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TASIS The American School in Switzerland

Switzerland, Lugano

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Italian
Fees CHF 29,000 - 106,000
Ages 3 - 19 years
Pupil numbers 750
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1956
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), American Curriculum
Taught languages French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian
Typical class size 13
Strengths STEM, Languages, Outdoor Education
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

TASIS The American School in Switzerland is a private, co-educational American international day and boarding school for ages 3–18, located on the Collina d'Oro in Montagnola above Lugano. The school offers the American Diploma, Advanced Placement, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, with English as the primary language of instruction and a comprehensive English as an Additional Language program. In Pre-K to Grade 8, students study in parallel English and Italian, and IB languages include English, Italian, German, and Russian, with support for other self-taught languages; bilingual instruction for Grades 1–9 aligns with Cantonal requirements. The campus blends 17th-century heritage with modern, eco-friendly buildings, including the Campo Science Center and multiple libraries; sustainability features include geothermal heating and hydroelectric power. Extracurriculars are extensive: Model UN, Robotics, Drama and Dance, along with Alpine trips and more than 20 sports. IB diploma candidates have posted 97%+ pass rates since 2016, about 50% earn bilingual diplomas, and TASIS supports service through the Opsahl Global Service Program.

Via Collina d'Oro 15, 6926 Montagnola, Switzerland

The Essentials

TASIS The American School in Switzerland has 750 pupils, typical class sizes of 13, instruction in English, Italian.

Location
Montagnola, Ticino, Switzerland. The campus sits on the Collina d'Oro above Lugano. Address: Via Collina d'Oro 15, 6926 Montagnola, Switzerland.

Stages
Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Type
Private, co-educational, American international boarding and day school

Pupil Nationality Mix
67 nationalities represented; students from more than 60 nations

Additional learning support
English as an Additional Language (EAL) program

Country affiliation
American international boarding school in Europe

Bus service
Shuttle bus service via the 436 Posta Bus; stop Certenago Paese; schedule roughly every 30 minutes from 06:00 to 23:00
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarding begins in grade six. On-campus dormitories are Monticello (Girls Dorm), Del Sole (Boys Dorm), Scuderia (Boys Dorm), Gianni (Boys Dorm), and Balmelli (Girls Dorm). The High School is predominantly a boarding community, with boarding students living in dormitories that foster a safe, respectful living environment.

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms are required. The standard includes a white or light blue long-sleeve oxford-style shirt, a TASIS tie with crest or striped tie, and a TASIS gray pullover with the crest; shirt accessories are required. Uniform items can be ordered through Unique Uniforms.

Food Options
Dining services are provided on campus through Convivio (Campus Snack Bar) and a Cafeteria, with meals served in the dining hall typically buffet-style; offerings include beverages, bakery items, sandwiches, pizzas, gelato, and other options.

Governance and Ownership
The school is owned by the non-profit TASIS Foundation.
Fees

Annual tuition at TASIS The American School in Switzerland ranges from CHF 29,000 to CHF 106,000 for 2026/27.

Application and Admission Fees

- Application Fee: CHF 1,250 (non-refundable; payable at the time of application).
- Enrollment Deposit: CHF 3,000 (due immediately following acceptance to hold and confirm the student's place). The deposit is held until the September after the student's graduation or three months after the student's last day of attendance and will be returned less any uncovered expenses accrued by the student. The deposit is non-interest-bearing and is not refundable if the student decides not to enter, withdraws during the school year, or is dismissed.
- One‑time Campus Enhancement Fund (new students, starting in Grade 1): CHF 5,000 (VAT applies for families domiciled in Switzerland). This contribution is charged in addition to tuition and deposit.

Tuition — annual amounts by year group (all amounts in CHF)

- Boarding (Middle and High School): CHF 106,500 per school year. This is an all‑inclusive boarding tuition covering dormitory housing, meals, laundry and linens, basic health and accident insurance while under TASIS care, and other listed services.

- Day students (annual tuition):
- Pre‑Kindergarten (ages 3 and 4): CHF 29,000.
- Kindergarten through Grade 5: CHF 34,000.
- Grade 6: CHF 44,200.
- Grades 7–8: CHF 49,000.
- Grades 9–12 and Postgraduate (PG): CHF 55,000.

