Freie Schule Zürich

Name

Freie Schule Zürich

Legal name

Stiftung Freie Schule Zürich

Website

https://fsz.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1874

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAJABAF

Classical Education K–12 Schools

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/Private & Independent K–12 Schools

SECONDARYEDAIAJAI

Under-18 / High School-to-University Foundation Pathways

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/Overseas Pathway, Foundation & Bridging Programs

Keywords

• Private primary school
• Secondary school tracks
• Gymnasium matura program
• Vocational middle school
• Special needs education

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition fees (Schulgeld): The school is a non-profit institution that receives no government subsidies. All revenue comes from tuition fees charged on a cost-recovery basis. School fees vary by grade level and program (primary, Sek A, Progymnasium, FMS, Gymnasium, Reflexionsjahr). Additional one-time fees include a contribution to the scholarship foundation and laptop costs. A sibling discount of 10% applies to second and subsequent children.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Freie Schule Zürich is a private, non-subsidized foundation-run school operating two campuses in Zürich that delivers a continuous educational pathway from primary school (5th–6th grade) through to state-recognized gymnasiale Matura and Fachmaturität. The school offers multiple secondary tracks (Progymnasium, Sek A, Sek Fokus Berufswelt), a Kurzgymnasium with Hausmatur, a Fachmittelschule, a Reflexionsjahr bridge year, and a Kleinklasse for special needs students, with all revenue generated through tuition fees on a cost-recovery basis.

Product overview

Freie Schule Zürich is an independent private school offering a continuous educational pathway from primary school (5th-6th grade) through to recognized secondary school leaving certificates. The school operates a multi-product portfolio comprising: Primarschule (primary education), Übergangsklasse (transition year), and the Sekundarstufe (secondary level) with three distinct tracks (Progymnasium for academic-bound students, Sek A for open pathways, and Sek Fokus Berufswelt for vocational-oriented students), plus a Kleinklasse for special needs students. At the upper secondary level (Sekundarstufe II), the school offers a Kurzgymnasium (short-term gymnasium) with Hausmatur, a Fachmittelschule with three professional profiles (Pädagogik, Kommunikation & Information, Gesundheit/Naturwissenschaften) leading to Fachmatur, and a Reflexionsjahr (10th school year) as a bridge program. Supporting services include Beratung und Coaching (counseling), kultur@fsz (cultural events), Mensa cafeteria, and Raumvermietung (facility rentals). The school emphasizes small class sizes, strong learning relationships, and a humanistic-Christian value orientation, operating since 1874.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Primarschule (Primary School) Primary school program for 5th and 6th grade students offering small classes, half-class instruction, and project-based learning with emphasis on building foundational learning strategies for transition to secondary level. Operates as a day school with supervised lunch and homework support, with optional preparation course for Langzeitgymnasium entrance exams.
• Übergangsklasse (Transition Class) Bridge year program following 6th primary grade for students needing additional time to deepen primary school content or for personal development before entering secondary level. Features diverse learning methods, self-directed learning, learning journals, and project work.
• Progymnasium Secondary school track designed for students aiming for Gymnasium or FMS, integrating preparation for entrance exams directly into regular instruction with additional learning time, practice, and language enrichment. Most students who register for Mittelschule entrance exams pass successfully.
• Sek A (Sekundarschule A) Secondary school track for students whose path remains open between vocational training (possibly with BMS) or secondary school (Gymnasium/FMS). Focuses on developing learning routines, orientation, and confidence in own abilities. Approximately one-third of Sek A students continue their education at a Mittelschule.
• Sek Fokus Berufswelt (Secondary Focus on Professional World) Secondary school track for students pursuing vocational training, featuring practice-oriented instruction, small classes, clear structures, career orientation workshops, and practical experience in various professions including internships.
• Kleinklasse (Special Small Class) Special needs education class for students in 7th to 9th grade with confirmed special pedagogical needs certified by the Schulpsychologischer Dienst (SPD). Limited to maximum 6 students, combining small-group instruction in core subjects with integration into regular classes for other subjects.
• Reflexionsjahr / 10. Schuljahr (Reflection Year) Bridge program for ambitious students between secondary school and further education, helping clarify educational or career paths. Option for internal transfer to the school's own FMS after the first semester through an internal transfer exam. Students choose between FMS, Kurzgymnasium, Berufsmittelschule, Informatikmittelschule, or demanding vocational training.
• Kurzgymnasium (Short-term Gymnasium) State-recognized 4-year short-track Gymnasium with focus on self-directed learning and strong teacher-student relationships. Students choose between Schwerpunktfach Spanish or Economics & Law. The Bildungsdirektion des Kantons Zürich formally recognized the gymnasium diplomas with a ruling dated 30 August 2023, granting cantonal and federal recognition to the Hausmatur.
• Fachmittelschule (FMS) / Fachmaturität Three-year specialized secondary school (the only private FMS in Canton Zürich) preparing students for universities of applied sciences, pedagogical universities, or higher vocational schools. Offers three profiles: Pädagogik (Education), Kommunikation und Information (Communication & Information), and Gesundheit/Naturwissenschaften (Health/Natural Sciences), with an optional fourth-year Fachmatur leading to the Fachmaturität qualification.
• Raummieten (Room Rental) Rental of school facilities including the 200 sqm auditorium with concert grand piano and sound system, plus classrooms for up to 20 persons with visualizers and projectors, available to external organizations and individuals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Most students from Progymnasium classes who register for Mittelschule entrance exams pass successfully. Approximately one-third of Sek A students continue their education at a Mittelschule (Gymnasium, FMS, BMS, HMS, or IMS).
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Cambridge EnglishminorOthersThe school displays the Cambridge English logo on its website footer, suggesting Cambridge English language certification or preparation is integrated into the school's English language curriculum.
• ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence)minorOthersThe school displays the ECDL logo on its website footer, suggesting the school offers or is associated with the European Computer Driving Licence certification program.
• Verband Zürcher Privatschulen (VZ Privatschulen)minorOthersThe school is a member of the Association of Zurich Private Schools (VZ Privatschulen), which represents and supports private educational institutions in the canton of Zürich.
• Berufsverband Zürich (BVZ)minorOthersThe school displays the BVZ logo on its website footer, indicating membership in the Berufsverband Zürich, a professional association for vocational and professional development.
• SharkprojectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSharkproject contributed to the school's Shark Week initiative (July 2026), where 1st-secondary students explored the topic of sharks across multiple subjects. Representatives from Sharkproject provided insights to students.
• Universitätsspital ZürichminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Cosima Riemenschnitter and Dr. David Bächinger from Universitätsspital Zürich gave a presentation on hearing protection during a school assembly (Wochenausklang), providing students with medical expertise on ear health.
• ElacinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElacin provided specialized hearing protection earplugs to students during a hearing health presentation at the school. The earplugs reduce harmful noise while maintaining clarity for music and speech, unlike conventional foam plugs.
• Bildungsdirektion des Kantons ZürichcoreOthersThe canton of Zürich's education directorate (Bildungsdirektion) formally recognized the school's Kurzgymnasium diplomas and the gymnasiale Hausmatur with a ruling dated 30 August 2023. The school also operates under cantonal oversight and follows cantonal curriculum guidelines.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Academia Engiadina: Private school in Samedan (Graubünden) offering Kindergarten through Matura with boarding facilities. Comparable as a Swiss private school with full Matura pathway, but serves a regional alpine market rather than Zürich.

