A group of students posing on their graduation day with white roses in hand.

Entry age, long-term

12/13

Entry age, short term

14/15

Grades

7-12

Taught languages

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Other international terms for Swiss Gymnasium

Swiss High School
Grade 7-12
Swiss Maturity
Long Gymnasium

The Swiss Matura in an international environment

Swiss Gymnasium

The Swiss Matura is renowned for its academic rigour and broad subject base. Students who achieve the Matura are granted admission to universities throughout Switzerland and can apply to other higher education institutions all over the world. The Matura course at Montana  is delivered in the context of the Montana Learning Experience. This means small classes, a focus on individual learning needs, and a supportive approach that attends to the well-being of all students. The learning environment is multi-cultural and students have classmates from all over the world. They become proficient in languages, learning English, German and French, and can choose the bilingual Matura to become academically fluent in both English and German. 

Accreditations and memberships for academic excellence

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90

students
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10

average class size
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15

nationalities
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99%

pass rate (2024)

Following the Swiss curriculum

Our Swiss programmes, in accordance with the decentralised Swiss education system, are based on the framework provided by the Canton of Zug. We adapt them to the context of our school and offer an international approach that includes bilingual (English and German) tracks.

High quality teaching and exciting opportunities for further study 

Why choose our Swiss Gymnasium?

A female student shakes hand on a graduation day. Other students sit in the background.

Access to prestigious universities 

Studying at Montana is a privileged opportunity for international students to earn the Swiss Matura diploma, as well as for local students to benefit from our supportive environment while achieving their goals. With the Matura, they are granted access to universities throughout Switzerland. This includes ETH Zürich, ETH Lausanne and Universität St. Gallen (HSG) but excludes medicine for which a further examination is required.

 With an average of 10 students per class and a maximum of 15, we optimize support for each student.
A female students on a chair, with a laptop in front of her, she looks another way.

Become multilingual in an international environment 

At Montana we have multi-layered language learning provision and comprehensive support to help all our students progress in language competence. Our Matura can be taken in German or, for students already confident in both languages, the bilingual German/English option. We offer the opportunity to earn IB certificates in English Language and Literature.

Several boy and girl students sit, they wear formal outfits.

Bilingual Matura in English and German

Students studying for the bilingual Matura achieve academic fluency in English, opening up opportunities for further study in Switzerland and elsewhere. Specific subjects like geography, history and biology are taught in English. Bilingual students will write and submit their research project in English and they should study abroad in an English-speaking country for five weeks.

A group of students in a trip, enjoy a city view with a canal.

Immersive study trips  

We believe in cultural learning through travel. Students at Montana's Gymnasium participate in study trips each year. The younger year groups usually visit Italy and soak up the atmosphere of Venice, Florence and Rome. Later it is off to France and the fabulous sights and art galleries of Paris. 

Three female students sit down in a class, each gives a different expression.

Small class sizes and personalised learning

With a maximum of 15 students per class and an average of 10, our small class sizes allow for personalised attention and peer support. Teachers are able to attend to the individual learning needs of each student and create a positive classroom environment that enhances learning.

A group of students in the middle of a conference, most of them hold a paper showing their country origin.

Interdisciplinary learning beyond the classroom 

Our curriculum emphasises interdisciplinary learning, integrating multiple subjects to provide a broad and interconnected educational experience.

A male teacher is writing something on a white board and two boy students pay attention.

Dedicated teachers who care about their students' progress 

Small classes strengthen the trust between teachers and learners, and this enables high-quality learning and progress towards excellence. Our students consistently report that their teachers are available beyond classroom hours, offering guidance, security, and support. Their academic confidence grows in this positive learning environment.

Four students with multicultural looks pose to camera.

International environment 

A lot of our Swiss Gymnasium students are Swiss and the others come to Switzerland from all over the world. Some have families resident in Switzerland, others are boarders. This international environment is an enriching experience for all our students, creating connections and developing global networks for their exciting futures.

Swiss Gymnasium Experience

Hear what our students, staff and parents say about us

Adrian Hunn 

head of swiss gymnasium 

Speaks about Montana's teaching approach and what makes the Bilingual Swiss Gymnasium unique. 

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XXX Rietiker 

parent of a swiss gymnasium student 

Speaks about his view on Montana's teaching approach and how it has affected his child's academic and personal growth 

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Basic subjects in German
  • German

  • Mathematics

  • Biology

  • Chemistry

  • Physics

  • History

  • Geography

  • Computer science

  • Science

  • Music

  • Sport

  • Information and communication technology

Taught in English in the bilingual programme
  • Biology (SG 3-5)

  • History (SG 1-6)

  • Geography (SG 1-5)

Optional subjects 
  • Spanish

  • Economics and law

  • Physics and applied mathematics

  • Biology and chemistry

Supplementary subjects
  • Arts

  • Sports

  • History

  • Biology

  • Geography

From passion to progress

Maturaarbeit

The Maturaarbeit is an independent research project that demands a range of academic skills, including thorough research, critical analysis, and effective presentation techniques.


Learning these skills and ways of thinking is important preparation for university level studies. 

Students are expected to demonstrate their ability to investigate a topic in depth, synthesise their findings, and present them in a clear and structured manner. The final assessment includes an oral defence of the project in front of a panel who evaluates the quality of the research and the student's ability to communicate their ideas.

In the case of students pursuing a bilingual Matura, the presentation is written and delivered in English, further demonstrating their language proficiency and academic versatility.

Two male students in a concentrate on lesson.

Meet our Head of the Swiss Gymnasium

We look forward to getting to know you and your child.

