International School of Schaffhausen

What International School of Schaffhausen does

The International School of Schaffhausen (ISSH) is a private, independent IB World School founded in 1999 and located at Mühlentalstrasse 280 in Schaffhausen, northern Switzerland. The school delivers English-language international education across a continuous pathway from Childcare (age 3 months) through Early Learning, Primary (IB Primary Years Programme), Secondary, and the IB Diploma Programme, with an MSA-accredited ISSH High School Diploma offered as an alternative pre-university qualification. ISSH also operates a distinctive off-campus, neighbourhood-style boarding programme for students aged 14-19, where boarding houses are located in nearby residential neighbourhoods approximately five minutes from the campus, providing what the school positions as an authentic Swiss residential-immersion experience. Supplementary offerings include Holiday Camps (Adventure Camp and STEM Camp), an After-school Programme, the Family Hub community space, Learning Support services, University and Career Counselling, and extracurricular clubs such as Model United Nations, UNESCO Club, and STEM Club.

ISSH serves approximately 280 students from more than 30 nationalities. The customer base comprises three primary segments: international and expatriate families seeking English-language IB education, local Swiss families seeking premium international schooling with multilingual exposure, and international boarding students aged 14-19. The business model is subscription-recurring tuition: annual day-school fees range from CHF 27,150 for Primary Grades 1-2 up to CHF 33,800 for Secondary Grades 9-10, while all-inclusive boarding fees are CHF 65,580 (Grades 9-10) and CHF 70,640 (Grades 11-12). Additional recurring revenue comes from Childcare/ELC daily fees (CHF 72-140 per day), after-school sessions (CHF 30-72), holiday camps, learning support, EAL services, and a CHF 3,500 capital building fund contribution per day student. The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer and sales-led: prospective families enquire through an online form on the OpenApply platform, attend campus tours and trial days, and complete academic assessments, with the admissions team guiding them through a multi-step application process.

The school's core technology is the International Baccalaureate curriculum framework, supplemented by an integrated STEM/STEAM curriculum with above-average instructional time in sciences, hands-on lab work, robotics, coding, and design-thinking projects. Weekly outdoor learning is delivered as a designated Naturpark School (since 2018), and multilingual instruction combines English with German and French support. ISSH maintains a 100% IB Diploma pass rate for over 10 consecutive years, a best result of 44/45 points, and approximately one-third of graduates gain admission to top-100 universities including Harvard, ETH Zurich, LSE, and McGill. Marketing relies on word-of-mouth, social media, parent testimonials, Family Hub community events, educational fairs, and the school's website (issh.ch). Headcount stands at 57 employees; revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

International School of Schaffhausen

Legal name

International School of Schaffhausen

Website

https://issh.ch

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The International School of Schaffhausen (ISSH) is a private IB World School in northern Switzerland delivering English-language education from Childcare (3 months) through IB Diploma, plus neighbourhood-style boarding for ages 14-19, serving roughly 280 students from 30+ nationalities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Overseas Summer School Programs (Secondary) (EDAIAHAC), Pre-College Summer/Winter Academic Programs (High School Students) (EDAIAIAD), Overseas Boarding School Enrollment & Placement (EDAIAHAA), Academic/School-Readiness Preschools (EDACABAB), Subject-Specific Short Courses & Academies (e.g., STEM, Business, Arts) (EDAIAIAC)

Keywords

• International education
• IB curriculum
• Boarding school
• Early childhood education
• Secondary education

