Obersee Bilingual International School in Switzerland
Description of Obersee Bilingual International School in Switzerland
- Age of students: 0-18 years
- Location: Switzerland, Canton of Schwyz, Vollerau
- Founded: 2021
- School type: International School
- Language of instruction: German and English
- Education : collaborative.
In the summer of 2021, the renowned Swiss school OBS moved to its own modern campus in Vollerau, canton of Schwyz. This will pave the way for future students from all over the world and help them in their learning journey to achieve goals in an ever-changing world.
Obersee Bilingual School's student-centered approach allows children to identify and develop their strengths at an early age. Teachers at OBS inspire and encourage each individual student to succeed and strive for academic and personal achievement, discover interests and develop talents, embrace diversity, build their own unique community, and stand up for their values.
OBS has grown into an insightful and highly academic bilingual school with over 300 students representing nearly 30 different nationalities from around the world. For parents, staff and students, Obersee Bilingual School means a place that is incredibly caring and family-friendly, yet at the same time inspiring, visionary and innovative. The secondary institution offers a high-quality study program Canton Schwyz (Switzerland), including IEYC, IPC and IMYC study programs, English and German at all levels of study taught by native speakers.
OBS+ includes the following three main areas of support:
- English as a Complementary Language (EAL)
- German as an additional language (DaZ)
- Learning Support (LS)
- Consulting service.
OBS+ also offers extracurricular activities in English, German and Mathematics.
The school further supports the social and emotional development of each student through a school counselor on site.
Mission of the educational institution:
- Empowering children to meet the challenges of the future – a forward-thinking approach to schooling puts students first.
- Strive for authentic bilingual learning in German and English.
- Encourage and inspire children to achieve outstanding results, search for intellectual and personal tasks, discover interests and further develop talents.
- To help students become self-reliant, resilient, critical, independent and creative.
Programs and prices, tuition fees in Obersee Bilingual International School in Switzerland
International Early Years Curriculum
- Age: 2-5 years.
In early kindergarten, the school follows a curriculum that promotes bilingualism, international orientation, and self-directed learning. This lays the foundation for a smooth transition to kindergarten. Part of what teachers and educators offer is based on the International Early Childhood Curriculum (IEYC), which responds to the learning needs of children aged 2 to 5 years and takes an innovative and holistic approach to learning.
IEYC is based on four basic learning principles:
- Independence and interoperability
- Communication
- Curiosity
- Healthy lifestyle and physical well-being.
International Primary Curriculum
- Age: 6-12 years.
OBS Primary School offers intensive study of English and German in a 50/50 ratio. The child will be taught in English for one week and then in German for another week.
The following subjects will be taught:
- mathematics
- ecology and social science,
- physical education
- Crafts
- design and technology,
- music
- coding/programming,
- Applied Physics and Robotics,
- drama
- French (from grade 5),
- aikido (from the 1st grade).
The primary school, under the supervision of well-trained and experienced primary school teachers, provides curriculum-based education supported by the International Primary School Curriculum.
International Middle Years Curriculum
- Age: 12-15 years.
The bilingual German-English high school follows a unique international program based on Lehrplan 21 and the International Middle School Curriculum. Both programs encourage children to develop learning strategies based on previously learned competencies and skills. This will allow you to develop a deep understanding of both the subject and the concepts of a higher level.
Swiss Maturité
- Age: 15-18 years.
Swiss Matura will prepare the teenager for all subjects at the university regardless of whether he wants to study the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, economics or art. Young people with secondary school education from OBS are global citizens who can analyze complex social and scientific problems at different levels and make informed decisions through critical analysis and independent thinking.
Children will be taught mathematics, three languages, three sciences, three humanities/social sciences and art or music. Geography, history, economics and philosophy are studied in English in a bilingual matriculation certificate. Students also write an independent matriculation thesis based on their own research.
IB Diploma Programme
- Age: 15-18 years.
The IB Diploma Program in OBS is open to children at the end of Grade 9. IB strives to develop inquisitive, socially minded young people who create a better world through intercultural understanding and respect. The program encourages students to become active and compassionate people.
B is a challenging, internationally renowned two-year curriculum for grades 11 and 12. The child must choose at least six offered IB subjects that correspond to his interests and abilities. At the same time, he must take into account the compulsory subjects for study at the chosen university or profession. Three in-depth subjects focus on the chosen discipline and required skills, while the other three subjects are studied at the undergraduate level, giving the child a broad knowledge and understanding of the various disciplines. In addition to the six subjects of the diploma program, the cas core curriculum (creativity, activity and volunteering), the theory of knowledge (TOK) and advanced essays (EE) play an important role.
Accommodation, meals, prices
Students live in cozy new residences for several people in a room - boys and girls separately.
The establishment offers balanced, healthy and delicious food. For the children, there is a chef who previously worked in a 5-star hotel – he carefully plans each meal so that students get the right nutrients and can effectively focus on their studies. Fresh, seasonal and local ingredients are used to prepare well-balanced hot dishes. Vegetarian options and a bar with fresh salads are also included in the school lunch programme.
