Most people have heard of the International School of Schaffhausen.
We are an international school with a student body of 250 students from 40 different nations. Our diversity of cultures, languages, faiths and experiences creates a learning and living environment which is extremely rich in perspectives and where care and respect for one another are fundamental.
Local students enjoy the famous holiday camps and profit from a playful exposure to the English language.
But did you know that the ISSH also invites teenagers aged 15-19 from around the world to join the international community of learners, to share their passion for knowledge and to develop into lifelong learners?
We offer a unique boarding programme and an international university entrance qualification that will open doors to universities across Europe, America, Africa or Australasia.
ISSH boarding is different from the traditional boarding school concept as our programme turns teenagers into independent and responsible young adults who are well prepared for university life abroad and have a clear vision of their talents, strengths and goals for life.
The ISSH Boarding House is a stable, caring, family-like place to make it a home away from home. A caring environment is paramount to ensure that each student can reach their full potential in both their academic studies and their development as a well-rounded individual. Our mixed gender Boarding House is located on the outskirts of Schaffhausen and is only 5 minutes away from the school. The private ISSH School Bus collects and returns the students to the house every school day. The house is fully-equipped with home-like amenities including a kitchen, common area, and fully furnished rooms where students can live and study comfortably. The house is divided into a boys and girls floor, with the kitchen and lounge area as shared spaces.
We believe that the Boarding House is a community and all our members are expected to take responsibilities for the daily tasks. With the support of our experienced coaches, our boarding facilities in Schaffhausen provide an ideal environment for our students to develop independence and self-management skills for their future life.
Our boarding students take on projects for organizing weekend activities and are engaged in service within the school and local community. They develop independence and self-sufficiency through a freedom of choice within clearly defined boundaries. We respect the needs of senior students while ensuring a healthy, well-structured and balanced lifestyle. We encourage our students to be engaged in our community, in their learning and in shaping their own future. Both the ISSH community and the local Schaffhausen community offer a wealth of possibilities for engagement and activity. We have built up strong links to Schaffhausen businesses and institutions. This has enabled us to forge a unique work experience programme which is a central element in our careers planning process.
We want our students to be active. Our tutors and mentors engage with each student so that their talents and interests are nurtured and further developed. The options for co-curricular and extra-curricular activities within easy reach are manifold. The programme comprises visits to CERN or the United Nations Organization in Geneva, excursions to the Alps, water sports on the Rhine and explorations of the Black Forest. Europe’s capital cities like Paris, Berlin or Rome are within easy reach for weekend trips or class excursions.
Learning for understanding as opposed to memorization is a fundamental principle of the IB programmes. Inquiring, making connections to previously acquired knowledge and transferring knowledge and understanding between subjects are skills that our students use on a daily basis. Inquiry learning is the catalyst for all teaching and learning at ISSH.
We look forward to welcoming students from all over the world into our community.