Adrian Hunn: "There is nothing more divine than education. Only through education does one become truly human."


Plan a visit to our campus

Plan an online meeting with our Admissions Team

Adrian Hunn

Head of Swiss Gymnasium
Languages spoken
A male staff in suit and glasses look straight and smile to camera.

 

Next steps

Your academic path

from the Swiss Gymnasium

57%

transfer to

Swiss universities

Automatic admission to all Swiss universities including ETH Zürich, ETH Lausanne & Universität St. Gallen (HSG). Medicine is an exception and additionally requires completion of the Numerous Clausus. 

29%

transfer to

international universities

Matura students have gained entrance to universities in the UK, the US, Canada and the Netherlands, with the Matura supplemented by the relevant admissions process for that institution.

14%

transfer to an

apprenticeship

Complete compulsory education in the Swiss system and start an apprenticeship or transfer to another vocational or commercial secondary school.

Numbers are based on the 2023 school year
info

Helpful information

Admission requirements at the end of grade 6 from Canton Zug: B1 English, B2 German, GPA 5.2 in German, mathematics and nature, people, environment

Admission requirements at the end of grade 8 and 9 from Canton Zug:  B2 in German and A2 in French (Goethe and Delf certificates), GPA 5.2 in German, mathematics, French, English, geography, history and civic education, nature and technology (including physics, chemistry, biology)

Language objectives: to be awarded their Matura at the end of the programme, students must have achieved native level German

A mother and her son pose on his graduation.

Swiss Gymnasium 

News & updates 

  • We were delighted with our students' achievements in their Matura grades in 2024. Five of our graduates scored over 5.3. Special congratulations to Joshua, who achieved the highest score in Canton Zug with an impressive 5.7.

  • Ongoing initiatives to keep the Swiss Matura relevant for today and the future (WEGM) are set to focus on society and Swiss history and culture. At Montana, we have introduced these elements in our curriculum to the benefit of our international and Swiss students.

  • Future enhancements include strengthening IT and economics/law subjects, which will appear on Matura certificates. By 2028, IT will become a foundational subject, and we are preparing for this change.

  • Congratulations to Spartak Vasilyev for his amazing 3rd place in the Wake Surf European Championship (CWSA) in Annecy, France. Yet another achievement of this super talented student we are so proud to be able to support. Well done Spartak!

FAQ

Your Academic Path

What kind of school is Institut Montana?
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Institut Montana is an international day and boarding school in Switzerland.

Where is Institut Montana located?
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Institut Montana is conveniently connected to the city of Zug and less than one hour by car to Zürich airport. There are rich opportunities for students to immerse themselves in culture and the outdoors. The surrounding lakes and mountains offer activities in all seasons: boating and mountain biking in summer, skiing and sledging in winter.

What educational programmes does Institut Montana offer?
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At Institut Montana, we offer different academic pathways to suit the individual needs of our students. Bilingual Primary and Secondary Schools follow the national (Lehrplan 21) curriculum. A Swiss High School (Schweizer Gymnasium) leads to the Swiss Matura in either German or Bilingual DE/EN. An International School follows international programmes that lead to the IB Diploma Programme. At the high school level, we provide personalised college counselling that guides students towards the higher education choices that will meet their ambitions for the future. 

What age of students does Institut Montana admit?
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Institut Montana admits students from ages 6 to 19, offering programmes for primary (Grade 1) through to secondary education. Students from age 10 years and older can join our international boarding programme.  

How many students study at Institut Montana and where are they from?
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Institut Montana has around 360 students. We are a close-knit community in a beautiful setting surrounded by mountains and forests. We maintain small class sizes of around 10 students for a more personalised learning experience. Our students come from all over the world, representing over 55 nationalities. Institut Montana truly offers an international education in a Swiss environment and a Swiss education in an international environment.

What are the language requirements for students?
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Students are required to achieve proficiency in at least one first language and a second language. English and/or German are the main languages of instruction, with additional language support provided as needed.

What boarding options does Institut Montana offer?
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Institut Montana offers full boarding, weekly boarding, and flexible boarding options. Full boarding includes accommodation, class instruction, supervision, meals and access to school facilities and activities.

What co-curricular activities are available at Institut Montana?
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Our students enjoy a variety of co-curricular activities including ice hockey, skiing/cross-country skiing, tennis, beach volleyball, hiking. There are also activities that encourage creative thinking such Model United Nations, Drama Club, Entrepreneurship Club, Choir, private music lessons, Yoga, Archery and more.

Is there a deadline for applications?
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Institut Montana offers enrolment on a rolling basis throughout the school year. Please contact our Admissions Office for more information on our admissions process.

How do day students arrive and depart Institut Montana each school day?
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Our day students take a very special, panoramic 8-minute ride on the Zugerbergbahn, a funicular railway that climbs every 30 minutes up to the Zugerberg from Schönegg, on the edge of the city of Zug. Our campus sits conveniently just above the Zugerbergbahn funicular station.

Do you offer summer activities for students?
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Each year, we welcome students from around the world to experience the spirit of Institut Montana at our Summer Camp. For 2-3 weeks, students ages 10 – 15 years old can take intensive English and German courses, participate in exciting workshops and activities, and make lasting friendships. Day and boarding options are available. Please contact our Admissions Office for more information.

Does Institut Montana provide assistance with visa applications?
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We can assist our boarding students with their visa application and residence permit. We also provide invitation letters for visits from family members of enrolled students. However, we cannot assist day students or family members of any student with their Swiss residence permit.