Activities Obersee Bilingual International School in Switzerland
OBS offers children a wide range of extracurricular activities and hobby clubs where they can discover something new and pursue their hobbies. In OBS, children learn both in and out of the classroom. All teachers of the After School (a school-based institution that monitors student activities and coordinates students on creative and sports activities) are carefully selected based on their knowledge and experience working with children.
Available extracurricular activities for OBS students:
- Aikido
Aikido is a type of Japanese martial arts, which translates as "the way of uniting vital energy." Children will learn self-defense, train all muscle groups and joints, develop flexibility, coordination and control over the body.
- ArtPod
This unique club helps children to develop their creative abilities and get acquainted with famous artists and art styles in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Children can experiment with different art materials, techniques and styles.
- Ballet
Dancers will be told about the history of ballet. Classes contribute to the development of strength, agility and accuracy of movements.
- Basketball
Students will learn to dodge, spin, pass, catch, run, stop, defend, and throw the ball according to certain rules. For energetic students, basketball is a great way to show extra enthusiasm and use it creatively both physically and mentally.
Other destinations:
- Art
- Bollywood Dances, Book Club
- Buildtastic, Cambridge English C1 Advanced (CAE)
- Chinese
- Forest Adventures, French
- Karate, Latin dances
- Little Acorn Music Club
- Little Story Plate
- Drawing manga, mathematics
- Music and singing
- Wizards of Numbers, OBS Entrepreneurs Club
- Robotics, OBS TV
- Piano lessons, Playball
- Religion, Spanish
- Swiss-German traditions
- Swiss Time, Play & Learn Spanish Group (Mother Tounge).
A wide range of activities brings more joy and ease to the school and helps bring parents and students together.
Some of the annual events are:
- Rabelichtli
- Schweizer Erzählnacht
- Halloween
- Christmas
- Gingerbread House Construction Event
- OBS Festival at the end of the year.
Advantages
- Giving an iPad to Every Student
- Average number of students per class is 14
- 30 interest clubs and a variety of events
- The guys are representatives of 41 nationalities and 30 languages
- First place in the assessment of educational technologies in their region
- Student-teacher ratio — 1 to 8
- Teaching German and English is 50 to 50%.
Facilities and equipment at Obersee Bilingual International School in Switzerland
OBS offers an extensive bus service for all families who need it. For children from kindergarten to 6th grade, trips to school and back from Monday to Friday are offered. A bus can also be booked for family activities.
The school is completely new and modern – it has Apple equipment, personal lockers, sports courts and equipment, a dining room, ottomans, recreation areas and spacious offices.
Admission dates and extra charges
Additional charges apply:
- Application fee
A one-time application fee is required for each child and is non-refundable.
- Babysitting (any age) – 300-500 CHF
- High School Entrance Test
A testing fee of CHF 950 will be charged to students taking the high school entrance test.
- Deposit
A deposit is required for each child attending school. The deposit will be issued together with the first invoice for tuition fees 1 month before the start of the child's education. The deposit is refundable if the child leaves OBS after having attended school for at least one academic year. If a child attends OBS for less than one school year or if a child does not attend OBS despite having reserved a place, the deposit is non-refundable. The deposit is considered separate from the cost of education.
- Child care – from 1500 to 5000 CHF.
Entry requirements, how to apply, what is required to enrol
The institution is ready to accept students for study even after the beginning of the academic year, subject to the availability of free places. There is no deadline for registration, but there is a waiting list - it is recommended to sign up for education in advance, as the school is very popular in Switzerland.
Upon enrollment, OBS will evaluate and place each student based on individual needs, expert assessments, and previous school history. In primary school, trial days (ideally both German and English) are required in case of admission to grades 2-6. To enter high school, you must pass an entrance test. This assessment is used to determine the current level of knowledge in German, English and mathematics, to test the cognitive potential of the student and to determine the profile of the individual.
Additionally required:
- Essay or motivation letter
- Student's passport
- Report card with grades from the previous school
- Completed form.
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about Obersee Bilingual International School in Switzerland
Recommendations on when to apply
| Language courses, schools and children's language camps | Primary and secondary education - private schools | Preparation programmes for entering universities - higher education | Higher education (after completing accredited programs A-level, IB, High School) - Bachelor, Master, MBA |
| - we recommend to apply 6-9 months before the start of the course (some camps and schools offer discounts for early booking or for lengthy study programs) - there are some very popular and high demand children's camps, where the applications need to be submitted 1 year in advance (in particular Switzerland , Great Britain , USA , Canada , Austria) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the training program, - some schools have a specific time frame (September-November - please specify an individual school) - some schools require tests in several stages (UKISET, internal tests of the school: English, mathematics, logics, subjects, interview, some require a personal visit) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the program, - for Foundation and Pathway programs, IELTS and TOEFL certificates are usually required, respectively | - recommended submission one year before the start of the program, - the deadline normally closes in January, for TOP HEIs and, as a rule, in March in other universities - for a bachelor, a Foundation or Pathway preparatory program a completed A-level, IB, High School + IELTS / TOEFL are required - for Masters you need a graduated higher education, in some cases you need a pre-Masters program - MBA requires completed higher education, work experience preferably at least 2-3 years, etc. |
