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Swiss Boarding Schools Disentis & Zurich – Mountain Campus

Switzerland, Disentis

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees CHF 82,000
Ages Not listed
Type Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 2022
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages English, German
Strengths Outdoor Education, Languages, Performing Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies, Leadership and Professional
Stages Kindergarten, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Swiss Boarding Schools Disentis & Zurich – Mountain Campus offers an international boarding experience in the Swiss Alps, with a Mountain Campus in Disentis and a City Campus in Winterthur/Zurich. The school delivers Cambridge IGCSE (grades 9 to 10) and Cambridge International A Levels (grades 11 to 12), with English as the language of instruction. German and English are used for daily interactions, with additional language tuition available. IGCSE subjects provide broad knowledge and offer flexible examination timings, while International A Levels focus on three to four subjects and include strong university placement support. Examinations are taken at Cambridge International Examinations or Pearson Edexcel centres, with up to three sittings per year and retake options. The Mountain Campus combines study with mountain living, offering on-site housing: boys in en suite rooms in the abbey and girls in Caminada House, with round-the-clock staff. Outdoor life, skiing and mountain biking complement academics.

Via Sogn Sigisbert 1, 7180 Disentis (Disentis/Mustér), Switzerland

The Essentials

Swiss Boarding Schools Disentis & Zurich – Mountain Campus has instruction in English.

Location
Mountain Campus is located in Disentis, Switzerland, at Via Sogn Sigisbert 1, 7180 Disentis. The campus sits on the abbey grounds and is religiously open. Disentis is nestled in the Grisons (Graubünden) region in the Swiss Alps, with one of the largest ski areas (Andermatt+Sedrun+Disentis) on the doorstep; weekend excursions to Milan or the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland are easily undertaken.

Stages
IGCSE (Grades 9–10) and International A Levels (Grades 11–12).

Type
Boarding school; Mountain Campus in Disentis (with City Campus in Winterthur/Zurich).

Additional learning support
Special needs and student advice service: If the school identifies students with special needs or difficulties, parents are encouraged to contact a specialist for an evaluation. If a diagnosis is not made within a reasonable time frame, the school may act in accordance with child protection legislation. Costs for special support measures or special educational measures will be invoiced. A careers advisor is available to assist students with their educational paths.

Country affiliation
Switzerland

Religious affiliation
Open to all faiths (the campuses are located on abbey grounds and are religiously open)

School day structure
A typical day starts with breakfast at 7:00, followed by classes from 7:45 to 11:35. Lunch is from 11:35 to 13:10. Classes resume 13:10 to 16:15, then after-school activities from 16:15 to 17:30. Supervised study runs 17:30 to 18:30, dinner at 18:30, followed by supervised study 19:30 to 20:30, a late snack 20:30 to 21:00, and free time until lights out around 22:00.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boys are housed in modern en-suite single rooms in the abbey building; girls in en-suite single rooms in Caminada House. On-site staff are available around the clock. The boarding school is open 44 weeks a year, closed for six weeks in summer and two weeks at Christmas. Common rooms with small kitchens invite learners to gather; meals are provided daily with European cuisine and vegetarian options.

Food Options
Fresh meals are provided daily. European cuisine is served, with vegetarian options available.

House System
Pupils are housed in separate facilities by gender: boys in the abbey building and girls in Caminada House. Built in 2005, Caminada House is the winner of several architectural awards.

Governance and Ownership
Governance is provided by the executive board of the parent organization, International Boarding School Disentis/Mustér, within the Swiss Boarding Schools Disentis & Zurich group. The executive board includes Co-CEOs Tom Etter and Roman Meier. Rosemarie Kurath is Head of School for the Mountain Campus, with Jenny Fry as Head of Boarding and Rita Caduff as Head of Administration.
Fees

Annual tuition at Swiss Boarding Schools Disentis & Zurich – Mountain Campus ranges from CHF 82,000 for 2026/27.

