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Schweizer Schule Santiago

Chile, Santiago

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The school at a glance
Instructs in German, Spanish
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 4 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 640
Type Co-educational
Opened 1939
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, Swiss Curriculum
Taught languages German, Spanish, English, French
Strengths Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

Schweizer Schule Santiago is a private, secular international school in Chile with formal ties to Switzerland. It offers a bespoke curriculum for students aged 4 to 18, from prekindergarten through the fourth year of secondary education. The Basel-Landschaft canton patronage supports the school, and it is recognized and subsidized by the Swiss government; it is the oldest Swiss-affiliated school in Latin America. The curriculum emphasizes cultural exchange, universal human values, and language instruction, with programs recognized in both Chile and Switzerland. The campus spans about 7,200 square meters of built space on a 17,600-square-meter site shared with the Swiss Club, adjacent to campus with access to a pool and tennis courts. Facilities include biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics laboratories, spaces for Arts, Music, Crafts, Cooking, Technology, and Informatics, libraries, gyms, and health and psycho-pedagogical services. TAEX extension workshops offer after-school activities in sport, arts, science, and languages, enriching student life beyond class hours.

José Domingo Cañas 2206, 7750133 Ñuñoa, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile

The Essentials

Schweizer Schule Santiago has 640 pupils, instruction in German, Spanish.

Location
Located at José Domingo Cañas 2206, Ñuñoa, Santiago de Chile. The school is in the Ñuñoa district of Santiago. CSS does not operate its own transport service; transport is provided by approved external providers, and the list of providers can be requested at info@css.cl.

Stages
Prekindergarten through Grade 12 (prekindergarten to cuarto año de enseñanza media).

Type
Private, international, secular school.

Pupil Nationality Mix
A high percentage of students are Chilean, with additional students from other nationalities.

Additional learning support
Departamento de Apoyo Escolar (DAE) provides emotional and psychopedagogical support for students across all levels.

Country affiliation
Switzerland (patronage by Basel Landschaft canton).

Religious affiliation
Secular.

School day structure
All levels start classes at 8:00. Lunch is from 13:00 to 14:00. Afternoon sessions begin at 14:00, with end times varying by level. Students may enter from 07:00.

Bus service
CSS does not operate its own transport service; external transport providers approved by the Ministry of Transport; the list of providers can be requested via info@css.cl.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Long exchange lasts six months; a CSS second-year student attends a Swiss school and a Swiss student attends CSS; both stay with the host families of the partner. The maximum number of CSS participants for the long exchange is 12, varying year by year based on Swiss applications. Short exchange lasts up to three months, with CSS students spending eight to nine weeks in Switzerland (late December to mid‑March) and Swiss students visiting CSS for three months (July to late September); both stay with the host families of the other exchange participant, with a maximum of five CSS participants per year.

Uniform Requirement
The CSS has no daily institutional uniform or sports uniform. There are specific rules for daily wear and for sports wear: daily footwear should be closed, low, flat and safe; clothing and footwear must cover underwear; jewelry and accessories should not hinder safety; hair must be clean and allow the face to be seen. For representation in extracurricular activities (ACLEs), the sports uniform is mandatory for participants or CSS representatives, and the design must be approved by the activity teacher and the PE coordinator.

Food Options
The school is committed to healthy eating across all levels; the cafeteria is managed in close coordination with Apunto, a food-service company. There is also a kiosk offering a balanced range of beverages and foods.

Governance and Ownership
CSS is governed by the Corporación Colegio Suizo de Santiago, administered by a seven-member Board of Directors elected by the General Assembly from the Swiss community resident in Chile. The members are President Christian Kassu; Vicepresidenta Evelyn Kägi; Treasurer Cristóbal Achermann; Secretaria María Elena Berlinger; Consejeros Nathalie Baumgartner, Samuel Pérez and Fermín Uribe-Echevarría. In Board meetings there is also a representative from the Swiss Embassy, the Director and the Administration and Finance Manager; occasionally representatives of the teaching staff and the Centro de Padres are invited.
Fees
Application & admission fees
- Admission test (Examen de admisión) for Pre‑kinder through III Medio: CLP 50,000, payable at the time of application.
- Incorporation fee (paid at the time of definitive incorporation):
- Non‑Swiss nationals: 99 UF.
- Swiss nationals: 44 UF.
- Students enrolling directly into Enseñanza Media: 50 UF.

Enrollment (Matrícula) and refund rule
- Enrollment (Matrícula), payable no later than December of the preceding year:
- Non‑Swiss nationals (Pre‑kinder to IV Medio): 14.61 UF.
- Swiss nationals (Pre‑kinder to IV Medio): 10.77 UF.
- Refund: If the student withdraws before 31 December, the matrícula is refunded 100%. After 31 December there is no refund of the matrícula.

