Primary school covers grades 1 through 6 and is designed for children aged approximately 6 to 12. Instruction is bilingual (German and English), project-based, and organized in mixed-age groups, creating a vibrant learning environment where children discover, explore, and create together. 

Children take on responsibility at an early age, develop leadership skills, and deepen both the core competencies outlined in Lehrplan 21 and their individual interests. In the process, they grow in their ability to think creatively, collaborate with others, reflect critically, and take responsibility for their own learning. 

Yes, SOT's primary school lays a strong foundation for all future educational paths. By following the Lehrplan 21, students acquire the relevant subject-specific and cross-curricular competencies necessary for their future educational paths. Students are well prepared for transition to public secondary school, the gymnasium, or the secondary and gymnasium levels at SOT. 

Instead of traditional classrooms, the kindergarten features a “home base” as a central, mixed-age main area, as well as specialized “micro-environments” such as a tech room, music room, library, lab, focus room, reading room, and community room. During free learning, the children independently choose the environment best suited to their activity and actively help shape the learning environment. They are guided and supported at all times, with a focus on “learning to learn.” During guided learning activities, the use of the rooms is more structured and tailored to the specific learning situation. 

The personalized start time is between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. (check-in), and the end time is between 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (check-out). Full supervision from Monday through Thursday is included at no additional cost. Friday is available as an optional add-on (Friday Club). Hot meals and snacks are included in the tuition. 

The monthly tuition includes: instruction, learning materials, project work, a personalized curriculum and mentoring, supervision Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., a hot lunch and healthy snacks every day, day trips, SOT Nights for families, events, and only 6 fixed weeks of school closure per year. In addition, students can take 6 flexible vacation weeks at their discretion. 

Social and personal skills are just as important in everyday school life as academic content. Students take on responsibilities at an early age, support younger children, and gain their first experiences in leadership roles. 

The SOT core competencies—including empathy, cooperation, communication, and resilience—are continuously fostered and developed as part of daily learning activities. The learning process focuses on both individual development and social interaction. 

SOT does not rely on traditional grades and homework as its primary means of motivation. Instead, the focus is on individual learning progress, personalized feedback, and competency-based assessments. Families receive regular, transparent feedback on their child’s progress. 

The learning groups are mixed-age and typically consist of up to 24 children. By working in small groups and with support from several educational professionals, a staff-to-child ratio of approximately 1:8 is ensured. This creates a balanced learning environment that fosters both social interaction and individual support. 

The educational team consists of educators, mentors, subject specialists, and assistant teachers, and is bilingual (German and English). The planning of guided learning activities and theme-based units is carried out collaboratively as a team. 

For individual projects, each student is assigned a designated mentor from the team who guides the learning process, provides regular feedback, and Lehrplan 21 alignment with the competencies outlined in Lehrplan 21 . 

The primary school located at two sites: Schloss Sihlberg Zürich Enge (kindergarten elementary) and Gerichtsplatz Uster (kindergarten elementary). The Augustinerhof site in downtown Zürich is reserved exclusively for the secondary school the gymnasium. 

Yes, students can join at any time, regardless of which school they previously attended. The admission process includes a personal interview and a review of current school records. Tuition is calculated on a pro-rata basis. The team creates an individualized orientation plan for each new student.