The International Schools Group | School Directory

What The International Schools Group is

The International Schools Group (TIS) is not a school itself but a directory and review platform dedicated to helping relocating families identify and evaluate international schools. The site describes itself as "Asia's fastest growing international schools review website" and positions itself specifically for "expat families as they make a transition between countries, cultures, languages and social engagements."

The site's core mission is practical: to "connect the right educational institution to a child's successful learning journey and provide a holistic foundation." Rather than offering education directly, TIS aggregates information about schools and helps families navigate an international school landscape that is complex and geographically dispersed.

The platform covers schools across a wide geographic footprint: Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, the UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Qatar), and Switzerland. Within Switzerland specifically, the site lists schools with Swiss or international curricula, making it a useful research starting point for families relocating to Swiss cities like Berne, Zurich, or Lausanne.

For families researching school options during relocation

Relocating to Switzerland with school-age children creates a research challenge: there are hundreds of schools across the country, they operate in multiple languages and curricula, and the differences between them are not immediately obvious to families outside the Swiss education system. The International Schools Group addresses this practical problem.

The site serves as a first step in the discovery process. Rather than searching for individual schools or relying on word-of-mouth recommendations, families can browse the TIS directory to survey options, compare school types (international, private, Swiss state), and identify institutions that match their criteria: curriculum type, location, languages, boarding vs. day school, and price range.

The platform is particularly useful for families relocating to understaffed markets where school information is scattered. In Switzerland, schools have varying digital presence, and TIS consolidates descriptions, locations, and contact information in one searchable format.

Swiss schools listed on the platform

Within Switzerland, The International Schools Group lists several schools that serve arriving families:

SIS Swiss International School is noted as a "private day school committed to consistent and genuine bilingual classroom instruction" offering "education on all levels from kindergarten through to secondary school and college." The site notes that SIS operates 17 bilingual day schools across Switzerland, Germany, and Brazil. This indicates a substantial network within Switzerland, offering multiple location options for families.

The International School of Berne is described as an IB World School offering three different curricula for students aged 3 to 18 years. Located in Switzerland's capital city, it serves the Berne region and surrounding areas. The IB Diploma Programme is explicitly mentioned, signalling university preparation through an internationally recognised qualification.

St. George's International School Switzerland is listed as "a vibrant and truly international school" that "instils students to have values such as resilience, teamwork and compassionate." The site provides less detail on this institution but notes it operates in Switzerland and positions itself as international in character.

Beyond Switzerland, TIS lists major international schools in Singapore, Malaysia, and Southeast Asia that serve as reference points. Singapore American School (founded 1956), North London Collegiate School Singapore, The British International School of Kuala Lumpur, and others provide examples of established international institutions. For families familiar with schools in one region relocating to Switzerland, these comparisons offer context.

How to use this resource

The platform allows families to search by location, curriculum type, and age range. The site's structure suggests users can filter for Swiss schools specifically, international curricula (IB, British, American), and geographic regions.

Each school listing includes basic contact information, a brief description of the school's approach, and links to the school's own website. This structure allows families to use TIS as a starting point for research and then dive into individual school sites for detailed information.

The "featured schools" and school news sections keep the directory current and highlight active, well-resourced institutions. Schools listed on TIS are typically established and well-known within the international education space, though the platform does not perform admissions or verification functions.

What TIS does not do

The platform is a directory, not an admissions service. TIS does not process applications, conduct entrance assessments, or facilitate school placement. Families must contact schools directly through the links provided.

TIS does not publish comparative data on fees, admissions selectivity, or student outcomes. While descriptions of schools are provided, detailed academic performance data, test score information, or ranking systems are not available from the site.

The site does not provide translations of school information for non-English readers. While The International Schools Group itself is English-language, many Swiss schools listed operate in German, French, or Italian, and TIS does not translate or summarise school materials in other languages.

The platform does not filter for newer schools, schools in transition, or schools with changing leadership. A school listed on TIS may be well-established or newly founded; families must verify this through the school's own website.

Who benefits from this resource

The International Schools Group is most useful for:

Expat families relocating to Switzerland for the first time and unfamiliar with the Swiss school landscape. The directory provides an organised overview of international alternatives to state schools.

Families who have moved internationally before and understand international curricula (IB, British, American systems). These families will recognise school names and curriculum types immediately and can use TIS to identify Swiss equivalents.

Families relocating to specific Swiss cities and needing a quick inventory of options in that region. Rather than searching city-by-city, TIS provides consolidated listings.

English-speaking families specifically, since the site is English-language and assumes comfort navigating in English.

Families less well-served by TIS include those seeking German-language school information or guidance, those unfamiliar with international curricula and needing education about different systems, and those requiring translated materials or direct admissions support.

Verdict

The International Schools Group is a useful reference tool for relocating families beginning their school search in Switzerland. It is not a decision-maker but a discovery mechanism: it helps families identify schools to investigate further, not to choose between them.

The site's strength is aggregation and searchability. Rather than visiting dozens of individual school websites, families can survey the landscape in one place. The inclusion of Swiss schools alongside the group's broader Asia-based coverage also provides international context for families relocating from or comparing against other regions.

The main limitation is that TIS provides overview information only. Real school selection requires deeper research: campus visits, conversations with current families, understanding of fee structures, and examination of curriculum detail. TIS points families toward schools worth investigating; it does not replace that investigation.

For families starting their Swiss school research with limited information, The International Schools Group is a practical first step. Once schools are identified through TIS, families should move to the schools' own websites and direct contact with admissions for the detailed decision-making that follows.