Selecting a school in Switzerland can feel like the most stressful aspect of moving with children. Online guides often miss what daily life is truly like, and each family has different priorities. This resource centers on practical considerations and a straightforward decision framework — particularly for families preparing to relocate to Basel.
First: Decide What “Good” Means for Your Family
Before comparing schools, outline your nonnegotiables. Most mistakes in choices come from comparing everything at once without a clear priority list.
- Commute: the time spent commuting matters more than you may realize.
- Curriculum: British / American / IB / local options.
- Language environment: what your child is exposed to throughout the day.
- Support: availability of learning support, ESL help, and pastoral care.
- Culture fit: its structure, discipline, and communication approach.
How to Pick Without Feeling Overwhelmed
A practical method that suits expat families well:
A simple process
- Narrow down by location first. In Basel, traffic can turn a good school into a daily grind.
- Verify openings and the admissions schedule. Waitlists are common.
- Ask about real classroom conditions. Class sizes, teacher turnover, communication style.
- Ask about support services. ESL / learning support / transition support for new students.
- Schedule one visit (or virtual tour) for each finalist. Value your own impressions over glossy brochures.
Pro tip: Create a one-page checklist and rate each school after visiting. This helps avoid the sense that everything feels the same.
Questions Worth Asking Schools
These questions usually reveal more than general “tell us about your program” conversations:
- What is the typical class size for this age?
- How do you accommodate new students mid-year?
- How do teachers keep parents informed (weekly updates, apps, email)?
- What does a typical day look like (start and end times, breaks, homework expectations)?
- How do you support kids who are anxious or adjusting to a new country?
- What is the policy on language support (ESL) if needed?
- How do you manage indoor/outdoor time and heat during warmer months?
Costs & Logistics (The Part No One Enjoys)
Choosing a school isn't about tuition alone. Consider the complete daily expenses:
Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
- Choosing by reputation alone: the daily routine matters more.
- Ignoring commute time: it affects sleep, mood, and family life.
- Assuming “international” means the same everywhere: it doesn’t.
- Not asking about support: transitions are real for kids.
- Waiting too long: admissions timelines can be tighter than expected.
The Takeaway
The ideal school is typically the one that aligns with your family’s actual schedule: its location, the level of support, and everyday comfort for your child — not the school with the slickest advertising.
If you’d like assistance sorting priorities for Basel (commute times, daily rhythms, questions to pose), get in touch — or call +41 61 234 5678.