Headquarters

HQ city

Schaffhausen

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Day School Tuition (Childcare, ELC, Primary, Secondary): Annual and quarterly tuition fees charged for day school attendance across all programmes from Childcare (age 3 months) through to Diploma Programme (Grade 12). Fees vary by programme level and grade. Additional costs include enrolment fee (CHF 200-600), capital building fund (CHF 3,500 for day students), and optional hot lunch. Boarding students pay all-inclusive annual fees covering tuition, accommodation, meals, supervision, and excursions.
2. Boarding School Fees: All-inclusive annual boarding fees covering tuition, accommodation, all meals, supervision, pastoral care, and occasional excursions. Charged annually by grade level (Grades 9-10: CHF 65,580; Grades 11-12: CHF 70,640). Includes one-time enrolment fee of CHF 600.
3. Childcare and ELC Day Fees: Cost-per-day childcare fees for ages 0-6, calculated daily with multiple booking options (full day, core time, half-day morning/afternoon). One-time enrolment fee of CHF 200 and setting-in fee of CHF 300 for ages 0-3.
4. After-School Programme Fees: Charged per session for Discovery Afternoon / after-school care for children aged 4-11. Flexible booking options: early afternoon (12:00-15:30) CHF 42 (Wednesdays only), late afternoon (15:30-18:00) CHF 30, full afternoon (12:00-18:00) CHF 72. Lunch at CHF 12 extra on Wednesdays.
5. Holiday Camp Fees: Weekly holiday camp programmes (Adventure Camp for ages 5-15, STEM Camp for ages 7-15). Adventure Camp booked by the week or minimum 3 individual days; STEM Camp booked by the week. Extended supervision available at CHF 25/hour. Warm lunch included daily.
6. Learning Support and EAL Services: In-house learning support services including one-on-one and small-group lessons, EAL/GAL language support (up to 18 months for Secondary students), and push-in/pull-out services provided at additional cost.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The International School of Schaffhausen delivers English-language international education as a private day and boarding school in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. Its core offering spans five integrated academic programmes — Childcare (3 months to 3 years), Early Learning Centre (3-6 years, IB PYP), Primary School (6-11 years, IB PYP), Secondary School (Grades 6-10), and pre-university pathways comprising the IB Diploma Programme and the MSA-accredited ISSH High School Diploma — supplemented by boarding, holiday camps, after-school care, learning support, and university counselling.

