Profile 2014/15 for Colleges and Universities
Mission and Philosophy
We are a learning community of students, faculty, staff,
and parents. At Zurich International School (ZIS), educational
excellence commits us to: Learn, Care, Challenge, Lead.
The School
ZIS is a leading non-profit day school offering a
comprehensive education program for students ages 2–18.
We are an inclusive school with an open admission policy
that serves mainly the transient expatriate population in
the greater Zurich and Baden areas. Our five campuses hold
more than 1,500 students representing over 50 countries and
more than 40 mother tongue languages.
Our Upper School houses 489 students in Grades
9–12, with 120 students in our senior class. Each year
approximately 98% of our graduates continue to higher
education institutions around the world.
Curriculum
All students work toward earning a ZIS Upper School
Diploma. The school offers the International Baccalaureate
(IB) Diploma Programme, Advanced Placement (AP) courses,
or ZIS Upper School Courses. The language of instruction
is English. All students have the option to choose which
academic pathway they wish to pursue.
ZIS has a technology-rich learning environment. All
classrooms are equipped with interactive white boards and
all Upper School students are issued a tablet laptop. The
integration of technology into the curriculum is a priority
and is based on the International Society for Technology in
Education (ISTE) Standards.
Upper School Faculty
The 68 Upper School full-time and part-time faculty
have an average of 17 years teaching experience and over
six years with the school. 70% hold MA/MS or higher
degrees, and most have taught at other international schools
throughout the world. Native speakers teach the world
language courses.
Accreditation/Memberships
ZIS is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School
and is accredited by both the Council of International Schools
and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges in
the United States. ZIS is also approved by the Departments
of Education of the Cantons of Zurich and Aargau. ZIS is a
member of the European Council of International Schools
and the Swiss Group of International Schools.
Class of 2014 University Destinations (118 students)
North America (29%)
UK and Ireland (40%)
Europe (18%)
98%
of graduating seniors
gain admission to higher
education institutions
around the
globe
Gap year (5%)
Military Service (5%)
Australia, China, Philippines (3%)
Minimum Graduation Requirements (23 credits)
4 credits of
English
3 credits of
Social Studies
On average
a ZIS student
earns at least
2 credits of
World Languages
3 credits of
Science
28
2 credits of
Creative Arts
3 credits of
Mathematics
credits
2 credits of
Physical Education
4 credits of
Electives
ZIS Upper School Campus at a Glance
489
students in
Grades 9–12
120
students in our
senior class (2015)
Address:
Phone:
Fax:
ZIS Upper School Campus
Eichenweg 2, 8134 Adliswil, Switzerland
+41 58 750 24 00
+41 58 750 24 01
Director: Principal: Assistant Principals:
School Counselor:
University and Career
Counselors:
Jeff Paulson, Ed. D
John Switzer, MA Ed. Mgt.
Amy Greene, MA;
Jonathan Kirkwood, MA
Leslie Peake, M Ed.
Daniel Pieri, MA; Leanda Wood, M Ed.;
Elana Glasenberg, Cert. College Counselor
College Board Code: 796330
IB School Code: 1170
ZIS Profile 2014/15 for Colleges and Universities
1
ZIS Upper School Students, Grading and Programs
As a school with an open admission policy, ZIS has an academically diverse
student population with a range of abilities. Learning Support and English as an
Additional Language (EAL) support is available at all grades. In Grades 11 and 12,
students can choose to enroll in either the IB Diploma Programme, AP courses,
and/or ZIS Upper School courses. All students enrolled in IB/AP courses are
required to take the external exam.
Community Service
Together with the IB CAS program, ZIS offers a large number of opportunities
for students to connect with local and global service projects throughout the year.
Additionally, many ZIS students create their own meaningful and impactful service
projects about which they are passionate. Students work together to support local,
national and international causes from shelters for refugees in Zurich to Amnesty
International.
Internship Program
In 2014, more than 60 students participated in 3–8 week internships with
leading companies and hospitals in Zurich. These opportunities provide real-life
experiences which help our students understand the world of work and what life
post-ZIS might look like. Participating companies included: Burger King Corporate
Office, Deloitte, Dow, Emerson, IBM, Keytrade, Korn/Ferry, Optimus Foundation,
Swarovski, Thomson Reuters, UBS, University Hospital, Zimmerberg Hospital,
Zurich Insurance.