Tuition (Colegiatura) — annual and per‑installment amounts (2026)
- The annual tuition is expressed in UF and is payable in 10 monthly instalments (March–December). The document provides both the annual UF and the monthly instalment (Valor cuota = annual UF ÷ 10). The fees by year group are:
- Pre‑kinder: Annual 191.9 UF — monthly instalment 19.19 UF.
- Kinder: Annual 190.0 UF — monthly instalment 19.00 UF.
- 1° Básico: Annual 185.9 UF — monthly instalment 18.59 UF.
- 2° a 6° Básico: Annual 182.3 UF — monthly instalment 18.23 UF.
- 7° Básico: Annual 177.2 UF — monthly instalment 17.72 UF.
- 8° Básico: Annual 173.4 UF — monthly instalment 17.34 UF.
- I° a IV° Medio: Annual 168.2 UF — monthly instalment 16.82 UF.
- Additional regular fees (extension/taller fees):
- 7° and 8° Básico: CLP 30,000 per semester (talleres).
- I° and II° Medio: CLP 35,000 per semester (talleres).

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Standard instalment schedule: tuition divided into 10 monthly payments from March to December; each monthly instalment is due by the 10th of the month.
- Late payment: a surcharge of up to 1 UF may be applied for payments made after the due date.
- It is mandatory for each guardian to register an automatic collection method (monthly PAC debit or credit‑card PAT), even if paying annually, because additional charges (workshops, Centro de Padres, etc.) may be billed during the year.

Payment options and discounts
- Annual payment (single payment) by bank transfer or cheque: 2% discount if paid within the early payment window specified for the year (dates for 2026 were Dec 15, 2025–Jan 9, 2026). A 1% discount applied in a subsequent limited period (dates listed for 2026). Confirm exact dates with administration before payment.
- Annual payment by credit card or payment button: accepted but without discount; coordinate with administration for processing.
- Annual payment via Webpay through SchoolNet: accepted (no discount), available from the dates specified by administration.
- Monthly payment via PAC (bank direct debit): instalments drawn so funds must be available per bank rules two business days before the due date. Due date for PAC payments is the 10th of each month.
- Monthly payment via PAT (credit card): monthly charge date is the 5th of each month; effective charge date depends on card issuer's billing cycle. New PAT subscriptions are processed via OneClic as of 2026.

Other regular fees and charges
- Centro de Padres (annual): First child CLP 30,000; each additional sibling CLP 15,000, billed annually in April.
- Workshops / extension activities: billed separately; amounts for some regular workshops shown above (CLP 30,000–35,000 per semester for specified grades). Further workshop fees are communicated in separate notices.
- Material escolar and core textbooks: provided without additional charge for Educación Inicial and Educación Básica; books for specific grades (e.g., 7° and 8°) are included as described in the fee schedule.
- Accident insurance: the school provides a 24/7 accident insurance policy (coverage within and outside Chile) at no additional cost.
- Meals: for grades 4°–7° (on regular class days) lunch in the school cafeteria is available and optional; families may also send a packed lunch. Specific cafeteria charges apply when selected.
- Uniforms: use of a school uniform is mandatory; the school works with an on‑site provider to supply uniform items. Uniform prices are set by the provider and are billed/paid separately.

Boarding
- Boarding is not offered; the school operates as a day school with facilities (classrooms, gyms, library, casino/cafeteria, clinics) for day students. There are no boarding fees.

Refunds and penalties
- Enrollment (matrícula): 100% refund if withdrawal occurs before 31 December; no refund after that date.
- Late payment surcharge: up to 1 UF may be charged for payments made after the monthly due date.

Notes on billing mechanics
- Tuition is typically expressed and billed in UF amounts; payments by bank transfer or card will be processed in Chilean pesos at the operational exchange/valuation used by the bank/payment processor. Confirm the payable CLP amount with school administration before making transfers. Payment windows, discounts and dates are set annually; the school communicates the exact payment periods and procedures each year.
Academics

Schweizer Schule Santiago teaches Bespoke Curriculum, Swiss Curriculum for students aged 4 to 18.

