Our Primary School inspires young learners to become curious, creative and independent thinkers — inquiry-based, bilingual, guided by the K.I.N.D. framework.
- Qualification
- IB PYP candidate school
- Bilingual education in English and Italian, with German as an option
- Six real-world inquiry units a year, each ending in a student project
- K.I.N.D. approach: Kindness, Innovation, Navigation, Discovery
- DISCOVERY co-curricular afternoons, immersion days and camps
- Small class sizes and individualised attention
Our Primary School in Lugano, Ticino
Designed to inspire young learners to become curious, creative and independent thinkers — through inquiry-based learning in English and Italian.
Laying the foundation for lifelong learning
At the heart of our Primary School is inquiry-based learning: students actively explore concepts, questions and challenges that are relevant to their lives, and learn to ask questions rather than memorise answers.
Learning is transdisciplinary — students make connections across subjects, so what they learn is holistic and integrated. Through six inquiry units each year, they delve into real-world topics that engage their natural curiosity, and each unit culminates in a final project or presentation shared with the school community.
Four concepts that frame every unit
Each inquiry unit is framed by key concepts that promote deeper understanding — students do not just learn facts, they learn to think.
Form
Function
Connection
Perspective
Two languages of instruction — and a third to grow into
Given our location in Ticino, learning happens in a multilingual environment, with English and Italian as the primary languages of instruction from an early age.
- English is integrated across all subjects, building strong literacy and communication skills in an international context.
- Italian is taught alongside English, connecting students with the community and culture of Ticino.
- German is offered as a language of acquisition, further enriching students’ linguistic capabilities.
What the primary years cultivate
The primary years shape attitudes, habits and skills — so alongside academics, our programme is designed to develop:
Curiosity
Encouraging a natural desire to explore and learn.
Independence
Building confidence through taking responsibility for one’s own learning.
Collaboration
Working together and valuing diverse perspectives.
Resilience
Facing challenges and bouncing back from setbacks.
The K.I.N.D. framework in the primary years
Our approach to teaching and learning is rooted in the K.I.N.D. pedagogical framework — Kindness, Innovation, Navigation and Discovery:
- Kindness: a compassionate environment where students support each other and respect diversity.
- Innovation: creative thinking, problem-solving, and technology used to solve real-world challenges.
- Navigation: structured learning pathways that give students strong foundations and ownership of their learning journey.
- Discovery: exploring passions, fostering a love of learning and an intrinsic drive to engage with new ideas.
DISCOVERY afternoons: learning beyond the classroom
The DISCOVERY co-curricular programme is an integral part of the Primary School experience — designed to ignite passion, foster creativity and make real-world connections that deepen learning.
Immersion days take students outside the classroom into practical experiences linked to their inquiry units — a field trip, a visit to a local business, or community service. Educational camps through the year build social bonds, nurture independence, and deepen students’ connection to the world around them — from outdoor adventures to art-focused camps.
Activities range from creative arts to STEM, so students explore new interests and grow their social and emotional intelligence in real-world contexts.
A partnership with parents
Parents play a crucial role in a child’s education, especially in the primary years. We keep communication strong: regular updates on progress, and real opportunities for parents to be involved in school life — so each child’s learning journey is supported at school and at home.
The International School of Switzerland is a Candidate School* for the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme, pursuing authorization as an IB World School.
* Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes. Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org.
Related downloads
- Year Level Comparison List
How ISS grades map to other school systems — for families comparing year levels.
Questions families ask
At what age can my child join the Primary School?
Children join Grade 1 at age five to six. Where a child fits best is part of the admissions conversation — our team walks you through placement.
What does inquiry-based learning look like in practice?
Six inquiry units a year, each built around a real-world topic and framed by key concepts such as form, function, connection and perspective. Every unit ends with a project or presentation the students share with the school community.
Which languages will my child learn?
English and Italian are the languages of instruction; German is offered as a language of acquisition.