Thank you for considering OBS. We know that choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions, you as parents/guardian, will ever make. The very fact that you are looking into OBS means you are looking for a school that offers an education with the future in mind and one which differs from the norm.
Wollerau Switzerland
Obersee Bilingual SchoolDescription
As a bilingual private school, OBS offers far more than lessons taught by native speakers in German and English. We provide an education guided by scientific findings and recommendations. It is both future-oriented and highly relevant for real world challenges. The students learn in an international environment from pre-kindergarten up to their Matura or their International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) and are supported in their goals and strengths. They not only become experts in key technologies for the future but also learn important social skills.
- Day school tuition $14574 - $33109 USD
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Grades for day school
Pre-K/Reception -
12th Grade/Year 13 - Number of Students 360
- Year founded 2003
- Boarding school tuition No Information
- Curricula IB Diploma, International Early Years, International Middle Years, International Primary, Host Country's National, German National, Bilingual Program
- Type Co-ed
Accreditations
International Baccalaureate (IB) World School
Swiss Matura
IEYC International Early Years Curriculum
IPC International Primary Curriculum
IMYC International Middle Years Curriculum
ECDL (European Computer Driver License)
Canton Schwyz authorized KG, Primary and Middle School
Curricula
We provide our children an all-round OBS experience, where they can explore new interests and pursue their hobbies. At OBS, children expand their learning beyond the classroom. We use a balanced curriculum with opportunities for character development, languages, maths, arts, physical activity and much more.
Admissions Information
Admissions Process
Babycare, PreK and Kindergarten
- initial application
- school visit and meeting with admissions and possibly head of department
- initial application
- school visit and meeting with admissions
- handing-in of Background information, former report card(s) and reference(s) at current school
- 2 trial days (1 on an English day, 1 on a German day)
- debriefing with head of department
- initial application
- school visit and meeting with admissions
- handing-in of Background information, former report card(s)
- Placement test: this assessment is used to determine the current level in the subjects German, English and Math as well as to test the student’s cognitive potential and establish a personality profile. The detailed results are a useful instrument to assess the candidate. Underlining the child’s strong points the results enable a differentiated analysis.
- assessment evaluation and debriefing with head of department
- 1 trial day (if interested)
After completion of the enrolment contract, an application fee (and for new entries as of Kindergarten also a registration fee) becomes due.
The deposit as well as the first school fees are invoiced one month before school start and are due on the first day of school (see details in the Tuition Regulations).The deposit serves as a security for the school and is to be considered separate from tuition. It is refundable if the student attends OBS for at least one full academic year.
Applicant Evaluations
OBS evaluates and places each student based on an individual student’s needs, expert assessments and previous school history.
- Students can join after the academic year begins Yes
- Waiting List Yes
- Application fee (domestic) $500 USD
- Application fee (international) $500 USD
Waiting List
We do regularly have waiting lists for some of our classes but encourage families to inquire about space all year anyways as changes can happen all the time.
Academics
- Assigns homework No
- Use of technology in the classroom Yes
- Language of instruction English, German
- ELL support Yes
- Teacher/Student ratio Babycare 1:3; Prek 1:4; KG 1:8; Primary 1:16; Middle 1:14, Upper 1:12
- Gifted and talented student support Yes
- Learning support Yes
- Native English teachers Yes
- Languages taught English, German
- Number of teaching staff 62
- Examinations available Abitur, International Baccalaureate Diploma - IB Dip, Matura
Teacher Qualifications
All our teachers are certified by the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education and are required to engage in regular professional development.
Homework
Primary School: The timetable includes Class core time which is when students are given the opportunity to finish incomplete work and get further individualised support. Home learning is encouraged in the form of, for example, reading, pursuing a passion, discussions with parents, research, preparing for assessments, watching children's news programmes.
Middle school: The timetable includes Individual Learning Time where the students have time to work on their learning goals. Additional time outside of school may be required to complete certain assignments. Students are also required to work on their learning goals at home, do research and prepare for assessments.
Upper School: Homework is given when required. Students work very independently at this age to ensure their learning goals are met but receive continuous support from their personal coach and subject teachers.
Gifted and talented student support
Authentic assessment, which includes continuous assessment and feeding forward ensures our students are able to answer the following questions in relation to their learning:
Where am I going?
Where am I now?
How can I close the gap or how can I further challenge myself?
As a result, we offer each student a personal learning journey - supporting students in areas that they are still developing in and challenging students who are excelling.
Use of technology in the classroom
OBS is a one to one iPad school starting in 1st grade. Pre-K and Kindergarten also have access to class iPads. iPads are seen as a tool to enhance the learning experience. Educational apps and games help to further solidify understanding. In addition, we use VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality) to support the understanding of concepts in virtual worlds that would not otherwise be possible. Students have the opportunity to be part of our e-sports team from grade 5 upwards. Teams and its "classroom" functionality allow us to transition smoothly to online learning.
Learning Support
OBS has both an integrative learning support model and one for individual learning needs.
Native English Teachers
OBS employs only native speakers as classroom teachers.
Languages Taught
Students learn French as of 5th grade and have the option to learn Lati, Italian or Spanish in our Middle and Upper School.
Examinations Available
We offer the Swiss Matura and the IB. We are in the application process for the German Abitur.
School Life
- Bus service Yes
- Sports teams available Yes
- Pastoral Care No
- Do students practice religion at the school No
- School start time 8:30 School Start
- School end time 15:45 School end time<br>16:00 for Upper School
- Max class size 18
- School provides lunch Yes
- Supervised care before or after school Yes
- Uniform required No
- Access to an educational psychologist Yes
- Student nationalities 31
- Average class size 14
Schools Facilities
It's with great pleasure to announce that we officially started construction on our new school campus location. It's been a long journey to get to this moment and to see this day arrive – a great milestone for our school, staff and community with all our devoted students and families who have supported us along the way to see this significant achievement be realised. “It is symbolic moment in the next step of this great school, where a child's future-oriented learning journey begins”, says Uwe Feuersenger, CEO.
Bus Service
OBS operates a comprehensive bus service for all our families who require this. We offer transportation to and from school from Mondays to Fridays. Furthermore the bus service can be booked for family events, like birthday parties etc.
School Lunch
Offering well-balanced, healthy and delicious meals is extremely important to us. We very much believe: we are what we eat! All meals are prepared with dedication and passion!
Our Head Chef who previously worked at a 5* hotel carefully plans each weekly meal to ensure the children are getting the right nutrients to help them concentrate and focus. Wherever possible, fresh, seasonal and local ingredients are sourced to produce well-balanced hot meals. All meals are freshly prepared each day in our kitchen and a vegetarian option and a fresh salad bar are also part of the school meals programme. The nutritious values and the children’s palettes are at the forefront in each week’s meal planning.
Supervised Care
The school operates early care from 7.30am until the start of school at 8.30am. In addition, there is support for working parents as a late care club operates from 3.30pm – 6.30pm. Early and late care are included in the school fees for babies and Pre-Kindergarten.
University Relations
- University counseling Yes