; door‑to‑door pickup may be organised depending on routing (published routing is established each June). Specific door‑to‑door provisions and routes are handled by the school.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Regular tuition and service charges are stated as monthly amounts and are payable in advance at the start of each month. Published materials show monthly amounts and annual equivalents. Price changes are reserved by the school. A sibling discount applies: 5% for the second child and 10% from the third child.
Boarding
- Lakeside School Küsnacht operates as a day school (day programmes, day care, after‑school provision). No boarding fees apply.
Other costs and typical extras
- School fund (Schulfond) charge associated with Pre‑K registration: CHF 1,000.-. - Enrollment or programme administrative charges for sport, excursions, specialised courses and some extracurricular programmes may be invoiced separately when offered; holiday‑care weeks and some leisure courses are charged in addition to base fees. Hot lunch, day‑care and single‑session charges are itemised as above. - Uniforms are not listed among mandatory fees in the published programme and pricing materials for the Küsnacht campus. Specific activity‑related equipment or course materials, if required, are invoiced or communicated per programme.
Refunds and cancellations (entrance fees / deposit rules)
- The registration fee CHF 500.- is not refundable. - The deposit is due at contract signature and is refundable on exit after settlement of any outstanding charges, subject to published notice and forfeiture rules (for example a deduction/forfeiture if the contract is terminated within the published notice period before the agreed start date). Specific published deposit amounts and notice conditions are stated in the entrance‑fees documentation.
Fee payment options
- The school accepts electronic and card‑based payment channels through supported payment providers listed in the school's payment and privacy information; published payment options include PostFinance, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, Apple Pay, Stripe and Klarna (as well as the school's invoicing/accounting platforms). Payment is typically handled by bank transfer or the school's accepted electronic payment methods.
Summary statement
- Monthly tuition amounts and the corresponding annual equivalents are published for Pre‑K, Kindergarten and Primary (1–6) and for day‑care and hot‑lunch options; fees are billed monthly in advance and are subject to the school's published deposit, registration and refund rules.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
No boarding is offered; it is a day school.
Boarding arrangements
Day School; boarding not offered.
Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
The tuition includes breakfast and a healthy morning snack.
Food options
Hot Lunch is offered; lunches are nutritious and delicious.
House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
KIBS is a non-profit organisation.
Governance and ownership
Governing body is The Lakeside School Foundation, a non-profit organization. The Foundation reinvests profits into the school; the Board of Trustees oversees governance.
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
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.
Curriculum details
Primary School runs from Grade 1 to 6 and provides a bilingual foundation. Bilingual Matura offers upper-school options up to the Swiss Matura.
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
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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
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.
Social & emotional learning
The school values shape the school culture and promote the social and emotional development of students.
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Student support rooms provide individual language and learning support in small groups.
English as an additional language
English as an additional language
The school teaches in English and German, with 50% of instructional time in German and 50% in English.
English as an additional language
English-speaking and German-speaking class teachers work with classes; once a week they take their classes to the in-house library.
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is central to the learning approach, with emphasis on emotional well-being and a caring, safe community.
Mental wellbeing
Social and emotional development is integral to the school culture, and parent conferences discuss a child's academic and social development.
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 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.
Facilities overview
Campus Küsnacht houses kindergarten, primary school and the auditorium in a single building with a view of Lake Zurich. The auditorium is used for lunch together and for events such as assemblies, class performances and birthday celebrations. There are dedicated spaces for activities including group rooms for collaborative learning, a music room with many instruments, and a crafts, design and technology room with workbenches for textile and technical design. An exclusive in-house library is accessible to students, with weekly trips for reading and borrowing, and each class has its own small library. There is ample space to play and exercise, from a football pitch to basketball hoops and extensive play structures. After-school clubs include activities such as Kung Fu, gymnastics, coding and acting.
Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
On-site facilities include a football pitch and basketball hoops, with extensive play structures for outdoor activity. The space supports a variety of physical activities.
Academic facilities
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.
Academic facilities
Group rooms support collaborative learning. A music room houses a large selection of instruments. A crafts, design and technology room provides workbenches for textile and technical design. Student support rooms offer individual language and learning support in small groups. An exclusive in-house library is available for classes, with weekly library visits and class libraries for student use.
