TASIS Switzerland

TASIS Switzerland
TASIS Switzerland
Location
	Montagnola, Lugano, Canton of Ticino, 6926; Switzerland
Coordinates	45°58′58″N 8°55′00″E / 45.9829°N 8.9168°E
Information
School type	American international school; (Day & boarding school)
Established	1956
Sister school	TASIS Schools
Headmaster	Christopher Nikoloff
Grades	Pre-K — 12
Enrollment	700
Color(s)	Blue and red
Mascot	TASIS Tigers
Affiliations	NEASC
Website	tasis.ch

TASIS or TASIS Switzerland, formally known as The American School In Switzerland, is a private American international boarding and day school in Switzerland. TASIS ranked number 67 in IB test scores among European private schools.^[1]

Located in Montagnola, Collina D'Oro near Lugano, in the Canton of Ticino, the school enrolls approximately 700 pupils from around the world.^[2] It offers a primary school, middle school and high school.^[3]

Accreditation

Switzerland

TASIS's (upper) secondary education (middle and high school) is not approved as a Mittelschule/Collège/Liceo by the Swiss Federal State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI),^[4] meaning it does not offer the Swiss Federal Matura.^[5] It does offer the International Baccalaureate.^[6]

United States

TASIS is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.^[7]

International

TASIS is accredited by the European Council of International Schools.^[8] It is not accredited by the Council of International Schools.^[3]

History

TASIS was founded in 1956 by M. Crist Fleming.^[9] For the first few years the school was operating, it was located in Locarno, then in Lugano-Loreto until the purchase of the 17th-century Villa de Nobili in Montagnola in 1960. The school added a post-graduate program in 1959 and summer programs in 1972. Since its establishment, TASIS has expanded to include schools and summer programs in England, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, France, Spain, and Puerto Rico.^[10]

The school is owned by the TASIS Foundation, a non-profit organization.^[11]^[12]

Academics

Elementary students follow the Core Knowledge Foundation curriculum as well as an Italian Section curriculum. Middle and high school program includes English-as-an-Additional-Language (EAL) content courses, Advanced Placement courses,^[2] and the International Baccalaureate program.^[13]

Students are required to wear school uniforms.^[14]

Athletics

TASIS offers soccer, volleyball, basketball, swimming, tennis, badminton, track and cross country at the varsity and junior varsity levels. Students travel throughout Switzerland and Europe for tournaments.^[15]

TASIS is a member of the Swiss Group of International Schools (SGIS).^[16]

Campus

The TASIS campus is located on the Collina d'Oro, overlooking the city of Lugano and Lake Lugano to the North. The most notable campus building is Villa De Nobili, a 17th-century mansion that still contains the suits of armor placed there when the building was owned by Marchese De Nobili, Italian Ambassador to Switzerland.^[17] It houses dormitories, classrooms, administrative offices, and the school's dining room.^[18]

Media coverage

Davide Illarietti writing in 2023 for Corriere del Ticino noted the school has "the reputation of the 'school of the oligarchs.'" Illarietti described the scene "after the bell" as security officers escort students to "a parade of mothers" who pick them up in "Mercedes, Bentley's and Ferraris," as looking "like a big time gala,' "^[19]

In 2021, Radio Free Europe reported that Leonid Slutsky, a member of Russia's Duma who was sanctioned by the US, had enrolled his daughter at TASIS.^[20]

The school has been listed as one of the most expensive both in Switzerland and the world based on its boarding fees.^[21]^[22]^[23]

Notable alumni

Francys Arsentiev, American mountain climber^[24]
Jeanie Cunningham, American performer, composer, songwriter, producer, writer^[25]
Francesca Gregorini, Italian-American film director and writer
Victor Kraatz, Canadian ice dancer^[26]
Jennifer Missoni, Italian actress^[27]
Ferit Şahenk, Turkish businessperson
Jack Savoretti, Italian-English singer^[28]
Matthew Shepard, American anti-LGBT hate-crime and murder victim^[29]
Isaac Tigrett, co-founder of Hard Rock Café and House of Blues^[30]
Laura Wasser, American attorney^[31]
Billy Zane, American actor and producer^[26]

