THE AMERICAN SCHOOL IN SWITZERLAND
Academic Profile 2016-2017
Headmaster: Lyle D. Rigg I Director of University and College Counseling: Greg Birk • Phone: +41 91 986 5458 • [email protected]
IB Diploma Coordinator and UK University Counselor: Howard Stickley • Phone: +41 91 960 5108 • [email protected]
University and College Counselor: Carroll Birk • Phone: +41 91 986 5457 • [email protected]
Mission Statement
The American School in Switzerland (TASIS) is part of a
family of international schools that welcomes young
people from all nationalities to an educational community
that fosters a passion for excellence along with mutual
respect and understanding. Consistent with the vision
of its founder, M. Crist Fleming, TASIS is committed to
transmitting the heritage of Western civilization and
world cultures: the creations, achievements, traditions,
and ideals from the past that offer purpose in the present
and hope for the future. Seeking to balance the pursuit
of knowledge with the love of wisdom, and promoting
the skills of lifelong learning, an appreciation for beauty,
and the development of character, each school combines
a challenging academic program with opportunities
for artistic endeavor, physical activity, and service to
others. Believing in the worth of each individual and the
importance of enduring relationships, TASIS seeks to
embody and instill the values of personal responsibility,
civility, compassion, justice, and truth.
The School
TASIS Switzerland is the first of several TASIS Schools
founded by M. Crist Fleming. Founded in 1956 as a
private, co-educational boarding and day school, it is the
oldest American boarding school in Europe. Now serving
students from Pre-Kindergarten to Postgraduate, TASIS
is accredited by the New England Association of Schools
& Colleges and the European Council of International
Schools.
Faculty
Of the 65 high school faculty members, 78 percent
hold advanced degrees and 60 percent come from the
United States. TASIS actively encourages professional
development, supports faculty graduate study, and
requires peer observation and dialogue about teaching
and learning.
Student Body
The high school comprises 240 boarding students and 150
day students, with 60 nations represented. The majority
of students (56%) come from Europe, with the remainder
hailing from the US and Canada (20%), Asia (12%), Latin
America (10%), or the Middle East and Africa (2%). The
Class of 2017 has 91 seniors and two postgraduates. The
high school retention rate is 80%.
TASIS is accredited by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges and the European Council of International Schools • College Board CEEB Code: 796612 • International Baccalaureate School Code: 0834
Via Collina d’Oro 15, 6926 Montagnola, Switzerland Tel: +41 91 960 5151 Fax: +41 91 994 2364 Website: www.tasis.ch
Course Offerings
English
• Introduction to Literature • World Literature
• World Literature Honors • American Literature
• British Literature
• AP English Language and Composition
• AP English Literature and Composition • IB English A Literature 1 and 2 (SL/HL)
• IB English A Language and Literature 1 and 2 (SL/HL)
English as an Additional Language
• EAL 2: Low Intermediate • EAL 3: Intermediate
• EAL 4: Upper Intermediate • EAL 5: Advanced
• IB English B 1 and 2 (HL)
Curriculum
TASIS offers an American college preparatory program with
International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement programs,
emphasizing a strong liberal arts education and requiring
components of community service and project-based academic
travel experiences at all grade levels. Students are expected to
complete a minimum of 19 credits and to enroll in a minimum of
five full-credit courses each semester. (An alternative program of
studies may be designed for students with special talents, interests,
or needs. Such a program must follow established guidelines and
requires the approval of the Academic Committee.)
Graduation Requirements
The minimum requirements for graduation are 19
credits, including the following:
• Four years of English. English as an Additional Language (EAL)
students must complete through EAL 5 or IB English B1. Each
student is required to pass an English or EAL course each year in
order to advance to the next grade level.