ZIS Grading Scale and General Grade Descriptors
A 4.0 scale is used to calculate a student’s Grade Point Average (GPA). Please
note that no additional GPA weighting is provided for any IB HL/SL, AP, or Honors
course in any grade at ZIS. ZIS does not weight grades.
GPA, Class Rank and Honor Roll
The international and frequently changing composition of the student body
(average stay is three years) does not permit equitable or accurate comparison
between students. Therefore, Grade Point Averages (GPA) are not cumulative
(Grade 9 through 12) nor is class rank reported as a measure of a student’s
academic standing.
Students who qualify for the Honor Roll, which is computed at the end of each
semester, are enrolled in at least five classes , earn at least a “B” average (3.0 GPA),
have no incomplete grades, and have no grades lower than a “C”.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Programme
IB Courses at ZIS
— Group 1, Studies in Language and
Literature:
English A: Literature HL/SL,
English A: Language & Literature HL/SL,
German A: Literature HL/SL,
German A: Language & Literature HL/SL
— Group 2, Language Acquisition:
English A: Language & Literature HL/SL,
French Ab Initio SL, French B HL/SL,
German B HL/SL, Spanish Ab Initio,
Spanish B HL/SL
— Group 3, Individuals & Societies:
Economics HL/SL, Geography HL/SL,
History HL/SL, Philosophy HL/SL,
Psychology HL/SL
— Group 4, Experimental Sciences:
Biology HL/SL, Chemistry HL/SL,
Physics HL/SL, Environmental Systems and
Societies SL
— Group 5, Mathematics:
Math Studies SL, Mathematics HL/SL
— Group 6, Arts:
Music HL/SL, Theatre HL/SL,
Visual Arts HL/SL
Advanced Placement (AP)
Courses
— Art: Studio Art Drawing, 2D Design,
3D Design
— English: Literature & Composition,
Language & Composition
— Mathematics: Calculus AB, Calculus BC,
Statistics, Computer Science
— Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics 1,
Physics 2
— Social Studies: European History, United
States History, World History, Macro
Economics, Micro Economics, Psychology
— World Languages: German, French,
Spanish
ZIS Upper School Courses
A
A (4.00)
A– (3.67)
“A” Demonstrates an intellectual command of the subject. This includes mastery of techniques, skills,
and knowledge, as well as the ability to integrate and to synthesize knowledge. The student shows
initiative; describes and exhibits various ways of seeing; thinks critically and analytically; and must be
able to work well independently and in groups.
B
B+ (3.33)
B (3.00)
B– (2.67)
“B” Produces work which shows a mastery of the basic skills and concepts of the material, as well as
moments of insight, understanding and independence of inquiry.
C
C+ (2.33)
C (2.00)
C– (1.67)
“C” Demonstrates competent work in understanding and using the skills and concepts of the course.
Reveals a sound enough grasp of facts and a sufficiently mature attitude to pursue the next course
level (possible exception: World Languages and Mathematics).
D
D+ (1.33)
D (1.00)
D– (0.67)
“D” Represents limited understanding of the course content and unless extra work or effort is given,
student will probably not be able to succeed at the next level of the course.
F
F (below 0.67)
“F” D
isplays poor understanding and achievement; insufficient for the student to attempt the next
course level without remedial work.
