Expanding Horizons: SIS Pfäffikon-Schwyz Introduces the IB Diploma Programme

A Milestone in Academic Choice

In the 2025/26 school year, SIS Swiss International School Pfäffikon-Schwyz proudly became an authorised IB World School, offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) alongside the established bilingual Swiss Matura. This development significantly expands the academic opportunities available to students, strengthening the school’s mission of providing both local and global educational pathways.

The IBDP is a two-year, internationally recognised curriculum designed to prepare students for success in higher education and beyond. It emphasises intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, research, and intercultural understanding—skills that are essential for thriving in today’s interconnected world. With its mix of rigorous academics and holistic personal development, the IBDP has earned a reputation as one of the most respected secondary school qualifications worldwide.

The IBDP at SIS Pfäffikon-Schwyz

At Pfäffikon-Schwyz, students can embark on the IBDP through two distinct entry options:

• A bilingual track (German- English), requiring C1 proficiency in both languages.
• An English-focused track, requiring C1 proficiency in English and at least B2 in German.

This dual-language model reflects the school’s broader bilingual philosophy, ensuring that students can either deepen their bilingual fluency or focus primarily on English while maintaining their German language skills. In both tracks, students benefit from small class sizes, personalised support, and a close-knit school community that values international-mindedness.

In addition, students enrolled in the bilingual Swiss Gymnasium programme can complement their Matura studies with selected IBDP core components or subjects, creating an individualised learning journey that bridges local and international frameworks. This flexibility makes the IBDP an attractive option even for those primarily pursuing a Swiss qualification.

The IBDP curriculum includes not only six subject groups but also three unique core elements:

• Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) – encouraging personal growth, leadership, and community involvement.
• Theory of Knowledge (TOK) – developing critical awareness of knowledge itself, and teaching students to question assumptions.
• Extended Essay – fostering independent academic research, writing, and time management.

These elements equip students with the skills, resilience, and perspective needed for university-level studies and future careers. Alumni of the IBDP often highlight how these experiences gave them a head start in research, critical thinking, and self- management once they entered higher education.

Why it Matters

The introduction of the IBDP at Pfäffikon-Schwyz offers several clear benefits:

• Global recognition: The diploma is accepted by universities worldwide, opening doors to institutions in Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond.
• Academic preparation: The programme mirrors the demands of higher education, emphasising independent learning, research, and interdisciplinary thinking.
• Flexibility: Students can pursue the IBDP in full or integrate aspects of it into
  their Swiss Matura studies, giving them tailored pathways.

This flexibility ensures that every student can shape their education according to their ambitions—whether they aim to study in Switzerland, elsewhere in Europe, or further abroad. For families with international aspirations, the IBDP provides reassurance that their children’s education will be recognised wherever life may take them.

Building on a Strong SIS Tradition

The IBDP is already a well-established part of the academic offer at SIS Basel and SIS Zürich. With Pfäffikon-Schwyz now joining, SIS students across multiple campuses have consistent access to dual-diploma pathways. The combination of the internationally recognised IBDP with the bilingual Swiss Matura reflects SIS’s commitment to academic excellence and student-centred flexibility.

Importantly, all SIS campuses offering the IBDP also provide the option of pursuing the Swiss bilingual Matura. This dual offering ensures that students can choose between, or even combine, the advantages of a local and an international qualification. Such flexibility is rare and highlights the strength of SIS’s approach: preparing students not just for a single future, but for multiple possibilities.

Teachers at SIS also highlight how the IBDP complements the bilingual ethos of the school. The programme’s emphasis on intercultural understanding, global citizenship, and reflective learning aligns seamlessly with SIS’s vision of educating responsible and open-minded young people.

The Broader Vision of SIS

By adopting the IBDP at Pfäffikon-Schwyz, SIS strengthens its vision of cultivating globally minded, academically prepared, and linguistically versatile graduates. This move underscores the school’s dedication to delivering world-class education while remaining firmly rooted in the Swiss educational context. It also responds to the growing demand among families in the region for internationally recognised qualifications that maintain close ties to Switzerland.

The Bilingual Advantage

At the heart of SIS’s philosophy lies its commitment to bilingual education. From kindergarten to college, students are immersed in both German and English, fostering deep linguistic proficiency and cognitive growth. This immersion approach is not about memorising vocabulary lists, but about living and learning naturally in two languages. The benefits are clear:

• Near-native fluency in two languages: Long-term immersion ensures strong command of both English and German.
• Cognitive flexibility: Research shows bilingualism supports enhanced problem- solving, creativity, and adaptability.
• Strong mother-tongue development: Far from hindering native language skills, immersion strengthens them when supported at home.
• Cultural awareness: Exposure to two languages and cultures enriches students’ ability to view the world from multiple perspectives.

Parents often remark on how quickly their children switch between languages, navigating both academic and social settings with ease. Beyond language, bilingualism shapes how children think, encouraging them to approach problems from multiple angles and to engage empathetically with people from different backgrounds.

In addition, bilingual learners often demonstrate improved executive functioning and long-term academic resilience. Studies suggest bilingualism may even have lifelong benefits, such as delaying cognitive decline later in life. At SIS, these advantages are built into daily school life, offering students both immediate and the advantages of a bilingual educational lasting rewards.

Looking Ahead

The launch of the IBDP at SIS Pfäffikon-Schwyz represents a major milestone in the school’s ongoing mission to provide diverse, high-quality academic options. Together with the bilingual Matura and the advantages of a bilingual educational model, SIS now offers students unparalleled opportunities to thrive both locally and globally.

For students, the new pathway means choice, flexibility, and the chance to prepare for futures that may span continents. For families, it means peace of mind, knowing their children are supported by a school that values both Swiss tradition and global recognition. And for the broader community, it signals that Pfäffikon-Schwyz is firmly on the map as a centre of educational innovation.

With academic rigour, linguistic fluency, and intercultural understanding at its core, SIS prepares students not only for university admission but for lifelong success in an interconnected world. The message is clear: at SIS, students don’t just learn for exams—they learn for life.