Our Middle School builds a solid academic foundation while fostering independence, creativity and social development — core subjects in the morning, the DISCOVERY programme every afternoon.
- Year groups
- Grades 6–9
- Core academics in the morning: STEAM, languages, history and geography
- Language placement by the European framework (A1–C2)
- Bilingual English–Italian, German as an additional language
- Life skills through project-based learning
- The DISCOVERY programme in the afternoon
Our Middle School - Grades 6 to 9 in Lugano
A solid academic foundation, and the independence to use it. The Middle School carries students through the transition from primary to secondary education.
Building strong foundations
The transition from primary to secondary education is a critical stage in a student's life. Our Middle School supports it with a balanced approach: academic rigour on one side, room for personal growth on the other.
We focus on helping students become independent learners who take responsibility for their own education. The curriculum challenges them to think critically, solve problems and make connections across subjects - while social and emotional skills get the same attention, so students navigate these years with confidence.
The approach is student-centred: curiosity, resilience and responsibility. Students get the tools and the opportunities to explore their interests, ask questions, and build a deeper understanding of the world around them.
The Middle School at a glance
- Grades 6-9
- The bridge from primary school to the diploma years
- EN + IT
- Two languages of instruction, German as an option
- A1-C2
- Language classes placed by the Common European Framework
- MYP
- IB candidate school for the Middle Years Programme
The core subjects of the morning
Mornings belong to focused academic work in three core areas.
STEAM
Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics as one programme: hands-on projects, experiments and real-world applications that teach students to think critically and solve complex problems.
Languages
The bilingual approach continues in Grades 6-9: English and Italian as languages of instruction, German as an option. Classes are placed by the Common European Framework (A1-C2), so every student is both challenged and supported.
History and Geography
Historical events, societal change, and the connections between people and their environment - taught through inquiry and analysis, so students apply the past to understand the present.
The DISCOVERY Program in the afternoon
Afternoons belong to the DISCOVERY Program - activities that nurture creativity, physical well-being and personal development, complementing the academic rigour of the morning:
- Physical Education - fitness, teamwork and healthy competition
- Arts and creativity - visual arts, music, dance and drama
- Technology and robotics - projects that combine technology with creative problem-solving
- Leadership and service - leadership roles and community service projects
- Languages and cultural immersion - immersive language learning beyond the academic programme
Immersion Days and Camps are a key part of DISCOVERY: field trips into the natural environment, cultural exchanges, art-based retreats - experiential learning that connects what students study with the world it belongs to.
Guided by K.I.N.D.
The K.I.N.D. framework guides everything the Middle School does.
Kindness
A supportive, inclusive and empathetic school culture.
Innovation
Creative thinking and problem-solving across all subjects.
Navigation
The discipline and skills to manage academic rigour, while nurturing curiosity and a love of learning.
Discovery
Exploring passions through hands-on, project-based learning and co-curricular activities.
Skills for life beyond the classroom
Success goes beyond academics. Alongside their subjects, students deliberately build the life skills that carry them through university, careers and everything after: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, resilience, communication, time management and emotional intelligence.
These skills are not a separate lesson. They grow through project-based learning, the STEAM programme, Immersion Days and Camps, the DISCOVERY Program - and daily school life.
Why families choose our Middle School
- Academic excellence - a strong foundation in STEAM, languages, and history and geography
- Bilingual education - English and Italian, with German as an option
- The DISCOVERY Program - hands-on learning through activities, immersion days and camps
- Personalised learning - tailored support to meet individual needs
- Social-emotional support - a strong emphasis on well-being and character development
- Technology integration - digital literacy, critical thinking and collaboration as everyday tools
The International School of Switzerland is a Candidate School* for the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme, and is pursuing authorization as an IB World School.
* 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.
Questions families ask about the Middle School
Which grades does the Middle School cover?
Grades 6 to 9 - the years between our Primary School and the diploma years of our High School.
Which grade would my child join, based on their age?
The school publishes a year level comparison chart that maps ages and school systems to our grades. The entry assessment then confirms the placement that fits your child.
Can my child join without fluent English or Italian?
Yes. Language classes are placed by the Common European Framework (A1-C2), so students join at the level that fits and are supported from there. Students who need it receive English as an Additional Language support.
What does a Middle School student study?
Mornings cover the core subjects: STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics), languages, and history and geography. Afternoons belong to the DISCOVERY Program - sport, arts, technology and immersive experiences.
What comes after the Middle School?
Our High School: Grade 10 lays the foundation, and in Grades 11 and 12 students pursue A-Levels or the IB Diploma Programme.