Welcome to the Zugerberg Willkommen auf dem Zugerberg
Montana Today: Key Facts
100 Years of International Education
Our emblem, with its olive branch and the planet earth, celebrates tolerance, respect and the warmth of lasting friendships that reach out across the globe.
Our four Pillars remain relevant today and tomorrow.
International
We nurture multiculturalism and open-minded curiosity. These are the global citizens the world needs.
Individual
We believe everyone has their own capabilities and talents. Our students grow into well-rounded individuals, the best version of themselves.
Integrated
Our students develop into versatile, expert learners who cherish the integrated community in which they grow up.
Innovative
We prepare our students for the changing world by providing exciting, inspiring and forward-thinking.
Language Learning
Grow confident with your languages. Speak,
Study, Socialise
Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) Levels
B1: Able to interact in a variety of contexts. Usually 300-600 hours of study
B2: Construct an argument, take an active part in discussion. Around 800 hours of study
C1: Fluent communication drawing on a broad understanding and use of the language. Gains access to high level university programmes
C2: Not native but a high degree of precision and appropriateness. You would be able to teach it as a foreign language
Language Levels (CEFR Framework)
Ab initio 2nd language
1st language
CH-University requirement
Regular Course (2 years) Regular Course (2 years)
Fast Track (1 year) good students need about 3-4 years
The Montana Learning Experience
The Place
Teachers, Staff and their Values
Our team is committed to the academic advancement and personal growth of the young students. They create meaningful interactions and have committed to the following values:
• Motivating
• Goal-oriented
• Cooperative
• Caring
The Place of Focus
We offer a place of learning, removed form the distractions of daily life, facilitating a deeper engagement with the educational journey.
It's in these interactions that real growth happens, whether in academics or in our many extracurricular activities, which include sports, arts, and creativity.
Goal and Accomplishment
We prepare our students for the challenges of the 21st century through:
• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
• Communication and Collaboration
• Creative and Innovative Mindset
• Self-Management and Organization
Academic Pathways
Summer
Camp
Learn
• Grow • Move
• Meet
• 10–16 Years old
• Language Learning DE/EN
• Act v t es, Excursions, Events
IB Diploma
High School Diploma
Cambridge IGCSE
International School
• Average Entry Age: 11– 12
• Grades 6 – 12
• English and other first language
courses (C N/DE /E S/F R/IT/RU )
• Language Assessment Tests
Grades 6 – 8
Grades 9–10
Grades 11–12
Grades 9-12
CLSP*
GCSE*
IB DP* H gh School Diploma
International Universities
Swiss Universities
Universities Of Applied Sciences
Bilingual
Primar y School
• Average Entry Age: 6
• Min 2 Years K ndergarten
• Grades 1– 6
• Bilingual DE/EN
• Boarding Age: 10
Swiss Matura
Swiss Gymnasium
• Average Entry Age: 12
• Grades 7–12
• DE or Bilingual DE/EN
• Good knowledge of DE/EN/FR
Grades 10–12 Elective Subjects: Spanish, Economics & Law, Physics & Applied Mathematics
Apprent ceship EBA (Berufslehre EBA) Vocat onal Matura (Berufsmatura)
Secondary Certificate (Sekundarabschluss)
Bilingual
Secondar
y
School
• Average Entry Age: 12
• Grades 7–9
• Good knowledge of DE/EN/FR or min. B1 (DE and/or EN) and willingness to advance DE (Goethe) and FR (Delf)
Apprent cesh p EFZ (Berufslehre EFZ)
CLSP - Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme
IGCSE - International General Certificate of Secondary Education
IB DP - IB Diploma
Bilingual Primary School
Swiss Gymnasium or Bilingual Secondary School or International School
Bilingual
Primary School
• Entry Age: 6
• Min. 2 Years Kindergarten
• Grades 1– 6
• Bilingual DE/EN
• Boarding Age: 10
• Our classrooms on the Zugerberg welcome children to the adventure of learning
• Our own space near the forest created especially for our young students to learn and play
• Curriculum based on the Lehrplan 21 and British Curriculum with its creative, hands-on approach to learning
• Taught in German and English
Accredited by:
Bilingual Primary School
Children arrive excited to learn in their bright classrooms on the mountain
A beautiful setting with natural outside space encourages self-expression, creativity and enthusiasm while guaranteeing safety
We look after your children before and after the school day
• Optional Early Bird care on campus (Grades 1-4) 08.10 to 08.55
• At the start and end of the day, a qualified class assistant will accompany the children between their classroom and the base station of the ZBB funicular
Classroom assistants and language support
Average 10 students per class (max 15 students)
A bilingual full immersion classroom, English and German.
