Ages 
This is a very cosmopolitan school, in pupils and philosophy. Children learn to respect and accept one another regardless of cultural, ethnic or religious backgrounds - invaluable lessons to help these young people step out confidently into an increasingly international world. Alumni (many of whom have risen to the top of their chosen career paths) have very fond memories of their time here - a reflection of a good school and a good solid education.
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Overview
- Student numbers
- 1829
- Curricula
- Other curriculum
- International
- SEN provision
- SEN considered case by case
- Pre school provision (up to 4)
- Yes
- Religion
- Non-denominational
- Fees
- CHF 19,800 - CHF 35,470
- Linked schools
Head of school
Campus and secondary school principal
Jonathan Halden
Since 2023, Jonathan Halden. Started his career at Ecolint in La Châtaigneraie in 2006 before transferring to La Grande Boissière (LGB), holding multiple positions, and was most recently assistant principal and IB diploma coordinator.
For the
Entrance
As with all Ecolint schools, LGB is non-selective, but students entering in year 12 should have a good grasp of English or French. Waiting lists are common for secondary years and the school encourages entry at the beginning of the school year,
Exit
In 2025, 39 per cent headed to universities in the UK eg Oxbridge, LSE, UCL, King’s College, Imperial and Warwick, as well as Edinburgh and St Andrews in Scotland. Twenty per cent to the US (Stamford, Universities of California, NYU, Boston Uni and
Latest results
In 2025, 98 per cent pass rate in the IB Diploma.
Teaching & learning
The school is rightly proud of its long history (nearly 100 years), not only making it the oldest international school in the world, but one that helped develop the International Baccalaureate diploma programme and was the first school to offer it in
- Curricula & qualifications
- Other curriculum - Adapted or school-developed curriculum
- International - International Baccalaureate (Diploma)
- Bilingual programmes
- French/English
Learning support & SEN
A fantastic learning support centre provides individual education programmes (IEPs) for those with special learning needs in secondary years. An extended support programme meets the needs of students with moderate to severe learning difficulties who
Language support
LGB is a bilingual school with French, English and bilingual programmes. Specialist support for English is provided in the ESL units in each of the primary, middle and secondary sections. However, students entering year 12 must already have a good
Arts & extracurricular
Artwork is on display throughout the school and plays an important role in the curriculum, as do the performing arts. The creative and visual arts centre (opened with much fanfare back in 2014) contains music, drama and dance studios, a 200-seat
Sport
While sports facilities were transformed with the construction of an all-weather sports pitch and athletics track, this is still not the school for the ardent athlete (although impressively every year a couple of students do get sports scholarships
Ethos & heritage
LGB was the first school owned and managed by the Foundation of the International School of Geneva. It was established in 1924, under the auspices of the League of Nations, with just a few primary aged students. It is a not-for-profit organisation
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Every parent and pupil signs a code of conduct. The school does not tolerate bullying at any level and repeated unacceptable behaviour will result in expulsion. Some parents have commented that this is all very well, but expelled students sometimes
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Students should not use their phones during school time and are asked to keep them in their locker during school hours. If seen, mobile phones will be confiscated. Headphones may only be used with laptops and with permission. The cafeteria is a tech-free zone, while the library allows laptops but not phones. Responsible digital habits are strongly encouraged.
Classroom & community
There are 88 different nationalities and 57 mother tongues - making it seem like a true League of Nations school. And it is, except that by far the largest national group is Swiss (although that is most likely not their parents’ nationality) -
- School year
- September – June, with three terms
- School hours
- 8.15 am - various times depending on class (Wednesday - 12 noon)
- Student nationalities - total
- 90
- Uniform requirements
- No
Money matters
The school is almost entirely funded by school fees which are very high by UK standards but compare favourably with other European international schools. A small percentage of expats foot this enormous bill themselves, but a number work for
- Annual fee range
- CHF 19,800 - CHF 35,470
- Fee information
- Application fee: CHF 2,500
Capital development fee: CHF 4,000
Re-enrolment deposit: CHF 1,000
The last word
This is a very cosmopolitan school, in pupils and philosophy. Children learn to respect and accept one another regardless of cultural, ethnic or religious backgrounds - invaluable lessons to help these young people step out confidently into an
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)
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSACS or MSA)- Memberships
- Association des Directeurs D'Instituts de la Suisse Romande (ADISR)European Council of International Schools (ECIS)Association Genevoise des Ecoles Privees (AGEP)Federation Suisse des Ecoles Privees (FSEP) International Schools Association (ISA) International Schools Sports Tournament (ISST) International Schools Theatre Association (ISTA)Swiss Group of International Schools (SGIS)Reseau suisse des ecoles en sante
