The American School in Switzerland (TASIS)

History of school

The history of TASIS school (The American School in Switzerland) began more half a century back, in 1956 when Crist Fleming – the hereditary teacher and the graduate of Harvard, fulfilled the dream to found in the heart of Europe the American school board for the purpose of training of students for receipt in the American colleges and the universities and also studying of the European culture and languages.

The basic educational principles of madam Fleming are reflected in a type of characters in the school coat of arms of TASIS. It is the tower symbolizing culture, a lamp – the wisdom character, the sun – an embodiment of the truth, honesty and openness, and the book – the character of knowledge.

Geographic location

The school is located in Switzerland. From Mount Montanyola slope where the school is located, the great view of snow-covered mountain tops opens in the north, from the South palm trees, the lake and border with Italy are visible.

The city of Lugano located nearby is the third financial center of Switzerland, the large tourist center, the venue of a set of cultural events and exhibitions, including the international jazz festival.

In the village of Montanyola, neighboring to school, - with one of three in the municipal district Collina d'Oro (Golden Holm), more than 30 years the famous writer and the artist, the Nobel laureate Hermann Hesse lived and worked, and now there is his house museum. Such arrangement allows students of TASIS to travel much within a year, to get acquainted with rich cultural heritage and the fine and many-sided nature of Europe. Twice a year (in October and in March) informative and educational travel across Europe will be organized (Florence, Paris, Prague, Rome, Venice, Vienna, London, Munich, Madrid, Edinburgh, etc.).

Infrastructure of school

Since 1996 large-scale reconstruction and construction of new elements of school infrastructure according to the master plan of development of school calculated till 2015 is carried out to TASIS. For December, 2012 in the territory of a school campus, grown by 40% in comparison with the former sizes, took place:

• 24 educational and residential buildings,
• game field,
• sports grounds.

Among new buildings:

• Palestra (the multifunction building with classes, dancing, musical and fitness studios, the gym, the restroom),
• Palladio-Award (classes, library, dormitoriya),
• Poporino (classes and dormitoriya),
• Aurora and Alba (classes) and others.

In November, 2009 construction of new school theater will be finished.

But still Villa De Nobili – the mansion of the 17th century which was earlier the residence of the Italian Ambassador in Switzerland remains the most wonderful and impressive building in the territory of school (now in it classes, dormitoriya, administrative office and the dining room are located).

Pictures of school in 2012:

Students

In TASIS students of 50 nationalities (December, 2012), both study at a day basis (classes PreK-13), and on the basis of a board (classes 7-13). National structure of school:

• 49% of Europeans,
• 26% of students from the USA and Canada,
• 12% from the Asian countries,
• 12% of Latin Americans,
• 1% of students from the Middle East.

Students from Russia

• Iron ore Anastasia Sergeyevna
• Iron ore Ekaterina Sergeyevna (2012)

Graduates of Tasis school study at leading universities of the world. About a third of graduates annually goes to the universities of the USA and Great Britain:

• Universities of Brown,
• Dartmut,
• Middlebury,
• Harward,
• University of Notre Dame,
• Berkley,
• Cambridge,
• Oxford,
• London School of Economics,
• Imperial College London,
• University of Warwick,
• University of Bath,
• King’s College London,
• St Martin’ College,
• St Andrew’s,
• Edinburgh.

The others become students of the universities in other countries of the world: France, Switzerland, Japan, Spain, Italy, Australia, Germany, China.

Programs of school

In TASIS the academic programs of the elementary, high and higher school are offered.

Elementary school

TASIS elementary school opened the doors as the first English-language elementary school in the Canton of Ticino since September, 2005. Children from 4 to 13 years are accepted here on day training, stay on the terms of a board is possible only from the 7th class. For December, 2012 in Elementary School two sections – English and Italian in which children more than 20 nationalities speaking 18 different languages study work.

In the English section all objects are taught in English, but during the occupations children receive some instructions in Italian.

In the Italian section in English the main objects are taught, and all children learn English as a second language.

The Italian and English sections jointly give classes art, physical culture and music, and occupations art and physical culture are held in Italian.

High school

Program of high school:

English as additional language (ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE (EAL)) The rate is entered into the academic program of school in 1983. Experienced teachers help pupils to seize English in a short time. In addition to English history and objects of a scientific cycle are studied (at the initial and average level).

Studying of objects at the profound level (ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES (AP)) Objects are studied at the level of the first course of the university according to the program approved by Council of the American colleges (in 2008 students of TASIS wrote examinations in History of art, Biology, Chemistry, Calculations, Microeconomics, the English literature, English, the French literature, French, Spanish, Italian, the History of the USA, the European history). On average 90% of pupils of TASIS successfully take examinations of AP (this indicator is equal in private American schools to 70%). Examination-papers are estimated by the independent commission at the USA. Results of examinations of AP are recognized as the universities of many countries of the world, and the universities of Great Britain consider them an equivalent of examinations of A-level.

