International School Basel
International School Basel is a not-for-profit IB World School serving ~1,200 students aged 3-19 across three Swiss campuses, offering the full Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programme continuum with bilingual English-German options and corporate-shareholder governance.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1979
- HeadquartersReinach, Switzerland
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What International School Basel does
International School Basel (ISB), legally International School of the Basel Region AG (ISBR AG), is a not-for-profit, co-educational International Baccalaureate (IB) World School serving approximately 1,200 students aged 3-19 across three purpose-built campuses in the Basel region of Switzerland: Aesch Campus (Junior School, Early Childhood 1 to Grade 6), Fiechten Campus (Middle School, Grades 7-8), and Reinach Campus (Senior School, Grades 9-12). Founded in 1979 by Janet Galli, ISB is the only school in the region authorized to deliver the full IB continuum (Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme), and additionally offers a Dual Language (English-German) programme, ASPIRE after-school care, a robotics-integrated curriculum, and 200+ co-curricular activities. The school reports a 98% IB Diploma pass rate against a global average of 80%, with graduates matriculating at universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Imperial College London, and ETH Zurich.
The school's core technology stack consists of Google Workspace for Education (recognized via Google Reference School status), SeeSaw for early-years parent communication, Veracross for the parent portal, and the ISBasel mobile app, with proprietary content delivered through the SEE Learning programme (developed at Emory University) and a robotics curriculum spanning all grade levels. Underlying this is an academic architecture offering 100 subject combinations across three IB programmes, supporting 6 school counselors, 3 university advisors, and 1 school psychologist.
The business model is tuition-driven, subscription-recurring on an annual billing cadence, with ancillary revenue from school lunch (operated by Passion Food on a transaction-fee basis), ASPIRE after-school care, paid academies (Basketball, Football, Kumon), and holiday camps. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via an admissions process, Open Doors Days, scheduled campus visits, parent referrals, and community events, with corporate referrals channeled through anchor shareholders including Novartis (17.68%), F. Hoffmann-La Roche (10.19%), Syngenta (9.34%), and the Bank for International Settlements. Governance sits with ISBR AG, whose shares are distributed between these corporate stakeholders and the Association of the International School Basel (AISB) parent body, which holds 36.29% B-shares and 3.09% C-shares with voting rights.
International School Basel firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- International School Basel
- Legal name
- International School of the Basel Region AG
- Website
- https://isbasel.ch
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1979
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- International School Basel is a not-for-profit IB World School serving ~1,200 students aged 3-19 across three Swiss campuses, offering the full Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programme continuum with bilingual English-German options and corporate-shareholder governance.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
International School Basel industry classification
Industry- Product category
- International K-12 Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)
Keywords
Where International School Basel is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Reinach
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
International School Basel business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Tuition and School Fees: Revenue generated from tuition fees charged to families for student enrollment across Early Childhood through Grade 12. The school operates as a not-for-profit institution where fees support educational programmes, facilities, and staff.
- School Lunch Programme: Revenue from school lunch programme provided by Passion Food, including hot meals, salad bars, sandwiches, and snacks. Families pay through prepaid cards, vouchers, or daily sign-up options.
- After School Care (ASPIRE): After-school childcare services provided for Junior School students, generating additional revenue while supporting working families.
- Extracurricular Activities: Fees for various clubs, activities, sports programmes, and holiday camps offered to students. Most clubs are free of cost though specialized programmes like Basketball Academy, Football Academy, and Kumon may have associated fees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Annual tuition fees for international IB education |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
International School Basel product offering
Product offeringCore offering
International School Basel delivers the full International Baccalaureate continuum (Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programmes) in English — and in English-German for Junior School — to students aged 3-19 across three campuses in the Basel region. The school bundles classroom instruction with a Dual Language Programme, university counselling, student support services, and an extensive co-curricular portfolio of 200+ clubs, athletics, and performing arts. Operating as a not-for-profit institution, ISB sells annual tuition enrolment to families and reinvests fees into academic programmes, faculty, and campus facilities.
