.svg){kind=logo}
This Year at TASIS: 2025
This Year at TASIS: 2025
As the sun sets on 2025 and we get ready to turn the calendar to 2026, we take a look back at some of the many highlights from another outstanding year at TASIS.
This Month at TASIS
The Art of Coachbuilding
TASIS was honored to host Zagato Atelier leaders Andrea Zagato and Marella Rivolta Zagato on January 20–21 as part of the 2024–2025 TASIS Speaker Series. Learn more.
Elementary School Theater Presents The Aristocats KIDS
Led by Director Julie Frazier-Smith and Music Director Melody Tibbits Zanecchia, Elementary School students delivered four outstanding performances of the Disney classic in the Palmer Cultural Center on January 23–24. Learn more.
Beyond Borders: TASIS Model UN Team Shines at THIMUN Conference
Sofia Arce Perez ’26 recapped the team’s week-long trip to The Hague in late January. Read her recap.
68 Nations Represented in TASIS Parade of Flags
TASIS began International Week 2025 on the morning of February 17 with an inspiring Opening Ceremony that included remarks from Headmaster Christopher Nikoloff, a Parade of Flags, a lovely musical performance, and the presentation of Torch Awards. Learn more and watch the full ceremony.
David and Jordan Smith Share Remarkable Journey With Students
The founders of Climate Advocates Voces Unidas delivered a fascinating presentation to seniors in the Palmer Cultural Center and visited a number of classes over the course of a three-day visit in late February that represented the third chapter of the 2024–2025 TASIS Speaker Series. Learn more.
All-Class Reunion in London
On March 6, the TASIS team was delighted to be back in London with an enthusiastic group of alumni and guests at the elegant Swiss Embassy. Learn more.
Robotics Team Returns to VEX World Championship
A standout performance in the Skills category at the VEX V5 Robotics Competition in Basel earned TASIS Tigers 2 a spot at the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas, on May 6–8. This marked the third time in four years that Coach Amy Bloodworth’s program produced a team that represented Switzerland on the world stage! Learn more.
Vijo Varghese on Conservation, Sustainability, and Nature Immersion
OurLand Nature Reserve and Education Center co-founder Vijo Varghese delivered an engaging keynote address to the senior class in the Palestra, spoke to the entire High School at an assembly, visited a number of economics and biology classes, and sat down with student writer Elisa Angelino ’26 for an interview over the course of a three-day visit in March that marked the conclusion of the 2024–2025 TASIS Speaker Series. Learn more.
High School Theater Program Presents All Shook Up
Director Julie Frazier-Smith and the TASIS High School Theater Company staged four exceptional performances of the jukebox musical inspired by the music of Elvis Presley in the Palmer Cultural Center on March 20–23. See photos and learn about the cast and crew.
An Interview With Vice-Chairman of the TASIS Board of Directors Alexandra Heumann Wicki
In an effort to learn more about the Board of Directors and the crucial role it plays at TASIS, Lola Hutchinson ’27 sat down with Ms. Heumann Wicki, a TASIS alumna and member of the Board since its inception in 2005. Read her interview.
Elementary School’s Annual Book Week
Spearheaded by Elementary School Librarian Erin Fitzgerald, this year’s Book Week was held from March 24–28 and included a campus visit from author Nelly Buchet, a virtual visit from author Jessixa Bagley, a large book fair, and many themed dress-up days and fun activities designed to celebrate the joy of reading. Learn more.
All-Class Reunion in Los Angeles
TASIS returned to the Jonathan Town Club in Los Angeles for the first time since 2023 for a fabulous, well-attended alumni reunion. Learn more.
Opsahl Global Service Program Returns to Moldova
During the week of April 5–12, a small group of High School students and faculty chaperones visited EcoVillage Moldova in the village of Rîșcova for the first time since 2019. Learn about the trip and read a reflection from Sonia Krikunchik ’26.
Monticello Profile: A Dorm that “Feels Like a Big Family”
Stella Timm ’27 interviewed High School Math Teacher and Dorm Parent Tessa Bragger and a number of boarding students to learn more about the Monticello Dormitory and the TASIS Residential Life Program. Read her interviews.
Middle School Theater Program Presents The Sound of Music: Youth Edition
Director Matthew Frazier-Smith and the TASIS Middle School Theater Company put on three tremendous performances of this year’s spring musical in the Palmer Cultural Center on May 1–3. See photos and learn about the cast and crew.