• Three years of Mathematics, completing through Mathematics 3
at a minimum
• Three years of History, including Modern World History and either
US History or an IB Group 3 course, and successful completion of
the Civic Literacy Exam
• Three years of Laboratory Science, including one physical and
one biological science course
• Third-year proficiency in a modern language other than English
that is offered at TASIS. Native English speakers arriving in grade
11 are required to demonstrate second-year proficiency in a
modern language that is taught at TASIS from the introductory
level or continue on to third-year proficiency if they have a
background in Spanish, French, or Italian. Native English speakers
arriving in grade 12 or for a postgraduate year are expected to
continue their study of a modern language or complete one year
of Spanish, French, or Italian.
• One Fine Arts credit in visual arts, music, or theater
• All students in grades 9-10 are required to take Physical
Education.
• One Senior Humanities credit, fulfilled by AP US History,
Art History, AP Art History, IB Art History, or, for IB Diploma
candidates, Theory of Knowledge
• Participation in the Global Service Program each semester for
grades 9-11
• Completion of all Academic Travel assignments and obligations
• Fulfillment of the Sports and Activities requirement each semester
Mathematics
• Mathematics 1 Core • Mathematics 2 Core
• Mathematics 3 Core • Mathematics 4 Core
• Mathematics 1 Extended • Mathematics 1 Advanced
• Mathematics 2 Extended (includes second-year Algebra topics)
• Advanced Precalculus
• AP Statistics • AP Calculus AB • AP Calculus BC
• IB Mathematics 1 and 2 (SL/HL)
• IB Math Studies 1 and 2 (SL)
History
• Ancient & Medieval History • Modern History • United States History • Art History
• International Relations • United States Government
• EAL Ancient & Medieval History • EAL Modern History
• AP European History • AP United States History • AP Art History
• AP Government and Politics • AP Economics
• IB 20th Century World History 1 and 2 (SL/HL)
• IB Business Management 1 and 2 (SL/HL)
• IB Economics 1 and 2 (SL/HL)
• IB Theory of Knowledge 1 and 2 (SL/HL) • IB Art History 1 (SL)
Science
• Biological Sciences • Physics • Biology • Chemistry • Ecology
• EAL Biology • AP Biology • AP Physics
• IB Biology 1 and 2 (SL/HL)
• IB Physics 1 and 2 (SL/HL)
• IB Chemistry 1 and 2 (SL/HL)
• IB Environmental Systems and Societies (SL)
Modern Languages
• Level 1: French, German, Italian, Spanish
• Level 2: French, German, Italian, Spanish; IB ab initio 1
• Level 3: French, German, Italian, Spanish; IB ab initio 2; IB B SL 1
• Level 4: French, Italian, Spanish; IB Language B HL 1, SL 2
• Level 5: French, Italian, Spanish; IB B HL 2
• IB Italian A Literature 1 and 2 (SL/HL)
• IB German A Literature 1 and 2 (SL/HL)
• IB Russian A Literature 1 and 2 (SL/HL)
• IB Native Language A Literature 1 and 2 (SL: SSST)
9° Grado - Sezione Italiana / 9th Grade Italian Section*
• Lingua Italiana 9 • Storia Italiana 9 • Storia dell’Arte 9
*Required for local residents according to cantonal law.
Fine Arts
• Drawing & Painting • Advanced Drawing & Painting
• Photography 1 and 2 • Architecture 1 and 2 • Ceramics & Sculpture
• Instrumental Ensemble • Choir • Music Theater Arts • Music Literacy
• Drama 1 and 2
• AP Studio Art: Drawing
• AP Studio Art: 2-D Design
• IB Visual Arts: Architecture A 1 and 2 (SL/HL)
• IB Visual Arts: Photography A 1 and 2 (SL/HL)
• IB Visual Arts: Drawing & Painting A 1 and 2 (SL/HL)
• IB Theatre Arts 1 and 2 (SL/HL)
Grading System and Class Rank
with a 3.8 or higher receive Highest Honors while 3.5 or
higher receive High Honors and 3.2 or higher receive
Honors. TASIS does not rank students or report cumulative
GPA because the majority of TASIS seniors have been
at TASIS for fewer than four semesters at the time of
university application.
