KIBS Zurich vs SIS Swiss International School Männedorf-Zürich

	K KIBS Zurich Zug, Switzerland	S SIS Swiss International School Männedorf-Zürich Zug, Switzerland
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year CHF 22,000 - 26,400	Fees / year CHF 25,860
Age range	Age range 0 - 12 years	Age range 3 - 12 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Swiss Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum	Curriculum Swiss Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 220	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 14	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, German	Instruction language German, English
Opened	Opened 2013	Opened 2009
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Located in Seebach, Zurich. The address is Schaffhauserstrasse 550, 8052 Zürich, Switzerland.	Location Seestrasse 57, 8708 Männedorf, Switzerland; near Lake Zurich; easily reachable by public transport.
Stages	Stages Daycare, Pre-K, Kindergarten, Primary	Stages Kindergarten and Primary School.
School type	School type Private German-English day school in Zurich	School type Private bilingual day school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix More than twenty nationalities represented.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Individualised support is part of the bilingual learning approach.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation Switzerland
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure Full-day day school with supervision from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; includes lunch, morning and afternoon supervision, homework support and flexible drop-off/pick-up times.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
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 Registration / Application Fee - One-time registration fee (non-refundable): CHF 600 for the first child; CHF 500 for each additional child. Payment of this fee secures the child's place. Tuition fees (2025/26 academic year) - Annual tuition (per student) for Kindergarten 1–2: CHF 12,930 per year. - Annual tuition (per student) for Primary Years 1–6: CHF 12,930 per year. Billing schedule and payment terms - Billing frequency: School fees are billed in advance per semester. - Payment options for timing: Fees may be paid either as a single payment at the beginning of the semester or as six monthly instalments. Choosing six monthly instalments carries a 2% surcharge (the instalment amount shown is the annual fee plus the surcharge divided across six payments). School fees for mid-term admissions are prorated. Sibling discount - A sibling discount of 10% of the school fees applies to the younger child(ren) when more than one child from the same family is enrolled. Optional additional costs - Lunch (optional): - Kindergarten and Primary 1: Full week (5 days) CHF 1,200 per semester; One day per week CHF 240 per semester; Single meal booking CHF 16 per meal. - Primary 2–6: Full week (5 days) CHF 1,350 per semester; One day per week CHF 270 per semester; Single meal booking CHF 16 per meal. - After-school care (optional, 16:00–18:00): Full week (5 days) CHF 2,400 per semester; One day per week CHF 480 per semester; Single booking CHF 18 per hour. - Clubs and extracurricular activities: costs vary by club; fees are charged separately – contact the school office for specific club prices. Boarding / Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable: SIS Männedorf-Zürich operates as a private bilingual day school (kindergarten to Year 6) and does not offer boarding facilities. Refunds and adjustments - The registration fee is explicitly non-refundable. Tuition for students who join mid-term is charged on a prorated basis. No other refund policy details are listed with the fee schedule provided. Fee payment options (timing and instalment structure) - Timing options: one payment at the beginning of the semester, or six monthly instalments with a 2% surcharge. School fees are billed in advance per semester; mid-term admissions are prorated. Notes on additional potential costs - The published fees cover tuition only; additional costs that may apply separately include optional lunch, after-school care, clubs, and any personal items or externally supplied materials. Specific charges for school trips, special courses, uniforms (if required), textbooks, or specialist services are not listed in the fee schedule and are invoiced separately where applicable.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements No boarding is offered; it is a day school.	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options The tuition includes breakfast and a healthy morning snack.	Food options Lunch is provided on site. The school also offers flexible services including before- and after-school care and flexible drop-off and pickup times to support families.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership KIBS is a non-profit organisation.	Governance and ownership The school is a private educational institution financed solely from school fees and does not receive subsidies from the Swiss national or cantonal governments.
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 Bilingual primary education is based on the cantonal curriculum and is gradually supplemented with elements of the British curriculum as well as with SIS-developed curricula. Continuity from Kindergarten to College.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression Continuity from Kindergarten to College.
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 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 SIS Männedorf-Zürich bilingual kindergarten offers a stimulating and supportive learning environment. Personal and Social Development is one of the six areas of the kindergarten curriculum. The English/German bilingual kindergarten uses an immersion method with 50% of time in English and 50% in German, with a German-speaking and an English-speaking teacher supporting children in their native languages. The children are supervised by one German- and one English-speaking teacher who use their native language to communicate with their students. The full-day concept provides care from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with before- and after-school care, lunch, clubs and holiday activities to support social interaction and routine.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
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 The school teaches in English and German from kindergarten through primary, with daily immersion in both languages. In the bilingual kindergarten, 50% of activities are in English and 50% in German, guided by a German-speaking and an English-speaking teacher. In primary, each class has two teachers—one German-speaking and one English-speaking—so German and English are heard and spoken in almost equal measure throughout the day. French is taught as a foreign language from Year 5. The language emphasis aims at strong bilingual fluency across the primary years.