Direct peers

• SIS Swiss International School: Network of bilingual (German/English) private day schools across Switzerland including Zürich locations. Competes for families seeking private primary and secondary education in the Zürich catchment, though without a Swiss Matura pathway.
• Brillantmont International School: Long-established private boarding school in Lausanne (founded 1882) offering secondary education with GCSE/IGCSE and A-Level tracks. Comparable premium Swiss private school with similar heritage positioning, though serving the French-speaking market.
• Institut auf dem Rosenberg: Highly exclusive private boarding school in St. Gallen offering IGCSE, IB, and A-Level pathways. Comparable premium Swiss private institution competing for the same affluent international and Swiss family segment.
• Ecole d'Humanité: Alternative private boarding school in Hasliberg (Bernese Oberland) offering a holistic, community-based education through secondary level. Comparable as a small, values-driven Swiss private school, though focused on alternative pedagogy rather than Matura certification.
• Zurich International School (ZIS): The largest international private school in Zürich, serving students from primary through Grade 12 with IB and US diploma pathways. Comparable as a premium private K-12 institution in the Zürich market, though oriented to international families rather than the Swiss Matura pathway.
• TASIS The American School in Switzerland: Elite private boarding/day school in Montagnola (Ticino) serving grades Pre-K through 12 with American and IB curricula. Comparable as a long-established Swiss private school with boarding capabilities and a premium brand.
• Stiftsschule Einsiedeln: A private Benedictine boarding school in Canton Schwyz offering Gymnasium and Fachmittelschule programs with state-recognized Matura. Most directly comparable Swiss private secondary school; notably, FSZ's current Rektor Johannes Eichrodt previously led this institution.

Others

• Verband Zürcher Privatschulen (VZ Privatschulen): Industry association representing and supporting private educational institutions in Canton Zürich, of which Freie Schule Zürich is a member. Relevant as an ecosystem/peer-association counterpart rather than a competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Kantonsschule Zürich (Public): Public secondary school system in Canton Zürich offering free Gymnasium and Fachmittelschule tracks leading to Matura and Fachmatur. The dominant incumbent competitor on price (free vs. CHF 25k–30k tuition) and scale, against which FSZ differentiates on class size and individual attention.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/freieschulezuerich
• Instagraminstagram.com/freie_schule_zuerich
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/freie-schule-zuerich

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Freie Schule Zürich