Two New Records Set at 12th Annual Beat the Bells Run
Thirty members of the TASIS community set out from campus at 9:15 on the morning of May 4 with the goal of running to Lake Lugano and back before the Chiesa di Sant'Abbondio bells rang at 10:00. Learn about the record-setting run.
Five TASIS Students Inducted to Cum Laude Society Chapter
At the annual High School Spring Academic Awards Ceremony on the afternoon of May 5, Head of High School Dr. Mark Abisi announced that five students from the Class of 2026 have been inducted to the TASIS Cum Laude Society chapter in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements. Established in 2017, the TASIS chapter now totals 72 members. Learn more.
From Tradition to Tomorrow: How a Knowledge-Based Curriculum Is (Still) the Best Preparation for the Future
In an engaging presentation in the Palmer Cultural Center on the evening of May 8, Headmaster Christopher Nikoloff highlighted the distinctive features of TASIS’s knowledge-based approach to learning and discussed the importance of deep academic knowledge and skills in meeting the real-world challenges of today and the future. Learn more.
Spring Arts Festival Brings Out the Best in TASIS Artists
The 2025 festival included an opening assembly, a conducting workshop, an extensive visual art exhibition, and a spectacular performing arts showcase, Wild, that involved more than 200 singers, players, actors, and dancers from the TASIS community. See video recordings and highlights, photo galleries, and a virtual tour of the art exhibition.
Class of 2025 Reflects, Shares Talents at Lively Senior Banquet
Held in the Palestra on the evening of May 23, the 2025 Senior Banquet included engaging opening remarks from Headmaster Christopher Nikoloff, poignant speeches from three members of the Class of 2025, a wide range of beautiful musical performances, and more. Watch the full banquet and see photos.
Presenting the Incredible Class of 2025
We held our 69th Commencement Ceremony in the TASIS Palestra on the morning of May 24. Watch the full ceremony and a highlight video, learn about the graduates, see a full list of university acceptances, and find links to photo galleries from Graduation Week.
Graduation Awards
Sixteen members of TASIS's 69th graduating class earned special recognition at the 2025 Commencement Ceremony. Learn about this year's recipients.
378 Offers of Admission from 179 Universities in 11 Countries
With support from an exceptional College Counseling Office and a first-rate faculty, all TASIS students who intended to go straight to university were able to secure a spot for the 2025–2026 academic year. Learn where the offers came from.
Many Paths to Success
TASIS students achieve their goals in a number of different ways: by earning an IB Diploma, by taking AP courses and scoring highly on the corresponding exams, by performing well on standardized tests, by writing excellent personal statements, and by exhibiting an impressive commitment to a combination of the arts, athletics, local and global service, and leadership positions on or off campus. In short, there are many paths to success at TASIS. See our Recent Graduates page to read about the TASIS journey and future plans for nine outstanding students from the Class of 2025.
Three Juniors Honored by Faculty for Commitment to Service
Each spring the High School Faculty selects three philanthropic students from grade 11 to receive the distinguished Junior Awards. Read about the latest recipients.
TASIS Tigers 2 Proudly Represent Switzerland at 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship
Learn about how the team performed in Dallas and watch an excellent video created by TASIS Creative Assistant Vitor Mendes, who traveled with the team to document the experience.
Moving on Up: Eighth Graders Prepare for New Adventure
The Middle School held its annual Moving-Up Ceremony in the Palmer Cultural Center on the afternoon of June 5 to celebrate the 48 students in the eighth-grade class. See photos and video footage of the student and faculty speeches, musical performances, presentation of awards and diplomas, and more.
Elementary School Celebrates, Says Goodbye to Fifth-Grade Class
The Elementary School’s annual Moving-Up Ceremony was held in the Palmer Cultural Center on the morning of June 6 and included speeches, class presentations, musical performances, and the presentation of diplomas. Watch the full ceremony and see photos.
Laura Hand Captures 2025 Khan-Page Master Teacher Award
Headmaster Christopher Nikoloff announced on the afternoon of June 6 that Elementary School Teacher Laura Hand, who has taught at TASIS since 2018, is the latest recipient of the prestigious award. Learn more.
TASIS IB Students Excel on Exams Once Again
The 28 TASIS students who earned an IB Diploma did so with an average score of 34.1 on their exams, exceeding the world average by 3.5 points. Learn more about the strong results.
TASIS Students Earn 78 AP Scholar Awards To Set School Record for Fifth Consecutive Year
TASIS students took 388 Advanced Placement exams in the spring and posted an excellent average score of 3.79, and the 78 AP Scholars broke the school record of 67 that was set the year before. Learn more about the tremendous results.