References

^ "EU Top IB Schools". IB-Schools. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
^ ^a ^b "TASIS, The American School In Switzerland". BoardingSchools.com. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
^ ^a ^b "Membership Directory - CIS Council of International Schools". www.cois.org. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
^ "Maturität - Maturité - Maturità" (official site) (in German, French, and Italian). Berne, Switzerland: Swiss Federal State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, SERI. 1 March 2018. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
^ "Matura, Ausbildung und Studium". Bildung-Schweiz.ch (in German). Retrieved 2024-06-26.
^ "TASIS The American School in Switzerland". International Baccalaureate. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
^ "The American School in Switzerland | NEASC - New England Association of Schools and Colleges". www.neasc.org. 2024-06-06. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
^ "TASIS The American School in Switzerland". International School Parent. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
^ swissinfo.ch, S. W. I. (2009-02-18). "Final bell rings for American schools' founder". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
^ Martinez, Gwendoline (2003). Mary Crist Fleming and her international schools: Heritage, achievements, legacy. Boston – via ProQuest.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
^ Roberts, Andrea Suozzo, Alec Glassford, Ash Ngu, Brandon (2013-05-09). "Tasis Foundation Inc, Full Filing - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. Retrieved 2024-06-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ "TASIS - The American School in Switzerland - CharityStars". www.charitystars.com. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
^ "TASIS The American School in Switzerland". International Baccalaureate. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
^ "TASIS Switzerland - Elementary School Uniforms". September 27, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27.
^ Private Secondary Schools: Traditional Day and Boarding Schools: Part II of V. Peterson's (published 2011). May 2011. p. 157. ISBN 9780768935202.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
^ "SGISCHOOLS - Swiss Group of International Schools - Member Schools". www.sgischools.com. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
^ "Villa Berra De Nobili". Vivi Collina d'Oro (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-06-30.
^ "Elite Education: 12 of the World's Most Expensive Boarding Schools". Prestige Online - HongKong. 2023-07-06. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
^ "Chi vuol fare l'americano, a Collina d'oro". Corriere del Ticino (in Italian). 2023-10-01. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
^ Krutov, Mark; Dobrynin, Sergei (2022-03-17). "A Villa In Turkey, An Exclusive Private School. All On A Russian Lawmaker's Salary". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
^ "The top 10 most expensive schools in the world". The Independent. 2016-12-22. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
^ "6 top Swiss boarding schools for kids of the super-rich". South China Morning Post. 2019-10-31. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
^ Gorman, Andree (2015-09-08). "10 of the most exclusive boarding schools for the super-rich are in one country". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
^ "Everest 2007: Before David Sharp there was Fran..." www.everestnews.com.
^ Ethier, Bryan (1999). Fly me to the moon: lost in space with the Mercury generation. Tampa, Fla: McGregor Pub. p. 83. ISBN 978-0-9653846-5-0.
^ ^a ^b "The world's most exclusive boarding schools". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2018-08-14.
^ "The 10 Most Expensive Boarding Schools In the World". Insider Monkey. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
^ "Jack Savoretti". Outline Magazine. Retrieved 2018-08-14.
^ Josue, Michele (Director) (2012). Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine (Motion picture). Logo Documentary Films. Event occurs at 12:04. ...Matt and his dad chose TASIS, the American School in Switzerland, in Lugano, Switzerland.
^ "Switzerland: The World's Most Exclusive Boarding Schools | Rhombus Lifestyle". Rhombus Lifestyle. 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2018-08-14.
^ MediaTI (2016-09-23). "L'avvocato di Angelina Jolie ha studiato a Lugano - Ticinonews". www.ticinonews.ch (in Italian). Retrieved 2018-08-14.

External links

TASIS Switzerland official website

[1] "EU Top IB Schools". IB-Schools. Retrieved 2024-05-17.

[boardingschools.com-2] "TASIS, The American School In Switzerland". BoardingSchools.com. Retrieved 2024-06-26.

[cois.org-3] "Membership Directory - CIS Council of International Schools". www.cois.org. Retrieved 2024-06-29.

[4] "Maturität - Maturité - Maturità" (official site) (in German, French, and Italian). Berne, Switzerland: Swiss Federal State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, SERI. 1 March 2018. Retrieved 2018-04-22.

[5] "Matura, Ausbildung und Studium". Bildung-Schweiz.ch (in German). Retrieved 2024-06-26.

[6] "TASIS The American School in Switzerland". International Baccalaureate. Retrieved June 29, 2024.

[7] "The American School in Switzerland | NEASC - New England Association of Schools and Colleges". www.neasc.org. 2024-06-06. Retrieved 2024-06-29.

[8] "TASIS The American School in Switzerland". International School Parent. Retrieved 2024-06-29.

