The International School of Berne (ISBerne), established in 1961, is a creative learning community for students from all over the world. Within the framework of the three International Baccalaureate Programmes, guided by ISBerne teachers and staff, students have the opportunity to become open-minded, principled, knowledgeable, confident lifelong learners and multilingual citizens of the world who respect themselves and others.
The International School of Berne (ISBerne) provides a high-quality academic program that encourages students to be reflective and involved in the learning process. This starts in the Early Learning Centre and progresses through to Grade 12. Our dedication to excellence in international education has been part of the school's drive to develop as an International Baccalaureate World School.
The school’s IB Diploma program was established in 1995 we were authorized to offer the IB Primary Years Programme in January 2007 and the IB Middle Years Programme in April 2007. We are one of only 9 IB schools in Switzerland offering three IB programs. ISBerne continues to offer, in addition to the IB, an accredited US High School Diploma.
Through our IB programs, ISBerne students are well-prepared for the future and develop an understanding of cultural diversity, collaboration, and independent learning. With over 325 students from over 40 countries and staff from 12 nations, we are truly an international community.
The new campus has been many years in the works, and the whole school community was very excited to see the project finally come to fruition in April 2017. Originally, when the school was founded in October 1961, it opened in a house but by 1965 the enrolment had reached 52 so the land was found in Gümligen and the first buildings of a new campus were built. Over the years ISBerne continued to grow alongside the growth of the Canton of Berne and eventually, at 200 students the school grew too large for its existing site.
After much careful planning and considerable investment, ISBerne finally moved again in the Spring of 2017 to a new state-of-the-art purpose-built campus. The new campus is at Allmendingenweg 9, 3073 Gümligen not far from its old location… just two tram stops away! ISBerne’s students, staff and families, and the local community of the Canton of Berne continue to delight in the new campus.
The strong educational curriculum follows a philosophy of education based on the principles of:
- Educating the whole person
- Promoting international understanding
- Education through a broad, balanced curriculum
- Respect for and tolerance of cultural diversity.
The Elementary and Middle school program includes French and German, music, visual arts, theatre arts, the sciences, humanities, mathematics, and English.
The grade 5 students complete their Elementary education with an Exhibition, which celebrates their learning over their six years in Elementary school.
The Middle school students complete their educational program through a Personal Project in grade 10.
The IB Diploma program in grades 11 and 12 is a comprehensive and rigorous two-year curriculum to prepare students for university entrance.
Students choose six subjects to study, write an Extended Essay, follow a Theory of Knowledge Course and complete a Community, Action, and Service Program.
We aim to offer high-quality, academically sound education to an international student body in a supportive and understanding environment.
- By developing and adopting an English language curriculum from preschool to grade 12.
- By nurturing an atmosphere of trust between students, staff, administrators, and parents.
Be it curricular or extra-curricular, ISBerne offers numerous ways in which students can learn and grow individually and together as a community, gaining confidence and experience, as well as leadership and teamwork skills.
Life at ISBerne offers an array of competitive and non-competitive sports teams, after-school activities, Student Council, Yearbook team, and school-sponsored activities such as our Outdoor Education Week, school trips, and the Ski & Skate Fridays program.
We call it ‘Learning through Action’ and no matter what your interests or abilities, age or experience, ISBerne offers a world of opportunity… there is always something of interest to do and new opportunities for learning, play, and fun!
Outdoor education is a component of the ISBerne curriculum across the grades. Through camps and excursions, the Outdoor Education program takes advantage of the last warm rays of summer and launches the new academic year in a spirit of camaraderie!
The After School Activities (ASA) program provides students access to activities that are not offered within the framework of the curriculum, such as:
- Band
- Drama
- Yearbook
- Photography
- Cub Scouts
- Arts & Crafts
- Lego Robotics
- Dance
…and more!
The ASA program complements maintains, and develops existing curricular aims and objectives, offering students challenging, new experiences to enrich their time at ISBerne.