2
ZIS Profile 2014/15 for Colleges and Universities
— Creative Arts: Foundation Art & Design,
Studio Art, Digital Photography, Graphic
Design, Choir, Concert Band, String
Ensemble, Creative Music, Essential Theatre,
Acting & Directing
— English: English 9–12, EAL III–IV, Digital
Journalism, Speech & Debate, Grade 9
Humanities
— Mathematics: Math 9 Studies, Math 9,
Math 9 Honors, Math 10 Studies, Math 10,
Math 10 Honors, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus,
Business Math
— Physical Education: Physical Education/
Health 9–12, Outdoor Pursuits
— Science: Honors Biology, Honors Chemisty,
Coordinated Science I–II, Robotics &
Applications
— Social Studies: History I–II, Art History,
Philosophy, Environmental Economics
— World Languages: German I–IV,
French I–IV, Spanish I–IV, German for Fluent
Speakers, Spanish for Fluent Speakers,
French for Fluent Speakers
External Results at a Glance
Grade 11 Final Unweighted Grade Point Average (GPA)
Distribution for Class of 2015
Below 2.0
2%
Mathematics
2.0–2.49
13%
28%
Writing
3.0–3.49
24%
ZIS Middle 50%
57%
24%
of Grade 11 students had
a GPA of 3.0 or higher
of Grade 11 students had
a GPA of 3.5 or higher
World Middle 50%
Average AP Subject Scores: World and ZIS 2014
IB Diploma Results 2014
Number of IB Diploma candidates: 72
Pass rate:
66
92%
Total points obtained by candidates:
20–24: 2
2.8%
25–29: 21
29.2%
30–34: 22
30.6%
35–39: 19
26.4%
8
11.1%
33
Average: 29
Art History (12 candidates)
2.82
Biology (13)
2.91
Calculus AB (27)
2.94
Calculus BC (6)
3.81
Chemistry (14)
2.68
Computer Science (8)
2.96
English Lang. & Comp. (51)
2.79
English Lit. & Comp. (12)
2.76
European History (9)
2.65
Macroeconomics (34)
2.89
Microeconomics (33)
3.07
62%
Physics B (14)
2.88
Psychology (25)
3.09
of IB Diploma candidates
passed
of ZIS students chose to
enroll in the IB Programme
Statistics (11)
2.86
Studio Art 2D (11)
3.32
US History (11)
2.76
World History (31)
2.66
World
Group 1: Studies in Language 4.89
and Literature
Group 2:Language Aquisition 5.28
5.09
5.93
5.32
Group 3:Individ. & Societies
4.77
Group 4:Experim. Sciences
4.31
4.63
Group 5:Mathematics
4.46
4.71
Group 6: Arts
4.58
World
5.79
3.42
2.80
3.81
4.80
2.71
2.50
3.12
2.90
4.00
4.47
German Lang. & Culture (32) 3.33
92%
Average IB Scores in Subject Groups 2014
ZIS
520–640
ZIS Middle 50%: 1580 –1900
ZIS Grade 11
ZIS
530–600
410–560
33%
3.5–4.0
530–660
430–600
Critical Reading 420–570
2.5–2.99
40+:
SAT Reasoning Scores:
World and ZIS Class of 2014
2.85
2.91
3.36
3.64
3.00
4.73
3.50
4.22
95%
38%
of AP test takers
scored 3.0 or higher
of ZIS students chose
to take AP courses
— All students enrolled in AP courses took the external exams.
— All grades reported for subjects with five or more students enrolled.
— All scores include test candidates in Grades 10, 11 and 12.
ZIS
World
ZIS Profile 2014/15 for Colleges and Universities
3
University and College Placement
The graduates from ZIS (2012–2014) have been offered admission to leading institutions worldwide including:
United States Adelphi Univ.
American Univ.
Appalachian State Univ.
Assumption College
Auburn Univ.
Babson College
Bard College
Bates Univ.
Baylor Univ.
Bentley College Berklee College of Music
Boston College
Boston Conservatory
Boston Univ.
Bowling Green Univ.
Brigham Young Univ.
Brooks Institute of Photography
Bryant Univ.
California Institute of the Arts
California State Univ. at Fresno
Carthage College
Champlain College
Chapman Univ.
Clark Univ.
Clarkson Univ.
Clemson Univ.
Colby College Colby-Sawyer College
Colgate Univ.
College of Charleston
College of William and Mary
Colorado College
Colorado State Univ.
Columbia Univ.
Cornwall College
Curry College
Dartmouth College
Dean College
Denison Univ.
Dickinson College
Drake Univ.
Drew Univ.
Drexel Univ.
Duke Univ. Duquesne Univ.
Eckerd College Elon Univ.
Emerson College
Emmanuel College
Emory Univ. Endicott College
Fashion Institute of Technology
(New York City)
Florida Institute of Technology
Fordham Univ.
Franklin Pierce Univ.
George Mason Univ.
George Washington Univ.
Georgia Institute of Technology
Gettysberg College
Gonzaga Univ.