The school year is divided into two semesters, ending
in January and June. The year-end grade is cumulative,
covering the full work in a year’s course and reflecting a
50%/50% weighting for the first and second semesters,
respectively. The Academic Honor Roll is calculated each
midterm and end-of-semester grading period. Students
Recent Test Scores
IB EXAMS
TASIS 2016
TASIS 2015
Worldwide Average (2015)
57
47
29
98.2%
97.9%
80.8%
31.4
31
30.2
41
42
–
63%
45.6%
28.5%
Number of diploma candidates
Percentage earning diplomas
Mean diploma score
Highest IB score
Percentage earning Bilingual Diplomas
In 2016, 94 students took 372 IB subject exams (scored 1-7): 89% of scores were 4 or above, 65% 5 or above,
and 37% 6 or above.
AP EXAMS
In 2016, TASIS students took 135 AP exams: 47% of scores were 4 or above, and 24% were a 5. Students
recorded more 5s (33) than 4s (30), and 19 students were named AP Scholars.
STANDARDIZED TESTS
SAT
Critical Reading
Math
Writing
Middle 50%
Middle 50%
Middle 50%
500-640
480-590
Class of 2016 (88 took the SAT)
450-590
ACT
English
Math
Reading
Science Reasoning
Middle 50%
Middle 50%
Middle 50%
Middle 50%
18-28
15-25
19-24
Class of 2016 (76 took the ACT)
19-24
Additional Program Strengths
Global Service Program
The Global Service Program (GSP) was envisioned by
Jan Opsahl ’68, the School’s first international student,
who believes that the experience of serving those in
need should be required for every TASIS student. Global
Service groups partner with an array of organizations, from
international nonprofits to country-specific institutions
to local charities, and students attend weekly service
meetings throughout the year to prepare for service trips
throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Academic and Independent Travel
Travel is an integral part of a TASIS education. Whether
academic or independent travel, students have an
exceptional opportunity to take advantage of their location
in the middle of Europe. Academic Travel is part of the
Middle and High School curriculum and is a graduation
requirement for all students. Some travel assignments are
related to courses of study, some are related to particular
student interests, and others are assigned by grade level.
University Acceptances for the Classes of 2012-2016
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Academy of Art University
Alfred University
Alliant International University
American University
Babson College
Bard College
Barnard College
Barry University
Baruch College of the CUNY
Bates College
Baylor University
Beloit College
Bennington College
Bentley University
Berklee College of Music
Boston College
Boston University
Bowdoin College
Brandeis University
Bryant University
California College of the Arts
California State University, Monterey Bay
California State University, Northridge
Canisius College
Chapman University
Clark University
College of the Redwoods
College of William and Mary
Colorado College
Colorado School of Mines
Colorado State University
Columbia College Chicago
Cornell College
Cornell University
Davidson College
Dean College
DePaul University
DePauw University
Dowling College
Drake University
Drew University
Drexel University
Duke University
Duquesne University
Earlham College
Eckerd College
Elmira College
Elon University
Emerson College
Emmanuel College
Endicott College
Fairfield University
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida International University
Florida Southern College
Florida State University
Fordham University
George Mason University
The George Washington University
Goucher College
Guilford College
Hamilton College, New York
Hampshire College
Hendrix College
High Point University
Hofstra University
Indiana University, Bloomington
Indiana University-Purdue University
Iona College
Iowa State University
Ithaca College
Jacksonville University
James Madison University
Johns Hopkins University
Johnson & Wales University, Providence
Kendall College of Art and Design
Kenyon College
Knox College
La Salle University
Lake Forest College
Lasell College
Lawrence University
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Long Island University, Brooklyn
Long Island University, Post
Louisiana State University
Loyola Marymount University
Loyola University, Chicago
Loyola University, New Orleans
Lynn University
Manhattanville College
Marist College
Marshall University
Marymount California University
Marymount Manhattan College
Marywood University
Massachusetts College of Art & Design
Merrimack College
Miami International Univ. of Art and Design
Michigan State University
Middlebury College
Montana State University, Bozeman
Mount Holyoke College
New College of Florida
The New School – All Divisions
New York University
Newbury College
Northeastern University
