International School of Zug and Luzern

The International School of Zug and Luzern (ISZL) is an independent co-educational, non-profit day school, from Pre-School to Grade 12 serving the international community of Central Switzerland.^[1]

Accreditation

ISZL is accredited by the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. ISZL is also a fully authorised IB World School offering three IB programmes.

The ISZL Zug Campus in Baar (Zug) Early Years, Kindergarten, Primary School (Primarstufe 1.-6. Klasse, grade 1-6), Lower - Secondary School (Sekundarstufe I, grade 7-9) are approved by the bureau for elementary school (Amt für gemeindliche Schulen), administration for education (Bildungsdirektion), canton of Zug.^[2]

The ISZL Riverside Campus in Hünenberg (Zug) upper secondary education (High School: Sekundarstufe I (Grade 9) a.k.a. lower-secondary school grade 9, and Sekundarstufe II (Grade 10-13) a.k.a. upper-secondary school grade 10-13) is approved as a Sekundarstufe II by canton of Zug,.^[2]

ISZL's (upper) secondary education (Middle and High School) is not approved as a Mittelschule/Collège/Liceo by the Swiss Federal State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).^[3]

History

The International School of Zug and Luzern (ISZL) was founded in 2008 following the merger of the International School of Zug, the International School of Luzern, and The Riverside School.

The International School of Zug (ISOZ) was founded 1961 in Zug, as The Zug Anglo-American School. Initially with just fourteen students, ISOZ provided an English speaking primary education for the expatriate families in the region.

The Riverside School was founded in 1990 as a university preparatory high school. It has been offering the College Boards Advanced Placement (AP) programme since its inception. In 2007, Riverside was authorised to offer the Diploma Programme of the International Baccalaureate (IB). In 2003, Riverside moved to a location on the lake of Zug. As of 2010, the campus has moved to Hünenberg.

The International School of Luzern (ISOL) was founded in 2006 as a sister school to the International School of Zug. ISOL was located in Kastanienbaum in the town of Horw, near the city of Luzern. In the Summer of 2016, the Luzern campus closed.

With the merger of these schools in August 1, 2008, the new International School of Zug and Luzern (ISZL) serves the needs of around 1,250 students from more than 50 different nationalities.^[4]

Campuses and facilities

Both the Zug campus and the Hünenberg campus are located in Canton of Zug and within the Zurich Metropolitan Area.

Zug Campus

Primary and Middle School - Early Years to Grade 8.

ISZL Zug Campus Baar

Home to over 800 students the Zug Campus is located in a rural setting on the outskirts of Baar and hosts the Primary School and Middle School, offering classes from Early Years 1 to Grade 8. The main building, the Wettinger House, was constructed in the late 17th century and is surrounded by modern classroom buildings. The Middle School is located in new facility providing science labs, the ISZL Gallery and the ISZL Theatre for school performances. The facilities also include two gymnasia, science laboratories, two libraries, music rooms and a dining hall. The campus has multiple well equipped outdoor playgrounds, two hardtop basketball courts, and an all-weather sports field.

Language Programme

English as an Additional Language (EAL) A large number of the students in the school do not have English as their mother tongue. ISZL offers EAL classes to those students who require this additional instruction.

First Language (Mother Tongue) Programme As well as English language tuition, ISZL teaches over 25 first language classes and courses (Brazilian Portuguese, Bulgarian, Danish, Dutch, French, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Swedish).^[6]

Sports

Physical Education is a compulsory part of the curriculum for students at ISZL. A variety of sports are offered at a competitive and non-competitive level, to include involvement at regional events. Boys' and girls' teams compete annually with other international schools at the Swiss Group of International Schools (SGIS) events in Switzerland.

Arts

Music is taught to all students, from Early Years to Grade 8, leading to an instrument of their choice. For older students, the four disciplines of visual art, dance, drama and music are offered. Multiple concerts, and musicals are produced at each division. The school has three choirs for various age groups. In the autumn of 2013, the Hünenberg campus opened an art facility to support multiple mediums of artistic expression.^[7]

Alumni

• Helen Hill (2016), Recipient of the prestigious Respect Award in 2015, Award-winning International Officer (2017) and Vice Chair of Events (2018) for James College at the University of York. Well known on campus as half of the James College Power Couple, the other half being JCFC President and former Captain of the Gentlemen's XI, Luke Lane.
• Ethan Holmer (2016), International Blackjack prodigy and a member of the Rollins College Blackjack team, most noticeable for winning $300k on the Victory Casino Cruise in one night.

See also

• International Baccalaureate
• Advanced Placement

Notes & references

External links

• Official ISZL website
• Swiss Group of International Schools (SGIS)
• International Baccalaureate Organization
• European Council of International Schools (ECIS)
• IB World Schools