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GIS The International School of Lugano

Switzerland, Lugano

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Independently researched by doris.
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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Italian
Fees CHF 11,200 - 22,500
Ages 3 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2025
Bus Service No
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), Bespoke Curriculum, Swiss Curriculum
Taught languages German, French, English, Italian
Strengths STEM, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

GIS Lugano is a bilingual international school in Lugano, Switzerland, offering a multilingual curriculum for ages 3 to 18. English and Italian are the primary languages of instruction, with intensive Italian for local culture and native-speaking teachers supporting linguistic diversity. The school follows the International Baccalaureate framework and is pursuing authorization for the IB Primary Years Programme and Middle Years Programme, while also delivering a bespoke curriculum that blends inquiry-based learning with a student-centered approach. The campus includes Early Years learning spaces such as Digital Atelier, Clay Atelier, Colour Atelier, The Piazza, Psychomotor Space, and Nature Corner, with a strong emphasis on safety and hands-on exploration. Technology is integrated across learning, including BYOD in upper years and access to interactive whiteboards and coding programs. GIS Lugano supports global perspectives through international exchanges with partner schools in Brazil and Italy, weekly electives, and a 100 Languages Philosophy that celebrates linguistic diversity.

gisschoollugano.ch

Via Senago 42E, 6912 Pazzallo, Switzerland

Vibes and Culture
The school has not added this information
The Essentials

GIS The International School of Lugano has instruction in English, Italian.

Location
GIS Lugano is located in Lugano, Ticino, Switzerland, at Via Senago 42E, 6912 Lugano, in the Pazzallo neighbourhood. It is easily accessible by public transport, with travel times: about 12 minutes from Lugano city centre, 20 minutes from Mendrisio, 28 minutes from Bellinzona, and 30 minutes from Chiasso.

Stages
GIS Lugano offers education from Early Years (preschool) through secondary school. The secondary section is divided between Middle School (ages 11–14) and Liceo (ages 15–18) and the Liceo is planned to be introduced in a second development phase.

Type
International school

Country affiliation
Switzerland

School day structure
Day arrival and dismissal are age-specific: Early Years arrive 8:15–9:00 (flexible) and are dismissed at 15:45; Elementary arrive 8:15–8:30 (lessons begin 8:30) and are dismissed at 15:50; Middle School arrives 8:10 (lessons begin 8:15) and is dismissed at 15:55. After-School Enrichment starts at 16:00.
Diving Deeper
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Fees

Annual tuition at GIS The International School of Lugano ranges from CHF 11,200 to CHF 22,500 for 2026/27.

Application & Registration Fees

- Admission fee (one-time, new enrolments only): CHF 2,500.00.
- Registration fee (annual): CHF 1,500.00.

Tuition fees by year group (annual and instalments)

The school publishes annual tuition by year group and the three-instalment breakdown (25% / 50% / 25%). Payment deadlines shown are those published for the 2025/2026 schedule and the instalment percentages apply as indicated below. Amounts and instalment splits:

- Early Years 1 (Half Day)
- Annual tuition: CHF 11,200.00
- 1st payment (25%): CHF 2,800.00
- 2nd payment (50%): CHF 5,600.00
- 3rd payment (25%): CHF 2,800.00.

- Early Years 1 & 2 (Full day)
- Annual tuition: CHF 17,200.00
- 1st payment (25%): CHF 4,300.00
- 2nd payment (50%): CHF 8,600.00
- 3rd payment (25%): CHF 4,300.00.

- Early Years 3
- Annual tuition: CHF 17,800.00
- 1st payment (25%): CHF 4,450.00
- 2nd payment (50%): CHF 8,900.00
- 3rd payment (25%): CHF 4,450.00.

- Primary Years 1–5
- Annual tuition: CHF 19,400.00
- 1st payment (25%): CHF 4,850.00
- 2nd payment (50%): CHF 9,700.00
- 3rd payment (25%): CHF 4,850.00.

- Middle Years 1–3
- Annual tuition: CHF 21,500.00
- 1st payment (25%): CHF 5,375.00
- 2nd payment (50%): CHF 10,750.00
- 3rd payment (25%): CHF 5,375.00.

