Schools in Switzerland - public vs private
This post is about experience starting school after moving to Switzerland. We decided to send the kids (they are 5 & 8) to public school.
The Swiss public school system is considered really good. There are school within 1km circle, and kids walk to school. From what I have heard, at least in lower classes, teachers spend good amount of time planning lessons and working with the children. That said, language of the school is German and kids speak Swiss German with each other. So that is 2 more languages kids need to quickly learn.
Private schools on the other hand provide English or bi-lingual environment. They are often full day schools, designed for families with both parents working. Some like Zurich International School also advertise a series of after-school activities, which reminded me very much of my boarding school in India. Compared to that public schools sound very bare minimum.
If you are here for short time, private schools are very attractive. But if you plan to be here long time, public schools allows for better integration for kids, and it may make it easier for them to go to Gymnasium later. We chose public school as we want the kids to integrate, they are at good age to be able to pickup new language.
Once we registered at the Gemeinde, they told us someone from education department will contact us. After 3 weeks we got a letter that both our kids have been assigned to one school and will start with integration classes. We are also assigned a person who will work with us to help kids integrate. Excited for their first day at school.
The Swiss public school system is considered really good. There are school within 1km circle, and kids walk to school. From what I have heard, at least in lower classes, teachers spend good amount of time planning lessons and working with the children. That said, language of the school is German and kids speak Swiss German with each other. So that is 2 more languages kids need to quickly learn.
Private schools on the other hand provide English or bi-lingual environment. They are often full day schools, designed for families with both parents working. Some like Zurich International School also advertise a series of after-school activities, which reminded me very much of my boarding school in India. Compared to that public schools sound very bare minimum.
If you are here for short time, private schools are very attractive. But if you plan to be here long time, public schools allows for better integration for kids, and it may make it easier for them to go to Gymnasium later. We chose public school as we want the kids to integrate, they are at good age to be able to pickup new language.
Once we registered at the Gemeinde, they told us someone from education department will contact us. After 3 weeks we got a letter that both our kids have been assigned to one school and will start with integration classes. We are also assigned a person who will work with us to help kids integrate. Excited for their first day at school.
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