ISZL vs. ISOCS vs. Montana

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
Hi All,

I am moving to Baar in April, we visited a few schools and have shortlisted ISZL (Zug campus), ISOCS in Cham, and Institut Montana.

My son is 7, could anybody please share their experiences? I am more interested in knowing the shortfalls of each of these schools rather than the good things (that was amply covered during the tour).

Any feedback is welcome.

Regards,

F

2
we had 3 kids in ISZL. the school is very "British" in its approach, which will include the way your children will be taught math, for example. this may or may not matter depending on your long-term plans, our kids ended up back in the US for this year where a transition in math was necessary but not unbearable. the "British" approach will also include things such as management of typical school situations like bullying and fighting (we never had a problem with it but know others who did). all in, we absolutely loved the school and would send our kids back in a heartbeat.

Montana is a boarding school, so you will have all the same problems you get at every boarding school. this will mean a rather large number of kids from Germany and elsewhere in Europe that do not "fit" in their local school system, and it will also mean that the level and frequency of English spoken outside of the classroom will be much different from a traditional international day school.

ISOCS is more or less brand new, I think.

3
Hmm, no good stuff. OK. I will give you distinguishing features, good and/or bad. I know people with kids in each of these. And all are happy but none see their school as perfect. Really, you can't go wrong with any but each are different animals.

Montana. A boarding school that is trying to diversify into a day school with some success and some not. They forgot when they did that the parents are an extension of kids everyday lives and must be communicated with. Their IB program isn't integrated w/ their local curriculum program so while it may seem the campus is large the student body itself is split. Lots of money on the hill. No bus service. No pool access for swimming classes. Your son can take the local curriculum program in German and learn the language but not be in the swiss local school (stating facts here people, don't groan at me and argue about choosing local school for language and integration)

ISOCS. No bus service. Does have swimming. Haven't heard anything bad about the management of the school. Having turnover in the middle school (way past age 7!) right now due to a teacher leaving but that is normal in CH, people come and go all the time. And its a small school so when one person leaves it is a big deal. Seems to have up and coming prestige in the Swiss International School community and is growing quickly.

ISZL. Huge with all the benefits that comes with a big school. Has bus service. Has it's own social group for parents so it is a ready made social network if that is what you are looking for to ease your transition to CH. A kid attending this school can find all they need in the way of extracurricular activities. They even have Girl Scouts. Has swimming. And as with a larger school there are more opportunities for management problems and I am aware of some...

All three use the IB curriculum so they should be learning the same stuff. My kid goes to one of these schools, but I am not telling which ;-) You can PM me. It all comes down to how much you want your son to integrate and how much you rely on the school to be your social circle, how important German language is to the family, and if you like small personal groups or large groups with a plethora of offerings, clubs and social opportunities. I think I have given you a balanced summary of what I know of each school.

4
Dear Sedalbj,

I will soon be in the same position as the opening post. I am a newbie and can not PM you currently. Is there a way to address all the pertinent points that you mentioned in the your message. Thanks!

5
ISZL is my only experience. Only have very good things to say about it.

Teaching is much different to what we got back home. But the kids fit in well. Teachers are great. Frequent contact. Plenty of in class support for the kids.

Works a treat for parents, you can meet others quickly to settle in, lots of support around that.

Pretty $$$ though. Although don’t think you care about that.

6
Thank you in these challenging time every little helps.

7
Hi all, I am picking up on this thread again... didnt want to start a new one...

Looking for info on ISOCS in Cham please? Cambridge Curriculum, might be an easy fit if I can swing some things...

Does anyone have experience with this school? Specifically stability - i.e going to be there awhile

8
No experience but I have been there once for a seminar, school is nice but very small intake. I think they have 1-2 classes and that's it, ISZL is a lot bigger.