Hi my name is Tonia,

I desperately need advice on relocating to St Gallen canton and schooling. I have a six year old boy who only speaks english. I Was planning on sending him to the local school but read the complaints section and heard very scary things on children and parents being alienated. (apparently it is worse in the country) Could someone living in the area please start corrosponding with me so I can find out the facts and what I should do. We would be relocating in April but if my children have a hard time of it I will reconsider moving. Any advice is good. Moving to Switzerland is such a great opportunity I want to make sure that we do it properly and our kids florish like we thought they would.
Thanks Tonia

Don't listen to the whingers - it can be interesting but it's what you make of it. We found our kids struggled for about 6 months but are now like locals. I posted some links in your other post on Swiss Schools.

I live in Werdenberg, some 30min./35min. south of Sankt Gallen, and my daughter attends the local international school (it's called ISR, International Schoor Rheintal). It's fairly expensive (~18K/yr) but an excellent school, and my 6-year old daughter loves going to school every day. The classes are small groups (1st grade has only 12 kids), they have a main teacher and an assistant teacher, young, modern people with an open mind, a great programme. Check them out at their website: www.isr.ch

If you need to live close to St. Gallen and you're tempted to send your kid to this school you can always choose a decent city halfway between Sk. Gallen and Buchs, like Altstätten or (smaller but closer) Oberriet, SG.

Just my 2 rp.

Nothing against any of the international schools but it's back to the same old argument - if you're in Switzerland short term it's a reasonable solution (but way overpriced). If you are staying longer then the children need to learn the local language and get a local education if they will remain in Switzerland.

Hi Tonia

I live in Arbon 15mins away from St.Gallen where abouts are you moving to in St.Gallen? As there are so many schools also the kids here are encouraged to walk to school not to be driven if you let me know then i can give you better advice as my brother-in-law is a school teacher and i also have some friends who teach in different areas. Switzerland is so beautiful, clean and so safe for children it would be ashame not to move i have 2 children 6 and 4 Jade (6yrs) as many friends she is in kindergarden but will start school next year she is also in different clubs which helps. I will help you as much as i can.

Amanda

I have to agree 100% with you Bob. In my case though my employer subsidizes 75% of the school fees, and I don't think I will stay over 2 or 3 more years. I know for sure that I will miss Switzerland when my time is done.

Thank you to all who have responded so far.......All responses are valuable and being noted.

Firstly Swiss Bob I am sorry about my forum questions I am a first time user and couldnt work out how to get my questions on. I apologise. hahaha LOL I will get better at it......Thanks for your time....

We are looking at between 1 and 5 years. It is an ongoing job position. The idea of getting wages subsidised for education is a great option. Does anyone else have similar experiences......

Thanks Tonia

(I have ten thousand questions, one at a time lol)

Hi Caleb, that is interesting on the financial side as that was my position (for one of older children) when I first started but I got taxed on the school fees as if they were salary - even though the SG school system could not offer her a place. Did you get away with it or do they tax you too? It was better for me to send her back to a state boarding school in the UK (I am soooo mean).