- What the tuition covers (selected items included in the tuition): textbooks and laboratory fees, EAL courses (if applicable), college counseling, general after‑school activities and sports, scheduled excursions and academic travel, breakfast/lunch (day students receive lunch; boarding students receive meals), dormitory housing and specified services for boarders, and basic laundry/linens and basic health and accident insurance for boarding students. There is no reduction in tuition if a student does not use or attend any included item.

Mandatory and grade‑specific additional fees

- Learning Resource Center (annual, when applicable): Elementary CHF 980; Middle School CHF 1,500; High School CHF 2,000.
- Graduation Fee (Grade 12 only): CHF 350.
- Additional optional or individual costs: Specific individual activities or trips that are not of general attendance incur additional charges beyond tuition (for example, optional travel or specialized external programs).

Billing schedule and payment terms (dates and installment options)

For tuition, the Campus Enhancement Fund, and other amounts due, the following payment plans apply:

- One Installment: 100% of the billed amount due by July 1.
- Two Installments (available for full academic‑year students only): 70% due by July 1 and 30% due by November 15.
- Four Installments (available for full academic‑year students only): 25% due by July 1, 25% due by September 1, 25% due by November 15, and 25% due by February 1.

Examples of installment amounts by payment plan (illustrative — amounts are exact arithmetic of the listed annual tuitions):

- Boarding CHF 106,500: Four installments = CHF 26,625 each; Two installments = CHF 74,550 (due July 1) and CHF 31,950 (due Nov 15); One installment = CHF 106,500 (due July 1).
- Grades 9–12 / PG CHF 55,000: Four installments = CHF 13,750 each; Two = CHF 38,500 and CHF 16,500; One = CHF 55,000.
- Grades 7–8 CHF 49,000: Four = CHF 12,250 each; Two = CHF 34,300 and CHF 14,700; One = CHF 49,000.
- Grade 6 CHF 44,200: Four = CHF 11,050 each; Two = CHF 30,940 and CHF 13,260; One = CHF 44,200.
- Kindergarten–Grade 5 CHF 34,000: Four = CHF 8,500 each; Two = CHF 23,800 and CHF 10,200; One = CHF 34,000.
- Pre‑K CHF 29,000: Four = CHF 7,250 each; Two = CHF 20,300 and CHF 8,700; One = CHF 29,000.

(The Campus Enhancement Fund, enrollment deposit, Learning Resource Center fees, and other applicable fees are charged in addition to the tuition and follow the same payment‑plan structure unless otherwise specified.)

Boarding fees and boarding inclusions

- Boarding tuition (Middle and High School): CHF 106,500 per year. Boarding tuition is all‑inclusive for the items listed under “what tuition covers,” specifically dormitory housing, meals, laundry and linens, and basic health and accident insurance while the student is residing on campus or on school‑sponsored trips.

Other costs (uniforms, insurance, incidental charges)

- Uniforms: All students are required to wear a TASIS uniform. Uniform items must be purchased through the designated supplier (Unique Uniforms). Uniform purchases are handled through the school's uniform shop/online portal; payment options available from the uniform supplier include credit card, wire transfer, and cash on delivery as stated by the uniform supplier instructions. Costs for the uniform vary by item and grade level.
- Health and Accident Insurance: Basic health and accident insurance for boarding students is included in the boarding tuition and is valid while the student is under TASIS care; this insurance is not a substitute for a family's own policy. Day students must maintain individual family health and accident insurance as required by Swiss law.
- Incidental / optional charges: Specific optional activities, specialized trips, individual instrument lessons, or other services that are not of general attendance may incur additional fees. Tuition is not reduced if a student does not participate in included activities.

Refunds and withdrawal terms

- There is no refund of the enrollment deposit, tuition, Campus Enhancement Fund, or Graduation Fee for absence, withdrawal, or dismissal. The school reserves the right to withhold services and to withhold official documents (including diplomas or transcripts) in the event of non‑payment of tuition. The enrollment deposit will only be returned as described above (held until the September after graduation or three months after last attendance and returned less any uncovered expenses), except it is explicitly non‑refundable if the student chooses not to enter, withdraws during the school year, or is dismissed.

