An Insight into Swiss Schools

Since I was a teacher in Minnesota, I was very curious to see how schools would be in another part of the World.  Throughout the last three years, I have been able to gain insight into how the education system works in the International school, which can vary from the public schools.  I thought I would share a little about how the school the girls attend compares to the public schools that I taught at in Minnesota. 

Outdoor time is very important over here- rain or shine, the students are out twice a day for a half hour - forty minutes each time.  They have a morning outside break and then again after lunch. 

Snacks are communal.  Each parent is given a week or two throughout the year and you are in charge of providing snacks for the entire class for a week.  This consists of usually two to three items per day for 24 students. 

Lunch is very different.  They are served their lunch in the classroom for the primary grades, up to 3rd grade.  For the young children, they are served their meal at their table spot, along with a fork, knife and spoon.  The older kids are served buffet style in their classroom and also have the correct place setting.  They get 45 minutes for lunch. The lunches are gourmet.  While I am at home eating a sandwich, my kids are served veal, carrot salad, couscous and fresh fruit for dessert. 

When I was a teacher, correcting papers would consume my nights.  I always made sure tests were back to the students within one or two days.  While living here, I have had to get used to the idea that no tests, worksheets, etc. come home.  At the end of each semester we receive a booklet of all of the worksheets, but throughout the semester nothing comes home.

In Minnesota, I was also responsible for posting homework online daily and keeping up with a weekly newsletter.  Here, I am lucky if we get an update once every 3 months.  We usually find out about field trips a few days before, since they don't send permission slips.  We pay a fee in the beginning of the year to cover all field trip costs, so you just hope you know if your child is possibly heading to France for the day!! 

Starting at age five, they offer multiple classes after school ranging from gymnastics to origami.  The kids have a large variety of classes they can sign up for that take place right at the school.  This is very convenient for parents.  Students go straight from their classroom and parents only need to do pick up. 

I have also had the opportunity to sub in the secondary school which starts at age ten, which was an eye-opening experience. 

Every student has a laptop computer, provided by their parents, not the school.  They complete most of their assignments on their computer and receive most of their assignments via email from their teacher.  They all have headphones and would request to listen to music while completing their assignment, which I found hard to allow. 

The secondary school students, age ten to fourteen, also have an hour lunch where they go to the cafeteria on their own, can spend time outside with friends, whatever they want.  This freedom is very different than the very structured, patrolled environment I grew up in. 

I was surprised to learn that a full-time secondary teacher teaches 24 hours a week.  They teach different periods throughout the week, but in total, only 24 hours!!  They are allowed to leave during the periods that they are not teaching.  

I really enjoyed being able to see how schools run in a different country.  I think there are definitely pluses and minuses to all of what I observed, but at the end of the day, everyone has the common goal, which is to provide a quality education for all of the students.