What does it mean for your child to attend an SGIS school?

Across Switzerland, the Swiss Group of International Schools (SGIS) offers exactly this kind of extended educational experience. Rather than functioning as a single institution, SGIS is a collaborative network of international schools that work together to create opportunities for students, teachers and school communities across the country.

At the heart of SGIS is a simple philosophy. As Bradley Roberts, Chair of SGIS and Director of the International School of Basel, explains: “We are stronger together than we are alone.” For Bradley, the value of SGIS is not centred on institutions themselves, but on the opportunities the network creates for young people. “SGIS gives our students and teachers the opportunity to come together in a variety of different ways” he says. So what does this mean in practice for students and families?

A COMMUNITY BEYOND ONE CAMPUS

One of the defining features of SGIS is that it connects schools across Switzerland through shared experiences, activities and professional collaboration. Students attending an SGIS school are not simply part of one school community; they are connected to a much wider network.

For internationally mobile families, this broader sense of belonging can be particularly valuable. Moving countries and adapting to new environments can be challenging for children, especially when friendships and familiar routines are disrupted. Through SGIS, students have opportunities to meet peers from different schools and backgrounds, helping them build confidence, connections and a stronger sense of community across Switzerland.

This collaborative approach also extends to teachers. Educators regularly come together through SGIS professional networks to exchange ideas, share best practice and learn from one another.

SPORT, TEAMWORK AND CONFIDENCE

For many families, SGIS is perhaps best known for its inter-school sports competitions, which bring students together throughout the year.

These events offer far more than athletic competition alone. Students develop resilience, teamwork and leadership skills while building friendships beyond their own campuses. For younger students especially, participating in SGIS sporting events can become an important confidence-building experience.

Just as importantly, these events create opportunities for students from different schools and cultures to connect through shared experiences. In a country as internationally diverse as Switzerland, those connections can become a meaningful part of a child’s educational journey.

CREATIVITY THROUGH COLLABORATION

Alongside sport, SGIS has also expanded its collaborative arts initiatives in recent years. “We have set up a very similar collaborative for the arts and we are very excited by that,” Bradley explains. Through these collaborations, teachers are able to share ideas, co-create opportunities and bring students together through music and performance.

For students, the benefits extend well beyond artistic development. Collaborative performances and creative projects encourage self-expression, confidence and communication skills while allowing students to engage with wider audiences and work alongside peers from other schools.

LEARNING TOGETHER

The collaborative spirit of SGIS is also reflected in its annual conference, which brings together educators from across Switzerland to exchange ideas and explore new approaches to teaching and learning.

In 2026, the SGIS Annual Conference was hosted at the International School of Zug and Luzern. Across two days, educators participated in workshops, discussions and keynote presentations focused on themes including curiosity, courage and collaborative learning.

While the conference is designed for educators, its impact reaches directly into the classroom. Teachers return to their schools with new perspectives, fresh ideas and strengthened professional connections that ultimately enrich students’ learning experiences.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT FIT

For Bradley, choosing a school should always begin with the individual child.

“Make sure the school is right for your child,” he advises. “There is no one school that is absolutely right for every kid.

Parents should think carefully about the environment in which their child will thrive and ask thoughtful questions when visiting schools. Understanding whether a school is part of SGIS – and how actively it engages with the wider network – can form an Important part of that decision. Ultimately, SGIS reflects the belief that education is strongest when schools work together rather than in isolation. By creating opportunities for collaboration, connection and shared learning, the network strengthens what each school can offer its students.

For families navigating educational choices in Switzerland, that spirit of connection may be one of the most valuable opportunities of all.