[9] swissinfo.ch, S. W. I. (2009-02-18). "Final bell rings for American schools' founder". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 2024-06-26.

[10] Martinez, Gwendoline (2003). Mary Crist Fleming and her international schools: Heritage, achievements, legacy. Boston – via ProQuest.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

[11] Roberts, Andrea Suozzo, Alec Glassford, Ash Ngu, Brandon (2013-05-09). "Tasis Foundation Inc, Full Filing - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. Retrieved 2024-06-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[12] "TASIS - The American School in Switzerland - CharityStars". www.charitystars.com. Retrieved 2024-06-29.

[13] "TASIS The American School in Switzerland". International Baccalaureate. Retrieved 25 June 2024.

[14] "TASIS Switzerland - Elementary School Uniforms". September 27, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27.

[15] Private Secondary Schools: Traditional Day and Boarding Schools: Part II of V. Peterson's (published 2011). May 2011. p. 157. ISBN 9780768935202.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)

[16] "SGISCHOOLS - Swiss Group of International Schools - Member Schools". www.sgischools.com. Retrieved 2024-06-29.

[17] "Villa Berra De Nobili". Vivi Collina d'Oro (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-06-30.

[18] "Elite Education: 12 of the World's Most Expensive Boarding Schools". Prestige Online - HongKong. 2023-07-06. Retrieved 2024-06-29.

[19] "Chi vuol fare l'americano, a Collina d'oro". Corriere del Ticino (in Italian). 2023-10-01. Retrieved 2024-06-16.

[20] Krutov, Mark; Dobrynin, Sergei (2022-03-17). "A Villa In Turkey, An Exclusive Private School. All On A Russian Lawmaker's Salary". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 2024-06-16.

[21] "The top 10 most expensive schools in the world". The Independent. 2016-12-22. Retrieved 2024-06-26.

[22] "6 top Swiss boarding schools for kids of the super-rich". South China Morning Post. 2019-10-31. Retrieved 2024-06-26.

[23] Gorman, Andree (2015-09-08). "10 of the most exclusive boarding schools for the super-rich are in one country". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-06-26.

[24] "Everest 2007: Before David Sharp there was Fran..." www.everestnews.com.

[25] Ethier, Bryan (1999). Fly me to the moon: lost in space with the Mercury generation. Tampa, Fla: McGregor Pub. p. 83. ISBN 978-0-9653846-5-0.

[auto-26] "The world's most exclusive boarding schools". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2018-08-14.

[27] "The 10 Most Expensive Boarding Schools In the World". Insider Monkey. Retrieved 2024-06-30.

[28] "Jack Savoretti". Outline Magazine. Retrieved 2018-08-14.

[mattshep-29] Josue, Michele (Director) (2012). Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine (Motion picture). Logo Documentary Films. Event occurs at 12:04. ...Matt and his dad chose TASIS, the American School in Switzerland, in Lugano, Switzerland.

[30] "Switzerland: The World's Most Exclusive Boarding Schools | Rhombus Lifestyle". Rhombus Lifestyle. 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2018-08-14.

[31] MediaTI (2016-09-23). "L'avvocato di Angelina Jolie ha studiato a Lugano - Ticinonews". www.ticinonews.ch (in Italian). Retrieved 2018-08-14.

[notregMSLBE-32] Not approved as Gymnasium (upper secondary education) by the bureau for gymnasial and vocational education MBA (Mittelschul- und Berufsbildungsamt MBA), administration for education (Erziehungsdirektion), canton of Berne

[SERI-33] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap Not approved as Mittelschule/Collège/Liceo by the Swiss Federal State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI)

[notregBS-34] Not approved neither as Volksschule (Kindergarten, primary and lower secondary education), nor as Mittelschule by the administration of education (Erziehungsdirektion), canton of Basel-Stadt

[notregMSSG-35] Not approved as Mittelschule (upper secondary education) by the bureau for gymnasial education (Amt für Mittelschulen), department of education (Bildungsdepartement), canton of St. Gallen

[notregMSZG-36] Not approved as Sekundarstufe II (upper secondary education) by the bureau for gymnasial and pedagogic education (Amt für Mittelschulen und Pädagogische Hochschule), administration for education (Bildungsdirektion), canton of Zug

[notregMSZH-37] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Not approved as Mittelschule by the bureau for gymnasial and vocational education (Mittelschul- und Berufsbildungsamt), administration of education (Bildungsdirektion), canton of Zürich.