Fee payment options and banking details

- Wire transfer (preferred for many international payments). Bank: UBS SA, Piazzetta della Posta, 6901 Lugano, Switzerland. For Middle/High payments: Account number 247.310488.01Y; Swift: UBSWCHZH80A; IBAN: CH44 0024 7247 3104 8801 Y. For Elementary payments: Account number 247.310488.04M; Swift: UBSWCHZH80A; IBAN: CH28 0024 7247 3104 8804 M. The student's name must be shown on the wire transfer to avoid confusion.
- Credit card payments: Accepted via the school's online admissions payment portal. (Online credit card payments are supported for tuition and fees.)
- Cash Payments: Accepted on campus up to CHF 300.

Summary of immediate charges at acceptance

- Non‑refundable Application Fee: CHF 1,250.
- Enrollment Deposit (due upon acceptance): CHF 3,000.
- First payment according to the chosen payment plan (for example, under a four‑installment plan the first 25% is due by July 1). The Campus Enhancement Fund (CHF 5,000) is also payable for new students starting in Grade 1 and up.
Academics

TASIS The American School in Switzerland teaches IB (DP), American Curriculum for students aged 3 to 19.

Curriculum
The TASIS curriculum draws on Core Knowledge, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate programs. English is the primary language of instruction, with a comprehensive English as an Additional Language program. In Pre-K through grade 8, students are taught in parallel English-language and Italian-language programs. IB Diploma Program languages include English, Italian, German, and Russian, with support for other self-taught languages. Fluent students are required to study at least one modern language in addition to their native language. TASIS offers the American Diploma, AP, and IB programs, with bilingual instruction in English and Italian for grades 1–9 in accordance with Cantonal requirements; IB diploma candidates have posted pass rates of 97 percent or higher since 2016, and about 50 percent earn IB bilingual diplomas.

Student Teacher Ratio
Average class size is 13 and the student–teacher ratio is 6:1.

Exam Results
IB Diploma pass rates have been 97 percent or higher since 2016, and about 50 percent of Diploma candidates earn IB bilingual diplomas. AP Scholar Awards have been earned by dozens of TASIS students, including 67 recipients in a recent year and 48 in another.

Higher Education Progression
The University and College Counseling Office helps students develop a detailed postsecondary plan and has helped students gain acceptance to hundreds of universities worldwide, including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, Yale, the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia, Cornell, Williams, Duke, UCLA, Johns Hopkins, Bowdoin, and Middlebury.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social and emotional learning is supported through a Responsive Classroom–inspired framework in TASIS Elementary School, emphasizing five virtues and a student-centered approach. The Counseling Department provides social-emotional support, including stress-management interventions, and the Learning Resource Center runs workshops in learning strategies and parent education. Pastoral care is provided through Residential Life by a dedicated Pastoral Care Coordinator.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Learning Resource Center (LRC) provides services to support students with diverse learning profiles, including a designated Learning Support Specialist, Learning Support Plans, extended time on assignments and tests, proctoring exams, and in-class support for Pre-K–Grade 5. The LRC also offers literacy and mathematics support and executive function strategies, and manages applications for accommodations on standardized exams. Enrollment in the LRC is available through the TASIS enrollment portal. The Elementary School Handbook notes TASIS does not have a comprehensive learning support program.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school has a comprehensive English as an Additional Language (EAL) program throughout the curriculum.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported by stress-management interventions and school counseling services. The Elementary School emphasizes social-emotional learning through a Responsive Classroom–based approach, and pastoral care is provided through Residential Life with a dedicated Pastoral Care Coordinator.

Safeguarding
The school has a formal Student Protection policy with a comprehensive approach, including staff screening and background checks, education and training for staff, students, and parents, and self-audits of safeguarding procedures. Safeguarding contacts include Tanya Jovanovic, Student Safeguarding Officer, and Paola Sguazza, Director of Operations.
Parent Experience

History
Mrs. M. Crist Fleming founded The American School in Switzerland as the first American boarding school in Europe. Her idea was to transplant the American independent school tradition into the culturally and historically rich garden of Europe. From its founding in 1956 TASIS expanded to include additional schools and summer programs in England, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, France, Spain, and Puerto Rico. The TASIS Foundation, a Swiss non-profit educational foundation, continues her work by perpetuating the values and ideals of TASIS. More than 25,000 students from dozens of nations have benefited from TASIS, and in 1983 Mrs. Fleming was honored by the US Secretary of Education for significant contributions to international education.

