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Admissions & enrolment process

We take great care with every application to our Swiss International Day and Boarding School

Our admissions process focuses on us getting to know you and you getting to know us. 

Fill out our Inquiry Form

Begin your journey with us

The admissions process

Our admissions process is holistic. We evaluate every application individually beyond academic performance to understand each child's potential, motivation to learn, and how we can best guide them towards success. We want to understand every child's interests, their enthusiasms and their passions. We want to ensure that they will thrive in our international community and will grow into young adults with strong, humanistic values and,  above all, embrace learning with curiosity and joy. 

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1. Inquiry

Getting to know each other

If you’re interested in learning more about our school or starting the admissions process, please fill out our Inquiry Form. Our dedicated Admissions Team will be happy to contact you. 

Fill out our Inquiry Form

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2. Interview

Campus visit or video 

The best way to learn about our school is to visit our lovely campus. We welcome any prospective student to participate in a free trial day, joining our lessons and meeting future classmates. If you are unable to attend an in-person visit, we will gladly arrange a virtual meeting, no matter where you are located around the world.

Plan a visit to our campus

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3. Academic assessment

The academic pathway will achieve each child's ambitions 

As part of the admissions process, we use cognitive ability tests such as the CAT4 Ability Test and a range of language placement tests to better understand academic and language levels. Depending on the year group and desired curriculum, our prospective students will also meet our Heads of Programmes for a short interview.

Learn more about the CAT4 Ability Test

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4. Admissions evaluation

The ideal match

Once we have completed the application process, the Admissions Team and the Heads of Programmes evaluate each application to make our recommendation and to advise on what support we believe will ensure that each child achieves their potential. 

Read more about our academic offer

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5. Offer letter

Your next steps

Our offer letter includes the class placement as well as any individual specifications or support plans. The offer letter is valid for two weeks to allow time to decide whether you would like to move forward with the enrolment process. 

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6. Enrolment confirmation

Welcome to the IMZ community!

Once you have received your offer letter and have decided to join us, our Admissions Team will work closely with you to submit any final documents, and to share important information for a successful first day at Institut Montana. For our boarders, we will gladly assist with visa applications where necessary.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Timing and process

A rolling admissions process throughout the year

We review each application individually and operate a rolling admissions process, admitting students throughout the year. We recommend students start with us at the beginning of a semester. However, our Admissions Team will be happy to work with you to determine the best entry point for each student. 

 

Ready to start your journey

We believe that every child has talent.

 You might already know which of our academic pathways or which programme is right for you or your child. Or you may wish to receive guidance and learn more about our Swiss or international academic curricula. Either way, our well-informed Admissions Team is ready to help.  

Book an online meeting with our Admissions Team

Heidi Hadorn

Head of Admissions
admissions@montana-zug.ch
Languages spoken
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Joaquin Rodriguez

Head of Admissions
admissions@montana-zug.ch
Languages spoken
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Jennifer Lorandos

Admissions Coordinator
admissions@montana-zug.ch
Languages spoken
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Heather Stoffregen

Admissions Coordinator
admissions@montana-zug.ch
Languages spoken
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Saskia Schmid

Junior Admissions Coordinator
admissions@montana-zug.ch
Languages spoken
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What we need to know

Admissions requirements

  • We need to know your academic history in order to decide which of our programmes will suit you best and what extra support you might need to reach your goals.
  • We need to know that you understand what is expected of you in terms of commitment to learning.
  • We want to know all about your interests, your special talents, and what makes you happy.
  • We need to know that our family-like international community is what you are looking for.
Bilingual Primary School
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Our bilingual primary school is for children from age six who have spent at least two years at Kindergarten. We follow the Swiss national Lehrplan 21 curriculum adapted for our English and German bilingual classroom. Knowledge of both languages is not necessary at the beginning as there is in-class support in both languages so that all children get the best out of their lessons, as well as options for extra language classes. This is a six-year programme, by the end of which children are well prepared to move onto their choice of secondary school. Boarding school is available to children from the age of ten.

Bilingual Secondary School
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Our bilingual secondary school is for years 7-9. It provides personalised teaching in small classes following the Swiss curriculum. Students make progress in their learning strategies, basic skills and languages. Entry requirements include knowledge of German and English (minimum of B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). Prospective students should be keen to make positive progress and to start learning French. We offer intensive language courses and certificate programmes for German, French and English based on the Goethe Institut, DELF and Cambridge curricula. Students who successfully complete the course are awarded a Swiss Secondary School Certificate to move onto an apprenticeship or to one of our high schools.

Swiss Gymnasium
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Our Swiss high school starts at age 12. Students work towards the Swiss Matura following either a monolingual or bilingual pathway. The language of instruction for the monolingual path is German, so prospective students need to be fluent. Some courses in the bilingual pathway are taught in German, others in English. To support our students' language acquisition where necessary, we offer intensive courses in German, French and English based on the Goethe Institut, DELF and Cambridge programmes. Students can earn an IB English Certificate upon successful completion of the bilingual path. The Swiss Matura grants direct access to top Swiss universities such as the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), University of St. Gallen and Swiss Hospitality Management School in Lausanne (EHL). 

International School
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Students join our international school after elementary education and work towards the Cambridge Lower Secondary (Pre-IGCSE), the IGCSE or, for the final two years, the International Baccalaureate Diploma or a high school diploma. The main language of instruction is English. Prospective students will be invited to complete an English language assessment test as part of the admissions process. The need for proficiency in English increases with the year level. By year 9 we require a minimum of B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. For students in younger years whose English is below B1, we offer intensive programmes for English as an Additional Language (EAL). We also offer a wide range of first language courses such as German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian and Chinese to ensure students maintain a high level of proficiency in their home language. For first languages not mentioned, a self-taught programme is available and supported by a tutor.

  

Summer Camp
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There are no entrance requirements for our summer camp, except to be ready for the best summer ever. Students aged 10 to 15 from all over the world come together to learn while having fun. They become confident in German and English. They explore science, the arts and business through workshops where they might learn to build rockets or make short films. There is a host of exciting excursions and sports activities. Language placement tests are held upon arrival to ensure students are placed in the appropriate language level.  

This is a great way to experience the spirit of Institut Montana, make the most of the summer and make friends from around the world.