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La Garenne International School

Switzerland, Lausanne

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees CHF 36,000 - 115,000
Ages 5 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 150
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1947
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), IMYC (International Middle Years Curriculum)
Taught languages French, English
Typical class size 12
Strengths Languages, Outdoor Education, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional
Stages Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

La Garenne International School, founded in 1947, is located in the Swiss Alps at an altitude of 1,300 meters. The school hosts 150 students from over 30 countries, offering both day and full boarding options. For younger students, the curriculum follows the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC). Senior students prepare for Cambridge IGCSEs followed by the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). A specialized French Integration Programme is also available for those wishing to learn the local language. The campus features traditional chalet-style buildings equipped with science laboratories and digital learning tools. A defining feature of the school is its "Expedition and Ski Programme." During the winter term, students spend two afternoons a week skiing or snowboarding in the Villars-Gryon-Diablerets ski area. The school maintains a high staff-to-student ratio, ensuring individual attention within a family-owned setting that prioritizes outdoor mountain activities alongside classroom learning.

Chem. des Chavasses 23, 1885 Ollon, Switzerland

The Essentials

La Garenne International School has 150 pupils, typical class sizes of 12, instruction in English.

Location

The school is in the alpine village of Chesières, Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland. It is located at Chemin des Chavasses 23, 1885 Chesières. The alpine setting provides a mountain environment for boarding and day students.

Stages

The school serves ages 3 to 18, with Reception (early years), Primary School, Secondary School, IB Diploma Programme, and High School Programme.

Type

The school is an international boarding school offering boarding and day programmes.

Additional learning support

The school has a Head of Learning Support and offers Personalised Learning and Intensive English.

Country affiliation

Switzerland

Fees

Annual tuition at La Garenne International School ranges from CHF 36,000 to CHF 115,000 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- Application fee (new students): CHF 1,500. It is payable by credit card or bank transfer.

Enrolment deposit and one-off contributions

- Enrolment deposit (boarders): CHF 10,000.
- Enrolment deposit (day students): CHF 2,000.
- Campus Enhancement Fund contribution: CHF 5,000 (one-off).
- Swiss student residence permit (B permit) fee for new non‑European boarding students: CHF 2,100 (non‑refundable).
- Health insurance charge (new and returning): CHF 2,200 (billed as a general fee).

Tuition fees by year group (annual)

- Years 1 to 6 (Primary)
- Boarder: CHF 84,000 per year.
- Day student: CHF 46,000 per year.

- Middle Years Programme 1 to 3 (Years 7 to 9)
- Boarder: CHF 94,500 per year.
- Day student: CHF 61,000 per year.

- Middle Years Programme 4 & 5 (Years 10 & 11)
- Boarder: CHF 116,000 per year.
- Day student: CHF 83,000 per year.

- Diploma Years (Years 12 & 13)
- Boarder: CHF 126,000 per year.
- Day student: CHF 92,000 per year.

Special local conditions apply for day students whose parent(s) work within the local community; the school verifies addresses to confirm eligibility.

Per‑term amounts (calculated)

- The school operates three terms (Terms 1, 2 and 3). The published annual tuition above has been divided by three to produce per‑term figures below (this is a calculated per‑term breakdown based on the annual fee). Example per‑term amounts (annual ÷ 3):
- Years 1–6 boarder: CHF 28,000 per term (CHF 84,000 ÷ 3).
- Years 1–6 day student: CHF 15,333 per term (CHF 46,000 ÷ 3).
- Years 7–9 boarder: CHF 31,500 per term (CHF 94,500 ÷ 3).
- Years 7–9 day student: CHF 20,333 per term (CHF 61,000 ÷ 3).
- Years 10–11 boarder: CHF 38,667 per term (CHF 116,000 ÷ 3).
- Years 10–11 day student: CHF 27,667 per term (CHF 83,000 ÷ 3).
- Years 12–13 boarder: CHF 42,000 per term (CHF 126,000 ÷ 3).
- Years 12–13 day student: CHF 30,667 per term (CHF 92,000 ÷ 3).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Annual fees are invoiced in two invoices except for Diploma Years (Years 12 & 13), where the full amount is payable in advance. The first invoice covers Terms 1 and 2 plus general fees; the second invoice covers Term 3. Payment deadlines: first invoice must be settled by 1 June at the latest; the Term 3 invoice must be settled before 1 December. For new enrolments there are specific advance payment rules tied to the date of enrolment (e.g., required deposits and minimum advance percentages). New enrolment deposits are required before a place is guaranteed. A refundable deposit is held to cover unpaid supplementary expenses (see deposit amounts above).

- For new enrolments before 1 May the school requests at least 15% of the first invoice and the CHF 5,000 Campus Enhancement Fund contribution to guarantee the place. For enrolments after 1 June full payment of the first invoice is required within 15 days. For enrolments after 15 August or during the school year, payment of the first invoice is required before the student can start. All extras are billed separately at the end of each term and must be paid within 30 days.

Boarding fees and what is included

- Boarding fees are the boarder tuition figures listed above (annual). Boarding provision and charges are included within those boarder fees. The published boarding fee includes full board and lodging, school uniform, hire of ski uniform, tuition and supervised studies, loan of textbooks and some class materials, ski pass for boarders, ski locker, use of school laundry for boarders, library and computer network use, sports and cultural activities and short Swiss expeditions, on‑site healthcare, and transport to/from Geneva Airport within the school's published dates and times, plus applicable taxes/VAT.

