Grade 10 lays the foundation; in Grades 11 and 12 students pursue A-Levels or the IB Diploma Programme, with individual guidance towards university.
- Year groups
- Grades 10–12
- Qualification
- A-Levels or IB Diploma (candidate school)
- Grade 10 as a foundation and orientation year
- Choice of A-Levels or the IB Diploma Programme (pending IB authorization)
- Individual academic advising and university preparation
Our High School - Grades 10 to 12 in Lugano
Your path, your choice: a foundation year in Grade 10, then A-Levels or the IB Diploma Programme in the final two years.
Your path, your choice
We believe the final years of high school should be as unique as the student. The school is one of the few in Switzerland designed around a dual-curriculum pathway: starting in Grade 10, a foundational year of academic discovery prepares students to choose the qualification that best aligns with their future - our established A-Levels, or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, for which the school is currently a candidate school.*
The road through the final years
Grade 10 - the foundation year
Students take courses across the sciences, humanities and the arts, while developing the research, writing and critical thinking skills that support them on either path.
Choosing the right path
During Grade 10, students receive individual guidance. In conversations with school staff they reflect on their strengths, interests and goals while deciding whether A-Levels or the IB Diploma Programme fits them best.
Grades 11 and 12 - the diploma years
Advanced study through A-Levels or the IB Diploma Programme, pending IB authorization. Coursework emphasises critical thinking, independent research and academic communication in preparation for university.
University and beyond
Through academic advising and mentorship, students build strong study habits, prepare their applications, and plan their next steps after graduation.
A-Levels and the IB Diploma, side by side
| A-Levels | IB Diploma Programme | |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Depth: students specialise in a smaller number of subjects | Breadth: a broader programme across multiple disciplines |
| Years | Grades 11-12 | Grades 11-12 |
| Status at ISS | Established programme | Candidate school, pursuing IB authorization* |
| Leads to | An internationally recognised university qualification | An internationally recognised university qualification |
Which subjects are offered in each pathway is confirmed with the school during the application process.
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 High School
A-Levels or the IB - which is better?
Neither is better - they suit different students. A-Levels mean depth in a smaller number of subjects; the IB Diploma means breadth across disciplines. Grade 10 exists so that students can make this choice with individual guidance, not under pressure.
Do students have to choose straight away?
No. Grade 10 is a foundation year across the sciences, humanities and the arts. The decision between A-Levels and the IB Diploma comes during that year, with guidance from school staff.
What are A-Levels?
Internationally recognised qualifications taken in the final school years, in which students specialise in a smaller number of subjects and study them in depth - a well-established route to universities worldwide.
Is the school authorized to offer the IB Diploma?
The school is a candidate school for the Diploma Programme and is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.
How are students supported with university applications?
Through academic advising and mentorship in the final years: building study habits, exploring university options, preparing applications, and planning the steps after graduation.