Goucher College
Grand Valley State Univ.
Green Mountain College
Gustavus Adolphus College
Hamilton College
Hobart and William Smith
Colleges
Ithaca College
James Madison Univ.
Johns Hopkins Univ. Johnson and Wales Univ.
Juniata College
Kalamazoo College
Keene State College
Kenyon College
Lawrence Univ. (Conservatory of
Music) Lehigh Univ.
Lewis and Clark College
Loyola Marymount Loyola Univ., Chicago
Loyola Univ., Maryland
Loyola Univ., New Orleans
Luther College
Lynn Univ. Manhattan College
Marist College
Marquette Univ. Marymount Manhattan College
Merrimack College
Miami Univ.
Michigan State Univ.
Middlebury College
New York Univ.
Northeastern Univ.
Northern Illinois Univ.
Northwestern Univ.
Ohio State Univ.
Ohio Wesleyan Univ.
Pace Univ.
Parsons, The New School of
Design
Penn State, Univ. Park
Pepperdine Univ.
Plymouth State Univ.
Pratt Institute
Princeton Univ.
Purdue Univ.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rochester Institute of
Technology
Roger Williams Univ.
Rose-Hulman Institute of
Technology
Rutgers
Salve Regina Univ.
Santa Monica College
Savannah College of Art and
Design
School of the Art Institute of
Chicago
Seattle Univ.
Skidmore College
Southern Illinios Univ.,
Carbondale
Southern Methodist Univ.
St. Francis Xavier Univ.
St. Olaf Univ.
Stanford Univ.
Stonehill College
Suffolk Univ.
Texas A and M Univ.
Texas Christian Univ.
The College of Wooster
The New School for Jazz and
Contemporary Music
Tisch School of the Arts
Trinity Univ.
Tufts Univ.
Tulane Univ.
Univ. of Arizona
Univ. of Arkansas
Univ. of California at Berkeley,
Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles,
Riverside, San Diego, Santa
Barbara
Univ. of Chicago
Univ. of Cincinnati
Univ. of Colorado at Boulder
Univ. of Connecticut
Univ. of Denver
Univ. of Georgia
Univ. of Illinois
Univ. of Indiana at Bloomington
Univ. of Iowa
Univ. of Kansas
Univ. of Maryland
Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst
Univ. of Massachusetts,
Dartmouth
Univ. of Miami
Univ. of Michigan
Univ. of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Univ. of Missouri
Univ. of New Hampshire
Univ. of Notre Dame
Univ. of Oklahoma
Univ. of Oregon
Univ. of Pennsylvania
Univ. of Portland
Univ. of Rhode Island
Univ. of Richmond
Univ. of Rochester
Univ. of San Diego
Univ. of San Francisco
Univ. of South Carolina
Univ. of Southern California
Univ. of Southern Maine
Univ. of Tampa
Univ. of Texas San Antonio
Univ. of Texas, Austin
Univ. of Toledo
Univ. of Vermont
Univ. of Virginia
Univ. of Washington
Univ. of Wisconsin
Vassar College
Villanova Univ.
Virginia Tech
Wagner College
Wake Forest Univ.
Washington State Univ.
Washington Univ., St Louis
Wesleyan Univ. West Chester Univ. of
Pennsylvania
Western Illinois Univ.
Western Kentucky Univ.
Wheaton College
Williams College
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Writtle College
Canada Concordia Univ.
Dalhousie Univ.
Emily Carr Univ.
McGill Univ. McMaster Univ.
Queen’s Univ.
Univ. of Alberta
Univ. of British Columbia
Univ. of Calgary
Univ. of Guelph
Univ. of Toronto
Univ. of Waterloo
Univ. of Western Ontario
United Kingdom Aberystwyth Univ.
Bath Spa Univ.
Birmingham City Univ.
Bournemouth Univ.
Bradford College
Brighton and Sussex Medical
School
Brunel Univ. Canterbury Christ Church Univ.
College
Cardiff Univ. Cass Business School
Central St. Martins College of
Art and Design
City Univ.
Edinburgh Napier Univ.
European Business School,
London Exeter College
Goldsmith College, Univ. of
London
Guilford College
Heriot-Watt Univ. Imperial College London Instituto Marangoni,
London King’s College London
King’s College London, Medical
School
Kingston Univ.
