The Bridge Programme: one year, many futures
Not every student follows a straight path. This one-year programme is for those who need time to build language fluency, confidence and direction before the next step.
Who it is for
The Bridge Programme is for students aged twelve to eighteen who need one of four things: stronger English, German, Italian or French; a transition from the Swiss public system or from another international school; a fresh start that restores motivation, confidence and academic direction; or a guided year before the IB Diploma, A-Levels or a Swiss liceo.
It is not a gap year and not a language school. Students keep up their academic work, join the life of the school in full, and leave with a plan.
What the year includes
Intensive language learning
One or two languages to focus on, chosen with the student, taught in groups by level rather than by age.
Academic continuity
Mathematics on the Swiss and international curriculum, a major project, and weekly sessions in digital tools, entrepreneurship and life skills.
Full integration
Clubs, excursions and the bilingual community from the first week; a Bridge student is an ISS student.
The Discovery Programme
Arts, sport, technology and more, in English or Italian.
Why a bridge year makes sense in Ticino
Families in this region move between three systems: the Ticino public school, taught in Italian and ending with the scuola media and the liceo; Italian schools across the border; and international schools taught in English. Each has its own language, its own grade numbering and its own entry requirements, and a child rarely arrives at a convenient moment. Compulsory schooling in Switzerland runs for eleven years and is organised by the cantons, as ch.ch explains, so a student who has left one system cannot simply pause.
The Bridge Programme is the year in between: a full school year that counts, in which a student gains the language and the confidence to enter the diploma years at ISS, to return to a Swiss school, or to apply elsewhere with something to show.
Where the bridge leads
Most Bridge students continue into one of these.
International School of Switzerland is a candidate school* for the MYP. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. IB World Schools share a common philosophy- a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education- that we believe is important for our students.
* Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme (DP), or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org.
Talk to us about your child's year
The Bridge Programme starts with a conversation about where a student is and where they want to go.
Details and questions
- Age range
- 12–18 years
- Year groups
- Ages 12-18, one year
- One year, for students aged twelve to eighteen
- Intensive English, German, Italian or French, grouped by level
- Mathematics, a major project and weekly life-skills sessions
- Leads to the diploma years, a Swiss school or the next opportunity
The Bridge Programme at a glance
| Length | One school year. |
| Ages | Twelve to eighteen. |
| Languages | Intensive learning in one or two of English, German, Italian and French, grouped by level. |
| Academic work | Mathematics on the Swiss and international curriculum, a major project in the style of the Middle Years Programme, and weekly sessions in digital tools, entrepreneurship and life skills. |
| School life | Full integration: clubs, excursions and the bilingual school community, plus the Discovery Programme, in English or Italian. |
| Leads to | The diploma years at ISS, a return to a Swiss school better prepared, an application to another school or training programme, or a real-world opportunity. |
| Tuition | Confirmed by admissions for the year and stage in question. |
Placement, the languages a student focuses on and the year's plan are agreed in the admissions conversation.
Questions families ask about the Bridge Programme
Who is the Bridge Programme for?
Students aged twelve to eighteen who need stronger English, German, Italian or French, a transition from the Swiss public system or another international school, a fresh start, or a guided year before the IB Diploma, A-Levels or a Swiss liceo.
How long does it take?
One school year.
Is it a gap year?
No. It is a structured school year with mathematics, a major project, weekly life-skills sessions and intensive language learning, inside the normal life of the school.
Which languages can my child focus on?
One or two of English, German, Italian and French, taught in groups by level. Which ones is agreed with the family at the start.
Can my child join during the school year?
Ask admissions. The programme is built for students whose path has not been straight, so a mid-year start is a normal question to raise; whether it works depends on the student and the point in the year.
What happens after the Bridge year?
Students are ready to join the diploma years at ISS, to return to a Swiss school better prepared, to apply to another school or training programme, or to take on a real-world opportunity. The plan is made during the year, not at the end of it.
Can a student go back to the Swiss public system afterwards?
Returning to a Swiss school better prepared is one of the routes the programme is designed for. Entry conditions are set by the receiving school and the canton, so the plan for a return is made together with them.
What does it cost?
Tuition is confirmed by admissions for the year and stage in question. The fees page shows the school's fee structure.
Does my child need any English to start?
Building English is one of the programme's purposes, so a student can start with little. The level is assessed in the admissions conversation and the language groups are formed by level.
Sources
Checked on 6 September 2026. Official rules change; the linked page is authoritative.