Your bilingual secondary school
in the heart of Zurich
Augustinerhof Campus - ZH City
Where interests turn into direction.
Knowing at twelve what you want to do with the rest of your life? That's quite a challenge. Especially when you're just starting to figure out what interests you in the first place.
At SOT, figuring that out is part of school. Our bilingual secondary school in Zurich gives students room to put what they learn into practice and see where their own ideas lead. Following an interest further helps them discover what they enjoy and what they want to pursue. Our students work toward clear academic goals and get more say in how they learn. The next step starts to feel like a decision they can naturally grow into.
Our secondary school at a glance
Grades 7–9
Bilingual (German & English)
Small classes
Recognized by the Canton of Zurich
Flexible vacations
Talent development
How learning works at SOT
Individualized learning
Learning is tailored to the needs, interests, and development of each individual child, not to the class average. Children who are ready to dive deeper into a topic are encouraged to do so. If your child needs a little more time, we’ll support them so they can build self-confidence and gain a genuine understanding.
The Swiss Lehrplan 21 program sets the framework: We combine subject lessons with interdisciplinary projects and real-life experiences. In small learning groups, the children integrate knowledge from various subjects and apply it in meaningful ways.
Entrepreneurial spirit
Entrepreneurial thinking starts with asking what could be different and exploring how to change it. At SOT, students practice turning ideas into something they can test, using feedback to improve their approach. They learn to move forward even when the outcome is uncertain.
Our Entrepreneurial Fridays give this approach dedicated time through projects and coaching. Whether our students are developing a creative project or working on an everyday problem, the aim is to build confidence in using what they know to contribute something of their own.
Mindfulness & mentoring
Learning comes easier when you feel safe and supported. That's why mindfulness is on the timetable at SOT, just like math.
Morning Circles give our students a moment to arrive and reflect, and workshops give them practical tools for handling pressure, setbacks or conflict. Through mentoring, our educators get to know each student well, so they notice early when something shifts. And our progress-based reports show you how each student is developing over time.
A bilingual school day
German and English are both part of everyday life at SOT. This bilingual environment supports both Swiss educational pathways and international academic opportunities. Maintaining proficiency in both languages helps keep their options open and supports long-term flexibility.
This is what our week looks like
Languages of instruction: German & English
Class schedule:
Mon–Thu: 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (arrival from 8:00 a.m.)
Fri: until 1:00 p.m.
Extended support: Teachers are available on site Monday through Thursday until 6:00 p.m. to provide coaching, answer questions, and offer a quiet study environment.
Entrepreneurial Fridays: A dedicated day for projects and coaching focused on in-depth work, creativity, and reflection
Block weeks: Special weeks dedicated to exams, interdisciplinary projects, field trips, and school camps
School holidays:
3 fixed weeks in summer
3 fixed weeks over Christmas/New Year
6 flexible weeks, individually chosen by families
Note: Our flexible vacation schedule offers families more freedom, but may differ from the vacation calendars of public schools.
Joining SOT
Is our school the right fit for your child? Let's find out together. We look at motivation and potential. School reports are part of the picture, alongside conversations with your family and trial days. These let us see how they engage in class and give them a feel for SOT. If some academic foundations need strengthening, a structured support plan and regular progress reviews help guide their learning.
Pathways after the secondary school (grade 9)
There is more than one good way forward after 9th grade. Some of our students go on to Gymnasium, others start an apprenticeship. And from summer 2028, we are planning to offer the IB Diploma, so students can continue with us.
Gymnasium & FMS
For students drawn to academic subjects, Gymnasium or FMS is a natural next step. Gymnasium leads to the Matura and on to university, while FMS prepares students for fields like health, education or social work. We get them ready for admission and give you an honest picture along the way.
Apprenticeship & BMS
Many students choose an EFZ apprenticeship, learning a profession hands-on at a company while attending vocational school. Adding a BMS, during or after the apprenticeship, opens the way to a university of applied sciences.
IB Diploma
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma is a two-year program taught in English and recognized by universities worldwide, including in Switzerland. It combines a broad range of subjects with independent research and a strong focus on critical thinking. SOT is currently a candidate school for the IB Diploma Programme and plans to offer it from summer 2028, so students can continue their education with us after 9th grade. Admission isn't automatic: it depends on each student's commitment and progress.
Well prepared for the next step
Mentoring, career exploration and project work help students understand their strengths long before the choice is due, and you're kept in the loop throughout. Where it makes sense, we adapt the pace or support. Young athletes with a Swiss Olympic Talent Card can get a more flexible timetable.
Our part is to prepare them well. The next step is theirs to take.
School of Tomorrow is a candidate school* for the Diploma Programme. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. IB World Schools share a common philosophy- a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education- that we believe is important for our students.
* Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme (DP), or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes visit http://www.ibo.org.
Augustinerhof Campus
Our secondary school is located in the historic Augustinerhof in the heart of downtown Zurich.
Useful links
