THE AMERICAN SCHOOL IN SWITZERLAND

Mission StatementThe 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 SchoolTASIS 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.

FacultyOf the 65 High School faculty members, 78 percent hold advanced degrees and 54 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 BodyThe High School is composed of 253 boarding students and 162 day students, with 58 nations represented. The majority of students (55%) come from Europe, with the remainder hailing from the US and Canada (17%), Asia (13%), Latin America (12%), or the Middle East and Africa (3%). The Class of 2018 has 125 seniors and one postgraduate. The High School retention rate is 87%.

Academic Profile 2017-2018

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

Headmaster: Christopher Nikoloff I Academic Dean: Dr. Mark Abisi • Phone: +41 91 960 5115 • mark.abisi@tasis.ch Director of University and College Counseling: Greg Birk • Phone: +41 91 986 5458 • gregory.birk@tasis.chIB Diploma Coordinator and UK University Counselor: Howard Stickley • Phone: +41 91 960 5108 • howard.stickley@tasis.chUniversity and College Counselor: Carroll Birk • Phone: +41 91 986 5457 • carroll.birk@tasis.ch

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 RequirementsThe minimum requirements for graduation are 19 credits, including the following: • Four years of English. All seniors must pass either a 12th-grade

English course offered by the English Department or IB English B 2 HL (IB Diploma candidates only).

• 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 French, German, Italian, or Spanish. 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 French, German, Italian, or Spanish.

• 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

Course OfferingsEnglish• 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 • English Grammar & Composition 1 • English Grammar & Composition 2• English Grammar, Composition & Literature 1 • English Grammar, Composition & Literature 2 • IB English B 1 and 2 (HL)

Mathematics• Mathematics 1 Core • Mathematics 2 Core• Mathematics 3 Core • Mathematics 4 Core• Mathematics 1 Extended • Mathematics 1 Advanced Honors• Mathematics 2 Extended (includes second-year Algebra topics)• Advanced Precalculus Honors• 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 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 (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 1 and 2 (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, German, Italian, Spanish; IB Language B HL 1, SL 2 • Level 5: French, Italian, Spanish; IB B HL 2• IB Italian A Language & Literature 1 (SL/HL)• IB Italian A Literature 2 (SL/HL)• IB Russian A Language & 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 1 and 2 (SL/HL)

TASIS POLICY ON REPORTING GPA AND CLASS RANK

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 with a GPA of 3.8 or higher in a given semester receive Highest Honors while those with a 3.5 or higher receive High Honors and those with a 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.

Recent Test Scores

STANDARDIZED TESTS

EnglishMiddle 50%

19–28

MathMiddle 50%

20–32

ReadingMiddle 50%

17–31

ScienceMiddle 50%

18–29

ACT

Class of 2017 (15 took the ACT)

Evidence Based Reading and WritingSAT

Class of 2017 (49 took the SAT) Middle 50%

530–625

Middle 50%

530–640

Math

Additional Program Strengths

Opsahl Global Service ProgramThe Opsahl Global Service Program 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 TravelTravel 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.

AP EXAMSIn 2017, TASIS students took 107 AP exams: 43% of scores were 4 or above, and 24% were a 5. Students recorded more 5s (26) than 4s (20), and 11 students were named AP Scholars.

In 2017, 82 students took 369 IB subject exams (scored 1-7): 91% of scores were 4 or above, 69% were 5 or above, and 37% were 6 or above.

Number of diploma candidates Percentage earning diplomas Mean diploma scoreHighest IB scorePercentage earning Bilingual Diplomas

TASIS 2017 58

98.3%

31.7

42

53%

TASIS 201657

98.2%

31.4

41

63%

Worldwide Average28.7 (2016)

79.3% (2016)

30.0 (2017)

–

22.9% (2017)

