Parent's Review of International School of Zug in Zug, Switzerland

What is the name of your child's school? (Please report on one school per survey.)

International School of Zug

In what town or city is this school located?

Zug

How would you describe this school? (i.e. American, British, International, Local, etc.)

International, less American than Zurich Intl. School

What grade levels are represented at this school?

Preschool-grade 8

How do most children get to school everyday? (bus, train, walk, etc.)

bus and parents

How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?

Swimming once per week, occasional ice skating in the winter, German language class, music class, art class for upper grades, gym, hot lunch, computer lab, library- ALL of these once per week (or more) during school.

After school activities include pottery club, sewing and crafts, art, Brownies, soccer, cooking and more (but I only remember the ones my young daughter is interested in).

Private music instruction is available through the music department and is quite impressive.

What has this school done to help your child transition from the curriculum in your home country into the curriculum in your new country? Are there programs to prepare your child for repatriation?

The curriculum here seems to be solid but the approach is less restrictive than what we were used to in the US. That said, lack of discipline is not a problem.

How would you describe the social activities available for parents through this school? Are there parent-teacher organizations?

There's a Parents Association, where the moms get together for walking club, hiking club, international cooking, skiing, tennis, German language, etc... during the school day, and also hosts evening activities/events for both parents, such as special speakers, a school Räbechilbi (local culture event of carved turnip parade), other things- we just didn't always attend them all...

Then each grade level has 2 class representatives who arrange coffee mornings about once a month and organize many events during the year at the school with the children, or outside the school, like a Christmas dinner evening. The PA usually has a big Christmas party, helps with the big musical/dramatic productions ALL students are involved in each year, organizes the International Day Fair, made a cookbook last year (2002-2003), have monthly meetings for parents who can/want to attend about school business, offer New Parent brunches twice a year, sends out a monthly newsletter to all parents...

What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling their child in this school?

ISOZug is actually convenient both for families living in Luzern area and Zurich area.

We are in Zimmerberg region of Zurich and find the drive to ISOZug actually shorter and easier for us than if we were to be at Zurich Intl. School.

ISOZug is also all on one (charming) campus, with a large astro-turf field, play ground, farmland surrounding (complete with a few cows and sheep). The influence is not so predominantly American at ISOZug and the mix of students is quite good, including Swiss in I think every grade level. THe Head of School, Martin Latter, is a sincere man and a man of action and determination. He has personally taken the time to telephone me concerning questions I had and each time the matter was dealt with to my satisfaction.

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