Situated in one of the world’s most livable cities, the International School Zurich North (ISZN) provides an exceptional education to children of the international community by following the globally renowned PYP, IGCSE and IA-Level Programs of study. The school was founded two decades ago in 1999 and is well established as a centre of international schooling in Zurich. In summer 2019, ISZN joined the global school network of Cognita and is now part of more than 70 schools worldwide in the Cognita family.
Multiculturalism and Diversity at School
As an International School, ISZN fosters a global way of thinking amongst students of all ages. It emphasizes values such as open-mindedness, collaboration and reflectiveness. The school roll consists of pupils from more than 20 different nations, with a similarly multinational staff body. ISZN teaches in English and offers EAL lessons to those that require further support, whilst all pupils also study German from Grade 1 onwards and French from Grade 6. ISZN embraces and celebrates diversity and aims to “equip our students with a well-founded understanding of other people, nations and cultures.”
A Highlight of Curriculum
It offers the IB PYP curriculum in Primary school for students aged 3 to 11 years. The PYP is an international program designed to foster the development of the whole student encompassing social, physical emotional and cultural needs as well as academic welfare. The school offers its own tailored curriculum for grades 6-8 and the Cambridge IGSCE and A-Levels from grade 9. Grades 11 and 12 follow the prestigious International Advanced Level program of study which is internationally recognized as an outstanding foundation for tertiary studies.
Highly Effective Leaders with Extensive Experience
Jonathan Taylor is the Principal of the International School Zurich North. He arrived in Switzerland after five years as Head of Cognita’s North Bridge House school in Canonbury, London. Prior to taking up his post at North Bridge House in 2014, Jonathan was the inaugural Head of one of Dulwich College’s five schools in China, and also has extensive experience in the UK state sector. Jonathan is a regular speaker at educational conferences and media contributor on issues relating to schooling and teenage behavior. He holds a BA degree in Politics and History as well as a Masters qualification in Educational Leadership.
Sandra Price is the Head of Secondary School at the International School Zurich North. With nearly twenty years’ experience as a high school teacher, she brings a wealth of experience as both an educator and a leader. She taught English Literature and History in both South Africa and Hong Kong before moving to Switzerland. She believes that learning should be celebrated and enjoyed, expectations should be set high, and that students should be supported as they strive to attain excellence in all aspects of their lives.
Rebecca Nolan is the Head of Primary Schools at the International School Zurich North. She completed post-graduate studies in Early Childhood Education and Advanced Educational Practice. Before joining ISZN, Rebecca worked at the Umm Suqeim campus of the prestigious Kings’ School in Dubai.. She has extensive knowledge in the field of child development and curriculum adaptation.
Extracurricular Activities
ISZN believes in the holistic development of students and creates future global citizens who are not only well educated but also well-rounded.
Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs)
Consist of various after school clubs, sports and other activities that are organised by staff members throughout the year. They are planned to complement and extend the students’ learning by giving them opportunities to work with a variety of teachers, different social and age groups and to do so in diverse settings. Some examples of recently offered CCAs are Upcycling, Ballet, Calligraphy, Choir, Braintastics, Musical or Drama.
School Trips
A field trip is one of the best tools that can be used to provide hands-on learning to every student. The school regularly go on field trips that promote student independence and collaboration. It arranges various trips to museums, zoos, exhibitions, cultural events, businesses, parks, ski resorts, ice skating rinks, farms, medieval castles or partner schools. International residential camps are organised annually for secondary students. Recent residential destinations include Malta, Barcelona, Berlin, Rome, Madrid, Amsterdam and Verbier.
Morning Move
The school aims to educate children in interculturality, using dance as a resource inside the classroom at all stages of primary education. It has designed an intervention called the Morning Move Programme. The Morning Move Programme is a teaching proposition which encompasses dance, customs, geography and languages, in which children learn to live together and to get to know each other through their bodies, generating personal well-being and promoting their intercultural education.
Words of Trust
“ISZN is a small school and that’s what makes it so special. As I switched school systems and adjusted to the A level system, the small class sizes helped me to integrate more easily whilst also maintaining strong relationships with my teachers. Since it’s a smaller school compared to other international ones, teachers here are much more flexible in terms of helping each student out individually and giving us the extra support needed to pass the exams. I really enjoyed my two years at ISZN (it wasn’t all work, we still had a lot of fun with Halloween dance, Prom, etc) and I am thankful for the opportunity to have attended there!”
– Sarah Baader, Graduated in 2017.
“AS and A levels were very helpful because I was able to skip an entire year of Engineering school because I had already studied the material at ISZN. It was also excellent preparation for university.”
– Ishika Paul, Graduated in 2016.