IB EXAMS

UNITED STATES OF AMERICAAcademy of Art UniversityAlliant International UniversityAmerican UniversityBabson CollegeBarnard CollegeBarry UniversityBaruch College of the CUNYBates CollegeBaylor UniversityBeloit CollegeBentley UniversityBerklee College of MusicBoston CollegeBoston UniversityBowdoin CollegeBrandeis UniversityBryant UniversityCalifornia College of the ArtsCalifornia Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoCalifornia State University, Monterey BayChapman UniversityClark UniversityColgate UniversityCollege of the Holy CrossCollege of the RedwoodsCollege of William and MaryColorado CollegeColorado School of MinesColorado State UniversityColumbia College ChicagoCornell CollegeCornell UniversityDavidson CollegeDean CollegeDePaul UniversityDowling CollegeDrake UniversityDrew UniversityDrexel UniversityDuke UniversityDuquesne UniversityEckerd CollegeElon UniversityEmerson CollegeEmmanuel CollegeEndicott CollegeFairfield UniversityFlorida Institute of TechnologyFlorida International UniversityFlorida Southern CollegeFordham UniversityFranklin & Marshall CollegeGeorge Mason UniversityThe George Washington UniversityGoucher CollegeGuilford CollegeHamilton College, New YorkHigh Point UniversityHofstra UniversityIndiana University-Purdue University, IndianapolisIowa State UniversityIthaca CollegeJacksonville UniversityJames Madison UniversityJohns Hopkins UniversityJohnson & Wales University, ProvidenceKenyon CollegeKnox CollegeLa Salle UniversityLake Forest CollegeLasell CollegeLehigh UniversityLenoir-Rhyne UniversityLewis & Clark CollegeLong Island University, BrooklynLong Island University, PostLouisiana State UniversityLoyola Marymount UniversityLoyola University, ChicagoLoyola University, New OrleansLynn UniversityManhattan CollegeManhattanville CollegeMarist CollegeMarymount Manhattan CollegeMerrimack CollegeMichigan State UniversityMillsaps CollegeMontana State University, BozemanThe New School - All DivisionsNew York Institute of TechnologyNew York School of Interior DesignNew York UniversityNewbury CollegeNortheastern UniversityNorthwestern UniversityOccidental CollegeOhio State UniversityPace University, New York CityPace University, PleasantvillePennsylvania State University, U. ParkPepperdine UniversityPratt Institute

Purdue UniversityQuinnipiac UniversityRadford UniversityRegis UniversityRice UniversityRoanoke CollegeRoger Williams UniversityRollins CollegeRose-Hulman Institute of TechnologySalve Regina UniversitySan Diego State UniversitySan Jose State UniversitySanta Clara UniversitySarah Lawrence CollegeSavannah College of Art and DesignSchool of the Art Institute of ChicagoSchool of Visual ArtsSeattle Pacific UniversitySeton Hall UniversitySierra CollegeSkidmore CollegeSnow CollegeSonoma State UniversitySouthern California Institute of ArchitectureSouthern Methodist UniversitySt. Cloud State UniversitySt. Edward’s UniversitySt. John’s University, QueensSt. Leo UniversitySt. Mary’s College, IndianaSt. Mary’s University of San AntonioStonehill CollegeStony Brook UniversitySuffolk UniversitySyracuse UniversityTemple UniversityTexas A&M UniversityTexas Christian UniversityTexas State UniversityTexas Tech UniversityTrinity CollegeTrinity UniversityTufts UniversityTulane UniversityUnion College, New YorkUniversity of AlabamaUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks, FairbanksUniversity of ArizonaUniversity of California, BerkeleyUniversity of California, DavisUniversity of California, IrvineUniversity of California, Los AngelesUniversity of California, MercedUniversity of California, San DiegoUniversity of California, Santa BarbaraUniversity of California, Santa CruzUniversity of Central FloridaUniversity of Colorado, BoulderUniversity of Colorado, Colorado SpringsUniversity of DenverUniversity of Hawaii, ManoaUniversity of Illinois, ChicagoUniversity of Illinois, SpringfieldUniversity of Illinois, Urbana-ChampaignUniversity of La VerneUniversity of Massachusetts, AmherstUniversity of Massachusetts, BostonUniversity of Massachusetts, DartmouthUniversity of Massachusetts, LowellUniversity of MiamiUniversity of MississippiUniversity of Nevada, RenoUniversity of New Hampshire, DurhamUniversity of New MexicoUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina, WilmingtonUniversity of North Texas, DallasUniversity of North Texas, DentonUniversity of Notre DameUniversity of OregonUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of PittsburghUniversity of Puget SoundUniversity of Rhode IslandUniversity of RichmondUniversity of RochesterUniversity of San DiegoUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of TampaUniversity of Tennessee, KnoxvilleUniversity of Texas, ArlingtonUniversity of Texas, AustinUniversity of Texas, San AntonioUniversity of VirginiaUniversity of WashingtonUtah State UniversityVanderbilt UniversityVirginia Commonwealth UniversityVirginia Wesleyan UniversityWabash CollegeWashington and Lee UniversityWashington CollegeWashington State UniversityWentworth Institute of TechnologyWestminster College, Missouri

Wheaton College, MassachusettsWheelock CollegeWhitman CollegeWhittier CollegeWhitworth UniversityWorcester Polytechnic InstituteWright State University

