The House System
Our student community — rooted in the K.I.N.D. values.
More than a tradition
At the International School of Switzerland, our House System is more than just a tradition — it’s a vibrant community where students forge lifelong friendships, develop leadership skills, and experience the thrill of teamwork. Rooted in our values of Kindness, Innovation, Navigation, and Discovery, the house system ignites school spirit and provides opportunities for every student to shine.
Learn more about our K.I.N.D. philosophy and why k.i.n.d.ness is your greatness.
Life in a house
One house, all the way through
On joining, each student is placed in a house and stays in it for their whole time at the school.
Competing together
Houses compete in sport, the arts and academic challenges, and points are collected over the year.
Students supporting students
Through our multi-age House System, older students mentor and support younger peers, ensuring every child belongs to a welcoming, cross-grade community from day one.
How a house system works
The house system comes from British schooling and is now common in international schools. On joining, each student is placed in a house and stays in it for their whole time at the school. Houses compete in sport, the arts and academic challenges, points are collected over the year, and older students take responsibility for younger ones. The effect a parent notices is that a new child has a group from the first day that is not defined by their class or their age.
At ISS the houses are where the K.I.N.D. values are lived rather than taught: kindness between age groups, leadership as navigation, and school spirit as the discovery that a team can do more than one student.
Experience the school spirit
House life is best seen, not described — visit the school, or explore the DISCOVERY Programme.
Details and questions
The House System at a glance
| Who belongs | Every student. A house spans all year groups, so a Grade 2 child and a Grade 12 student can be in the same one. |
| Purpose | Friendships beyond the classroom, leadership for older students, teamwork and school spirit. |
| Values | Rooted in Kindness, Innovation, Navigation and Discovery. |
| Where it shows | House events across the year, and in the Discovery Programme. |
| Cost | Part of school life; nothing separate to sign up for. |
House names, colours and the calendar of house events are given to families at enrolment.
Questions families ask about the houses
What is a house system?
A tradition from British and international schooling: every student belongs to a house, a community that spans all year groups. Houses build friendships beyond the classroom, give students chances to lead, and turn school spirit into teamwork. For families coming from the Italian school system, think of it as a school within the school that your child belongs to for their whole journey.
Which house will my child be in?
The school places each new student in a house on joining. If you have a preference, for example to keep siblings together, say so at enrolment.
Are there house competitions?
Yes. House events bring the houses together in teamwork and friendly competition through the year. The calendar lists the school's events; the detailed house programme is shared with families at enrolment.
How does it build leadership?
Older students take responsibility for younger ones and for their house in events, which is leadership in practice rather than in a lesson. That experience later belongs in the Portrait of a Graduate portfolio.
Does the House System cost extra?
No. It is part of school life for every student, not an activity to sign up for.
Is it like the houses in British boarding schools?
The idea is the same; the setting is not. ISS is a day school, so a house is a community across year groups rather than a building students live in.
Can we see it before applying?
Ask when you book a visit whether a house event falls in the weeks you are considering. An open day or a Discovery Programme afternoon is the easiest place to see the houses at work.