Get to know Schule Schloss Salem
Online or in Person
Find out more about Schloss Salem School online – or come and meet us in person at our event in Zurich.
Education Beyond the Classroom
Plus est en vous!
Schule Schloss Salem is more than just a place of learning. As an international boarding school on Lake Constance, it combines academic education with personal development and a strong sense of community.
Many families from Switzerland choose Salem because learning, living and character development are closely connected here.
A community that shapes who you become.
At the boarding school of Schule Schloss Salem, students do not simply study together—they grow up together. Daily life combines lessons, activities, sport and the opportunity to take on responsible roles within the school community. This fosters a strong sense of responsibility and genuine teamwork. From an early stage, students learn to support one another and to find their place within a community.
Connections formed here often last far beyond school years. Many alumni describe Salem as a place where lifelong friendships begin. This sense of belonging is also reflected in the school’s alumni network: today, around 4,000 former students from across the world remain connected through the Salem Alumni Association (ASV).
For families from Switzerland, the boarding school also offers the advantage of easy accessibility, allowing students to return home at weekends if they wish.
Where character grows.
Education at Schule Schloss Salem goes far beyond classroom teaching. Alongside academic achievement, personal development plays a central role.
In boarding school life, young people take responsibility early on—for themselves, for others and for the community. They participate in social service, creative arts, craft guilds, sport, cultural activities and outdoor education. These experiences help them discover their strengths, embrace challenges and build self-confidence. Step by step, they learn to make decisions and shape their own paths.
At Salem, education means developing the head, heart and hands—an approach that prepares young people for university, careers and life.
The world in one school.
At Schule Schloss Salem, students from more than 50 nations live and learn together. This international community shapes everyday life and makes Salem a truly distinctive place to study.
In lessons, boarding life and joint projects, different perspectives, cultures and languages come together. Students quickly learn to engage openly with others and collaborate in an international environment. These experiences broaden their horizons and provide an excellent foundation for university study and future careers in a globally connected world.
Many Swiss families particularly value this international atmosphere combined with personal support and the strong sense of community at a long-established boarding school on Lake Constance.
Learning without limits.
Schule Schloss Salem offers a wide range of educational pathways. As an international boarding school on Lake Constance, Salem provides two recognised qualifications: the German Abitur and the International Baccalaureate (IB).
Both programmes enable students to enter universities in Germany, Switzerland and worldwide. While the Abitur provides a broad and solid academic foundation, the IB offers internationally oriented preparation for university study in many countries.
From Year 8 onwards, students can also join the International Classes (IC). In these classes, the German curriculum is taught in English, creating an international learning environment that is particularly attractive for families with an international background.
Small class sizes and individual support ensure that students are guided according to their strengths and well prepared for their future educational pathways.
Education with a global perspective.
Time at Salem prepares students not only for successful qualifications, but also for the next steps in their lives.
An important component is university and careeres couneselling. Our advisers support students from an early stage in identifying their interests and strengths and exploring possible academic and career paths. Through individual counselling, information sessions and personal meetings, students receive guidance when choosing degree programmes and preparing for universities in Germany and abroad.
Moving from Switzerland to Salem bBoarding School
Many families from Switzerland consider transferring to Salem. Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the German school system and possible entry points.
Requirements for transferring from Switzerland to Salem
To transfer to the grammar school (Gymnasium) at Schule Schloss Salem, students should have a recommendation for the academic track (“Gymnasialbefähigung”). This means they have demonstrated strong performance at primary level and can confidently follow the academic curriculum.
As curricula and teaching approaches vary between Swiss cantons, applications from Switzerland are assessed individually to determine the most suitable year group. Placement tests are conducted in some subjects where necessary.
This ensures students can integrate smoothly into lessons at Salem and succeed academically.
When is the best time to transfer to Salem?
Entry is generally possible at all year levels. From an academic perspective, starting in Year 5 is the most straightforward, as this marks the beginning of the grammar school pathway in Baden-Württemberg.
However, many Swiss families prefer their children to complete primary school first. In this case, transfer typically takes place in Year 7.
Later entry is also possible:
- Years 8–10: entry into lower secondary level
- Year 11: start of upper secondary level
For students attending a Swiss secondary school (Mittelschule), our 10PLUS advanced grammar school programme may also be a suitable option. This programme leads to the German Abitur within three years.
Our admissions team will be happy to advise families individually on the best time to transfer.
Abitur, Matura and International Baccalaureate compared
Both the German Abitur and the Swiss Matura provide general eligibility for university entrance. The German Abitur is therefore recognised without difficulty by most Swiss universities.
In addition, Schule Schloss Salem offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB). This internationally recognised qualification enables students to study at universities worldwide and is particularly attractive for internationally oriented families.
Schule Schloss Salem boarding school – close to Switzerland
Schule Schloss Salem is located directly on Lake Constance in southern Germany, only about an hour from Zurich.
Many students come from Switzerland. Thanks to the short distance, they can visit their families regularly and occasionally spend weekends at home.
Sport and leisure between Lake Constance and the Alps
The school’s sports and leisure programme benefits greatly from its unique location on Lake Constance.
Alongside traditional sports such as hockey, tennis and golf, students can learn sailing at the school’s own harbour, plan outdoor expeditions in the Black Forest as part of outdoor education, or enjoy winter sports in the Alps.
Sport, nature and shared activities are an important part of boarding school life and contribute significantly to students’ personal development.
Individual guidance
Arrange an appointment now!
Changing to a grammar school in Germany across national borders is an important step that deserves careful planning. Our admissions team is therefore happy to take the time to answer your questions individually.
