International School of Schaffhausen

"The International School of Schaffhausen (ISSH) is a non-profit day school located in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, offering an internationally recognized curriculum to students from the local community and around the world."

As a school committed to academic excellence and global citizenship, ISSH provides a rigorous and thoughtful educational environment designed to prepare students for success in an increasingly interconnected world. Its non-profit structure reflects a genuine dedication to its educational mission rather than commercial interests, ensuring that decisions at every level are guided by the best interests of students and families. Founded in 1963, the International School of Schaffhausen has a long and established history of serving the international community in this corner of Switzerland. Over the decades, ISSH has built a reputation as a trusted educational institution for expatriate families, relocating professionals, and internationally minded local families who seek a globally oriented learning experience for their children. That depth of experience means the school has developed well-honed systems for welcoming new families and helping students settle smoothly into school life, a particularly important consideration for families arriving from abroad. Academically, ISSH offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), one of the most respected and widely recognized pre-university qualifications in the world. The IB Diploma is accepted by universities across Europe, North America, and beyond, making it an excellent foundation for students who may pursue higher education in multiple countries. The programme challenges students to think critically, engage with a broad range of disciplines, and develop independent research skills through its extended essay and theory of knowledge components. For families who anticipate continued international mobility, the IB Diploma offers the reassurance of a consistent, globally portable credential. Instruction at ISSH is conducted in English, making it an accessible and natural choice for expatriate families arriving from English-speaking countries as well as those who use English as their primary language of international communication. This English-medium environment also makes the transition into the school relatively straightforward for new students, reducing the linguistic barriers that can sometimes accompany a family's relocation. Schaffhausen itself is a charming and historically rich city situated in northern Switzerland, close to the German border and not far from the broader Rhine region. It is a smaller, more intimate Swiss city compared to Zurich or Basel, offering families a high quality of life, safety, and access to the natural beauty and cultural richness that Switzerland is known for. For professionals relocating to the region, whether drawn by industries in Schaffhausen or the wider northern Swiss corridor, ISSH represents a welcoming and stable educational home for their children. What ultimately distinguishes the International School of Schaffhausen is the combination of its long institutional history, its commitment to the IB framework, and its setting within a close-knit community. Families joining ISSH can expect an environment where students are known as individuals, international perspectives are genuinely valued, and the foundations for lifelong learning are carefully and consistently built.