Bern - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
The international School of Bern and the British School are the main options for the embassy community. Both are small. My kids are in high school at ISB. It is fine. Again, small. Communication is rather lacking from the administration but the teachers all seem good. If your child does well at school generally, he/she will be fine but probably not particularly challenged. Compared to other international schools we have experienced this one is nice but average. They do have some cool programs like an outdoor education week near the start of school and ski/snowboarding Fridays in winter. The school does charge for everything -- every away sports game, every field trip, the aforementioned special weeks. There is a good but expensive cafeteria. - Jan 2020
INTL SCHOOL OF BERN -- DISAPPOINTING - PHYSICAL PLANT IS SMALL AND INADEQUATE; INTELLECTUAL CHALLENGE DUBIOUS, NO CONTINUITY IN SUBJECT STUDY (PERENNIAL "UNITS OF INQUIRY" THAT MAY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PREVIOUS ONE).ONE FEELS THAT THE EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY IS IN A TIME WARP STUCK IN THE 1960s. I REGRET MY CHILDREN WASTED THREE YEARS THERE.THE ALTERNATIVE, HOWEVER, IS THE BRITISH SCHOOL, WHICH DOES NOT REALLY GO BEYOND GRADE 6. - Jan 2011
International School of Bern, I don't know of anyone who is completely happy with ISB.They do have some wonderful programs, ski days, sport week, a spring trip. Educationally, not so strong. Our experience with a 9th grader has been they are working at about one year behind U.S. standards. Our child will be returning to the States to finish high school. - Feb 2009
