Just learned this week that we are moving from the big state of Texas to Switzerland.

Can anyone tell me which is better of the two international schools recommended by the company, Zurich International or International School of Zug ??

We moved here from Texas 3 years ago and my older 2 kids have been at ISZL since then. We are very happy with the school, and they are very happy there and doing well. We have been very impressed with all of the teachers that we have met. I think the work load steps up at Grade 6 and then takes another leap at Grade 9. I don't know about the lower years as our younger child started at ISZL in Grade 4.

I have a son going into the 3rd grade and daughter going into the 7th grade. Unfortunately, neither school has openings for both kids. I'm trying to decide if I should split them up or wait to transfer once both can go to the same campus.

Without knowing the differences in locations it's hard to make a decision. I'm pressed for time for entry in August as we haven't made it over yet to visit

I think if you choose ZIS they would always be at different campuses, in completely different towns anyway (unless things have changed in the last 3 years!) so maybe splitting them up isn't such a big deal even though it is nicer to have them at the same school. ISZL has 2 campuses (K-8th in Baar and then 9-12 in Hünenberg). There are always a lot of people leaving, sometimes with relatively little notice, so I would keep checking with the school for the availability of places. My son just completed 6th grade and I know quite a lot of his friends are leaving this summer (so I would have thought there would be a lot of 7th grade places to fill!!). Also another of his friends I think is due to leave at Christmas (so another 7th grade vacancy!) Of course I don't know how long waiting lists are but there is alot of turnover of kids as they move on to different countries.

Oh forgot the location thing! I think if you are going to be living Zurich or the Lake Zurich towns most people choose ZIS. If you are living in Kanton Zug or close to Kanton Zug (or towards Luzern etc) then people opt for ISZL.

Hi Barry,
I am also from the United States of Texas.

Where are you going to be working in Zürich or Zug?

It may just depend all on where you live.

Good luck with the decision and let me know if you
have other questions about the area or the language!

Cheers!
HollidayG

Hi Rachael, I didn't know other Texans were so close!

Husband will be working in Horgen. Thanks for all of the advice. We will go on house hunting trip in July.

I don't mind splitting the kids up because they are four yrs apart in age. ZIS looks more impressive on their website. Just didn't know if there were a difference between the schools.

Hi!
Unfortunately I didn't have the good fortune to be born in Texas, so the best I can hope for is "honorary Texan" or "wish I was Texan"! We spent 5 years in the Houston area and I would move back tomorrow if a green card mysteriously appeared in the mail!! My youngest daughter was born in Houston so we do have a Texan in the family though! Where in Texas are you from? and why live here when you could be in Texas?!!!

My husband works in Horgen too! Maybe they work for the same company - is it an American chemical company ?! think the best thing is to look around the two schools and see which one you and your children like the look of. I think they are both great schools, and your kids will enjoy either one. After we visited my children were more keen on ISZL, and we preferred to have them both on the same campus for the first two years. We also didn't like the ZIS Middle School (but maybe they have a new building now - I'm not sure). The lower school was very nice (if a bit yellow - but you'll see that if you visit!!) and I think the High School is a completely new building (I saw some of it this year when my daughter played in a soccer match for ISZL v ZIS). It looks very impressive. ISZL also has brand new Middle School and High School Buildings, which both opened at the start of this school year. I have been very impressed with those too! I guess I lot depends on where you find an apartment, although ISZL (and I think ZIS too) have very extensive bus services covering a wide area.
I don't think you would be disappointed with either school.

We live in the Sugarland/Missouri City area; Sienna Plantation neighborhood. Unfortunately, we have to move because of a job transfer. But hey, we need my husband to keep working so we accepted the transfer.

Yes, Houston will be missed; good food and great people. I'm trying to visit all my favorite restaurants before we leave.

However, I will try my best to embrace the new culture and take advantage of new experiences.

Rachael,

Thanks for the information. My husband works for Dow Chemical.

I am from a city near Dallas, and I just sold my house in Houston.
My wife is from Germany....so I am still here. I do miss home
though!

Horgen is a pretty nice place to live, but I would look into living
in Thalwil as well. The train connections are much better than
Horgen.

I will have my kids go to ZIS and was pretty impressed when I toured.
I spoke to ISZL and they didn't seem bad either. However, given where you have to live, I don't know why you would choose ISZL over ZIS. I would rater live, work and go to school in the same area (rather than commute to ZUG daily). Given the hard time getting in, you might not have a choice in the matter though.

We live in Horgen and have 2 students in the high school of ISZL.
When we first moved here, ZIS was completely full.

Horgen is ideally located in the middle between Zurich and Zug.
The "lower" school of ISZL is located in Walterswil - approx. 10 kms from Horgen, 15 mins by car). There are no busses/trains running between Horgen and Walterswil - If you want to use public transporatation, you would need to take a train to Baar and then a bus to the school.
The school also has a shuttle bus and there are some kids being picked up here in the area as I see the bus every morning.
The high school of ISZL is located in Huenenberg. You get there by taking the train at Horgen Oberdorf to Zug (direct, 13 mins), then a train from Zug to Cham and then a bus from Cham train station to the school. The busstop is right in front of ISZL school.
Train and bus times can be found on www.sbb.ch (also in English).

I cannot comment on ZIS since I am not familiar with the school.

If you would like to preview some rentals online, you can visit www.comparis.ch (also in English).
If you would choose for Zurich side living, you can look for Horgen and Thalwil (direct trains to Zug and Zurich from both locations) or Waedenswil, Kilchberg, Oberrrieden, ... (connect trains to Zug in Thalwil).

Kanton Zug (lower taxes): Zug, Baar, Huenenberg, Steinhausen, Cham - these locations have good public transport connections and are about 15-20 km away from Horgen by car.
Many expats live also in Unteraegeri, Oberaegeri, Neuheim; however, there are no trains, only busses running to and from these places.

Good luck and welcome to the area!

Thanks for the helpful information