Northwestern University
Occidental College
Otis College of Art and Design
Pace University, New York City
Pace University, Pleasantville
Pennsylvania State University, U. Park
Pepperdine University
Polytechnic Institute of NYU
Pratt Institute
Pratt/Munson Williams Arts Institute
Providence College
Purdue University
Quinnipiac University
Radford University
Randolph College Regis University
Regis University
Reinhardt College
Rhode Island School of Design
Rice University
Ringling College of Art and Design
Roanoke College
Rochester Institute of Technology
Roger Williams University
Rollins College
Roosevelt University
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Salve Regina University
San Diego State University
San Jose State University
Santa Clara University
Sarah Lawrence College
Savannah College of Art and Design
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
School of Visual Arts
Seattle Pacific University
Sierra College
Simmons College
Skidmore College
Snow College
Sonoma State University
Southern California Institute of Architecture
Southern Methodist University
Spelman College
St. Cloud State University
St. Edward’s University
St. Francis University
St. John’s University, Queens
St. John’s University, Staten Island
St. Leo University
St. Mary’s University of San Antonio
Stonehill College
Stony Brook University
Suffolk University
Sweet Briar College
Syracuse University
Texas A&M University
Texas Christian University
Texas State University
Texas Tech University
Trinity College (Connecticut)
Trinity University (Texas)
Tufts University
Tulane University
Union College
University of Alabama
University of Alaska, Fairbanks
University of Arizona
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Davis
University of California, Irvine
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Merced
University of California, Riverside
University of California, San Diego
University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California, Santa Cruz
University of Central Florida
University of Colorado, Boulder
University of Connecticut
University of Denver
University of Florida
University of Hawaii, Manoa
University of Illinois, Chicago
University of Illinois, Springfield
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
University of Kansas
University of La Verne
University of Maine, Farmington
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
University of Massachusetts, Boston
University of Massachusetts, Lowell
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of Mississippi
University of Nevada
University of New Hampshire
University of New Mexico
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina, Wilmington
University of North Texas
University of North Texas, Dallas
University of Notre Dame
University of Oregon
University of Pennsylvania
University of Puget Sound
University of Redlands
University of Rhode Island
University of Richmond
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco
University of Santa Barbara
University of Southern California
University of Tampa
University of Texas, Arlington
University of Texas, Austin
Boldface type indicates schools where TASIS students matriculated
University of Texas, San Antonio
University of Utah
University of Vermont
University of Virginia
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin, Madison
University of Wyoming
Utah State University
Vanderbilt University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Wesleyan College
Wabash College
Wagner College
Washington and Lee University
Washington College
Washington State University
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Westminster College
Wheaton College, Massachusetts
Wheelock College
Whitman College
Whittier College
Whitworth University
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Xavier University of Louisiana
UNITED KINGDOM
The Academy of Contemporary Music
Anglia Ruskin University (Chelmsford)
Birkbeck University of London
Bournemouth University
British and Irish Modern Music (BIMM)
Brunel, University of London
Buckinghamshire University
Canterbury Christ Church University
Cardiff University
Cass Business School, City University, London
City University London
Coventry University
De Montfort University
Durham University
European Business School, London
European School of Economics, London
Glion Institute of Higher Education, London
Goldsmiths, University of London
Hereford College of Arts
Herriot-Watt University
Hull-York Medical School
Hult International Business School
Imperial College London
Istituto Maragoni London
Keele University
King’s College, University of London
Kingston University
Lancaster University
Leeds College of Art & Design
London Metropolitan University
London School of Economics
London South Bank University
Loughborough University