Other costs and extras (not included in published tuition)

- Health and accident insurance and medication (the school bills health insurance as a general fee separately).
- Private lessons, learning support, university application fees, non‑mainstream IB languages or any IB subject not provided in the curriculum.
- Extracurricular after‑school clubs, stationery, ski equipment hire, official external exam fees (e.g., Cambridge, DELF), pocket money, personal and digital photo packages, complementary health packages, personal expenses (hairdresser, dentist, dry cleaning, postage), mandatory school trips. For day students specifically: ski pass, day trips, uniform, laundry, expeditions and health insurance are excluded from the day tuition and billed separately.

- Pocket money for new students is collected in advance on the first invoice; older students may be provided with a debit card arrangement managed by the school.

Refund, cancellation and withdrawal terms

- If a new student cancels enrolment for Term 1 before 1 June, school fees already paid (excluding the Application Fee, Enrolment Deposit and Swiss B permit fee) are reimbursed in full. If cancellation occurs after 1 June or for certain mid‑year enrolments, the school may retain or collect all of the first fees invoice; variable costs such as uniform, school meals and health insurance are fully reimbursed. A deposit is fully reimbursed within 120 days of a student leaving provided all accounts are settled. No fee reimbursement is made for absence from school due to sickness, injury or other reasons. If a student is permanently excluded or withdrawn during the academic year, fees for the current and following term remain due. Change of boarding status during the academic year does not entitle parents to a refund. Late payment interest and reminder charges apply for overdue invoices.

Discounts and family benefits

- Sibling discount for boarders: 10% for the second child, 15% for the third child, 20% for the fourth and any additional children (applied to tuition only).

Payment methods and banking details

- Accepted payment methods: credit card and bank transfer for application fees; school accepts payments by bank transfer, and offers an online international payment option via Flywire to allow secure payments from most countries and to reduce bank fees and poor exchange rates. Contact the school accountant for bank details; Flywire is available for international payments. The school cannot accept payments or transfers from banks or individuals on certain sanctions lists.

Late payment and penalties

- Reminders and late payments incur charges: the school may apply late payment interest (annualised rate 10% in accordance with Swiss law) and charge reminder fees; outstanding fees may lead to withholding of reports, certificates, or the student being prevented from returning until accounts are settled. A deposit is retained to cover unpaid supplementary expenses and will be reimbursed within 120 days after departure once accounts are settled.

Notes on what the annual tuition covers and does not cover

- Included in the published annual tuition for boarders: full board and lodging, school uniform, hire of ski uniform, tuition and supervised studies, certain textbooks and class materials, ski pass for boarders, ski locker, school laundry (boarders), library/computer network access, sports and cultural activities, short local expeditions, on‑site healthcare, and scheduled airport transfers.
- Not included: health and accident insurance (billed separately as a general fee), private lessons, elective external IB/Cambridge exam fees not in the curriculum, optional extracurricular clubs, stationery, ski equipment hire, pocket money, personal expenses, and mandatory school trips where noted. Day student fees exclude items such as the ski pass, some day trips, uniform, laundry, expeditions and health insurance.

(End of fees overview.)
Academics

La Garenne International School teaches IB (DP), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), IMYC (International Middle Years Curriculum) for students aged 5 to 18.

Curriculum

The school follows an international curriculum across divisions. In Early Years, the EYFS framework is used; Primary School teaches the English National Curriculum (ENC) and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). In Secondary School, students undertake the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the IGCSE, before choosing between the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or the High School Diploma (HSD) in Years 12 and 13. French is compulsory and the French Language Diploma (DELF) is offered from Year 5 with a 100% pass rate among the youngest participants in Vaud. Cambridge English Qualifications provide a CEFR-aligned pathway from A1 to C2. Small class sizes and personalised learning support students, and a Higher Education and Futures Programme provides university guidance.

Student Teacher Ratio

Small class sizes.

Exam Results

DELF is offered from Year 5 onward. The school reports that DELF participants are among the youngest in the canton of Vaud and consistently achieve a 100% pass rate.

Higher Education Progression

From early in Secondary School, Higher Education and Futures Programme provides university guidance. University Guidance Specialists assist with programme selection, university applications, personal statements, and interview preparation. They support admissions to universities worldwide, including Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Social and emotional development is integrated into La Garenne's approach. Students grow intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically as part of their education. Outdoor Forest School activities build confidence and resilience, and the House System and pastoral staff support belonging and personal growth.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The team includes a psychologist and special needs and disability specialists to support students with additional needs.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Intensive English Programme provides focused English support for students who need it, with the aim of reaching at least B1. The programme offers tailored short-term English development, potentially postponing other subjects as needed.

Mental Wellbeing

Well-being is a central focus. In-school counselling is available to all students, with a confidential service led by a team that includes a psychologist. Regular training in child, teenager, and young adult psychology and well-being supports staff in safeguarding students' mental health.

Safeguarding

La Garenne maintains a safeguarding policy with a child-centred, coordinated approach. All staff understand safeguarding responsibilities; new staff undergo enhanced pre-employment checks; the policy is reviewed annually. Safety and reporting concerns are reinforced through PSHE, E-Safety, and assemblies.

Admissions

Admissions

4 Easy Steps to Apply:
1. Contact our Admissions Team to start the process.
2. Complete the admissions form and send us all the necessary documents.
3. After a positive evaluation, you will receive an offer to be accepted.
4. Formally accept the offer and fulfil all the financial obligations.

Fees and costs: Application fee CHF 1'800. Full-Year Boarding CHF 85'000 to CHF 129'000. Full-Year Day School CHF 47'000 to CHF 94'000. Local Students CHF 19'800.

Enquiries: The Admissions Team will support and guide you through every step of the process via the enquiry form and contact channels.

Scholarships: The school does not offer scholarships.

Scholarships

The school does not offer scholarships.

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