Community
When you come to TASIS, you're not just enrolling in a school—you're joining a tight-knit community. Nine on-campus dormitories host about 260 boarding students each year, with residential life staff promoting accountability and independence. Graduates describe TASIS as a family-like community where students support one another and grow as peers, athletes, and friends. M. Crist Fleming's belief that education could bring people together under shared cultural respect founded TASIS as a microcosm of the world.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The TASIS Parent Association (TPA) is composed entirely of parents of current TASIS students. The TPA builds a strong school community by fostering inclusion and cooperation within the school, promoting open communication between parents, teachers, and school administrators, and connecting families through social events. Run by parent volunteers, the TPA works closely with the TASIS administrative team to coordinate key programs and events throughout the year. The TPA supports fundraising activities to enhance the school environment. The Parent Support Committee (PSC), established in 2010, strengthens communication between the TASIS Administration and parents and represents the wider community. PSC is organized into three committees representing Elementary, Middle, and High School, with coordinators listed for contact.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The TASIS campus stands on the Collina d'Oro in Montagnola, overlooking Lugano and Lake Lugano. It blends 17th‑century relics with award‑winning, state‑of‑the‑art, eco‑friendly new buildings, and art and history are central to campus life. The historic Villa De Nobili houses dining facilities and academic spaces, and Fleming Piazza anchors the school's social life. The M. Crist Fleming Library and the Elementary School Library support reading and research across divisions, and the campus emphasizes sustainability through geothermal heating in buildings since 2006, renewable hydroelectric power, waste reduction, and planned solar features. All divisions enjoy campus‑wide wireless internet and modern learning technologies.

Sports Facilities
The Palestra is the main gymnasium at the center of campus, with a full basketball court, locker rooms, a fitness center, and a café. The Palestrina is located in the lower level of the Şahenk Fine Arts center and offers a smaller court for basketball, volleyball, and badminton. Campari Field is the JV Boys and middle school soccer practice field located in Grancia. FC Agno Field hosts varsity boys and girls games and practices. Collina d'Oro Centro Ricreativo Field hosts varsity girls' soccer practices, and A Club is the location for varsity swimming and year‑round recreational swimming. A Cross Country Course is located on Via Collina d'Oro.

Academic Facilities
The M. Crist Fleming Library (MCF Library) is housed in the Palladio Award–winning library building completed in 2004 and includes the TASIS Library and two classrooms with dormitory rooms above. The Elementary School Library is divided into the Al Focolare collection for beginners and the Hadsall collection for more advanced readers. Campus‑wide Learning Technologies provide wireless internet across the campus with robust filtering, and each classroom is equipped with a document camera, Apple TV, and a projector with audio or an interactive display. Students use Veracross for the student information system and Google's education suite to communicate, create, and collaborate. The Campo Science Center supports robotics and STEM activities, and TASIS Libraries anchor on‑campus learning initiatives.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Clubs and Activities include Chess Club, Dante Club, Debate Club, Fishing and Approaches Club, Journalism Fellowship Program, Model UN, Peer Tutoring, Prefects, Robotics, Rotary Club, Ski and Snowboard Club, Social Justice Discussion Group, Speaker Series Board, Student Council, Sweet November Dance Company, and Yearbook, among others. These offerings illustrate the breadth of student‑directed and teacher‑facilitated extracurricular opportunities across campus.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Chess Club meets weekly under a chess coach, and members may qualify to play in local tournaments. Debate Club discusses current events and the foundations of international relations. Model UN is one of TASIS's oldest clubs; members meet weekly to prepare for the THIMUN conference in The Hague. Robotics includes two High School teams, TASIS Tigers 1 and TASIS Tigers 2, and TASIS Tigers 2 qualified for the VEX World Championship in Dallas in 2023.

