Why Buy In Switzerland? For The World’s Best Private Education

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Bilingual at graduation, an International Baccalaureate under the belt, a ready-made contact book of global movers and shakers… plus classes in the mountains for the entire ski season? This might sound like the school of dreams, but it exists: in the Swiss private education system. Here’s the evidence behind the top marks…

Excellence in numbers

If you’re a numbers person, the stats about Swiss schooling (public and private) back this up, providing a compelling case for purchasing property here. The tiny country’s education system, bolstered by significant government investment, consistently ranks first in the World Economic Forum’s Human Capital Report, and its universities are positioned among the world’s finest, with 32 programs featured in the top 10 of their respective disciplines. It’s no coincidence that the world-beating International Baccalaureate (IB) was designed in Switzerland in the late 1960s.

The bar here is set high. Add the extra resources of the fee-paying international schools and you have a career destination for the world’s best teaching talent. “Teachers are well looked after here,” says Conrad Hughes, Director General of the International School of Geneva. “They have very high salaries and particularly favorable working conditions. This really brings out the best in them and enables us to recruit literally the best teachers in the world, who earn twice, if not three times, what they’d be earning in the U.K. or U.S.”

A strong focus on STEM subjects—science, technology, engineering and mathematics—may be one reason why so many innovations have come from Switzerland: the computer mouse, the electric toothbrush, Velcro and the World Wide Web. The physical education and sports offered by Swiss schools helped propel Roger Federer to tennis-legend status—and might explain how a landlocked nation has twice won the America’s Cup in yachting.

More historic reasons may explain why the country’s education system is so advanced. Thanks to its extraordinary heritage and history of neutrality—and a confluence of international organizations like the United Nations and the World Economic Forum—Switzerland remains a magnet for think-tanks and changemakers.

Olivier Gudin, whose role as Rosey World Ambassador covers three of Switzerland’s most prestigious schools—Institut Le Rosey, Le Régent and the John F Kennedy International School—explains: “The key to our long-standing development is Swiss neutrality and stability. In Europe, we’ve experienced many wars, but Switzerland has always been protected, offering a safe haven for intellectuals.”

Accordingly, the private-school market catering for the international community has flourished. Pupils develop a global mindset and, arguably, the multicultural network of friends they make is useful later in life.

A microcosm of the world

Founded in 1924, the International School of Geneva (also known as Ecolint) was the world’s first international school. Today, 43 different nationalities are represented among its 4,500 students. “We’re the world’s most diverse school,” claims Hughes, “an extraordinary microcosm of the world.”

This diversity fosters an environment in which students are encouraged to explore different cultures and viewpoints. “The whole idea of an international school is to embrace and celebrate cultures from around the world,” says Hughes. “We focus on youth voices, letting them shape their own education.”

While international schools in Switzerland have always been popular with expats, Sean Power, Director General of Geneva’s Institut Florimont, has noticed a shift. “Years ago, expat families were focused on keeping their children’s English intact as they moved from country to country. Now, we’re seeing a more open attitude towards embracing other languages and cultures. Seventy percent of our students are fluent in both French and another language,” he explains. “We provide an international outlook and, of course, encourage students to participate in the local culture.”

It’s a rich curriculum that blends academic studies with cultural, artistic and sports activities, ensuring students grow into well-rounded individuals—something that appeals to families who plan to stay in Switzerland long-term, Power says. And what he sees as part of a broader shift in education, from a traditional model to one that emphasizes people skills and global awareness.

Global outlook, Swiss air

Founded in 1880, Le Rosey’s commitment to internationalism sets it apart. “We have very strict quotas on nationalities and languages,” says Gudin. “It ensures no single culture dominates, and everyone works together in a multicultural, balanced environment.” The school’s academic foundation is built on the IB program, and the rigorous bilingual approach ensures students are fluent in English and French.

“For each class, we have two curriculums, and students must take at least two subjects in their secondary language,” he explains. This, he says, prepares them for an increasingly interconnected world, where multilingualism and cultural fluency are indispensable skills.

Le Rosey also boasts a unique dual-campus system. During the winter months, students leave the lakeside campus in Rolle for the mountains of Gstaad, where skiing is a mandatory part of their routine. “All our students ski at least three times a week,” says Gudin. But beyond physical education, the move to the mountains is designed to create a stimulating and enriching environment. “You have this positive energy from the snow, the fresh air, the sun.”

“A lot of parents also come to Gstaad for the season,” adds Gudin. “They rent or buy a chalet, and they spend some time first with their kids. They love to spend time with their children at weekends and it creates a very important parent community.”

However, buying or renting in Gstaad isn’t always easy, says Gudin, pointing out that local regulations make it hard to construct new buildings, and suitable properties don’t come on the market often. When properties do become available, demand is high.

Le Régent, another Rosey World school, based in Crans-Montana, also sees an influx of parents wanting to relocate to the mountains. “The offer in the Crans-Montana region is wider,” he says. “Gstaad sits in the valley, whereas Crans-Montana is on a plateau.”

Future proofing

A strong emphasis on ESG (environmental, social and governance) is another area where Swiss schools are leading the charge. Conrad Hughes is particularly proud of his own school’s initiatives: “We’ve reduced teacher car use by 30% and banned single-use plastics,” he says. “Sustainability is the number-one issue preoccupying Generation Z, so it’s important we get parents on board too.”

Transport is one key element he asks families to consider. Compact Geneva boasts an efficient public transport system so families can live wherever they want in the small city and still be in reach of the schools. “We ask the parents, ‘Do you really need to drop your child off at school in a big SUV every morning? Or could you use what’s basically one of the best public transport systems in the world?’”

Technology also plays a central role at many Swiss schools, particularly at the International School of Geneva, which incorporates cutting-edge STEM centers and a generative AI policy. However, as Hughes notes, “Our mantra is that technology is where our thinking starts, not where it ends.”

And with such a progressive mindset, it’s no wonder that for families hoping to get their children educated to the highest standard, Switzerland’s internationally renowned private schools represent a very safe investment.

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FGP Swiss & Alps is a member of Forbes Global Properties, an invitation-only network of top-tier brokerages worldwide and the exclusive real estate partner of Forbes.