TASIS American School in Switzerland

Montagnola

Switzerland

Overview

Founded by M. Crist Fleming in 1956, TASIS is a day and boarding international school committed to creating global citizens through education, travel, and citizenship. The oldest American boarding school in Europe, TASIS celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2016. TASIS welcomes students from Pre-Kindergarten through Postgraduate. Approximately 710 students make up the Elementary, Middle, and High Schools each year, with 250 students in Middle and High School residing on campus. The student body represents around 60 nationalities each year and speaks more than 30 different languages as a mother tongue. High School students can choose from individual Advanced Placement courses or pursue the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, helping them gain acceptance to 400 universities in 20 different nations over the past five years. The School offers an extensive Fine Arts program that includes courses in Drama, Music, and the Visual Arts, enabling aspiring artists of any ilk to find their creative voice and nurture their talent. The campus includes more than 25 buildings dating from the 17th century Villa De Nobili to the state-of-the-art Campo Science Center. Perched on a hillside in sunny southern Switzerland with commanding views of snow-capped mountains, palm trees, and Lake Lugano, the School's enviable location makes possible an impressive Academic Travel program. Travel experiences throughout the year bring students face-to-face with the rich cultural heritage of Europe and the spectacular natural beauty of the Alps and beyond. The School’s pioneering Global Service Program transforms lives by providing every High School student with a unique opportunity to connect across borders—whether geographic, economic, or social—through comprehensive experiences that build empathy and encourage personal responsibility. TASIS encourages physical fitness and healthy lifestyles. Varsity sports teams compete throughout Switzerland and Europe, and a variety of other fitness activities are offered to cater to all interests. Each year also brings many opportunities to ski and explore the breathtaking Alps. Each summer, hundreds of students aged 4½–18 journey to Lugano for the TASIS Summer Programs, which feature intensive academic courses, an unparalleled performing arts program, thrilling outdoor adventures, advanced sports training, and exciting cultural excursions around Europe.

Academics

Summary: TASIS provides a rich and varied curriculum that encourages students to find their own voices no matter what the discipline. High School students can choose from individual Advanced Placement courses or pursue the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, providing access to outstanding colleges and universities around the world. Accredited by the European Council of International Schools (ECIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), the School is proud to employ gifted, passionate educators who encourage intellectual curiosity. More than 75 percent of the faculty hold advanced degrees.

Department Director Mark Abisi

Student/Teacher Ratio: 6:1

Average Class Size: 13

Summer Programs: Offered

Full Time Teachers: 65

Number of AP Courses Offered: 15

Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 78.0%

Number of IB Courses Offered: 0

Learning Support

Evening Study Assistance
Learning Center
Peer Tutoring
Subject Tutoring
Writing Center

Foreign Languages

French
German
Italian
Spanish

Sciences

Biology
Chemistry
Physics

Music

Individual Instructions

Campus Life

Dorm Life

Number of Dorms: 9

Average Students Per Dorm: 30

Number of Girls Dorms: 5

Number of Boys Dorms: 4

Dorm Amenities

Laundry Facilities
Lounge
Vending Machines
Wireless Internet

Other Dorm Amenities

ATM; The campus includes nine supervised dormitories each of which houses from 6-43 students. Rooms accommodate from 2-4 students each. Two recreation centers and a snack bar serve as focal points for student social activities. Three fully qualified nurses are in residence.

Student Life

Student activities include the TASIS Global Service Program, which gives students firsthand experience of working with NGOs and global organizations. The Program awakens students to humanitarian needs; inspires them to build enduring, mutually beneficial relationships; and leads them toward a life of active citizenship and committed service. All students are encouraged to participate in organized events on weekends, including mountain-climbing and camping trips to scenic areas in Switzerland, shopping trips to open-air markets in northern Italy, and sightseeing excursions to Zurich, Milan, Venice, or Florence. On-campus events include talent shows, open-mic coffeehouse afternoons, films, and dances. On weekends, students have Lugano town privileges if they have no School commitments and are in good academic and social standing. All excursions beyond Lugano are chaperoned. Seniors and some juniors with parental permission enjoy the privilege of independent travel in groups of two or more.

Facilities

Basketball Court
Fitness Center
Indoor Basketball Court
Technology Center
Volleyball Court

Other Facilities

Clubs & Organizations

Arts & Athletics

Summary: The extensive TASIS Fine Arts program is steeped in tradition, and young artists are encouraged to find their creative voices and nurture their talents. Students have ample opportunities to exhibit and perform, including at the annual Spring Arts Festival. Visual Arts courses are centered at the beautiful Sahenk Arts Center (2012) and include drawing, painting, ceramics, and photography. Performing Arts opportunities include theater courses and participation in annual fall and spring productions as well as a robust choral and instrumental music program. TASIS encourages physical fitness and healthy lifestyles. Varsity sports teams compete throughout Switzerland and Europe, and a variety of other fitness activities are offered to cater to all interests. Each year also brings many opportunities to ski and explore the breathtaking Alps.

Arts Department Director: Martyn Dukes

Athletics Department Director: Sonny Lim

Arts

Interscholastic Sports

Badminton
Cheerleading
Golf
Lacrosse
Track and Field

Recreational Sports

Badminton
Basketball
Cheerleading
Golf
Horseback Riding
Lacrosse
Soccer
Tennis
Volleyball
Spinning
Yoga
Kickboxing
Pilates
Climbing
Fitness
Running

Graduates

Summary: TASIS students have gained admission to more than 400 schools in more than 20 nations over the past five years. See a list of university acceptances here: https://tasis.ch/page.cfm?p=4232 College counseling at TASIS helps students focus their needs through activities that identify their interests and goals so that they can make empowered, informed decisions. Three counselors work with students along this journey. Their objectives are: - To support and assist each student through the university/college search, application, and decision-making processes - To serve as the strongest possible advocate for each student throughout this process - To educate students about the primacy of their own responsibility in this process - To develop and foster personal and positive relationships with college and university admissions officers - To ensure that information sent to college and university admissions offices is accurate, complete, and timely

College attended in the past 5 years by our graduates:

Quotes From Alumni

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Merit

Merit Scholarships: Offered

Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: %

Average Merit Scholarship: 10,000

Current Endowment Amount: $5,000,000

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Vital Information

Student Body Type: Coed

Total Boarding: 250

Total Day: 455

Total Enrollment: 705

Boys: 350

Girls: 355

Boarding Grades Offered: 6-12

Day Grades Offered: 5-4

School Type: Elementary, Middle, High School, Post-grad

Dress Code: Uniform

Applications Accepted: SAO, Gateway to Prep

Application Deadline: Rolling

Tuition & Financial Aid

7-Day Boarding: $87,550

5-Day Boarding: $0

Day Tuition Fee: $49,250

Need-Based Aid: Not Offered

Payment Plans: Offered

Students Receiving Aid: %

Average Awarded: $0

School Finances