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.
-
-
-
-
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. -
Revolutionising language learning with the theory of multiple intelligences (Gardner)
Learning a new language is an exciting adventure for all Tandem IMS pupils. Teaching French to young learners becomes an engaging and multifaceted adventure thanks to our language learning methodology. As a French teacher, I am delighted to share how this exciting theory enhances my daily French lessons.
-
When thinking about the advantages of being bilingual, enhanced performance in math and science does not often come to mind. Typically, people see the advantages of bilingualism in terms of communication skills, better opportunities in our global community, and the ability to learn other languages more easily. However, the benefits of bilingualism extend far beyond these areas, influencing skills that are crucial in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Digitalisation has found its way into our everyday lives and does not stop at children's rooms and classrooms. It offers great opportunities but also carries some risks. Therefore, it is crucial to teach children responsible use of digital devices and platforms. This requires a strong collaboration between parents and schools to provide children with a solid guideline to navigate and learn to use digital devices and software safely and effectively.
-
Our approach to learning at Tandem IMS recognises that children learn best when actively engaged in building their skills, knowledge and understandings. Multilingual and enquiry-based, we embrace the notion that pupils thrive when they have a sense of agency in their learning. Topics are explored through broad and conceptual central ideas with specific learning goals, however it is the children who guide investigations through their questioning, investigating and theory building. It is the teacher’s job to create conditions, resources and opportunities for learning as well as to support the children with making connections, developing understanding and cultivating a curious learning community.
-
Do you know couples who speak different languages? As the world becomes increasingly globalised, many families find themselves in situations where parents speak different languages. This can create unique challenges when it comes to raising children and communicating effectively as a family. Yes, challenges - absolutely worthwhile challenges! In this blog, we share some tips so that you and your partner can have many positive experiences and gain valuable insights in bilingual parenting. Your child will benefit from the advantages of growing up bilingual and, most importantly, find joy in being able to communicate in two languages.
-
«…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
-
Have you ever heard of a school having a dog to help children concentrate better, to strengthen self-esteem, improve social competencies, learn empathy and encourage motivation to participate and learn? Our Pre-School teacher, Michaela, presented her concept for a «school dog» in 2021. Two years later, Nala, our Australian labradoodle school dog, has become the favourite companion in our Pre-School class.
During this interview, Michaela gives us some insight into this adventure and the experience they have had in Pre-School.
-
Version originale (français) In most countries around the globe, index or flash cards are often used to teach children. However, not only do they serve the conveyance of basic concepts, they also support memorising vocabulary, dates and historical facts, and even help when learning a language.
-
Another school year begins in 6th grade, and everyone involved knows that this will be a different experience for the child, since the thought of possibly entering the Gymi afterwards is just around the corner. The expectations for 6th grade are rising as it is, but on top of that, in about half a year, the child who wishes to take the Gymi test should not only be working on the highest level in 6th grade - he/she should start understanding 7th-grade materials too. This means a lot of learning materials need to be covered under immense time pressure if a child wishes to be ready for the Gymi entrance exam.
