TASIS - The American School in Switzerland

TASIS – American school in Switzerland – was founded in 1956 as the first American boarding school, providing an opportunity for American students to study in Europe and prepare for admission to American higher education institutions.

TASIS Center Lugano is located on the slope of the “Hill of Gold” in the southern (Italian) part of Switzerland, near the city of Lugano in the town of Montagnola. Students are given a unique opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of Switzerland and explore the rich European heritage. The school has 684 students of 57 nationalities!

The school is located in a picturesque area, with beautiful views of the mountain peaks and lakes, just 10 minutes drive from the train station and Lugano airport.

Cultural values ​​– this is not something that is instilled after TASIS school, as it may seem from the example of other schools– this is what education at TASIS is built on. Art and history – These are the two categories on which the school's philosophy is based, and this becomes clear not even from the very beginning of training, but already when looking at the majestic campus of the school.

Director (2024)

Christopher Nikoloff, education - Boston University, bachelor's degree in English literature; Santa Clara University, MBA degree. 

Famous school graduates

• Sharon Creech, writer, winner of the Carnegie Medal of Literature for Children's Books
• Jani Cunningham, composer, songwriter, performer
• Darby Hinton, actor (TV series “Beverly Hills 90210”, “Private Detective Magnum”)
• Seth Morgan, novelist
• Jack Savoretti, singer
• Laura Wasser, lawyer specializing in celebrity divorces Billy Zane, actor (films "Titanic", "Tales from the Crypt", TV series "Twin Peaks") 

Key factors 

• Graduates enter the world's leading universities. 
• The school is accredited by the European Council of International Schools (ECIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
• The students participate in the governance of the school through the Student Council, which consists of class representatives and elected officials. They express the general opinion of students and defend their interests in the school administration.
• The wide selection of programs offered by the school allows those who plan to further enroll in universities in the USA, Canada, Great Britain, as well as French- and English-speaking European universities, including Swiss ones, to choose TASIS.
• The main task of the school is to provide psychological comfort and high academic performance to students and give everyone the opportunity to develop personal potential.
• Teacher to student ratio – 1:6, which allows you to give individual attention to each child.
• More than 70 percent of the school's teachers have advanced degrees. TASIS hires talented, passionate teachers.

Equipment

The campus is a combination of scientific, residential and recreational facilities, coordinated with each other and with the surrounding landscape, built in the Italian Renaissance style. The university campus was designed to be the largest in all of Europe. New ones were built next to the old buildings – sports and educational.

The main building is located in the 17th-century mansion Villa de Nobili, whose owner was the Marquis de Nobili, the Italian ambassador to Switzerland. Today it houses classrooms, dormitories, administration offices and a dining room, but the premises are still decorated with racks of armor from that time.

The school occupies a vast territory (30 hectares). The infrastructure includes sports grounds and facilities, tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool, dance studios, computer rooms, educational and dormitory buildings, and its own theater.

The school is well equipped with scientific laboratories – physical, chemical, biological, libraries, computer classes, darkroom.

Program

TASIS offers balanced training programs that pay attention to all aspects of learning – both spiritual, physical and intellectual.

Students study a wide range of subjects, but they can choose to focus on a specific area in the upper grades. This breadth and diversity, combined with freedom inChoosing later in life instills in students a lifelong love of learning.

International Baccalaureate

IB prepares students for admission to universities around the world. This course requires two years of study. Students choose to study six subjects: 3 at advanced level and 3 at standard level. In addition to this, students write an extended essay, take a course in “Theory of Knowledge” and (practical philosophy) and spend half a day once a week on a project in the CAS course (Creativity, Activity and Mutual Assistance). 

Advanced Placement

A program for students 16+ with in-depth study of several subjects at the first-year university level with academic credits (points) awarded based on exam results. As a rule, students take exams in three or more disciplines. AP exams are recognized by more than 3,000 universities and colleges in the United States. Recently, more and more universities around the world, including the UK, are admitting students based on the results of Advanced Placement exams.

ESL

This is an English as a second language course. It prepares students for study at schools and universities. It is possible to take TOEFL and EAL.

Accommodation

Accommodation in a residence. Girls and boys live separately, in rooms of 2-3 people. Most buildings on the school grounds combine classrooms for classes, rooms for living (usually on the floor above),  a theater, or a laboratory, or a library can also be located here. Several very small houses are intended only for living. All rooms have furniture, a balcony and a bathroom. There is internet in the residence.

Three meals a day are provided in the school canteen. You can also have a snack in the school cafeteria.

View of rooms

Sport

Great attention is paid to the physical development of students. Sports are an integral part of the program: activities are compulsory for all students at least two days a week every season. TASIS sports teams compete with other Swiss and Italian schools and also take part in international school tournaments.

Competitive sports at school:

• Rugby
• Running
• Football
• Volleyball
• Badminton
• Basketball
• Skis
• Swimming
• Golf
• Tennis

You can play sports for pleasure and relaxation; for this, the school offers the following sports:

• Kickboxing
• Yoga
• Horse riding
• Zumba
• Pilates
• Dancing

Competitive sports can also be played for fun.

Every year TASIS provides opportunities to ski and explore the breathtaking Alps, including trips to Germany and Austria, ski trips to St. Moritz and Crans-Montana, and many additional trips organized throughout the year.</p >

Additional activities

The TASIS Fine Arts program consists of two departments: performing arts and visual arts. Offers dynamic courses in drama, musical theatre, choir, instrumental ensemble, photography, drawing and painting, ceramics and sculpture, and architecture. The rich and varied curriculum encourages students to find their own voice and signature style, with more than 20 classes ranging from introductory photography courses to IB and AP programs in the performing and visual arts.

Art surrounds students throughout the school, and there are ample opportunities for extracurricular art exhibitions, musical performances and theater productions. The Spring Arts Festival is an annual celebration of student work along with exhibitions and performances by renowned artists and musicians. Biennial academic trips allow aspiring artists to hone their skills in some of Europe's most beautiful and culturally rich cities.

Cost, 2023-2024

CHF 95,000 per year.

Included in price

• Training
• Accommodation and meals

Additional charge

• Registration fee – СHF 300
• Deposit – CHF3,000
• Air travel
• Transfers to/from/airport
• Visa
• Educational company services