The program of the International Bachelor degree (INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) DIPLOMA) - the biennial general education program for pupils of graduation classes. Gained wide recognition among the universities of the whole world. The objects studied according to the International Baccalaureate (IB) program:

• English (A1, A2 levels, B),
• Italian (levels A1, B, ab initio (beginner)),
• German (A1 level),
• French (level B and ab initio (beginner)),
• Spanish (level B and ab initio (beginner)),
• Russian (A1 level),
• History of Europe,
• Economy,
• History of art,
• Biology,
• Chemistry,
• Systems of the environment,
• Physics,
• Mathematics,
• Mathematical sciences,
• Theater,
• The fine arts, plus independent studying of languages with assistance of school.

Results of examinations of IB: In 2008 79 students took 319 examinations of IB:

• 73% of estimates - 4 and above;
• 51% - 5 and above;
• 20% - 6 and above;
• 5% - 7.

31 of 33 candidates (94% (on average in the world of 79%) gained diplomas of IB Diploma in May, 2008. GPA of diplomas of IB in the world: 29.6, GPA of diplomas of IB in TASIS: 30/Highest point of IB in TASIS: 42. Number of bilingual diplomas: 22

AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA program This program includes studying of all objects necessary for receipt in the American colleges and the universities, such as: English, history, mathematics, scientific disciplines and foreign language. The high and strict requirements imposed on students when studying objects at the level of AP (Advanced Placement) are a guarantor of the fact that their study at the university will be successful.

The higher school

Programs of the higher school:

The average humanitarian program (The Senior Humanities Program (SHP)) – the annual program with a harmonious combination of discussions, travel, lectures and excursions, is carried out jointly by departments of high school and Post Graduates and is based on the best traditions of TASIS. Postdegree program (Postgraduate Program)

This annual program works in TASIS since 1965 and is intended for those students who:

• after leaving school were enrolled, but for one reason or another decided to take a break before training;
• which need to improve the knowledge of English before entering a university;
• for the students who began a biennial rate of the International bachelor degree with the 12th class and persons interested to take additional year of study for obtaining the diploma of IB;
• to young graduates of schools who would like to reach within additional academic year a maturity and confidence in the forces before study at the university.

Sport: Integral part of the educational program in TASIS is the sport. Sports activities are given 2-4 times a week after a lunch. Generally it is team games: soccer, rugby, volleyball, basketball. But at school there is an opportunity to do also such sports as: aerobics, rock-climbing, five-a-side, martial arts, beach volleyball, basketball, badminton, jogging, swimming, fitness, yoga, dances, riding, tennis, squash, golf.

In January pupils have an opportunity to spend week in ski resort in Switzerland (Krans-Montana). Here children have a magnificent opportunity to ski every day also snowboards, to go to mountains and to do other winter sports.

Introductory requirements

• The official statement from the report card with estimates for the last three years.
• Three letters of recommendation from teachers of school, are preferable from the director/director of studies and mathematics teachers and English.
• The written message of the student (on 1 p.) with statement of the reasons which induced it to come to TASIS
• Characteristic from the student's parents with detailed information on his personal features, a position concerning school, strong and weaknesses in study, special capabilities and talents, interests, and any other information which will be useful to selection committee of school.
• Results of the SLEP or TOEFL tests

Training cost

Cost is at 2012-2013 academic year: 70,380 Swiss francs.

In cost it is included: training, accommodation, power supply, laundry, bed linen, basic health insurance, taxes, textbooks, laboratory practice, actions, winter skiing, school travel.

Are in addition paid:

• contribution to Fund of development of a campus (CHF 5000 - a one-time payment for new students);
• deposit M. Crist Fleming Global Village (CHF 5000): this returnable deposit is paid in family only on the second year of training and only once, despite of the number of the enlisted students from this family. Helps to finance construction of new school buildings and returns upon termination of training or when leaving school.
• Graduation Fee (CHF 350): - only for students of high school
• Application Fee (CHF 300): - the registration fee at receipt
• Enrollment Deposit (CHF 3000): - it is entered immediately after acceptance of the student to school for deduction of the place. Returns upon termination of academic year minus the expenses on the student which are not covered by the main cost. Does not return if the student is not admitted to school.

Participation in the organizations

As of December, 2012 the school is accredited by the European Council of the international schools (ECIS) and Association of schools and colleges of New England (NEASC).