International private schools and boarding schools
The Swiss education system also includes private schools. There are more than 260 private schools that teach courses in one of the three national languages of German, French and Italian or in English (and some also offer other languages) to more than 100,000 students.
International schools are primarily for the children of employees on an international assignment who are generally only temporarily in Switzerland. These children of expatriates receive a suitable international education or instruction in their native language and are prepared for the final exams that are valid in their home country. All areas of Switzerland and all major cities have suitable learning institutions, and school costs are in the middle range when compared internationally.
School fees for international private schools
1) average international, US and UK school fees
2) local private school
Source: Mercer, Cost-of-Living Report, March 2008, www.mercer.com
Swiss boarding schools are not only known for their high level of education, but also for their strict discipline and international student body. Often they have very selective acceptance criteria and are known for their elite standing around the world.