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
Ganztagsbetreuung (full-day care), project weeks, and After-Lunch Clubs are included in the tuition; a bus service is available.
Extra curricular facilities
After-school clubs include Kung Fu, gymnastics, coding and acting. These clubs extend learning beyond the school day. Holiday Care provides a supervised holiday programme in a familiar setting. The Lakeside School Küsnacht campus offers a variety of after-school and holiday programs to engage students.
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
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.
History
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Community
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.
Community
Kindergarten, primary school and auditorium are in the same building with a view of Lake Zurich. In the auditorium, lunch is eaten together and gatherings include assemblies, class performances and birthday celebrations. Exclusive in-house library access provides weekly visits to the library for English-speaking and German-speaking classes, and each class has its own small library. After-school life includes clubs such as Kung Fu, gymnastics, coding and acting, and there is ample outdoor space with a football pitch, basketball hoops and play structures.
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
There is a Parents' Club Küsnacht. The parent community is active as part of Lakeside School Küsnacht. There is also a Parents' Club Horgen for the Horgen campus.
Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
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.
Academic & intellectual
Primary School provides a bilingual foundation with instruction in English and German. The school building houses kindergarten, primary school and an auditorium with a magnificent view of Lake Zurich, and spaces include group rooms for collaborative learning as well as a music room with a wide range of instruments. There is an in-house library that students access; English-speaking and German-speaking teachers take classes there weekly, and each class has its own small classroom library. There is ample space to play and exercise, with a football pitch, basketball hoops and extensive play structures.
Arts & creative
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.
Arts & creative
A Music Room provides a large selection of instruments. A Crafts, Design and Technology room has workbenches for textile and technical design. Group rooms support collaborative learning, and the auditorium hosts assemblies, class performances and birthday celebrations. The auditorium also serves as a gathering space for lunch and events.
Cultural & language
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.
Cultural & language
English-speaking and German-speaking teachers accompany classes to the in-house library weekly to read and borrow books. Each class has its own small library that is always accessible to students. In Primary School, students are instructed in English and German. The bilingual environment supports language development across the curriculum.
Social & hobbies
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.
Social & hobbies
There is a football pitch, basketball hoops and extensive play structures for outdoor activity. After the bell rings, a diverse program of After School Clubs is offered, including Kung Fu, gymnastics, coding and acting. Students have opportunities to participate in sports and creative activities after school to stay active and engaged.
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
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.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
There is plenty of space to play and exercise on campus, including a football pitch, basketball hoops and extensive play structures. After School Clubs support physical and mental wellbeing through activities such as Kung Fu, gymnastics, coding and acting. Getting to school is convenient with a short walk from nearby train stations and a door-to-door school bus service from key origins.
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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.
Language provision
The languages of instruction are English and German. In Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten, each class is taught by one English-speaking and one German-speaking teacher, exposing students to both languages. In Primary School, students are instructed in English and German, with cross-language planning between a native English-speaking teacher and a native German-speaking teacher. German-language development remains strong in bilingual settings, and students with other language dominances also achieve strong English reading and writing skills.
Bilingual teaching
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.
Bilingual teaching
Lakeside School Küsnacht offers bilingual education in English and German. In Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten, each class has one English-speaking and one German-speaking class teacher working together. In Primary School, instruction is in English and German, with a native English-speaking and a native German-speaking teacher sharing responsibility and coordinating planning. The class has an English week when all subjects are taught in English, followed by a German week; Specialist subjects are taught in either language.
Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
English and German are used in speaking and writing in every subject. The programme is fully immersive with equal instruction in both languages (50:50). Our teachers are native speakers of either English or German.
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
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.
Admissions
Registration is online; you can register your child online for Lakeside School Küsnacht or contact us if you have any further questions. Fees and registration are managed via the Fees & Registration page, where offers and prices are calculated dynamically as you build an individual program. The Küsnacht campus offers Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and Primary School; additional services include Day School, Day Care, Hot Lunch, School Bus Küsnacht, After School Clubs, and Holiday Care.
Scholarships
Scholarships
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Scholarships
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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.