UNITED KINGDOMAcademy of Contemporary MusicAnglia Ruskin UniversityArts University BournemouthBirkbeck University of LondonBournemouth UniversityBristol UniversityBritish and Irish Modern Music (BIMM)Brunel, University of LondonBuckinghamshire New UniversityCanterbury Christ Church University Cardiff UniversityCass Business School, City University, LondonCity, University of LondonCoventry UniversityDe Montford UniversityDurham UniversityEuropean Business School, LondonEuropean School of Economics LondonGoldsmith’s, University of LondonHereford College of ArtsHerriot-Watt UniversityHull-York Medical SchoolHult International Business SchoolImperial College LondonIstituto Marangoni LondonKeele UniversityKing’s College, University of LondonLancaster UniversityLeeds Beckett UniversityLeeds College of Art & DesignLondon Metropolitan UniversityLondon South Bank UniversityLoughborough UniversityMiddlesex UniversityNew College of the HumanitiesNewcastle UniversityNorthbrook College SussexNottingham Trent UniversityOxford Brookes UniversityPlymouth UniversityQueen Margaret University CollegeQueen Mary, University of LondonRegent’s University LondonRichmond, The American International University in LondonRoehampton UniversityRoyal Holloway, University of LondonSchool of Oriental and African Studies, University of LondonSheffield CollegeSouthampton Solent UniversitySt George’s, University of LondonSt Mary’s University, Twickenham, LondonThe London School of Economics and Political ScienceUniversity College LondonUniversity for the Creative ArtsUniversity of AberdeenUniversity of BathUniversity of BirminghamUniversity of BrightonUniversity of BristolUniversity of BuckinghamUniversity of CambridgeUniversity of Central LancashireUniversity of DerbyUniversity of DundeeUniversity of East AngliaUniversity of East London University of EdinburghUniversity of EssexUniversity of ExeterUniversity of GlasgowUniversity of GreenwichUniversity of HertfordshireUniversity of HullUniversity of KentUniversity of Lancaster University of LeedsUniversity of LeicesterUniversity of LiverpoolUniversity of ManchesterUniversity of NottinghamUniversity of OxfordUniversity of ReadingUniversity of RoehamptonUniversity of SheffieldUniversity of St AndrewsUniversity of SurreyUniversity of SussexUniversity of the Arts, LondonUniversity of WarwickUniversity of West LondonUniversity of WestminsterUniversity of WinchesterUniversity of YorkUniversity of Southampton

SWITZERLANDAccademia di architettura di Mendrisio (USI)The Basel School of BusinessBusiness & Hotel Management SchoolBusiness School LausanneCesar Ritz Colleges SwitzerlandÉcole Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL)EU Business School, GenevaEU Business School, MontreuxFachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW)Franklin University SwitzerlandGlion Institute of Higher EducationInternational University in GenevaLes Roches International School of Hotel ManagementMontreux School of BusinessScuola universitaria professionale della Svizzera italiana (SUPSI)Swiss Business SchoolSwiss Hotel Management SchoolUniversità della Svizzera Italiana (USI)Universität St. GallenWebster University, GenevaZürich Business School (UIBS)Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften (ZHAW)

REST OF THE WORLDThe American University of Paris, FranceThe American University of Rome, Italy Amsterdam University College, The NetherlandsArtEZ Hogeschool voor de Kunsten, The NetherlandsBard College Berlin, GermanyThe Bernstein School of Musical Theater, ItalyBI Norwegian School of Management, NorwayCapilano University, CanadaCarleton University, CanadaConcordia University, CanadaErasmus University College, The NetherlandsESADE, SpainESMOD Berlin International University of Art for Fashion, GermanyEU Business School, GermanyEuropean School of Economics, ItalyFlorence Institute of Design International, ItalyGeorgian College, CanadaIE University, SpainInstituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, MexicoInternational School of Hospitality, Tourism and Languages, SpainInternational University of MonacoIstituto Europeo di Design, ItalyIstituto Marangoni, FranceIstituto Marangoni, ItalyJohn Cabot University, ItalyKeio University, JapanKoç University, TurkeyLeiden University College The Hague, The NetherlandsLes Roches International School of Hotel Management, SpainMarist College/Lorenzo de Medici Institute, ItalyMcGill University, CanadaMODUL University, AustriaMoscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), RussiaOntario College of Art & Design, CanadaParis College of Art, FranceParis School of Business, FrancePolitecnico di Milano, ItalyRyerson University, CanadaSaxion Hogeschool, The NetherlandsSchiller International University, FranceSchiller International University, SpainSt. Louis University, SpainSuffolk University, SpainTilburg University, The NetherlandsTouro College, GermanyTrent University, CanadaTrinity College, IrelandUniversidad CEU San Pablo, SpainUniversidad de Los Andes, ColombiaUniversidad Iberoamericana, MexicoUniversidad Metropolitana, VenezuelaUniversidad Veracruzana, MexicoUniversità Bocconi, ItalyUniversità Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, ItalyUniversità Vita-Salute San Raffaele, ItalyUniversiteit Maastricht, The NetherlandsUniversiteit Utrecht, The NetherlandsUniversiteit van Amsterdam, The NetherlandsUniversity College Dublin, IrelandUniversity of British Columbia, CanadaUniversity of Guelph, CanadaUniversity of Ottawa, CanadaUniversity of Toronto, Scarborough, CanadaUniversity of Toronto, St. George, CanadaUniversity of Victoria, CanadaVancouver Island University, CanadaWaseda University, JapanWebster University, AustriaYork University, Canada

University Acceptances for the Classes of 2013-2017 Boldface type indicates schools where TASIS students matriculated