Special Needs Education in Swiss Private Schools – What Parents Should Know
When parents decide on a private school, they often do so with the expectation that their child will receive more individual attention, that teachers will have more time to address specific needs, and that the entire school environment will be more flexible in responding to special situations. Yet, as soon as a child requires additional support – whether through speech therapy, psychomotor training, or dedicated special needs education – it quickly becomes clear how differently private schools handle these matters, and why it is so important to understand the terminology and structures involved.
The term Special Needs Education, called Heilpädagogik in Switzerland, has a very precise meaning in the Swiss context. It refers to a scientifically grounded and practice-oriented field that focuses on the guidance, support, and education of children and young people who require additional assistance due to disabilities, developmental delays, or learning difficulties. The Intercantonal University of Special Needs Education (HfH) in Zurich, the leading academic and research institution in this field, defines its mission as enabling education and participation for all. At the HfH, professionals are trained in areas such as special needs education, speech therapy, psychomotor therapy, and early intervention, and later work in schools, specialist centres, or in interdisciplinary collaboration with therapists, psychologists, and medical professionals.
In the public school system, special needs education is firmly anchored and financed by municipalities or cantons. In private schools, however, the picture looks very different. Some large international schools employ their own specialists, often referred to as Learning Support Teachers or Special Needs Coordinators, who provide assistance directly within the classroom. Sometimes a certain level of support is already included in the tuition, but if a child needs more hours or specialised therapies, these are billed additionally. Other private schools do not have internal specialists and expect families to arrange external therapy themselves, which means that parents must not only carry the financial burden but also manage the coordination between the school and outside providers. Smaller schools may not offer any structured support at all, leaving parents fully responsible for finding and organising the right services.
For families, this can be both unexpected and overwhelming. Additional costs can quickly add up, and organising the right support often requires persistence and detailed knowledge of the Swiss system.
To avoid difficult surprises, it is essential to ask the right questions at an early stage:
Which specialists are available at the school, and what qualifications do they bring?
Is support included in the tuition, or will extra fees apply if my child needs more help?
How does the school collaborate with external professionals such as speech or occupational therapists?
Will my child remain fully integrated in the classroom, or will support mean separation from peers?
These questions go far beyond financial planning. They touch directly on the wellbeing of the child, the quality of their integration, and the family’s sense of security in the school environment. Special needs education should never be regarded as an optional extra. It is an essential part of creating equal opportunities and ensuring that every child can participate in education in a meaningful way. The HfH underlines this point in its mission statement, highlighting that education must be accessible to all children, regardless of their individual circumstances – and this principle should serve as a benchmark for private schools as well.
For parents, this means that the decision for or against a private school cannot be based solely on academic programmes, international reputation, or language of instruction. It must also consider how the school deals with children who need extra support, what structures are in place, and whether the philosophy of inclusion is truly lived. By clarifying these aspects in advance, parents can ensure that their child not only enters the right learning environment but is also supported in a way that allows them to grow, develop, and thrive to their fullest potential.
This chart from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) shows the distribution of special needs schools in Switzerland by canton and status for the school year 2023/24. It highlights that most institutions are government-dependent private schools, while the share of public or fully independent private schools varies strongly between cantons. The data underlines how fragmented the landscape is, and why parents should always check carefully how support is organised in their specific region.
How we can support you
Choosing the right school is never just about curriculum or location. For families whose children may need additional support, it is also about clarity, trust, and knowing what structures are really in place. If you would like guidance in navigating the Swiss school landscape, comparing options, or understanding what special needs education means in practice, we are here to help.
For more information on how we can support your family, visit our website or contact us directly to schedule a consultation.
Let Ulrich Educational Consulting be your partner in educational and financial success.
Did You Know?
Did you know that the way special needs education is organised varies greatly between cantons in Switzerland? In some cantons most schools are government-dependent private institutions, while in others public schools play a larger role. This means families often face very different structures depending on where they live.
Contact us at Ulrich Educational Consulting!