Curriculum
It is a school of cultural exchange, the development of universal human values, secular, with high academic standards and language instruction. It provides education from prekindergarten through the fourth year of secondary education. It has a curriculum recognized in both Chile and Switzerland.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The holistic development of students is central to the CSS educational project, with curriculum learning conducted in a climate of respect, responsibility, and friendship. The Convivencia Escolar (coexistence) team coordinates school climate initiatives to support students, led by Natalia Yáñez as convivencia coordinator.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Department of Apoyo Escolar (DAE) accompanies students emotionally and psycho-pedagogically at all levels, working closely with teachers, guardians and families. The psychopedagogue is Geraldine Ossandón and the psychologist is Karen Espinosa.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Students graduate with multilingual competencies; they can speak three to four languages and navigate diverse cultures. In secondary school, English is taught as a subject as part of the curriculum.

Mental Wellbeing
The Department of Apoyo Escolar provides emotional and psycho-pedagogical support to students at all levels. Convivencia Escolar coordinates efforts to maintain a climate of respect, responsibility and friendship.

Safeguarding
The school maintains a Plan Integral de Seguridad Escolar (PISE) as part of the internal regulations to ensure safety. Protocols address bullying, abuse, incidents of violence, and emergencies. A Canal de denuncias (reporting channel) is available for complaints, which may be anonymous and with identity protections.
Parent Experience

History
The Swiss School of Santiago was founded in 1939. It is the oldest Swiss-affiliated school in Latin America recognized and subsidized by the Swiss government, and it operates under the patronage of the Basel-Landschaft canton, which provides ongoing support. Swiss families in Santiago founded a German-language school to shield the community from European turmoil; the school began on the grounds of the Swiss Club and later moved to a house that became a primary school with about 50 pupils. In 1953 the secondary education department was formed, expanding the school's offerings. The curriculum is recognized in both Chile and Switzerland. The school is administered by the Corporación Colegio Suizo de Santiago, a seven-member board drawn from the Swiss community in Chile; a representative of the Swiss Embassy attends board meetings, the Director and the Finance Manager participate, and occasionally teachers and the Parents' Center are invited to meetings.

Community
The CSS community includes Centro de Padres (Parents Center), Centro de Estudiantes (Students Center), Playgroup Suizo, Club Suizo, Aliados, Comité Paritario (Joint Committee), Vida Sana (Healthy Living), Rama de Ski (Ski Branch), and Scouts. A calendar of activities is maintained, and the school posts Informativos (informational bulletins) such as Informativo CSS; readers can view the full calendar or subscribe to it. The community pages and news items show ongoing events and activities for families and students.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The school has a Centro de Padres (Parents Center) and a Centro de Estudiantes (Students Center). It also houses Playgroup Suizo and Club Suizo, and includes Aliados, the Comité Paritario (Joint Committee), Vida Sana (Healthy Living), Rama de Ski (Ski Branch), and Scouts as part of its community infrastructure. These groups participate in school life and help organize and support events and activities for families and students.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school's built environment covers 7,200 square meters, on a 17,600-square-meter site shared with the Swiss Club adjacent to the campus, where students have access to the pool and tennis courts. CSS has buildings, courtyards, and independent restrooms for Early Education, Primary, and Secondary levels, all renovated to support classes under Covid protocols. All teaching spaces are internet-connected and equipped with air conditioning, thermopanel windows, ventilation, and central heating. There are biology and chemistry laboratories, as well as physics and mathematics laboratories, plus specialized facilities for Arts, Music, Crafts, Cooking, Technology, and Informatics, along with libraries, laboratories, gyms, and a multi-use court. Health, psychological, and psycho-pedagogical services occupy dedicated spaces, and there is a canteen and a kiosk on campus.

Sports Facilities
CSS features on-site gymnasiums and a multi-use court for physical education and sports. The school also shares facilities with the adjacent Swiss Club, providing access to a swimming pool and tennis courts for CSS students.

Academic Facilities
Biology and Chemistry laboratories, as well as Physics and Mathematics laboratories, are well equipped with modern equipment and furnishings. The campus includes specialized spaces for Arts, Music, Crafts, Cooking, Technology, and Information Technology, in addition to libraries and dedicated laboratories. All spaces have internet, and classrooms include air conditioning, thermopanel windows, ventilation, and central heating. On-site health, psychology, and psycho-pedagogical services have dedicated facilities.