TASIS Parent Sevim Arslan and Alumnus Alexander de Bruin '87 Join Board of Directors
Chairman of the TASIS Board of Directors Lynn Fleming Aeschliman announced that Ms. Arslan and Mr. de Bruin—who bring a wealth of experience in the fields of corporate governance, international finance, and hospitality—were appointed to the Board in June. Learn more.
TASIS Summer Programs Open With 412 Students from 50 Nations
The first session of the 2025 TASIS Summer Programs opened on June 22, and a total of 880 students from 65 nations came to Lugano between the two sessions. Learn more.
This Summer at TASIS
From intensive academics in the morning, adventurous water sports in the afternoon, and transformative travel on the weekend to six original musical performances, four Summer Arts Festival Concerts, two Open Houses, and two Visual Arts Exhibitions, enjoy a photo-driven look at the summer of 2025.
Students Shine at Summer Arts Festivals
Our student artists finished off each session of the 2025 TASIS Summer Programs with a beautiful celebration of the arts. See an archive of the incredible performances and exhibitions.
Spectacular Summer Reunions
The TASIS Classes of 1985, 1995, 2005, 2015, and 2020 returned to campus over the summer for milestone reunions. Read about recent alumni reunions.
TASIS Opens 2025–2026 Academic Year With 740 Students from 69 Nations
Take a closer look at some of the key facts and figures related to this year’s student body.
Introducing the New Members of the TASIS Faculty and Residential Life Team
Read about the experienced educators who joined the TASIS community for the 2025–2026 academic year, and learn which current members of the TASIS Faculty have taken on new leadership roles.
TASIS University Day Connects Students With University Admissions Experts
Representatives from University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University of Southern California, and ESADE Business and Law School came to campus on September 3 to offer a range of workshops and question-and-answer sessions for our 12th-grade students and their parents. Learn more.
Family Weekend Highlights Legacy of Founder M. Crist Fleming
Middle School and High School parents visited campus on October 9 to attend classes with their children, watch a beautiful assembly that commemorated the incredible life of TASIS Founder M. Crist Fleming, and enjoy an evening reception in the Palmer Cultural Center. Learn more.
Wild Europe Founders Sarah Ziegler and Simon Straetker Kick Off 2025–2026 TASIS Speaker Series
The award-winning filmmakers and conservation advocates addressed the senior class in the Palmer Cultural Center on the evening of October 20 and spent time with students in a number of biology and photography classes over the course of their three-day visit. Learn more.
First-Rate Faculty
Faculty excellence is the core of the TASIS experience. In October, TASIS student writers had the opportunity to interview faculty members of their choice and add their stories to a growing collection of Faculty Features.
23 Cities in 10 Countries
Over the course of the fall of 2025, the unique TASIS Academic Travel Program provided High School and Middle School students the opportunity to learn and explore in Austria (Baad), Belgium (Brussels), Czech Republic (Prague), France (Normandy and Paris), Italy (Florence, Piemonte, Rome, Sardinia, and Venice), Malta (Mdina), Portugal (Santa Cruz), Sicily (Trapani), Spain (Fuerteventura), and Switzerland (Basel, Bern, Geneva, Gstaad, Interlaken, Leysin, Lucomagno, Zermatt, and Zurich).
During the major Fall Academic Travel session in early November, in which the vast majority of students and faculty members went on a trip, High School student writers served as photojournalists and compiled top-10 lists to chronicle their journeys. See their excellent work.
All-Class Reunions in Chicago and Boston
TASIS returned to Chicago and Boston in November for all-class reunions that reunited alumni spanning from the Class of 1962 to the Class of 2025. Learn more about the reunions.
High School Theater Presents Romeo and Juliet
Director Matthew Frazier-Smith and the TASIS High School Theater Company put on four outstanding performances of William Shakespeare’s renowned tragedy in the Palmer Cultural Center on November 20–23. Learn more and watch each cast perform.
TASIS Dance Presents It’s You I Like
Led by Artistic Director Julie Frazier-Smith, dancers from the Middle School and High School delivered an electrifying performance in front of a full house in the Palmer Cultural Center on the evening of November 26 for the ninth annual Sweet November Dance Concert. Learn more and watch the full performance.
The Holidays at TASIS
The final few weeks of school before the winter holiday were packed with musical performances, holiday celebrations, and a number of community-building events organized by the amazing TPA. See a recap of the holiday season.
2025 in Photos
Enjoy another look back at the past 12 months at TASIS. Watch the slideshow.