25 Best Schools in Zurich - Top Ratings (2026 Fees)

Schools in Zurich are divided into state-funded schools (public schools), private and international schools. State-funded schools are usually free of charge and teach lessons primarily in Swiss German. Private and international schools will teach lessons in English but do enforce a tuition fee.

Private schools in Zurich are often referred to as bilingual schools as they do offer classes in English, German or French. It’s well-known that the standard of teaching at private schools is top-class and students are encouraged to take part in various extracurricular activities such as music, sport, art and drama. Many of the private schools in Zurich follow the Swiss curriculum, but there are a number of schools offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) or IGCSE.

International schools have high tuition fees but are the best options for expat students. These schools offer students the choice to study the curriculum of their home country without being held back due to the language barrier.

Facts About Schools in Zurich

Education is compulsory for 9 to 11 years in Zurich.
Schools in Zurich do not have headmasters; they are governed by a local group of volunteers.
In primary schools, children learn how to read and write in German.
French and English are offered as second levels from the 4th grade.
The Gymnasium stream of education lasts for 6 years and offers subjects such as Latin, Physics, Trigonometry and Literature.
The Secondary A stream lasts for 3 years and will train students for apprenticeship programs in a white-collar profession.
Secondary B lasts for 3 years as well and trains students for an apprenticeship in a trade.
The Secondary C stream is for students with learning challenges who were not placed in special education during the primary years, but could not keep up in Secondary B classes.
Primary and secondary students are entitled to an hour and a half long lunch break.

Edarabia showcases all private schools in Zurich through which parents can filter by tuition fees, curriculum, rankings & ratings. There are many public, private and charter schools near you that cater to both expat and local students.

Depending on the level of education; kindergartens (pre-schools), primary, secondary and high schools will all have varying tuition fees. Most K-12 schools offer different curriculums and extra-curricular activities to support the intellectual and physical wellbeing of students. Admissions for the top international schools in Zurich tend to have waiting lists so it is recommended that parents apply well in advance to secure a spot for their children. Additionally, each school has ratings based on parent reviews and are ranked below accordingly.

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