Alexander Minder likes unusual combinations. At secondary school he was drawn to both science and music. He later earned a PhD in microbiology and then moved into finance, spending 24 years at Credit Suisse in a variety of different roles. Along the way he completed a Master's in Cultural Management, purely out of interest, because culture is an important part of the 57-year-old's life. For 30 years he has appeared as an extra on the stage of the Zurich Opera House. Alexander Minder has been involved with Tandem IMS for quite some time. The father of two grown-up daughters sat on the school's Advisory Board for 12 years. Two years ago he joined the school's operational management, and since August 2026 he has been School Director. In this interview, he talks about how this came about, how he can draw on his experience, and whose expertise he relies on in educational matters.

01 October 2026 Samantha Taylor

Four Grade 9 pupils from Tandem IMS have secured a place in the STEAM Challenge live final.
Two of them will take the stage to pitch their inclusive gardening concept.
They are the only female finalists competing against university pupils and business professionals.

08 June 2026 Nadine Jarayaj

A blank sheet of paper. A pencil. And the question: What should be created here? This is where real architectural thinking begins. Not in an architecture firm, but in a classroom at Tandem IMS Gymnasium in Küsnacht. This school year, students took on a special challenge: designing concepts for a new building right next to the Zurich Opera House. The result is more than just a school project. It is a contribution to a real urban planning question. And from 7 March 2026, it will be on public display in an exhibition.

09 March 2026 Nadine Jarayaj

Spaces shape the way we think, learn, and feel. At the new Tandem IMS Campus in Küsnacht, interior design is therefore not just decoration, but an intentional part of the educational concept. An inspiring environment opens up new perspectives and can enrich learning in subtle yet lasting ways.

02 September 2025 Nadine Jarayaj

As pupils approach the end of primary school, parents often begin to consider the numerous
educational pathways available to them. At Tandem IMS, we recognise that each child has
unique needs, strengths, and aspirations. To support families in making informed decisions, we
have created a guide outlining the various options available to pupils after Primary 6.

26 December 2024 Bethany Hill

At Tandem IMS, we pride ourselves on constantly breaking new ground in education and creating innovative opportunities for our pupils. Therefore, we are excited to announce the latest chapter in our educational journey  - the opening of the Tandem IMS Gymnasium (grammar school) in Küsnacht starting in August 2025. This exciting project offers a unique opportunity for language and thought enthusiasts to embark on the path to obtaining their Matura.

13 May 2024 Neal Brown

At our school, we take immense pride in the remarkable success of our pupils in a range of standardised tests and assessments. It is a testament to the commitment and dedication of our pupils, teachers, and parents, who work together to foster a culture of excellence. In this blog, we will delve into the strategies and factors that contribute to our pupils' outstanding achievements in tests across various subjects.

14 November 2023 Neal Brown

 «…no school can work well for children if parents and teachers do not act in partnership on behalf of the children’s best interests. Parents have every right to understand what is happening to their children at school, and teachers have the responsibility to share that information without prejudicial judgment…. Such communication, which can only be in a child’s interest, is not possible without mutual trust between parent and teacher.» - Dorothy H. Cohen

20 April 2023 Neal Brown

After 10 years, we have asked ourselves if our school logo still represents who we are. After taking a look at how we have grown and developed, we decided it was time for an update.

06 December 2019 Carla Galley

It is, I must admit, not without a little nostalgia that I sometimes look back on my pre-Tandem IMS days. The freedom to be a mum that no-one knew, instead of the mum everyone knows; the ability to choose my own employment opportunities, instead of choosing who to employ; being a parent who can join the PTA and go out for drinks, not the school head who joins PTA meetings to listen to the summary of discussions that were held over a nice glass of wine; being a staff member who can ask for an honest appraisal from a supervisor and be challenged to improve, and not instead, being the one delivering advice and encouragement.

21 November 2019 Sonya Maechler-Dent