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 Mental wellbeing is supported by a nurturing, open, multicultural learning environment and a curriculum that emphasises Personal and Social Development in the early years. The immersion-based learning promotes social interaction and collaboration, contributing to students' emotional development. The school's day structure and extracurricular activities offer routine, security and opportunities for engagement that support wellbeing.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding E-safety is part of the kindergarten curriculum, reflecting safeguarding in digital contexts. The school fosters a safe and inclusive learning environment through age-appropriate digital literacy and protective practices embedded in the curriculum.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
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 The SIS Männedorf-Zürich is a bilingual day school located near Lake Zurich, offering instruction in German and English from Kindergarten through the 6th year of primary school. The bilingual concept has been in place since 2009. Local and international families value the bilingual instruction and the all-day structure in this family-friendly region. The school enrolls about 132 students from more than 30 nationalities. It is located near the lake and is easily accessible by public transport, with a playground that has ample space for play and modern, versatile equipment.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
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 Instruction is bilingual in German and English from Kindergarten through the 6th Primarstufe, and bilingualism is not a prerequisite for entry. The immersion method enables learners to acquire language naturally. Learning is enhanced by technology across the curriculum. The program is designed to be continuous from Kindergarten through university entrance, aligning with SIS's bilingual concept.
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 Morning and afternoon supervision, lunch, courses and holiday care are offered as part of the Day School program. After-school clubs provide engaging activities, including options during school holidays. The learning environment is open, multicultural, and supportive, with a structured and varied all-day program.
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 The school is a private bilingual day school with approximately 120 students from kindergarten to Year 6, and the bilingual educational concept has been implemented here since 2009.
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 The school community is characterized by a close-knit, vibrant and nurturing multicultural environment and includes more than twenty nationalities.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
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 The school offers Ozobots programming and decorating as a robotics activity. The SIS Cup provides inter-school competitions that emphasize sport, teamwork and enjoyment. The school promotes international activities through Intercountry Activities with international mathematics days, a parcel swap, a story exchange, a photography project, and an IT activity with Ozobots, followed by a digital exhibition with sustainable art. The SIS Best Essay Award recognises the top three written final works by SIS graduates.
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 The school hosts art exhibitions of student artworks and runs creative projects such as art made from materials that would normally be discarded.
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 The school runs SIS international activities and Intercountry Activities to foster language diversity and cross-cultural exchange, including interschool projects and events. Annual traditions celebrate local and international festivals and practices, including Halloween, the Räbeliechtli parade, Samichlaus, a Christmas celebration, a summer festival, Fasnacht, a ski day, an expo, World Book Day, and Mother7s/Father7s Day breakfasts.
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 The school offers after-school clubs and activities as part of a varied day, including flexible morning, lunch and after-school care and holiday clubs.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
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 The campus includes a cafeteria (Mensa), a gym/sportraum, a workshop and music room, and a library, plus a spacious outdoor playground. The school provides a flexible all-day program with lunch, morning and after-school care, homework supervision and flexible drop-off/pick-up times.
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 —
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 The school operates as a bilingual day school beside Lake Zürich. Bilingual experience is a core feature of SIS Männedorf-Zürich. Bilingual primary school teaching is based on the cantonal curriculum, with supplementary elements of the British curriculum and curricula developed by SIS. Language acquisition begins early and is guided by experts in a natural learning environment.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
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 Make the First Step: Get in touch with SIS Maennedorf-Zfcrich via our contact form, by email, or by phone. You may visit an Open House to learn about daily life and meet school leadership; we can provide further information and discuss the next suitable step for you and your child. Consultation: A personal consultation is arranged to answer questions, introduce the school and its educational concept, and, if possible, provide a tour of the building to offer insight into classroom life; virtual, phone, or email consultations are available. Trial Days: If the consultation is positive for both sides, one or more trial days are arranged to experience everyday school life; trial days are non-binding and can be substituted with an alternative solution if needed. Registration: If you decide to proceed after the consultations and trial days, you will receive the registration form (digital or printed); complete it in full and submit to the SIS school of your choice. The school will prepare the contract and send it with information about the enrolment fee; after the contract is signed and the enrolment fee is received, your child is officially registered and a place is reserved. Come and See: Open Houses are available to visit the school. FAQ highlights: Best time to enrol: Enrolments are accepted year-round if there is space; most children enroll in the spring (February to April) so they can start the school year in August. Age to enrol: Enrolment age varies by canton and location and is typically three or four years; please enquire at the school of your choice. Language: Enrollment is possible even if a child speaks only one or neither of the two school languages (German and English). Children learn both German and English by immersion, and German/English courses may be offered outside of class or as intensive courses depending on level. Entrance exam: For compulsory education, no entrance examination is required at SIS locations. Waiting lists: If a year group is full, SIS schools maintain waiting lists. Place securing: A place is reserved as soon as the enrolment fee has been received; the fee is listed on the respective school's price list.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
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.	Waitlist If a year group or class is already full, the SIS schools maintain waiting lists. To secure a place, enquire early, preferably in spring.
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