Product overview
International School Basel is a not-for-profit, co-educational IB World School serving students ages 3-18 across three campuses. The institution offers a unified educational programme built around three International Baccalaureate frameworks: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). The portfolio includes a Dual Language Programme (English-German) at Junior School level, complemented by extensive co-curricular offerings through ISBX Activities encompassing athletics, performing arts, and 200+ clubs. Supporting services include ASPIRE after-school childcare, comprehensive student support services (learning support, EAL, counselling, speech therapy), university counselling, outdoor education, and holiday camps. The school operates across three purpose-built campuses (Aesch for Junior School ages 3-12, Fiechten for Middle School Grades 7-8, and Reinach for Senior School Grades 9-12).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Primary Years Programme (PYP) International Baccalaureate programme for Early Childhood 1 to Grade 5 (ages 3-11), offered in English and English-German bilingual formats at the Aesch Campus.
- Middle Years Programme (MYP) International Baccalaureate framework for Grades 6-10 (ages 11-16) encouraging practical connections between studies and the real world, delivered at the Fiechten Campus and continuing into Senior School.
- Diploma Programme (DP) International Baccalaureate programme for Grades 11-12 (ages 16-19) preparing students for externally validated examinations leading to university entrance worldwide, delivered at the Reinach Campus.
- Dual Language Programme English-German bilingual programme enabling students to develop full bilingualism and biliteracy in Junior School, with the Bilingual Diploma pathway available in Senior School.
- ASPIRE After School Care After-school childcare programme supporting Junior School students and working families after the regular school day, offered at the Aesch Campus.
- ISBX Activities (Clubs & Athletics) Comprehensive co-curricular offering of 200+ clubs and athletics teams including 50 athletics teams in 12 sports, 15 music ensembles, and various interest-based clubs. Most clubs are free; some specialized academies (Basketball, Football, Kumon) carry fees.
- Performing Arts Programme Programme encompassing Music (4 soundproof studios, 2 large music rooms, professional recording studio), Theatre, and Visual Arts with major performance productions and exhibitions.
- Outdoor Education Programme Programme featuring weekly forest excursions, ski camps, athletics and arts trips, local and regional field trips, and the Duke of Edinburgh International Award.
- Student Support Services Comprehensive support including Learning Support, English as an Additional Language (EAL), Wellbeing Counsellors, University Counsellors, Speech Therapy, and Educational Psychologist services.
- University Counselling Expert team of university counsellors providing students with support, opportunities and confidence to prepare for futures at universities in Switzerland and around the world.
- Holiday Camps Holiday camp programme available during school breaks for Junior and Middle School students.
Quantifiable outcome
- 98% IB Diploma pass rate in 2024 vs 80% world average
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use International School Basel
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
International School Basel technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
International School Basel partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.
- Theater BaselcoreExciting collaborative venture between ISB and Theater Basel, Switzerland's largest theater working in three distinct art forms (opera, theater, ballet). Provides the tri-national metropolitan region with programming for children and young people, and opportunities for ISB students to engage with professional theater arts.
- Sinfonieorchester BaselcoreLong-standing Basel institution founded in 1876, now known by current name since 1997. Musicians provide expert coaching to ISB instrumentalists during Instant (Symphony) Orchestra projects. ISB students receive exclusive access to Sinfonieorchester Basel rehearsals. Members of the orchestra adjudicate ISB's two annual music competitions.
- Villars InstitutestrategicISB sends 4 students annually to the Villars Symposium focused on environmental sustainability, economics, and leadership. Students become lifelong fellows and create change based on connections made. Fellows complete systems thinking and leadership courses and bring ideas back to ISB.
- SEE LearningcoreSEE Learning (Social, Emotional and Ethical Learning) is a comprehensive curriculum developed at Emory University. ISB implements this evidence-based programme across all grade levels from ages 3-19, cultivating compassionate individuals, schools, and communities.
- Passion FoodcoreExternal catering company providing freshly prepared, balanced meals for school lunch programme. Over 90% fresh ingredients with no convenience products. Supports daily hot meals, salad bars, sandwiches, and snacks with flexible payment options including prepaid cards and vouchers.
- Primarschule (Local Primary School)minorPartnership with local primary school for weekly trash collection campaign around Fiechten Campus and surrounding areas. Also collaborates on SolarButterfly educational exhibit visits and shared community events.
- Bartolomé Soccer AcademyminorLocal soccer academy coaching ISB Football Academy on Aesch Campus, available to both ISB students and local Primarschule students, building community connections.
