International School of Schaffhausen

The ISSH is a private international full-day school, leading from child care centre (from age 3 months) to university entrance qualification (age 18/19).

It was founded in 1999 and is aimed at the international and local population in the cantons of Schaffhausen, Thurgau and Zurich as well as in southern Baden-Württemberg.

The main language of instruction at the ISSH is English, with a strong focus on German for our young learners. Special attention is also paid to the mother tongue and German as well as to the relation to Switzerland and the region.

We are politically, ideologically and religiously independent, but we build on clearly defined basic values. We want to develop the talents of our students, educate them to become independent, self-confident and responsible people so that they can assert themselves and make their contribution in a globalized world.

What are the decisive benefits of an education at the International School?

• If small classes and a family-like atmosphere are important to you, you’ve come to the right place.
• Students are trained by teachers who are both professionally and personally competent. Our teachers come from all over the world, are carefully trained according to international standards and place great emphasis on nurturing the motivation, curiosity and joy of learning of their students.
• The education in English in an English-speaking environment and thus early bilingualism is a lifelong asset that will have a positive impact both privately and professionally.
• Children of all ages can go to school in the same place.
• ISSH is easily and quickly accessible by public transportation (school shuttle bus) and by car from all directions.
• The school fees are comparatively moderate. With a sibling discount and a limited number of scholarships for the upper classes, we take our social responsibility seriously.
• You will be impressed by our historic school complex and the newly- built secondary school building. The infrastructure is tailored to the needs of a lively, everyday school life. The premises are bright and spacious and offer space for modern classrooms, two extensive libraries, art and workshop facilities, scientific laboratories, a gymnasium and much more.
• The relatively small school and the active parents’ association enable quick contact and intensive cultural and social exchange among the families. Friendships are formed between people of very different cultures, often lasting a lifetime. At present, about 240 students from 37 nations attend our international privates school in Schaffhausen.

The ISSH is an IB World School, authorized by the  International Baccalaureate Organization to offer all three IB programmes: IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Programme (DP), leading to university entrance. ISSH also offers a bilingual Childcare Centre (ISCC) for children aged 0-3 and a bilingual Early Learning Centre (ELC) for children aged 3-6. For international students aged 12-18, the school has a residential programme available.

The ISSH student body is multicultural, with students from over 37 different nationalities. The faculty is similarly diverse with qualified professionals who have at least a bachelor degree and / or a home country teaching certificate. Many of our teachers also have Master’s degrees.

The language of instruction is English, with the additional benefit of ISCC, ELC and the lower Primary School, providing a bilingual learning environments. The German language is taught as part of the Primary Years and Middle Years Programmes. Support is provided for students who speak English as an additional language in small groups or as one-to-one tutoring. French is highly valued and offered from age 10.

The school is located on the outskirts of Schaffhausen, in a green and student-friendly environment, 3 km from the main railway station. An ISSH shuttle bus runs between the main station and the school in the morning and at the end of the school day. All sections of the school, except for the boarding facilities, are on the same campus. The Secondary, Primary and Early Years departments are located in different buildings which include sports, arts and science facilities as well as a variety of recreational areas and playgrounds.