Thank you for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that you appreciate our bilingual approach, modern facilities, and caring environment. Your feedback means a lot to us!
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As your local and international school, our mission is two-fold.
We work hard both to give our Swiss students a true international experience and to ensure our international students feel at home in the Swiss language and culture.
How, you ask?
By guiding them through our personalized Infant & Primary programme and high quality International Baccalaureate programmes, as well as providing them with numerous extra-curricular activities to enjoy together at school and in the region.
At Haut-Lac, we are more than just a school. We are a family of educators, students and families who work and play together in English and French.
Why? Because with nearly 30 years’ experience in bilingual education, we know that the best language learning takes places when children are happy and feel safe to take language risks in all subjects. Through personalised, innovative approaches, our staff ensure their students are engaged in their learning and having fun as the discover the world around them.
And not just in class, but also out and about in the local area and during any number of our 150 extra-curricular clubs and activities.
Anne-Marie & Neil Harwood, Grainne & Jean-Louis Dubler
| Number of students |
620 |
| Number of nationalities represented in the school |
54 |
| Most common nationality |
Swiss |
| Ratio of local students to international students |
62% local v 38% international |
| Native English and French speaking teachers |
Yes |
| Language support for students not fluent in English and French |
Yes |
| Additional language classes offered by the school |
French, German, Spanish |
| Max. number of students per class |
18 |
| Average number of students per class |
15 |
| Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes |
| Use of technology in the classroom |
P3 to MYP4 (8 to14) use iPads & MYP5 to DP2 (15-18) bring laptop;
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| Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures) |
Yes, we used Zoom, online resources and Managebac to keep in contact with students and hold lessons as normally as possible during lockdown in March 2020. We currently offer remote learning to our student-athletes, when they are away training or competing in their sports. |
| Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
No |
| External examinations or assessments available |
IB MYP E-Assessment, IB Diploma exams, IB Career-
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| Results in these examinations |
The classes of 2020 and 2021 achieved a 100% pass rate with an average of 34
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| Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes |
| Approximate hours of homework given |
The amount of homework is different for every age group. |
| Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
100% |
| Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Yes |
| Learning support offered |
English as an Additional Language lessons
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| The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
Teachers use differentiated teaching methods to ensure all their students are motivated and eager to learn. |
| Student access to education psychologist |
A school counsellor is available to talk to secondary students if necessary. |
| Entry evaluation for students |
No, we just ask for school reports from the last three years. |
| Waiting list |
Yes, depending on the year group. |
| Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
Enrolments accepted throughout the year. |
| Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes |
| School start time |
8:20 |
| School finish time |
15:30 or 16:20 depending on the age group |
| Supervised care before/after school |
Breakfast club from 7:15 in the morning
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| School bus service available |
Yes |
| School provided lunches |
Yes |
| Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
Yes, vegetarian, no pork, gluten-free and/or lactose-free options are available, as well as no pork. |
| Uniform required |
Yes |
| Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
More than 150 clubs choices: Badminton, Basketball, Horse-Riding, Sailing, Football, Swimming, Table-Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Art, Band, Chess, Debating, Drama, Caring for the Environment, Global Issues, Photography, Spanish, Guitar, German, Taekwondo, Choir, Gymnastics, MUN |
| Sports activities included |
Normal gym lessons (all sections), swimming lessons (primary), winter ski outings (from 6 y.o.) |
| Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
Yes. We are part of several swiss and international school competition associations. As of September 2021, we will also run a Ski Racing
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| Facilities at the school |
Two libraries, a fully-equipped stage, 4 fully-equipped science labs, 2 design technology labs, 2 art rooms, 2 music rooms, 1 dance studio, 1 green screen, 1 golf simulator |
| Sports facilities at the school |
1 large fully-equipped sports hall which may be split into three smaller halls.