- Middle Years 4–5
- Annual tuition: CHF 22,500.00
- 1st payment (25%): CHF 5,625.00
- 2nd payment (50%): CHF 11,250.00
- 3rd payment (25%): CHF 5,625.00.

Lunches / Catering fees

- Annual lunches charge: CHF 2,200.00.
- Lunch payments are split: 50% of lunches invoiced with the 2nd instalment and 50% with the 3rd instalment (no lunches charge on the 1st instalment).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Instalment schedule as published for the 2025/2026 fees:
- 1st payment (25% of tuition) + Registration Fee + Admission Fee — due by 31/01/2025.
- 2nd payment (50% of tuition) + 50% of lunch fees — due by 31/07/2025.
- 3rd payment (25% of tuition) + 50% of lunch fees — due by 15/12/2025.
- Fees must be paid by the dates indicated in the billing schedule.

Discounts and what the tuition includes

- Sibling discounts on tuition: 10% for the second child, 20% for the third child, 25% for the fourth child.
- Upfront payment discount: 5% on tuition if the total tuition amount is paid upfront by the stated upfront-payment deadline (published example: payment by 31/01/2025).
- Tuition includes books and stationery and tablets for school use. Any items not explicitly listed as included are charged extra.

Boarding fees

- The published fee schedule lists no boarding fees. No boarding charge is included in the published annual tuition schedule.

Other costs and typical additional fees

- Uniform: Wearing the school uniform is compulsory. Uniform items are supplied by CoccoBaby and ordered through the designated uniform platform (myunif.com); uniform items are an additional cost and are not included in the tuition line items.
- Items explicitly not included: any items not listed under the tuition inclusions (books, stationery, tablets) will be charged extra; parents should expect additional costs for personal supplies, certain school trips, specialised materials, optional activities and external exam/assessment fees where applicable.

Refund information

- The published annual fee schedule provides the chargeable items, instalment amounts and payment deadlines but does not set out a detailed refund or cancellation schedule within the same fee document. The fees schedule does identify the Admission Fee as a fee charged for new enrolments. For clarity about refunds of specific fees (for example enrolment cancellation, withdrawals, or refunds of payments), the school's formal refund/cancellation terms are not included in the single-page fee schedule and should be confirmed with the school's admissions or finance office.

Fee payment options

- The published fee documents and fee summary do not list specific accepted payment methods (for example bank transfer or card) in the fee schedule itself. Payment method details and invoicing instructions are handled through the school's admissions/finance processes. Confirm available payment channels and any transfer instructions with the admissions/finance office.

Brief note on gaps in the published fee schedule (concise)

- The one-page published annual fee schedule provides amounts, instalment splits, payment deadlines, discounts and what tuition covers, but it does not publish a full refund/cancellation policy or specify accepted payment methods on that same fee sheet. Financial and contractual details such as refund timelines, the treatment of mid-year withdrawals, and the school's accepted payment channels are handled separately by the school's admissions/finance team.
Academics

GIS The International School of Lugano teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), Bespoke Curriculum, Swiss Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
GIS The International School of Lugano offers a multilingual, bilingual curriculum with English and Italian instruction. The program emphasizes a student-centered approach, inquiry-based learning, and multilingualism. It aligns with the principles of the Swiss Federal Constitution and is a candidate school for the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP), pursuing IB World School authorization. The curriculum focuses on nurturing ethical, creative, and intellectual growth, and developing global citizens. English and Italian sound throughout the halls, reflecting a bilingual environment guided by native-speaking teachers who celebrate linguistic diversity and the 100 Languages Philosophy.
Wellbeing
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Parent Experience
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Facilities
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Extra-Curricular Activities
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Languages
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Reputation
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Admissions

Admissions
The school offers a bilingual education in English and Italian for students from preschool through secondary school. GIS Lugano is part of the GIS Group of International Schools Suisse and follows the IB curriculum merged with the Swiss cantonal standards. Enrollment is open throughout the year following the Admissions Policy, with class placements based on age. Fees information and payment options are available, and documents publish details such as an Admission Fee of CHF 2,500 and a Registration Fee of CHF 1,500 for 2025/2026. Prospective families can book a personalized visit.
School Events
The school has not added events
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Search schools in Switzerland View all schools in Lugano View all schools in Switzerland IB curriculum schools in Switzerland Open days & tours in Lugano What is the IB curriculum? View all schools Search all schools
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