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[note 1]

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v t e International schools in Switzerland
AG	SIS Swiss International School (Suhr) (Kindergarten only)
Bern	International School of Berne (Muri bei Bern-Gümligen)^{[note 1]}^{[note 2]} Institut Le Rosey (Schönried BE)^{[note 1]}^{[note 2]} John F. Kennedy International School (Saanen)^{[note 1]}^{[note 2]}
Basel-Stadt	International School Basel^{[note 3]}^{[note 2]} SIS Swiss International School (Basel)
Geneva	Deutsche Schule Genf (Vernier)^{[note 2]} Geneva English School (Genthod and Versoix)^{[note 2]} International School of Geneva^{[note 2]} Collège du Léman (Versoix)^{[note 2]}
GR	Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz
Neuchâtel	Neuchâtel Junior College^{[note 2]}
St. Gallen	Institut auf dem Rosenberg (St. Gallen)^{[note 4]}^{[note 2]}
Solothurn	SIS Swiss International School (Schönenwerd)^{[note 2]}
Schwyz	SIS Swiss International School (Pfäffikon SZ)
Ticino	Istituto Leonardo da Vinci (Lugano)^{[note 2]} Istituto Elvetico Salesiani Don Bosco (Lugano)^{[note 2]} The American School In Switzerland (Collina d'Oro-Montagnola)^{[note 2]}
Vaud	École française de Lausanne-Valmont^{[note 2]} Lycée Pareto (Lausanne)^{[note 2]} Brillantmont International School (Lausanne)^{[note 2]} Collège Champittet (Pully)^{[note 2]} Haut-Lac International Bilingual School^{[note 2]} International School of Lausanne (Le Mont-sur-Lausanne)^{[note 2]} Knightsbridge Schools International Switzerland SA (Morges)^{[note 2]} La Côte International School (Aubonne)^{[note 2]} Kumon Leysin Academy of Switzerland^{[note 2]} Leysin American School^{[note 2]} St George's School in Switzerland (Montreux)^{[note 2]} Surval Montreux^{[note 2]} Collège Champittet (Nyon)^{[note 2]} Institut Le Rosey (Rolle)^{[note 2]} Aiglon College (Villars-sur-Ollon)^{[note 2]} Collège Alpin International Beau Soleil (Villars-sur-Ollon)^{[note 2]}
Zug	Institut Montana Zugerberg (Zug) International School of Zug and Luzern (Baar, Hünenberg)^{[note 2]} International School of Central Switzerland (Cham)^{[note 5]}^{[note 2]} SIS Swiss International School (Rotkreuz)^{[note 2]}
Zürich	Lycée français Marie Curie de Zurich (Dübendorf)^{[note 6]}^{[note 2]} Liceo linguistico e scientifico "Pier Martire Vermigli" (Zürich)^{[note 6]}^{[note 2]} International School Zurich North (Zürich)^{[note 6]}^{[note 2]} Japanese School in Zürich (Uster) Inter-Community School Zürich (Zumikon)^{[note 6]}^{[note 2]} SIS Swiss International School (Männedorf, Winterthur, Zürich-Wallisellen, Zürich-Wollishofen) Zurich International School (Adliswil, Wädenswil)^{[note 6]}^{[note 2]}
Former schools	International School Winterthur^{[note 6]}^{[note 2]} American International School of Zürich^{[note 2]} Gstaad International School^{[note 2]} Villa St. Jean International School^{[note 2]}
List by far not complete ^ ^a ^b ^c Not approved as Gymnasium (upper secondary education) by the bureau for gymnasial and vocational education MBA (Mittelschul- und Berufsbildungsamt MBA), administration for education (Erziehungsdirektion), canton of Berne ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap Not approved as Mittelschule/Collège/Liceo by the Swiss Federal State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) ^ Not approved neither as Volksschule (Kindergarten, primary and lower secondary education), nor as Mittelschule by the administration of education (Erziehungsdirektion), canton of Basel-Stadt ^ Not approved as Mittelschule (upper secondary education) by the bureau for gymnasial education (Amt für Mittelschulen), department of education (Bildungsdepartement), canton of St. Gallen ^ Not approved as Sekundarstufe II (upper secondary education) by the bureau for gymnasial and pedagogic education (Amt für Mittelschulen und Pädagogische Hochschule), administration for education (Bildungsdirektion), canton of Zug ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Not approved as Mittelschule by the bureau for gymnasial and vocational education (Mittelschul- und Berufsbildungsamt), administration of education (Bildungsdirektion), canton of Zürich.