If you're looking for some of the world’s most elite boarding schools, then Switzerland is the first place to look. With over 10 of the world’s most exclusive boarding schools, Switzerland is known for its high educational standards.
For such a small country, it has the second-best education system and highest boarding school fees in the world, making it very popular amongst the rich and famous.
Switzerland’s variety of elite boarding schools provides you with the opportunity to find one that best suits your children’s needs. Although each school is different in respect to their campus, academic focus, and extra-curricular opportunities, they all offer very similar boarding standards - most are international programs or based around international teaching. They provide multi-lingual teaching and therefore internationally recognised courses.
But how to pick the right boarding school for your children, when there are so many incredible options?
Consider the Level of Boarding
Each school will run a slightly different boarding program, not all schools will be 7 days a week. Depending on your location, you may want to give your children the option to come home for the weekend or only want them boarding during the week.
Language Options
Most Switzerland boarding schools will give the option of studying multiple languages, whereas some schools learning multiple languages may be the primary focus. Ensure you know what both you and your child wants and whether learning multiple languages is an area they would like to improve.
Class Size & Gender-Division
The schools vary significantly in size, so make sure you know what sort of class sizes your child will be getting taught in, a much smaller class is likely to be highly beneficial for your child’s learning.
Some schools may have a slightly biased gender-division, so it’s best to consider if this may affect your child’s learning.
Degree & Course Program
Research what international programs are offered at the school and consider the easiness of transition to University. If you have an idea as to where your child may want to study, it might be best to take this into consideration.
Parents Guide to the Most Exclusive Boarding Schools
Swiss Boarding Schools
*Most fees are estimated but for exact values, contact the desired School.
Institute Le Rosay
Fees: CHF. 125,000 / £104,000
Founded: 1880
Number of students: 420
This school offers access to well-equipped facilities including an equestrian centre, an 18-hole golf course and a Wellness Centre. They have two campuses which are used alternatively based on the time of the year. The Rolle campus accommodates students in the Summer and the Gstaad campus accommodates the students during the Winter months.
All teaching is bilingual both linguistically and culturally, with the opportunity to learn up to four languages at a time choosing from an amazing option of twenty.
TASIS The American School in Switzerland
Fees: CHF 90,000 / £74,000
Founded: 1956
Number of students: 720
TASIS is the first American School in Europe and is located on the Collina d’Oro, ‘the hill of gold’ and the campus contains 25 buildings dating back to the 17th century. They have an amazing fine arts programme of which the artwork is celebrated during the Spring Arts Festival, attracting famous artists and musicians.
Collège Alpin Beau Soleil
Fees: CHF 99 000 / £79,000
Founded: 1910
Number of students: 250
Collège Alpin Beau Soleil is best known for the several expeditions and trips to destinations all over the world like Ghana and Tanzania as well as visiting global monuments and scenery such as Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. It’s one of the most expensive schools in the world and provides both French and International curriculums.
Aiglon College
Fees: CHF 72 300 / £59, 700 - CHF 120 000 / £99, 000
Founded: 1949
Number of students: 400
Aiglon College is on of the world’s most distinctive boarding schools and is embedded in the Swiss mountains with an outstanding view of Mont Blanc massif. One of the main attractions to this school is the opportunity for an amazing variety of outdoor sports.
Leysin American School
Fees: CHF 85,000 (£69, 000)
Founded: 1961
Number of students: 320-345
Leysin American School is located 2 hours from Geneva in the Alpin village of Lesysin. The institution is majorly focused on university preparation and therefore has several visits from over 70 international universities each year. They are very heavily focused academia which results in over 99% of their students attending Higher Education.
Institut auf dem Rosenberg
Fees: CHF 84,000 (£68, 000)
Founded: 1889
Number of students: 260
This school is one of the most expensive and exclusive in the world, with a strict capacity of students. Academic and extra-curricular are the main focuses of the school with an additional priority of personal development. Various summer and winter sports are available throughout the year.