Application fees and deposits

- Administration fee: CHF 900 (one-time, payable on registration; non-refundable).
- Boarding deposit: CHF 5,000 (one-time, refundable subject to all contractual and financial obligations being met). The boarding deposit is payable at the same time as the Administration Fee and the Semester Deposit.

Tuition and boarding fees (per year and per semester)

- School and boarding fee per year: CHF 82,000.
- School and boarding fee per semester: CHF 41,000.

What is included in the school and boarding fee

- Tuition and class-related costs, mandatory school trips and supervised activities.
- Textbooks, learning materials, essential project costs and digital learning resources (Microsoft Office 365 and LMS).
- Extracurricular clubs, sport, art and life-skills activities; use of campus leisure and sport facilities.
- Seven-day boarding with single room (shower/WC), all meals, bedding/towels and basic laundry service; organised weekend/holiday trips and holiday care except during the Christmas and summer closures.
- Internet/Wi‑Fi access, airport transfer from Zurich International Airport (one time at the start of the school year) and school nurse services.

Boarding specifics

- Boarding is seven days a week and normally provided in single rooms with private shower/WC as part of the School and Boarding Fee. Holiday care is included except during the boarding-house closures at Christmas and in summer; summer camps are organised separately (extra cost).

Additional and optional costs

- Administration Fee (CHF 900) and Boarding Deposit (CHF 5,000) as noted above.
- Examination fees (invoiced as charged by the examination boards; approximate annual amount indicated CHF 1,800 but actual costs vary by subjects and exam board). Registered examination fees will be invoiced and are subject to the exam board's charges.
- Medical/health insurance: compulsory for non-Swiss students; if not provided by parents/guardians, the school will arrange insurance and invoice the premium separately (cost depends on provider).
- Private tuition and boosters: private lessons CHF 120 per hour; semi-private (2 students) CHF 68 per hour; small group (3–5 students) CHF 50 per hour; private music and sports lessons priced separately.
- Pocket money recommended: CHF 50 per week (guidance).
- Anything explicitly listed as not included must be organised and paid for by the student/parents: personal clothing (there is no school uniform), personal sports equipment, personal notebook, mobile phone and subscription, private excursions, visa/residence permit fees, and travel to/from Switzerland.

Discounts

- One-time payment discount: 2% on the yearly School and Boarding Fee when the full yearly fee, Administration Fee and Boarding Deposit are paid in a single payment.
- Sibling discount for self-financing families: 5% for the second child and 10% for the third child and above (applies while multiple siblings are enrolled concurrently).
- Early-bird discount: a time-limited 10% discount has been offered for candidates who complete admissions and pay Administration Fee, Boarding Deposit and Semester Deposit by the stated early-bird deadline for the year of entry (details and deadlines are set in the current Price List).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Semester deposit: registration requires payment of a Semester Deposit equal to 50% of the total yearly School and Boarding Fee; a place is only confirmed once this deposit is received. The remaining balance is payable by the end of October of the academic school year unless other agreed payment terms apply.
- Payment options (timing):
- New students — single-payment option: Administration Fee, Boarding Deposit and full School and Boarding Fee payable within 20 working days of receipt of the dual-signed School Agreement (entitles to 2% discount). Two-payment option: Administration Fee, Boarding Deposit and Semester Deposit payable within 20 working days of receipt of the dual-signed School Agreement; the outstanding Semester Payment payable by the end of October of the academic year.
- Continuing students — single-payment option: full School and Boarding Fee payable by March 31 of the current academic year (entitles to 2% discount). Two-payment option: Semester Deposit payable by March 31 of the current academic year; the outstanding second Semester Payment payable by the end of October within the upcoming academic year.
- Cash payments are not accepted. Failure to pay by the agreed dates may lead to exclusion from school activities and/or cancellation of enrolment; outstanding fees remain payable and interest/collection costs can apply.

