Losing 3 academic years make me think I should put him in an international school before making the decision to return to USA to avoid the 3 years penality. However, I just read "social and admision reasons" from parents of little kids in this forum about international schools. I would like to know "academic reasons" comparing honor/AP classes in a public school in NJ vs. ZIS (or any other International School in Zurich) and around. Appreciate any information.
My son completed grade 10 in NJ with all honor classes. He is attending a Gymnasium in Zurich grade 9 with a Math knowledge of grade 12. Because he doesn't know German, he is going to repeat grade 9. He is going to take intensive German classes.
I believe that ZIS (and many of the other large international schools, ICS, ISZL) use the IB curriculum (International Baccalaureate) which has gained quite a bit of popularity in the US in the last decade or so among the more "academic" public school districts and is well-known by US universities.
My 2 cents -- Follow your instincts and get your son into an International School. If you want him to keep improving his German skills, make sure he gets into some local activities in the community and not just at the International School.
ZIS, and I'm sure the other ones as well, have both the IB and AP classes at the upper school level. The only reason I wouldn't put a child your son's age in the International School would be expense. If you can afford it, I'd do it immediately.
I think young kids can benefit a great deal from going through Swiss schools, even if you know you are returning, but at your son's age I don't see any benefit personally.
This is a really tricky one - mostly because my own exposure to the international schools has left me unimpressed in comparison to my own NJ high school education. Although they offer IB and AP classes, compared to the competitive high school atmosphere your son might be used to, the general student body is quite watered-down. The one thing the students have in common is speaking English, not necessarily academic prowess or personal ambition. The schools are not big enough to offer separate classes at different levels. The average IB scores I have seen from the international schools in Zurich are ok, but just that, not very good. Having an IB is not the same now as it was 15 years ago. Previously just having completed an IB was a marker of difference, but now they are beng offered by more and more schools one must also have a very good score for it to mean anything. 38 or above is what a better university is looking for, 40+ for the really competitive ones.
At the same time, unless he already has a fairly solid knowledge of German, he will not, even with intensive instruction, reach a level of fluency that reflects his ability across all subjects. The language can be less of a problem in maths because so much is expressed formulaically but all humanities subjects require a good amount of writing and the accompanying specialised vocabulary.
I would have been devastated if my parents had moved me from my high school at Grade 10...what is your son's view on the situation? Is he a social type, or very much just into his studies? All of the private schools in/around ZH have their issues so I wouldn't view switching from gymnasium to international as only a solution with a price tag. How ling are you here for?
If you can afford it, definitely put your son in the international school. If he is in 9th grade now, is showing talent in mathematics, but being held back because of his language skills, this could potentially hinder his academic career. If he wants to stay in Switzerland, and is willing to take a little longer to get his German up to speed, then that's his choice.... but if he is amicable, the AP/IB classes could definitely help him get into a good university. I attended ZIS, and there are some great professors there in the math/sciences. They also really help in the college application process. If your son is already taking very high level math classes, they can really help him best showcase his talents in the application process. Besides, if you want to study math/engineering these days, the language is universally going to be English.
If he wants to learn German and/or integrate into swiss society, that can be done on the side of his studies.... but obviously, the rate will be much slower than attending Swiss school. My advice would be talk to him and ask him how he feels about the subject.
Only in maths. He is not loosing in other subjects. Let him make maths a hobby at high international level, found a maths club in the school and go to math competitions.
There are so many ways to be a genius without school... just use school for what it can give you, incl. German, and do the rest outside the way you like it. Teacher speaking.
The real issue is age. Grade 10 is late for a full language switch but I have seen student succeed. Being smart helps. If the student is up for the challenge of writing essays in German in subjects like literature, history and sociology, go for local schools. Otherwise, find money for international school. It can only do a student good to write essays, in German or in English is another question. Teacher speaking again.
If you read some of the threads here on EF about integrating an older child in the public system, I.e. Over 12, is very difficult and thus most often an international school is the best option , especially if higher education is sought. Language is very important and often there is not much time to catch up , unless multiple repeats, if the matura is sought and even with a lot of work and repeats it still might not be possible to get it.