Bilingual Matura

In both Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten, each class has one English and one German-speaking class teacher teaching together. Like in a bilingual family, children are simultaneously exposed to both languages. In Primary School, students are instructed in English and German. One native English-speaking and one native German-speaking class teacher share the responsibility for the class and coordinate their planning closely. The class has an English week where all subjects, including Mathematics and Environmental & Social Studies, are taught in English. The following week the same applies in German. Specialist subjects, such as Music, Physical Education, etc., are taught in either English or German.

As a bilingual school, we offer the best of both worlds. During the German weeks, students experience school life as they would in a German-speaking country, while their English week provides them with an experience of a school in an English-speaking country. Unlike international schools, accepting local students (Swiss passport holders) is not subject to a limited duration.

Universities like ETH and the University of Zurich teach the majority of their postgraduate courses in English. Children who are enrolled in a bilingual programme from a young age develop native-level language proficiency and significantly higher cultural competencies than their monolingual peers. Even if a child transitions to a monolingual secondary school after Grade 6, the developed linguistic proficiency typically stays with them for life. Additionally, bilingualism positively impacts the development of a child’s brain and fosters skills such as communication, adaptability and understanding different perspectives.

As a private school that is accredited by the cantonal authorities, we follow Lehrplan 21, the Swiss national curriculum. This makes transitioning to a local Swiss school possible at any time. Additionally, our curriculum is enriched through international curricula. This means that transitioning to international schools or schools that follow an Anglo-Saxon or Germanic education system is seamless.

We offer a fully immersive English and German (50:50) programme with equal instruction in both languages. As an academically rigorous school, 60 % of our students transition to a Gymnasium (secondary university prep school) compared to the local school average of 20 %. As a day school, we offer comprehensive care, including Day Care (before and after school care), catered lunches, extra-curricular activities, and a door-to-door school bus service. We celebrate our school community by organising events for our students and parents. Our small class sizes, the small and familiar environment as well as our qualified and experienced educators who view teaching as a vocation are further characteristics that make a difference towards our school. At Lakeside School, parents are viewed as partners in their child’s education.

On average, about 60% of our students enter a gymnasium after the 6th grade, e.g. bilingual Freies Gymnasium Zürich or monolingual public gymnasium.

By comparison, this figure averages just under 20% in public schools.