Any experience with primary schools in Witikon, Zurich?

Hello all,

We will be moving from our temporary apartment into the lovely neighborhood of Witikon next month. Our kids have the option of staying at the school they are in (which would be a thrice daily 20 minute tram commute) or switching to the schools within walking distance in Witikon. The move has been difficult for them as the integration programs are full and they don't know the language yet, and they don't seem particularly attached to the current school they are in- but I also hate to change things up on them again. I would love to get some personal insight into the schools in our new area, to help make our decision. My eldest is in fourth grade and my youngest is in Kindergarten.

Thanks much!

I can't help with the schools as I'm not in your area. However if it were me I'd change them to the local schools.

You can't underestimate the benefits of being integrated into your local community. The walk to school and back is a really important social part of school life. It has its ups and downs but overall I say it's a real benefit of school in Switzerland. Going to school locally will also facilitate friendships for your kids and possibly for you, too.

You become linked in with all the local rituals that happen at the same time every year, you meet other parents at school events etc etc.

Integration is going to be much harder for your older child wherever he/she is, given the level of the work and therefore the higher level of German required. But my daughter is in the fourth class, too, and I see now how important her local friendships are, both from a social point of view but also in terms of the work they do. She gets together with a friend and they work on revision for a test together or on a project.

The school should be able to link you in with other English speakers, too, which will make all your lives easier in the meantime.

So I would say the sooner you all go local the better.

That's great advice. Thank you!

One more thing!

One of my students (I'm a music teacher) lives in Witikon. She's in kindergarten there, and she seems pretty happy! If I remember, I'll ask her Dad what he thinks of the schools.

Hi mleclark,

Can you please share with me your experience of primary school in Witikon?

We also live in Witikon.

My son will be in erste klasse next year. He is currently in lycee français of Zurich.

Thanks

Bolivar95- we love the schools here!

We have a son in 4th class at Looren (A) and one in the Kindergarten Buchholz.

In both cases the teachers have been absolutely wonderful, very engaging, creative, and accommodating of my children as they learn the language. There are also many opportunities for the parent community to be involved. In general we have felt very welcomed in Witikon and our children have been quite happy.

Hope this helps!

Hello

We have been living in Witikon for 2.5 years (moved from the UK) and our daughter is in 1st class in Langmatt and son will start Kindergarten in August. We had a great experience with kindergarten, but it has taken our daughter a while to adjust to school. I think it is a good school though. Depending where you live the school would either be Looren or Langmatt. Send me a private message and I'll be happy to tell you more.

All the best.

Hi all,

I'm very encouraged to read this thread, we have been in Zurich for a week (from the UK) and just secured a great apartment in Witikon from 1st July. We have 2 girls (6 and 9 years old) who will be going to local school. The apartment is very close to the Langmatt school. We speak very little German currently (ok I actually mean no German!!) so I know it's going to be tough at first but it's great to know there will be other English speaking kids around.

Hi, welcome to Witikon!

Get in touch when you move in. Maybe one of your daughters will end up in the same class as my daughter - she has just turned 8 and will start class 2 in Langmatt in August. I'm sure she'd be happy to meet some English speaking girls anyway, and they'll have someone to talk to in the playground. Where are you from in UK?

Hi jr78,

We move to Witikon on the 1st July, I can't wait our temporary accommodation is not so practical for a family of 4 (and a dog).

I am not sure if my girls will be able to go to the school before the holidays, I hope so, but if not maybe our girls can meet up for a play in the summer?

We are from Kent, just outside London. How about you?

I will drop you a message when we move in.