Extra Curricular Facilities
TAEX (Talleres de Extensión) are offered outside regular class hours, running semesterly with enrollments through SchoolNet. Activities include Chess, Athletics, Ballet, Ball Games, Basketball, Capoeira, Capotricidad, Science and Nature, Math Club, Cooking, Choir, Dance Fitness, Dance and Games, Football, Artistic Gymnastics for Girls, Garden, Jazz Dance, Judo, Games and Gymnastics for Girls, Arts and Crafts, Mini Basketball, Mini Volleyball, Motor Skills and Games, Swimming, Orchestra, Piano, Catholic Religion, Robotics, Samba, Theatre, Tennis, Tiny Makers, Violin, Volleyball, and Children's Yoga, among others.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
TAEX (Talleres de Extensión) are extension workshops offered outside regular classes to promote productive use of free time and to complement the school's values-based education through recreational or competitive activities. They run for a semester and registrations are through SchoolNet. Offered activities include Ajedrez (Chess), Club de Matemática (Math Club), Ciencia y Naturaleza (Science and Nature), and Robótica (Robotics). TAEX for early levels runs from 13:00 to 15:30, with lunch supervised by workshop teachers and pickup at the main entrance.

Arts & Creative
TAEX includes performing arts and music outside regular class hours, offered each semester. The arts activities cover Ballet, Jazz Dance, Dance Fitness, Teatro (Theatre), Orquesta (Orchestra), Piano, Violín (Violin), Coro (Chorus), Samba, and related dance and music programs. These activities are designed to be pursued beyond the standard timetable to enrich artistic expression and collaboration.

Cultural & Language
Playgroup Suizo (Schweizer Spielgruppe) began in March 2005 for children aged 2 to 4, introducing German gradually through play, stories, rhymes, and songs. The group is adjacent to CSS and provides a full infrastructure including a yard, playground, multipurpose room, library, and dedicated spaces for children. German language offerings also appear in TAEX as Spiele auf Deutsch (Games in German).

Social & Hobbies
Outside the classroom, students can join social and hobby groups such as Scouts and the Ski Branch (Rama de Ski). The Swiss Club (Club Suizo) offers additional community activities for CSS families. These groups foster peer connection and extracurricular engagement beyond academic subjects.

Community & Service
Huerta (Garden) is offered as an extension activity to promote hands-on learning about cultivation and sustainability. Vida Sana (Healthy Living) and related wellbeing initiatives appear in CSS's community offerings to support health and balanced living. These activities are part of the broader school community engagement facilitated through the CSS program.

Leadership & Professional
Centro de Estudiantes (Student Center) and Centro de Padres (Parents Center) provide opportunities for student leadership and family involvement within the school community. These groups are listed under CSS's Community section as key channels for participation and collaboration.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Yoga Infantil (Kids' Yoga) and Danza Fitness are among TAEX offerings that support physical health and well-being outside regular classes. Gimnasia Artística Damas (Girls' Artistic Gymnastics) and other movement-based activities like Jazz Dance and Danza y Juegos (Dance and Games) promote fitness, coordination, and teamwork.
Languages

Language Provision
German is learned through immersion. Spanish is the mother tongue of the majority and is developed from the first primary grade. English is introduced in the fifth grade. French is taught as well.

Bilingual Teaching
German is learned through immersion. Spanish, the majority's mother tongue, is developed from the first grade of primary school. English is introduced in the fifth grade. French is taught by language teachers.

Immersion Programs
German is learned through immersion in the pre-school and primary levels. The immersion approach defines core instruction. Spanish is developed from the first primary grade as the majority's mother tongue. English begins in the fifth grade.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Admissions overview: The Swiss School of Santiago offers each year the opportunity to enroll new students according to vacancies available. The aim is to support integration and healthy, harmonious academic performance for the student. Admissions decisions are made with transparency and objectivity in accordance with applicable laws. Availability varies by year and grade.

2. Early Education (EI) – 2027: Admission requirement: 4 years completed by March 31, 2027. There are 58 vacancies. Applications open from December 1, 2025 to February 24, 2026. Applicants apply online through the CSS admissions portal.

3. Elementary Education (EB): Families wishing to join should inform themselves of the Institutional Educational Project (PEI), available on the school's site. The admission process is published electronically, via information display and on the school's site, in accordance with the principles of transparency and objectivity established by current law, ensuring respect for the dignity of applicants and their families. Vacancies for 2026: 1st Basic: 0; 2nd Basic: 0; 3rd Basic: 0; 4th Basic: 0; 5th Basic: 0; 6th Basic: 0.

4. Secondary Education (EM): Applicants may apply to 1st year of secondary without prior German knowledge. If the applicant has German knowledge, they must take the admission exam to determine their level. For admission to other grades, knowledge of German is required and applicants will be evaluated in German with an admission exam. Parents will be informed by email within two weeks after the admissions exams whether their child is admitted, and the Vice-Rector will invite the parents and applicant to an information meeting. Application deadline August 22, 2025; Admission exams September 8, 2025; Vacancies for 2026: 7th Basic: 8; 8th Basic: 6; I Medio: 0; II Medio: 1; III Medio: 5; IV Medio: 0.
School Events
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