An international school in the centre of Lugano
For families in Ticino who want lessons in English with Italian alongside, one school from Grade 1 to Grade 12, and two routes to university.
Beside the local school, not in its place
Public schools in Ticino teach in Italian and are free of charge. Ticino organises compulsory schooling in its own way: primary school, including the scuola dell’infanzia, lasts seven years and the scuola media four, as the federal portal explains.
English is the language of instruction. Italian is taught as a mother tongue to native speakers and as an additional language to everyone else, and English as an Additional Language support is offered. The language programme explains how classes are placed.
ISS runs from Grade 1 to Grade 12 in one place: the Primary School in Grades 1 to 5, the Middle School in Grades 6 to 10 and the Senior School in Grades 11 and 12.
One school, three stages
Taught in English
English is the language of instruction. Italian is taught to every student, and English as an Additional Language support is offered.
Grade 1 to Grade 12
The Primary School in Grades 1 to 5, the Middle School in Grades 6 to 10 and the Senior School in Grades 11 and 12, in one place.
Two routes to university
In Grade 10, the Pre-DP year, students choose between A-Levels and the IB Diploma Programme. By age, Grade 10 corresponds to the first year of the liceo.
- 1–12
- Grades.
- 13
- A-Level subjects, examined by Pearson Edexcel.
- 2
- Routes to university: A-Levels or the IB Diploma Programme.
Two routes to university
In Grade 10, the Pre-DP year, students choose between A-Levels, examined by Pearson Edexcel in thirteen subjects, and the IB Diploma Programme for Grades 11 and 12. The Senior School page explains both.
In Ticino the academic route is usually the liceo, four years ending in the Swiss maturità, as the conference of cantonal education ministers describes. By age, Grade 10 corresponds to the first year of the liceo.
Swiss universities recognise International A-Levels, together with International GCSEs, on conditions that each university sets for itself and that swissuniversities publishes.
Come and see us on a school day
Book now and visit our school. Any school day between 08:30 and 16:00: on the day, sign in at reception and the admissions team will show you round. The visit page tells you whether the school is open to visitors today.
Details and questions
Questions families in Ticino ask
How much does ISS cost?
Annual tuition for 2026/27 is CHF 16,000 in Grade 1, CHF 18,000 in Grades 2 to 5, CHF 20,000 in Grades 6 to 9 and CHF 22,000 in Grades 10 to 12, with a one-off enrolment fee of CHF 3,000 per family. Examination fees are charged separately. The fees page has the full table.
Does my child need to speak English to join?
English as an Additional Language support is offered for children still learning English. How a child joins at their level is part of the assessment and conversation in the admissions process.
How long is the school day?
In the Primary School the day runs from 08:30 to 16:00. In the Middle and Senior School it runs from 08:30 to about 16:00. In the Middle School the afternoon from 14:30 to 16:00 is the Discovery Programme; in the Primary School Discovery is woven into the timetable; in the diploma years students have regular lessons on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.
When does the school year start?
The 2026/27 year runs from 31 August 2026 to 16 June 2027. The school calendar lists the holidays and the Ticino public holidays.
Sources
- ch.ch, school and kindergarten: how compulsory schooling is organised in Ticino
- EDK, baccalaureate schools: the liceo and the maturità
- swissuniversities: admission with foreign qualifications
Checked on 30 September 2026.