International Education in the Region: New Campus for International School Rheintal

A new "ISR Campus" is set to be completed by 2023, just a short distance from the current school building of the International School Rheintal (ISR) in Buchs. The innovative new campus will accommodate up to 300 children and adolescents aged 3 to 19 who are pursuing an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. This educational offering opens up global opportunities for graduates and strengthens the economic region of Liechtenstein/Rheintal in a sustainable way. The entire new campus project is funded by the Hilti Foundation.

Site visit in Buchs (L-R): Liz Free (Director ISR), Klaus Risch (President ISR Infrastruktur AG), Michèle Frey-Hilti (Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees Hilti Family Foundation Liechtenstein), and Heiner Graf (Chairman of the ISR Board).

The Importance of the International School Rheintal for the Region

As the leading IB World School in the Rhine Valley, ISR offers an internationally recognized education in English. This allows students to seamlessly transition between IB schools worldwide during their academic journey and access top international universities after earning their IB diploma. In addition to the excellent future opportunities that an international IB education provides for young people in the region, this educational offering also bolsters the economic strength of the Liechtenstein/Rheintal area. The availability of an IB program makes it easier to attract international professionals, or "expats," with families, contributing to the region's competitiveness as a global business location, which is crucial for companies like the Hilti Group.

Growing Demand for International Education

Since its opening in 2002, ISR has developed remarkably and has become a significant part of the educational landscape in the Rhine Valley. Currently, the school has about 170 students, nearly a third of whom are children of Hilti employees, and interest continues to grow. The demand comes partly from internationally relocated families, whose children benefit from the ability to continue their education at IB schools anywhere in the world, and partly from local families who see international education as a gateway to a global future for their children. Over the years, the need for new facilities has grown as well. To fully capitalize on this potential, the Hilti Foundation decided to finance the construction of a new ISR campus.

"Our foundation places great emphasis on strengthening the economic region. The new ISR campus is a major milestone and a reflection of the region's first-class international educational offerings, which keep Liechtenstein and the Rhine Valley globally competitive." — Michèle Frey-Hilti, Chairwoman of the Hilti Family Foundation Liechtenstein

New "ISR Campus" in Buchs

Groundbreaking for the new campus project took place in October 2021. Located near the current school building of ISR in Buchs, the "ISR Campus" will be a modern, ecologically designed, two-story wooden school building capable of accommodating up to 300 students starting in the summer of 2023. The new building offers much more than traditional classrooms: it includes over 40 high-ceilinged, light-filled classrooms and learning spaces, including science labs, art studios, music rooms, and learning zones. Direct access to the outdoors, four courtyards, and a rooftop garden create strong connections between indoor and outdoor spaces, while large glass surfaces bring natural light into the interior and create an excellent learning atmosphere throughout the building.

"The new campus will be exemplary on all levels: the architecture is tailored to individual learning and teaching needs, follows a sustainable energy concept with its own photovoltaic system, and allows important measures to promote biodiversity. At the same time, we are creating important infrastructure for the city of Buchs with the shared gym and event hall."
— Klaus Risch, President of ISR Infrastruktur AG

Creating Sustainable Infrastructure

The construction prioritizes the use of local and ecological materials. A sophisticated energy concept connected to the district heating network also contributes significantly to the building's sustainability. A rooftop garden of approximately 1,000 square meters will provide space for greenery and a photovoltaic system, which will meet the school's energy needs and serve as a sunshade. Native hedges, shrubs, and fences in the surrounding green areas will further promote biodiversity. The new double gymnasium, including a stage, will also provide important infrastructure for sports clubs and groups in Buchs. The ISR campus is set to open at the start of the new school year in the summer of 2023.

"We teach and live global citizenship. We are very excited about the new campus, which will offer us an innovative and inspiring learning environment that embodies our learning and teaching approach at ISR and within the International Baccalaureate program. Our goal is to educate young people who excel personally and academically, think internationally, and engage responsibly, creating global citizens for today and the future."
— Liz Free, Director of the International School Rheintal

International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) offers an internationally recognized educational program for students aged 3 to 19. Organized into four age groups, the program promotes both personal development and academic achievement. Students are trained to think critically and interdisciplinary and are encouraged to engage responsibly.

International School Rheintal

The International School Rheintal is the leading International Baccalaureate World School in the region, offering an international education in English for students aged 3 to 19. An ISR education opens doors to top universities worldwide and enables seamless transitions between IB schools globally.

New Building for the International School Rheintal

On October 26, 2021, the groundbreaking ceremony for the more than 6,500 square meter new building in Buchs was celebrated. The cost of the innovative and sustainably designed school building amounts to approximately 34 million Swiss francs. In the future, the school will provide an optimal learning atmosphere with diverse teaching and learning spaces indoors and outdoors for up to 300 students. The school building is scheduled to open in the summer of 2023.