Product overview

International School of Schaffhausen is a private day and boarding school offering a comprehensive educational journey from Early Learning (ages 3 months) through to the IB Diploma (age 19). The school's core offering comprises five integrated academic programmes: the Childcare Programme and Early Learning Centre (ages 0-6), Primary School (ages 6-11, IB PYP), Secondary School (ages 11-16), and two pre-university pathways — the IB Diploma Programme and the ISSH High School Diploma (ages 16-19). These academic programmes are supported by supplementary services including a neighbourhood-style Boarding Programme for students aged 14+, Holiday Camps (Adventure Camp and STEM Camp for ages 5-15), an After-school Programme, the Family Hub community space, Learning Support Services, University and Career Counselling, and Extracurricular Activities/Clubs. The school operates as a unified IB World School with MSA accreditation, combining the IB curriculum framework with a distinctive STEM-centred approach, outdoor learning emphasis, and multilingual childcare environment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Childcare Programme Full-day childcare for infants and toddlers from 3 months to 3 years, providing a nurturing environment that supports developmental milestones through sensory play, music, cooking, and nature walks. Target audience: families seeking premium English-language childcare in Schaffhausen.
• Early Learning Centre (ELC) Early childhood education programme for ages 3-6 following the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), emphasising play-based inquiry learning and holistic development in a safe, dynamic environment. Target audience: local and international families seeking English-medium early years education.
• Primary School IB PYP curriculum for ages 6-11 (Grades 1-5), focusing on inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and international-mindedness, complemented by weekly Outdoor Learning sessions as a designated Naturpark School. Target audience: international and local families seeking English-medium IB primary education.
• Secondary School Comprehensive secondary education for Grades 6-10 following a bespoke curriculum that prepares students for the Diploma Programme, with an integrated STEM approach and career guidance. Target audience: students progressing from ISSH Primary School and external entrants seeking rigorous pre-IB secondary education.
• IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) Two-year rigorous pre-university programme for ages 16-19 (Grades 11-12), offering academic excellence, independent research (Extended Essay), and global-mindedness. ISSH maintains a 100% IB Diploma pass rate for over 10 consecutive years, with graduates placing at top 100 global universities. Target audience: students aiming for internationally recognised pre-university qualifications and global university placements.
• ISSH High School Diploma (HSD) Flexible, academically rigorous qualification accredited by the Middle States Association (MSA-CESS), particularly suited for students aiming for applied sciences, US/Canadian universities, or European institutions. Target audience: Grade 11-12 students seeking a US-accredited diploma pathway with a combination of selected IB courses.
• Boarding Programme Off-campus neighbourhood-style boarding for students aged 14-19 in supervised residential houses accommodating up to 10 students in double-occupancy rooms, with all-inclusive fees covering tuition, accommodation, meals, supervision, pastoral care, and excursions. Target audience: international families seeking supervised residential boarding combined with ISSH's IB or High School Diploma studies.
• Adventure Camp Dynamic school holiday camp for children aged 5-15 featuring creative projects, woodwork, gym activities, forest experiences, science experiments, Escape Rooms, and team games with English immersion. Target audience: school-age children (both ISSH and external) during school holidays.
• STEM Camp Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics holiday programme for children aged 7-15, featuring robotics, coding, and hands-on projects delivered in partnership with TechLabs, combined with outdoor activities. Target audience: school-age children (both ISSH and external) interested in STEM during school holidays.
• After-School Programme (Discovery Afternoon) Discovery Afternoon programme for children aged 4-11 offering English-speaking activities, homework support, and creative projects in a nurturing environment, available until 18:00 on weekdays (and from 12:00 on Wednesdays). Target audience: families seeking after-school care and enrichment for primary-age children.
• Learning Support Services Personalised academic support including one-on-one and small-group lessons, push-in/pull-out services, Individualised Learning Plans (ILPs), and English as an Additional Language (EAL/GAL) support. Target audience: enrolled ISSH students requiring additional learning or language support.
• University and Career Counselling Comprehensive guidance programme supporting students in university applications, career exploration, internships, CV writing, and interview preparation from Grade 9 onwards. Target audience: ISSH Secondary and Diploma students preparing for university and career pathways.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% IB Diploma pass rate for over 10 consecutive years
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Naturpark SchaffhausencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018ISSH is a designated Naturpark School (since 2018), integrating environmental education into the Primary curriculum. Students participate in hands-on nature projects aligned with the park's sustainability goals, including wildlife exploration, water quality testing, and environmental design challenges.
• TechLabscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechLabs delivers the hands-on STEM curriculum for the ISSH STEM Holiday Camp, providing expertise in robotics, coding, creative design, and technology projects. The collaboration enables children aged 7-15 to engage in practical, expert-led STEM activities combining technology and the arts.
• Restaurant Buechbrunnen, SchaffhausenminorOthersProfessional catering partner providing hot lunch to Primary and Secondary students at ISSH. Meals are健康的、seasonal and prepared to meet the nutritional needs of students. The lunch programme is offered as an optional add-on service for day students.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Leysin American School: US-curriculum and IB boarding school in Vaud; similar international boarding market positioning in the Swiss Alps.
• St. Gallen International School: Smaller IB day school in eastern Switzerland; serves an overlapping expat and Swiss family market with a similar PYP/DP structure.
• Ecole d'Humanité: Independent boarding school in the Bernese Oberland offering an alternative, holistic curriculum; competes for international boarding families seeking a distinctive Swiss residential experience.

Broad incumbents

• Aiglon College: Well-known Swiss international boarding school in Vaud offering IB curriculum; comparable boarding model and premium Swiss positioning to ISSH, with a much longer operating history.
• Brillantmont International School: Boarding and day school in Lausanne offering IB, British, and US high-school programmes; comparable in offering a multi-pathway Swiss boarding experience.
• Beau Soleil: Premium Swiss international boarding school in Villars offering IB curriculum; comparable premium boarding positioning and university placement focus.
• TASIS The American School in Switzerland: Historic American/IB boarding and day school in Ticino with a global boarding programme; broader international brand and significantly larger scale than ISSH, but overlapping boarding concept.

Direct peers

• International School of Zug and Luzern: IB World School with multiple campuses across central Switzerland serving international families; overlaps ISSH's catchment and offers the same PYP/MYP/DP pathway.
• International School of Basel: Long-established IB school in northern Switzerland serving international and local families; comparable scale, curriculum, and premium positioning to ISSH.
• Zurich International School: Large IB and US-curriculum day school in the Zurich metropolitan area, directly competing for international and Swiss families seeking English-language international education in northern Switzerland.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@internationalschoolofschaf8420
• Facebookfacebook.com/InternationalSchoolofSchaffhausen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/international-school-of-schaffhausen
• Instagraminstagram.com/isschaffhausen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 International School of Schaffhausen