Lancaster Univ. Le Cordon Bleu Academy
London
Leeds Metropolitan Univ.
Liverpool John Moores Univ.
London Metropolitan Univ.
London School of Economics
Loughborough Univ. Manchester Metropolitan Univ.
New College of the Humanities
Norwich Univ. College of the
Arts
Nottingham Trent Univ.
Oxford Brookes Univ.
Oxford Univ. Queen Mary, Univ. of London
Regents American College
Regents Business College
London
Robert Gordon Univ.
Roehampton Univ.
School of Pharmacy, Univ. of
London
Sheffield Hallam Univ.
Southampton Solent Univ.
The Royal Veterinary College
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of
Music and Dance
Univ. College London Univ. of Aberdeen Univ. of Abertay Dundee
Univ. of Bath Univ. of Bedfordshire Univ. of Birmingham
Univ. of Bournemouth
Univ. of Brighton
Univ. of Bristol Univ. of Central Lancashire
Univ. of Chester
Univ. of Derby Univ. of Dundee
Univ. of Durham
Univ. of East Anglia
Univ. of Edinburgh
Univ. of Exeter
Univ. of Glamorgan
Univ. of Glasgow
Univ. of Gloucestershire
Univ. of Greenwich
Univ. of Hertfordshire Univ. of Huddersfield
Univ. of Kent at Canterbury
Univ. of Leeds
Univ. of Leicester Univ. of London
Univ. of Manchester
Univ. of Newcastle Upon Tyne
Univ. of Northampton
Univ. of Northumbria
Univ. of Nottingham
Univ. of Plymouth
Univ. of Portsmouth
Univ. of Reading
Univ. of Royal Holloway, London
Univ. of Salford
Univ. of Sheffield Univ. of Southampton Univ. of St. Andrews Univ. of Stirling Univ. of Strathclyde Univ. of Surrey Univ. of Sussex Univ. of the Arts London
Univ. of Warwick Univ. of West London
Univ. of West of England
Univ. of Westminster
Univ. of York
Ireland
Royal College of Surgeons
Trinity College Dublin Abu Dhabi
New York Univ., Abu Dhabi
Australia
Charles Sturt Univ.
Belgium
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
China
Jiao Tong Univ.
France
American Univ. of Paris
Paris College of Art
Parsons School of Art and Design,
Paris
Germany
Aachen Univ. of Applied Sciences
Karlsrule Institue of Technology
Munich Technical Univ. Technische Universität Darmstadt
Italy
Marist Univ. Florence
Università Commerciale Luigi
Bocconi
Israel
Technion Israel Institute of
Technology
Lebanon
American Univ. in Beirut
Netherlands
Delft Univ. of Technology Erasmus Univ. of Rotterdam
Hogeschool van Amsterdam
Hogeschool van Utrecht
Hotel School Den Haag Leiden Univ. College The Hague Univ. Tilburg Univ. Universiteit Utrecht, Univ. College
Universiteit van Amsterdam
Univ. College Maastricht
Univ. College Roosevelt
Univ. of Groningen
Utrecht School of the Arts
The Philippines
Ateneo de Manila Univ.
De La Salle Univ. Manila
South Africa
Univ. of Cape Town Stellenbosch Univ.
Spain
ESADE
BES La Salle
IE Univ.
International Univ. of Southern
Europe
Sweden
Lund Univ.
Switzerland Business School Lausanne
César Ritz Colleges Ecole Hoteliére de Lausanne
Glion Hotel School
Les Roches School of Hotel
Management
Swiss Federal Institute of
Technology, Zurich Swiss School of Tourism and
Hospitality
The School of International Hotel
and Tourism Management
Univ. of St. Gallen
Univ. of Zurich
Webster Univ.
Turkey
Ozyegin Univ.
Zurich International School · Steinacherstrasse 140 · CH-8820 Wädenswil · T +41 58 750 25 00 · F +41 58 750 25 01 · zis@zis.ch · www.zis.ch
Campuses in Wädenswil (Main Office), Adliswil, Baden, Kilchberg
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ZIS Profile 2014/15 for Colleges and Universities