Arts & Creative
Sweet November Dance Company is TASIS High School students who rehearse on Sunday afternoons and present a major dance concert each November. Drama offers fall plays and the high school musical, with students taking roles in acting, backstage, lighting, and costume design. The TASIS arts program has produced productions such as High School Musical: Curtains and MCF: What A Life!, and hosts events like the Han-Louis Meijer Piano Concert and the Spring Arts Festival.

Cultural & Language
Culture Salon is a fortnightly club giving students a chance to share countries and cultures with the TASIS community, including music, literature, art, food, traditions, and language. Model UN is a long-standing TASIS program where students discuss global issues and attend conferences across Europe that simulate the United Nations. Dante Club offers reading and discussion of Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. Culture-related activities foster cross-cultural communication and understanding through student-led initiatives and events.

Social & Hobbies
Chess Club meets weekly under a chess coach, with opportunities to compete in local tournaments. Ski and Snowboard Club travels to multiple ski resorts around Switzerland throughout the winter. Journalism Fellowship Program provides a year-long opportunity for 10th–12th graders to produce content for the TASIS Blog, newsletters, and publications. Yearbook is the oldest club, with students writing, photographing, and designing La Collina d'Oro each year.

Community & Service
Opsahl Global Service Program transforms lives by providing every High School student with opportunities to connect across borders through comprehensive experiences that build empathy and personal responsibility, typically lasting eight to sixteen days. The TASIS Service Learning Program includes MS Service Learning and ES Service Learning, as well as News and Stories and Global Service Program videos. These programs address issues such as education, housing, water, gender, poverty, micro-finance, and job training. Service Learning also includes the Global Village initiatives and ongoing community engagement.

Leadership & Professional
Student Council provides representation of the student body and plans activities to foster school spirit and address student interests. Prefects are dorm leaders who coordinate weekend activities, mentor peers, and promote community. Rotary Club partners with nonprofits and organizes bake sales, fundraisers, and charity events. The Journalism Fellowship Program offers students in grades 10–12 a structured opportunity to develop journalism, writing, and reporting skills.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sports are required for all students for at least two afternoons per week, and TASIS Varsity and Junior Varsity teams compete with Swiss, Italian, and international schools. The school offers more than 20 additional sports at the recreational level. TASIS also provides Alpine trips and Mountain and Outdoor Education experiences, including skiing trips to Engelberg, Davos, St. Moritz, and Crans-Montana.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the primary language of instruction. There is a comprehensive English as an Additional Language (EAL) program. In Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8, all students are taught in a parallel English-language and Italian-language program. In the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, four primary A1 languages are taught: English, Italian, German, and Russian, and a variety of self-taught languages are supported.

Bilingual Teaching
Bilingual instruction in English and Italian for students in grades 1–9; English is the primary language of instruction for grades 10–12.

Immersion Programs
Parallel English-language and Italian-language program for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8.
Reputation

Awards
null

Accreditations
Council of International Schools (CIS); New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Admissions

Admissions
Applications are accepted year-round. Create a profile and begin your application via the Admissions Application Portal. Admissions decisions are communicated promptly by the Admissions Committee; upon acceptance, enrollment information is provided. TASIS admits qualified students of any race, color, nationality, religion, and ethnic origin and does not discriminate on these bases in its admissions policies and practices. TASIS serves students aged 3–19, offering bilingual instruction for grades 1–9, English as an Additional Language (EAL) courses, the Advanced Placement (AP) program, and the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. All students work toward earning an American high school diploma, with many pursuing the IB Diploma. Visiting the campus or meeting with a TASIS representative during off-campus visits is encouraged. Financial aid is awarded on the basis of need and merit. TASIS is accredited by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges and the European Council of International Schools.

Scholarships
Awards and Scholarships: The TASIS Foundation Inc. currently manages three funds that reward students for achievements in a given field: The Cathy Clark Memorial Scholarship, The Pritzlaff Leadership Award, The Lynch Global Service Program Extension Award, and Linda Buchanan Jacob Memorial Fund. The TASIS Foundation maintains an annual CHF 2,000,000 scholarship and financial aid budget. The school invites sponsorship of scholarships or programs and endowment of chairs, and offers opportunities to establish restricted funds to honor loved ones or support projects.
School Events
The school has not added events
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