- Allschwil Basketball ClubminorLocal basketball club coaching ISB Basketball Academy on Aesch Campus, available to both ISB students and local Primarschule students, promoting sports integration.
- Orchester ReinachminorISB's Director of Performing Arts, William Norris, serves as conductor of this local amateur chamber orchestra. Some ISB parent and teacher community members have joined the orchestra, fostering musical connections.
- Swiss Group of International Schools (SGIS)strategicApproximately 40 schools involved in sports tournaments and educational collaboration across Switzerland. ISB participates in SGIS Pride Conference, Youth Wellbeing Ambassadors programme, and various sports competitions.
- Roche Experio CentreminorRoche's educational laboratory in Kaiseraugst provides German-language science education visits for Grade 9 students as part of induction programme, connecting academic learning with industry.
- Baselland Police DepartmentminorAnnual bike training for Junior School students and road safety sessions for EC2 students. Also provides youth responsibility and crime prevention presentations for Middle and Senior School students.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
International School Basel competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Zurich International School: English-medium IB World School in Switzerland serving a similarly diverse expatriate and local population across multiple campuses. Operates PYP/MYP/DP continuum and competes for the same corporate-employer client base as ISB.
- International School of Geneva (Ecolint): One of the oldest and largest IB schools globally, offering the full IB continuum plus French baccalaureate track. Comparable not-for-profit governance model with strong corporate and institutional backing in the Geneva international community.
- International School of Zug and Luzern: English-medium IB World School serving Central Switzerland with full PYP/MYP/DP continuum. Targets similar corporate-relocation families in the Zug/Lucerne corridor with comparable tuition model.
- TASIS The American School in Switzerland: Long-established English-medium international school in Ticino offering IB and American curriculum tracks. Comparable Swiss-based, multilingual, multi-campus operation serving expatriate families globally.
- Aiglon College: Swiss boarding school offering IB Diploma alongside a distinct college-prep programme. Comparable expatriate-focused, premium-priced institution with strong international student mix.
- International School of Lausanne: English-medium IB World School in the Lake Geneva region serving similar expatriate corporate population. Comparable programme scope, tuition model, and not-for-profit governance structure.
- Collège du Léman: International day and boarding school near Geneva offering IB, American, and French curricula. Comparable Swiss-based, premium-priced institution serving expatriate and local families with multi-programme offering.
- Leysin American School: Swiss international school offering American and IB diploma pathways. Comparable premium-priced, English-medium, multi-national student body served by Swiss-based boarding/day operations.
- Brillantmont International School: Long-established international boarding school in Lausanne offering IGCSE and IB Diploma. Comparable Swiss-based, family-owned English-medium institution serving expatriate secondary students.
Regional players
- British School of Bern: English-medium international school in Bern offering IB programmes. Serves similar corporate-expatriate demand but in a different Swiss city than ISB; useful as a regional comparable for tuition and accreditation dynamics.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
International School Basel social profiles
Digital presenceInternational School Basel compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
International School Basel financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
International School Basel leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
International School Basel funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
International School Basel M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about International School Basel
What does International School Basel do?
International School Basel delivers the full International Baccalaureate continuum (Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programmes) in English — and in English-German for Junior School — to students aged 3-19 across three campuses in the Basel region. The school bundles classroom instruction with a Dual Language Programme, university counselling, student support services, and an extensive co-curricular portfolio of 200+ clubs, athletics, and performing arts. Operating as a not-for-profit institution, ISB sells annual tuition enrolment to families and reinvests fees into academic programmes, faculty, and campus facilities.
Is International School Basel a public or private company?
International School Basel is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was International School Basel founded?
International School Basel was founded in 1979. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is International School Basel based?
International School Basel is headquartered in Reinach, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does International School Basel make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Tuition and School Fees are the primary driver. The others are school Lunch Programme, after School Care (ASPIRE) and extracurricular Activities.
Who are International School Basel's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Zurich International School, International School of Geneva (Ecolint), International School of Zug and Luzern, TASIS The American School in Switzerland, Aiglon College, International School of Lausanne, Collège du Léman, Leysin American School and Brillantmont International School. British School of Bern is listed as a regional player.
Does International School Basel have an API?
No public API is recorded for International School Basel.
What industry is International School Basel in?
International School Basel's product category is International K-12 Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJABAG, International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.). Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.