Ages 
A small-but-mighty Alpine school with a family heartbeat and a brisk, unfussy way of getting things done. Serious academics, serious skiing and seriously strong pastoral care wrap neatly around a student body that’s tiny enough for everyone to matter and mixed enough to keep things interesting. Brilliant for children who will thrive with close attention, clear boundaries, fresh mountain air and a community that feels more like a well-run household than an institution.
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Overview
- Student numbers
- 185
- Curricula
- International
- British
- SEN provision
- Mainstream with SEN support
- Offers boarding
- Boarding available
- Religion
- Non-denominational
- Fees
- Day CHF 47,000 - CHF 94,000; Boarding CHF 85,000 - CHF 129,000
- Ownership
- Owned and operated by the Swiss Méan family
Head of school
Principal
Gavin Williams
Since April 2025, Gavin Williams, MA Teaching and Learning (Liverpool Hope University), BSc Biochemistry (University of Liverpool) and currently completing an EdD (University of Bath). Has worked in education for over 15 years, including almost a
Entrance
Rolling admissions are refreshingly fuss free. Placement tests, an interview, a motivation letter and a student presentation – done at pace and without paperwork gymnastics. Waiting lists exist, though siblings may get priority if they meet
Exit
School doesn’t wait until year 13 panic season to talk futures. The ‘higher education and futures programme’ kicks off at the start of secondary, nudging students to map ambitions realistically and understand what competitive applications require.
Latest results
In 2025, all 12 students who took the IBDP passed it with an average score of 34 (global average 30) with 20 per cent achieving the bilingual diploma. Almost one-third of students opted for the high school diploma.
School only introduced the IGCSE
Teaching & learning
Primary starts with a punchy pairing of the English National Curriculum for backbone (and a ‘British school vibe’ according to one staff member) and the IPC (International Primary Curriculum) for colour. The school says this delivers both order and
- Curricula & qualifications
- International - International Baccalaureate (Diploma)
- International - International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP)
- International - International Primary Curriculum (IPC)
- British - GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education)
- British - National Curriculum for England
Learning support & SEN
A petite school with a robust safety net. Needs tend to be mild to moderate, but staff spot issues early. Full-time learning-support staff plus in-house therapists (one in primary, two in secondary) work alongside safeguarding counsellors who know
Language support
Turn up with English that’s more shrug than sentence (as many do)? The school snaps into action with an intensive programme that fast-tracks newcomers to B1, even if it means putting other subjects briefly on hold. From there, students can march
Arts & extracurricular
Music is taken seriously here – three in-house music teachers bolstered by four external specialists who sweep in with plenty of enthusiasm to teach a wide array of instruments. Private lessons are extra but easy to slot in thanks to dedicated
Sport
Skiing is the crown jewel. Seniors get two full days a week, primary two half-days, and the ski lift sits so close to the school that senior students practically step from classroom to chairlift. They describe it as ‘the best’, ‘amazing’ and claim
Boarders
Boarding starts young (age four!) but feels thoughtful and calm rather than cutesy. The youngest boarders (age 4–10) live in Chalet La Garenne, a bona fide Swiss chalet scaled to ‘cosy’: bunk rooms of four to six, shared bathrooms (one per floor for
Ethos & heritage
La Garenne wears its ethos openly pinned to its chest: ‘Be happy, never, never, never give up.’ One of Switzerland’s oldest – and certainly one of its smallest – international boarding schools, La Garenne tops out at 200 students and fully intends to
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Firm but fair with clear expectations: kindness in, bragging out. The school isn’t draconian, but it keeps a sharp eye on behaviour and acts fast when lines are crossed. Incident? Parent emails land promptly, consistency is the watchword.
Health
Classroom & community
A cultural cocktail mixed with purpose: no more than 10–15 per cent per language group. Cohorts shift annually, but the blend stays balanced and house parents keep social chemistry smooth.
Students describe a family feel: ‘We love spending quality
- School year
- September – June, with three terms
- School hours
- 8:00am – 4:00pm
- Student nationalities
- Maximum 10 percent of any one nationality
- Student nationalities - total
- 35
- Uniform requirements
- Yes
Money matters
No formal scholarships, though modest support may be offered case-by-case.
- Annual fee range
- Day CHF 47,000 - CHF 94,000; Boarding CHF 85,000 - CHF 129,000
- Fee information
- Application fee: CHF 1,800 (non-refundable); Enrollment deposit: CHF 10,000 (boarders) CHF 2,000 (day students)
Campus Enhancement Fund: CHF 5,000.
Other extras include learning support, private lessons, mandatory school trips, stationary, official exam fees, uniforms (included for boarders).
The last word
A small-but-mighty Alpine school with a family heartbeat and a brisk, unfussy way of getting things done. Serious academics, serious skiing and seriously strong pastoral care wrap neatly around a student body that’s tiny enough for everyone to matter
Accreditations, inspections & memberships
- Accreditations/Inspections
- Authorised by International Baccalaureate Organization (not to be confused as an inspection or accreditation agency)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Council of International Schools (CIS)- Memberships
- Swiss Private Schools Federation (FSEP); Boarding Schools Association (BSA); Swiss Group of International Schools (SGIS); Swiss Learning; Cambridge English Language Assessment (Exam Preparation Centre); ELF / DALF (French Language Diploma); AVDEP (Vaud Association of Private Schools).