Payment method and bank details

- Payments are made by bank transfer. Banking details for transfers are provided for the school's account (IBAN and BIC/SWIFT shown in the school's financial information). Cash is not accepted. (Bank account details: Raiffeisenbank – IBAN CH02 8080 8006 9116 0838 6; BIC/SWIFT: RAIFCH22XXX).

Refunds, cancellations and contractual penalties

- Administration Fee: non-refundable. Boarding Deposit: refundable at the end of schooling provided all contractual and financial obligations have been met.
- Cancellation / withdrawal: in the event of withdrawal from the agreement, a handling fee and a cancellation fee equivalent to three months' School and Boarding Fees are chargeable in addition to fees for tuition and boarding already provided. Late termination may also trigger payment of additional months' fees under the ordinary notice rules.
- Examination fees: invoiced as charged by the exam boards; registration is binding and examination fees will not be refunded if the registered student does not attend.
- Missed lessons and force majeure: there is no entitlement to a refund for missed lessons; in force majeure events the school may provide virtual teaching and is not obliged to refund fees if it cannot reopen.

Other invoicing notes and practical points

- Invoices can be used as legal proof and a CHF 50 fee is charged for any tax certificate. Parents/guardians must ensure payments do not originate from sanctioned countries or accounts. The school publishes the Price List each year and the General Terms of Agreement set out the detailed financial provisions and deadlines.
Academics

Swiss Boarding Schools Disentis & Zurich – Mountain Campus teaches Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels.

Curriculum
The language of instruction is predominantly English; German and English are used for social interactions, with additional language tuition available. IGCSE (Grades 9–10) provides broad general knowledge across up to 10 subjects; final exams in each subject occur when learners are ready, with up to three examination sittings per year and opportunities to retake. The IGCSE diploma is widely recognised and entitles holders to study at universities in many countries, including Switzerland when paired with aprofessional internship. International A Levels (Grades 11–12) concentrate on three to four subjects, focusing on individual strengths and interests, with intensive support to choose degree programmes and universities and an individual placement process to ensure readiness. Examinations for IGCSE and A Levels are taken at Cambridge International Examinations or Pearson Edexcel centres, with up to three sittings per year and the option to retake. A diverse range of optional subjects and extracurricular activities supports learning and personal development, including the Sport, Dance & Music Academy; Mountain Campus combines study with living in the mountains.

Student Teacher Ratio
Small class sizes and close teacher-student attention support individual learning. The school emphasizes direct guidance within a structured yet flexible daily routine.

Higher Education Progression
International A Levels are recognised by universities worldwide. In Switzerland, graduates have progressed to ETH Zürich, Hochschule St. Gallen, Lausanne School of Hotel Management, Universität Basel, Universität Bern and Universität Zürich. In Europe, graduates have studied at Humboldt Universität Berlin and Sorbonne Université, and at the University of Amsterdam. In the United Kingdom, universities include Cambridge, Durham, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, Royal Holloway, Queen Mary, Newcastle, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Oxford. In the United States, graduates have progressed to UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, University of Kansas, University of Massachusetts and University of West Virginia.

Gifted and Talented
Talent development is offered through the Sport, Dance & Music Academy, providing individualized coaching and access to modern facilities. The academy combines academic study with practical training and integrates with the International A Levels; the City Campus in Winterthur/Zurich hosts the Talent Academy program.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Personal learning coach and careers advisor support student development. English-speaking, familiar boarding environment fosters individual attention.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is used for instruction and daily life in the English-speaking boarding environment.

Mental Wellbeing
Staff available day and night; on-site nurse provides first aid and follow-up care; three local GPs are available in Disentis; the hospital in Ilanz is 30 minutes away.

