SWISS EDUCATION IN BEIJING
At the Swiss School Beijing, learning takes place primarily in German and is guided by the Swiss Curriculum Lehrplan 21, thoughtfully adapted to reflect the vibrant cultural richness of our Chinese and international context.
Our modern understanding of Swissness is described in the Charta for Swiss Schools Abroad and forms the foundation of this approach.
Rooted in the holistic educational philosophy of Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, we are committed to nurturing the development of head, heart, and hands – intellect, emotion, and action – in every child.
How do we prepare our students to meet the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow? We believe the key lies in sparking their natural curiosity, fostering a lifelong love of learning, and immersing them in a truly multicultural environment where they can grow, explore, and thrive.
SWISS EDUCATION IN BEIJING
At the Swiss School Beijing, learning takes place primarily in German and is guided by the Swiss Curriculum Lehrplan 21, thoughtfully adapted to reflect the vibrant cultural richness of our Chinese and international context.
Our modern understanding of Swissness is described in the Charta for Swiss Schools Abroad and forms the foundation of this approach.
Rooted in the holistic educational philosophy of Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, we are committed to nurturing the development of head, heart, and hands—intellect, emotion, and action—in every child.
How do we prepare our students to meet the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow? We believe the key lies in sparking their natural curiosity, fostering a lifelong love of learning, and immersing them in a truly multicultural environment where they can grow, explore, and thrive.
Learning with our heads
We cultivate analytical thinking, creativity, and a passion for excellence – core values of Swiss education. Being able to communicate in multiple languages is a defining aspect of our Swissness.
Learning with our hearts
We nurture empathy, respect, and cooperation. In our mixed-age classrooms, students learn from and with each other – building strong social skills, emotional intelligence, and a true sense of community.
Learning with our hands
We embrace project-based learning that sparks curiosity and joy. Through hands-on experiences, students connect theory with practice, develop real-world skills, and discover that learning is fun.
EARLY YEARS & KINDERGARTEN
In our Early Years and Kindergarten classes, children aged 3 and older are welcomed into a warm, nurturing, play-based environment. Guided by experienced Swiss teachers, the program supports each child’s curiosity and fosters creativity, communication, and social skills. Through a mix of structured routines, hands-on exploration, and open-ended play, children discover the joy of learning in a safe, stimulating setting. We value emotional well-being and individual growth, allowing each child to develop at their own pace and build the confidence needed for a successful learning journey.
PRIMARY SCHOOL
In Grades 1 to 5, our students follow the Swiss Curriculum Lehrplan 21, delivered in German and in mixed-age groups. Experienced teachers from Switzerland create a supportive learning environment that encourages curiosity, independence, academic excellence and social skills. Students also benefit from daily Chinese language classes at WAB, tailored to their individual proficiency levels. With a strong focus on holistic development and multicultural understanding, we help children grow into confident, capable learners who are well-prepared for the future.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
In Grades 6 to 9, students join the dynamic English learning environment of WAB Middle School while continuing their educational path in German. Selected subjects such as Language & Literature and Individuals & Society are taught in German by Swiss teachers, following the Swiss curriculum Lehrplan 21 within the IB Middle Years Programme. All other subjects are taught in English, offering students a truly bilingual education. This unique model empowers native and near-native German speakers to to further strengthen their language abilities while benefiting from an international, inquiry-based curriculum.
WHY MIXED-AGE LEARNING?
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MORE ABOUT MIXED-AGE LEARNING
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LANGUAGES
At the Swiss School Beijing, we place great value on the acquisition of multiple languages – an essential part of Swiss educational tradition and a key to thriving in today’s globalised world.
German, our main language of instruction, is taught from Early Years through to Middle School and beyond. It forms the academic and cultural foundation of our curriculum.
Chinese is taught in Kindergarten and in Primary, with one lesson per day. Taught at differentiated levels – from beginner to mother tongue – it ensures that all students can learn effectively and meaningfully, whatever their background.
English is introduced through immersion in the English-speaking environment of the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) campus. This offers students daily exposure to international perspectives and authentic language use. English is also taught as a foreign language starting in Grade 2.
French becomes part of the curriculum in Grade 5. As one of Switzerland’s national languages, French adds another layer to our multilingual approach and opens up further academic and cultural opportunities.
Our language program is designed to develop confident, capable communicators who can move seamlessly between cultures and contexts – at home in Switzerland, in China, and around the world.