Middlesex University
New College of the Humanities
Newcastle University
Northbrook College Sussex
Nottingham Trent University
Oxford Brookes University
Oxford University
Plymouth University
Queen Margaret University College
Queen Mary, University of London
Regent’s American College London
Regent’s Business School London
Regent’s University London
Richmond, The American International
University in London
Roehampton University
Royal Holloway, University of London
Sheffield College
SOAS, University of London
Southampton Solent University
St. Mary’s University College
The Arts University College at Bournemouth
Wallisdown
University College London
University for the Creative Arts at Canterbury
University for the Creative Arts at Farnham
University of Aberdeen
University of Bath
University of Birmingham
University of Brighton
University of Bristol
University of Buckingham
University of Cambridge
University of Central Lancashire
University of Derby
University of Dundee
University of East Anglia
University of East London
University of Edinburgh
University of Essex
University of Exeter
University of Glasgow
University of Greenwich
University of Hertfordshire
University of Hull
University of Kent
University of Lancaster
University of Leeds
University of Leicester
University of Liverpool
University of Manchester
University of Nottingham
University of Oxford
University of Reading
University of Roehampton
University of Sheffield
University of Southampton
University of St. Andrews
University of Surrey
University of Sussex
University of the Arts, London
University of Warwick
University of West London
University of Westminster
University of Winchester
University of York
SWITZERLAND
The Basel School of Business
Business and Hotel Management School, Lucerne
Business School of Lausanne
Cesar Ritz Colleges
École Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL)
EU Business School, Geneva
European University, Geneva
European University, Montreux
Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW)
Franklin University
Glion Institute of Higher Education
Hochschule für Technik und Wirtshaft (HTW-Chur)
International University in Geneva
La Scuola universitaria professionale
della Svizzera italiana (SUPSI)
Les Roches International School of Hotel
Management
Montreux School of Business
Swiss Business School, Zurich
Swiss Hotel Management School,
Montreux (Caux, Leysin)
United International Business Schools
Università della Svizzera italiana
Universität Zürich (UZH)
Webster University Geneva
Züricher Hochschule für Angewandte
Wissenschaften (ZHAW)
REST OF THE WORLD
The American University of Paris, France
The American University of Rome, Italy
Amsterdam University College, The Netherlands
Bard College Berlin
The Bernstein School of Musical Theater, Italy
Carleton University, Canada
Concordia University, Canada
Dalhousie University, Canada
Erasmus University College, The Netherlands
ESADE, Spain
ESMOD Berlin Int’l University of Art for Fashion
European School of Economics, Italy
European University Munich, Germany
IE University, Spain
Georgian College, Canada
Int’l. School of Hospitality, Tourism,
and Languages, Spain
International University of Monaco
Leiden University College The Hague,
Netherlands
Les Roches International School of Hotel
Management, Marbella, Spain
Istituto Europeo di Design, Milan
Istituto Marangoni, Italy
Istituto Marangoni, France
Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores
de Monterrey, Mexico
John Cabot University, Italy
Keio University, Japan
Koç Üniversitesi, Turkey
Massey University, New Zealand
McGill University, Canada
MODUL University, Austria
Moscow State Institute of International
Relations (MGIMO), Russia
Munich Business School, Germany
Ontario College of Art and Design, Canada
Paris College of Art, France
Politechnico di Milano, Italy
Ryerson University, Canada
Saxion Hogeschool, Enschede, Netherlands
Saint Louis University, Spain
Saint Mary’s University, Canada
Schiller International University, France
Suffolk University, Spain
Touro College, Germany
Trent University, Canada
Trinity College, Ireland
Universidad de los Andes, Colombia
Universidad CEU San Pablo, Spain
Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico
Universidad Metropolitana, Venezuela
Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico
Università Bocconi, Italy
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy
Universiteit Maastricht, The Netherlands
Universiteit van Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Universiteit Utrecht, The Netherlands
University of British Columbia, Canada
University of Guelph, Canada
University of Ottawa, Canada
University of Toronto, Canada
University of Victoria, Canada
Vancouver Island University, Canada
Waseda University, Japan
York University, Canada