Safeguarding
Boarding buildings are supervised; one staff member is on-site 24/7; en-suite single rooms; healthy meals daily; WiFi throughout the campus.
Parent Experience

History
Disentis Abbey educated youth from the 7th century. The first written mention of a school at Disentis Abbey dates to 1285. From 1881 a senior secondary school with boarding was gradually developed, and the first Matura examinations were held in 1936. In 2005 the Academia Group established a language school, and a new boarding house for girls in Disentis. In 2022 Swiss Boarding Schools Disentis & Zurich were founded, followed by the new WIN4 campus building (2022/3), the boarding school building in Winterthur (2023/4), and the start of the first SBSDZ classes in Disentis and Winterthur/Zurich in 2025.

Community
Disentis is in the Grisons mountains with access to one of the largest ski areas in Switzerland, Andermatt+Sedrun+Disentis, right on the doorstep. The abbey and its school have shaped the village for hundreds of years, and great value is placed on education, community and mutual respect, with a tradition-rich musical culture. Alumni stay in touch with each other and with the school for decades.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Mountain Campus provides on-site housing in Disentis. Boys are in modern en-suite single rooms in the abbey building; girls are in en-suite single rooms in Caminada House. On-site staff are available around the clock. Common rooms with a small kitchen support socialising, and fresh daily meals are served with European cuisine and vegetarian options. The boarding house is open 44 weeks a year and closes for six weeks in summer and two weeks at Christmas; during the summer holidays, learners may join holiday camps in Winterthur or Disentis.

Sports Facilities
Outdoor life is central: mountain biking in summer, hiking and climbing in the surrounding mountains, and winter skiing nearby. The Andermatt+Sedrun+Disentis ski area is on the doorstep, with weekend excursions to Milan possible.

Academic Facilities
IGCSE and International A Levels are offered; IGCSE is completed after one or two years, while International A Levels require about two years with focus on three to four subjects. Classes are small and taught by experienced teachers and the school emphasizes personal competencies and learning techniques, supported by cutting-edge facilities.

Extra Curricular Facilities
After-school time includes organized extracurricular activities from 16:15–17:30. Leisure activities in Disentis include mountain biking in summer and skiing in winter, with community and relaxation year-round. During the summer, holiday camps run in Winterthur or Disentis.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Arts & Creative
The school offers singing in the traditional choir once a week at lunchtime. The choir is part of the school's extracurricular activities.

Social & Hobbies
The school organizes communal weekend activities such as movie nights or sports events. During autumn and spring holidays, the school arranges one-day or multi-day excursions and campus activities. During winter skiing activities are available in the surrounding mountains. During the summer holidays, holiday camps are offered in Winterthur/Zurich and Disentis.

Leadership & Professional
The student association helps new students settle in and forge lifelong friendships.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The Mountain Campus offers winter activities including skiing in one of the largest ski areas in Switzerland (Andermatt+Sedrun+Disentis), cross-country skiing, ice hockey, ice skating, and snowshoeing. In summer, hiking, climbing, and mountain biking are available, with mountain bikes provided. Outdoor life is a core aspect of student life at the Mountain Campus.
Languages

Language Provision
The language of instruction is predominantly English with German and English used for social interactions. Lessons are also offered in other languages.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Places are limited, so applying early is recommended. Admission at higher levels is possible. Admission usually takes place in August at the start of the school year; if places are available, admission can occur at any time following consultation with school management. The admissions process begins with families reaching out to discuss availability and fit. 2. Families have a first non-binding consultation with the admissions team. The consultation can be by phone, video call, or in person on one of the campuses. The choice is yours. 3. If there is a positive first impression, fill in the application form the school sends you and return it to the school along with the required documents. This begins the formal application process. 4. Depending on subject choice and former education, individual placement tests may be necessary. In English, a B1 level is generally expected. 5. An in-person or online interview follows. A personal conversation between the student and the Head of School completes the picture. 6. The school decides whether Swiss Boarding Schools Disentis & Zurich is the right choice for your son or daughter. If accepted, the Letter of Acceptance and the contract are issued. 7. The school provides all documents needed for the visa application. If a visa is required, families should allow sufficient time for processing, up to two months.
School Events
The school has not added events
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