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| Grades/ages available for boarding |
11-18 years old |
| Boarding facilities at the school |
A bright and cosy, two-person bedroom with private bathroom
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| Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
Haut-Lac International Bilingual School, an independent day & boarding school, opened its doors in 1993 with thirteen students and continues to grow and develop. It's location and highly diverse, international student body give students a wealth of opportunities to examine their own and other cultures in a global context. Small class sizes enable the teaching staff to follow the progress of individual children closely. The students are actively encouraged to adopt a positive, responsible and caring attitude within the classroom as well as towards the wider school community and beyond. A good relationship between the school and the parents, a rich choice of extra-curricular activities and the many opportunities to become involved and act cooperatively with others provide a stimulating and caring environment in which they are able to develop their potential to the full. |
| Teaching approach of the school |
The bilingual programme (French/English) in the Infant/Primary sections is offered on a one day-one day schedule, alternating the language of instruction from one school day to the next and delivered by native French- and English-speaking teachers. The children thus spend an equal amount of time in each language environment, so that by the time they move up to secondary level, they are comfortable in both of the working languages of the school and can continue to benefit from a bilingual curriculum based on the guidelines of the IB MYP and Diploma Programme. The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) provides an in-depth study of the conventional subject areas within a challenging framework which emphasises the teaching of life skills for students aged 11 to 16. It is a five-year programme that allows schools the liberty to be creative in the development of their curriculum, but closely disciplines them through a rigorous assessment system. Fundamentally, the IB MYP aims to show how school subjects are inter-related and teaches students that consideration of issues and problems in their widest scope will enhance their critical thinking. Their ability to find acceptable solutions to a range of problems and adapt them to a variety of situations is developed through five cross-curricular perspectives, termed ‘areas of interaction’. This holistic approach to education combined with the fostering of inter-cultural awareness and communication promotes in students the values of understanding, tolerance and respect. In consequence, adolescents are helped to grow into responsible members of a world community. The IB Diploma Programme (DP) continues the philosophy of encouraging students to follow a broad-based educational programme. They study six subjects selected from the following subject groups: Language A, Language B, Individuals and Societies, Experimental Sciences, Mathematics and the Arts. At Haut-Lac students are able to benefit from the possibility of taking the IB Diploma in French, in English or bilingually (i.e. some subjects in each of the school’s two languages). In order to meet all the requirements, students must also complete three compulsory elements that are central to the IB Diploma Programme philosophy: writing an extended essay (EE), participating in a theory of knowledge (TOK) course and demonstrating creativity, action and service (CAS). In this way the aim of offering students a holistic education that provides them with the skills and knowledge to cope with the challenges of further education and life beyond is fulfilled. The IB Diploma is widely recognised by the world’s leading universities.
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INFANT SECTION
Located on the lower ground floor of our Praz-Dagoud campus, our Infant bilingual and English section classes bring together children from 3 to 6 years old from different cultural backgrounds, skills and school experiences.
Each and every one is individually guided through our stimulating and holistic theme-based Learning Means the World programme by caring, professional educators and support staff.
Located on our Praz-Dagoud campus, our Primary bilingual or English section classes bring together children from 6 to 10 years old with various cultural backgrounds, skills and school experiences.
Our personalised Primary curriculum is based around four concepts, namely culture, conflict, communication and conservation. Through creative, innovative and thought-provoking themes, such as Inter-nation Media Station, Lightning Speed and Going Wild!, students develop their skills and knowledge and learn to apply them to real world issues. Students learn through ‘having a go’, making mistakes, practising, sharing, persevering, consolidating and applying what they have learned to build resilience and a real sense of achievement.
Our Secondary section is split over two campuses. Our 11-12 year olds study on the top floor of Praz-Dagoud campus and our 13-18 year olds on our Roches Grises campus. However, all year groups come together on one or other campus for assemblies and other section-wide events during the year.
As an IB World School, our flagship programmes are the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) for 11-15 year olds as well as the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and the IB Career-Related Programme for 16-18 year olds. Haut-Lac’s mission and vision, as well as our core values of respect, resilience, open-mindedness and sense of belonging align closely with the philosophy and ethos of the International Baccalaureate.
The state-of-the-art school and sport facilities and equipment on our three campuses provide our students with the right tools to become active global and digital citizens.
Check out the facilities in this interactive virtual tour.
As a family-oriented local international school, we consider all students our children. We want to give each and every one of them the chance to study and find their passion at Haut-Lac. We therefore opened a boutique boarding home for:
• international students seeking a bilingual, English or French IB education on the shores of Lake Geneva.
• student-athletes looking for a way into the world’s top universities without abandoning their sporting dreams.
Haut-Lac International Bilingual School is delighted that you’re considering our school for your child’s education.
We understand that selecting the perfect school for your child is a challenging task, and want to do everything we can to make the process as smooth and easy as possible. Simply contact us to arrange a school campus tour and get answers to your questions.
We’re looking forward to answering all of your questions and welcoming your family to our school.
Thank you for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that you appreciate our bilingual approach, modern facilities, and caring environment. Your feedback means a lot to us!
There is 3 more reviews