Musical programme with participation in the school choir and 2 performances a year
After-school clubs and activities: performance & visual arts, sports, baking, ice-skating, hiking, homework club, science, robotics workshops.
Special projects e.g. Circus Week!
Bilingual Secondary School
Swiss Gymnasium or International School
Secondary Certificate
Bilingual Secondar y School
(SEK A / B)
• Entry Age: 12
• Grades 7–9
• Good knowledge of DE/EN /FR or min. B1 (DE and/or EN) and willingness to advance DE (Goethe) and FR (Delf)
• A unique opportunity to keep options open between Swiss and International programmes as ambitions develop
• Develops confidence in both German and English and teaches French too
• Focuses on competence while opening opportunities for future studies or career paths
• A motivating curriculum based on the Swiss Lehrplan 21
Accredited by:
Bilingual Secondary School
Secondary School Grade 8 (2023):
Secondary School Grade 9 (2023):
transfer to BSS9 transfer to Swiss Gymnasium transfer to International School 29 % 22 % 62 %
transfer to International School 16 %
transfer to apprenticeship 14 %
transfer to Swiss Swiss Gymnasium 57 %
Swiss Gymnasium
Swiss Gymnasium
• Entry Age: 12
• Grades 7 –12
• DE or Bilingual DE/EN
• Good knowledge of DE/EN/FR Swiss Matura
Grades 10–12 Elective Subjects: Spanish, Economics & Law or Physics & Applied Mathematics, Biology & Chemistry
• The Swiss Gymnasium expects a high level of academic motivation
• The Swiss Matura (gymnasiale Maturität) diploma is achieved by only about 20% of the Swiss population
• Success guarantees access to Swiss universities (except for Medicine) including the prestigious ETH Zürich, ETH Lausanne & Universität St. Gallen (HSG) as well as to universities outside Switzerland, including the UK, USA, Canada, and the Netherlands
• Swiss higher education is excellent and less expensive than higher education in many other countries
• We offer the German or the bilingual German/English Matura with possibilities for IB certificates in English Language and Literature
Accredited by:
Swiss Gymnasium
Swiss Matura 2024:
99 % Pass rate
50 % of graduates are international students
International School
International Baccalaureate Diploma High School Diploma
Cambridge IGCSE certificates
International School
• Entry Age: 11–12
• Grades 6 – 12
• EN or Bilingual (CN/ DE/ES/FR/IT/RU)
• Language assessment tests (support provision when required)
Grades 6 – 8
Grades 9–10
Grades 11–12
Grades 9-12
Cambridge CLSP*
Cambridge IGCSE* IB Diploma Programme High School Diploma
• Qualifications that are recognized and highly respected all over the world
• Options to cater for a range of abilities, talents and ambitions
• Extensive options for language studies
• Comprehensive language learning support
• Subject Ateliers to promote selfdirected studying under the guidance of teachers passionate about their subjects
Accredited by:
Helps students progress from primary to lower secondary education
An excellent overall preparation for Cambridge IGCSE in Grades 9 and 10
An internationally benchmarked, broad and balanced curriculum
Clear learning objectives that focus on developing knowledge and skills in all subjects
Prepares school students for life. They develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning
A bridge from lower secondary to IBDP.
