Aiglon walks the line between tradition and innovation, providing all the bells and whistles to produce grounded, well-rounded young adults with mountain grit and intellectual polish. Not for the sofa-bound, it demands independence and a healthy respect for nature. The view may be jaw-dropping, the price tag high, yet this is no lofty ivory tower - it’s a place for those who want more than just grades - and don’t mind the odd blister to get it.
Why read our school review?
Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
Unlock to accessSpark your child’s love of reading with FREE gifts
Get three months of First News digital for free and £5 off Scholastic books when you read our school reviews.
Overview
- Student numbers
- 480
- Curricula
- Other curriculum
- British
- International
- SEN provision
- Mainstream with SEN support
- Offers boarding
- Boarding available
- Religion
- Non-denominational
- Fees
- CHF 47,850 - CHF 159,000 pa
- Ownership
- Not-for-profit culture: As a community-owned school
Head of school
School director
Nicola Sparrow
Since 2019, Nicola Sparrow BSc (history and politics) from Brunel University of London, PGCE (history) from Oxford University and MBA (finance and marketing in international education) from University of Leicester. Previously director of studies at
Unlock this review instantly
Learn what pupils and parents really think of this school, along with our expert opinion on the headteacher’s leadership style, the school’s academic results and facilities, the focus on pastoral care, and the range of extra-curricular activities.
Entrance
Welcoming and remarkably stress-free; ‘Like a smooth oiled machine,’ according to one parent, with easy to arrange tours (virtual or in person), a series of admission tests, plus an interview with the head and references from the present school.
Exit
Parents are glowing about the school's strong team of guidance counsellors who start laying the groundwork in year 9. Support doesn't evaporate on graduation - the school continues advising students during gap years and even after, as needed. The
Latest results
In 2025, average IBDP score of 36 compared to worldwide average of 30. Nearly one quarter of students achieved 40+ points (highest score 44). Pass rate 100 per cent. Every year around 20 per cent achieve the prestigious bilingual diploma.
In
Teaching & learning
School follows a British curricum, ‘with an international twist, especially in history’ according to one teacher, leading up to year 11 when all students take I/GCSEs. In years 12 and 13, the IB Diploma Programme or a US high school diploma is on
- Curricula & qualifications
- Other curriculum - Adapted or school-developed curriculum
- British - GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education)
- British - International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)
- International - International Baccalaureate (Diploma)
- British - National Curriculum for England
Learning support & SEN
School supports students with mild to moderate learning challenges (eg ADHD, dyslexia, mild autism) and maintains constant communication with families to ensure needs are met. Parents are impressed by how much their children improve, with one sharing
Language support
School does a great job with non-mother tongue English speakers, who are predominantly Spanish-speaking or from Asian countries, with excellent ESL teaching - a mixture of class and individual support from a team of professionals (included in fees).
Arts & extracurricular
The arts are taken seriously and proudly shown off. The dining room includes a mini-gallery of beautiful student artwork and students are taken on many art trips within Europe. We saw IB visual arts diploma students hard at work in the impressively
Sport
If your idea of school sport is a muddy football pitch and a whistle at break, think again. This is a mountain school with altitude and attitude. Skiing isn’t just encouraged here - all students learn to ski. In winter, the whole timetable shifts to
Boarders
Swiss chalet-style boarding houses where Heidi would feel at home are dotted around the campus, each with their own individual character and excellent facilities maintained to a high standard. Houses are assigned – families can submit a preference,
Ethos & heritage
Nestled in the chic alpine ski resort of Villars-sur-Ollon, Aiglon was founded in 1949 by John Corlette, a former Gordonstoun master with a vision for creating hardy, independent youngsters via the holistic educational principles of Kurt Hahn -
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Parents praise the school’s ‘firm but fair’ approach: expectations are clear (zero tolerance on drugs with regular random testing and no smoking on campus) with discipline consistent and carried out with a no-nonsense and polite manner. Respect is
Classroom & community
Students - staff children, scholarship recipients, day students, and globe-trotting boarders - blend well. They criss-cross the campus in sturdy Timberlands, walk themselves to ski lifts and pack their own bags for overnights. Parents love this
- School year
- August – June; with three terms
- School hours
- 8:00am to 5:00pm
- Student nationalities - total
- 70
- Uniform requirements
- Yes
Money matters
A mix of full fee-paying families, international charitable trusts and generous alumni. A few scholarships and a dedicated fund for students from African and Asian countries, which the school community is rightly proud of.
- Annual fee range
- CHF 47,850 - CHF 159,000 pa
- Fee information
- Application fee: Registration Fee: CHF 3,000;
Scholarship & Development Fund: CHF 4,000;
Deposit: CHF 15,000;
Alumni Eagle Association (ACAEA): CHF 2,000;
Uniform: CHF 3,900-5,200;
Pocket money CHF 1,365
Optional extra subject choices, private lessons and learning support.
The last word
Aiglon walks the line between tradition and innovation, providing all the bells and whistles to produce grounded, well-rounded young adults with mountain grit and intellectual polish. Not for the sofa-bound, it demands independence and a healthy
Accreditations, inspections & memberships
- Accreditations/Inspections
- Authorised by International Baccalaureate Organization (not to be confused as an inspection or accreditation agency)
Council of International Schools (CIS)
Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)- Memberships
- BSA, COBIS, HMC, IAPS, Round Square, SGIS.