A valuable qualification in its own right
Teaches students to be inquiring, knowledgeable, caring, compassionate, reflective critical thinkers
Recognised around the world as evidence of academic ability
We provide guidance to help individual students choose the subjects and combinations of subjects that best suit their abilities and ambitions
IBDP
Respected as a mark of academic excellence at the world’s most prestigious universities
Combines breadth and specialisation. Academic subjects are divided into 6 groups which students choose to study at higher or standard level
The full IB Diploma Programme is intellectually challenging and opens doors to top universities around the world. Individual IB courses may also be taken in combination with the High School Diploma, accepted by a wide variety of universities worldwide Its guiding ethos is to encourage intercultural understanding and respect We personally guide every student when choosing IB subjects in order to reach their university goal
International School
University Acceptances
• McGill University
United Kingdom
• Imperial College London
• University College London (UCL)
• King's College
• Universiy of Oxford
• University of St Andrews
• University of Cambridge
• University of Manchester
• London School of Economics
• Durham University
• University of Sussex
• University of Warwick
• University of Kent
• University of Birmingham Canada
• University of British Colombia
• University of Toronto
• Queen’s University
USA
• New York University (NYU)
• Columbia University
• Northeastern University
• The George Washington University
• Denison University
• University of Massachusetts Boston
• University of Leeds
Netherlands
• Erasmus University, Rotterdam
• University of Amsterdam (UvA)
• University of Leiden
• Vrije University Switzerland
• ETH Zurich
• University of St. Gallen (HSG)
• EHL Hospitality Business School
• Geneva Business School
• Glion Institut of Higher Education
• University of Zurich
• Lucerne University of Applied Sciences & Arts
Chalet Suisse
The Center of Co-Curricular Activities
We prepare our students for life with more than 50 exciting co-curricular activities to inspire their futures beyond school
Creative Thinking & Culture
• Theatre & Musical
• Graphic Design
• Student Council
• Choir
• Textile Design
• Art Atelier
• Cookery Club
• Chess
• Student Magazine
• Digital Photography
• MUN
• Radio
• Enterpreneurship
Sport & Physical Development
• Self Defence Girls
• Skiing
• Swimming
• Rowing
• Football
• Tennis
• Judo
• Soccer
• Volleyball
• Running
• Weight Training
Well-being Focus
• Yoga
• Intercultural Committee
• Pilates
• Sound Bath & Meditation
• Cooking Club
• Mocktails
• New boarding Ice breaker
• Holistic Approach
• Kick Boxing Green Programmes
• Forest Club
• Upcycling
Engineering & Technology
• Battle Bot Robotics
• 3D Designs / Printing
• Gaming
• 3D Engineering
• Science & Astronomy
• Spark Science
• STEM
Student Growth, Well-Being and Future Life Skills
Developing the skills essential for healthy growth. Workshops are offered school-wide to ensure our students are prepared for life beyond their textbooks and have a smooth transition into adulthood. Self-Organization
Safety and Recording Laws
Student Well-being
Our
biggest priority is the well-being of every student
Our School buildings are wellmaintained and safety-certified
Our school nurse is on-site and our school doctor only 10 minutes from campus
Our anti-bullying and child protection policies help uphold the well-being of our community
Our school rules provide clear guidelines that focus on respect, responsibility, and kindness
We offer confidential student support with our on-site guidance counsellor
Emotional Resilience and happiness are important to us and fostered through programmes and workshops
Dedicated to nurturing a safe, joyful, and stress-free environment
We are the first Swiss boarding school accredited by KiVa
KiVa is an effective antibullying program based on scientific evidence evaluated in numerous studies
The goals of KiVa are
To prevent new bullying cases from emerging
To tackle bullying cases effectively
To minimize the negative effects caused by bullying
The KiVa programme revolves around three key components: Prevention, intervention, and ongoing monitoring
Information about bullying and on how the parents can help in reducing bullying and support a bullied child.
Read our parents' guide to learn more Kiva Parents Guide
School Calendar
Our School Year begins at the end of August
First we get to know each other.
• Family welcome days for students and their families.
• Orientation days when students meet their class mates.
• Whole School Sports Day for all.
Now you know everyone at your new school. You feel welcomed and relaxed. It is time to focus on your studies.
October Break
The Cultural Trip is a 10-day adventure somewhere in Europe. Maybe museums and surfing in Portugal? Or Greece or Spain? Or Boarders may go home if they choose.
Winter Holiday School closes for 3 weeks.
Time to reconnect with family.
February Break
Our traditional Ski Trip to St Moritz.
10 days of fun in the snow. Or boarders may return home.
Spring Holiday School closes for 3 weeks. Time to reconnect with family and prepare for end of programme exams.
End of June
School closes for 2 months. Enjoy a well-earned vacation with your family. Of course, you are welcome to join us for the amazing Summer Sessions.
Typical Day of a Day Student
Monday - Friday
Board the ZBB funicular for the panoramic ride to school
lessons of 40 minutes
minutes
Eating and living like at home
The importance of healthy eating and good company
• We sit down to a family-style lunch in our glorious dining hall every weekday, an important time to catch up with friends and colleagues
• Students return to the dining hall for cocoa break in the morning and tea break in the afternoon
• Menus are varied and nutritious food prepared in our own kitchen
• We cater for a wide range of dietary requirements: vegetarian, religious, allergies and intolerances
• For boarders, breakfast and dinner are buffet style
• All over campus you will find our own healthy spring water
• Each meal lasts for 40 minutes
• There is always a starter, main course with side dish, as well as a dessert or fresh fruit
• Each evening there is also a salad buffet
Boarding
A Home Away From Home
We welcome students from all over the world, Europe and Switzerland to join our boarding school
• Comfortable single and double rooms
• Space to socialise
• Space to study
• Space to grow
Typical Day of a Boarding Student
• Possibility to join subject atelier to catch up with studies
During free classes students go
Weekend for Boarders
Saturday
Sunday
Breakfast * Dinner Bed times
Day trips or Weekend Excursions
• Winter Ski Trips
• Excursions – Lucerne, Interlaken, Zurich
• Museums & Cultural Events
• Aquapark
• Technorama –Swiss Science Center
• Art Basel
*Day trips and excursions are obligatory for boarding students up to Grade 10 (included).
Brunch Tea break Dinner Bed times
A day at leisure to relax
• Students pursue their hobbies and favourite sports, enjoy our wonderful natural landscape and time with their friends, catch up with family, catch up with studies.
• Younger boarders are safe and secure under the supervision of their house parents. As students grow and show self-responsibility, they become more independent.
** Bed times depending on age
Experience the spirit of Institut Montana in 2 weeks!
• Discover Switzerland and find out what Institut Montana is all about
• A friendly group of maximum 80 students and over 20 nationalities
Summer Camp
Learn • Grow • Move • Meet
• 10–16 Years old
• Language Learning DE/EN
• Activities, Excursions, Events
• Staffed by warm and approachable professionals all trained in First Aid and in making sure all the children feel safe and happy.
• A fantastic opportunity to learn, grow in an international community and make friends for life
• Every child is an individual and families receive regular updates about their welfare and progress
Experience the spirit of Institut Montana in 2 weeks!
Intensive German and English classes
• 4 hours a day &
• 5 days a week
• Small class sizes
Exciting Workshops
Healthy Lifestyle
e.g. simulate a start-up
Plenty of activities to foster group dynamics, confidence and team building skills
Friendship and Memories for Life
Daily Events, Dinner & Culture
Nights, Weekend Excursions to discover Switzerland!
e.g. cyber-security
e.g. direct a movie with a real director
What's Coming Up Next
Here‘s a look at the rest of the evening‘s program
Meet and Greet
You are welcome to walk around and engage with our dedicated staff. We're here to answer all your questions and assist you in any way we can.
Refreshments
Savor a selection of food and refreshing beverages
Small Gift
Before you go, we have a small gift for you. Please feel free to collect it in the Foyer.