Academia Bilingual School Basel vs Saint Charles International School

	A Academia Bilingual School Basel Basel, Switzerland	S Saint Charles International School Basel, Switzerland
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year CHF 20,760 - 23,290	Fees / year CHF 15,300 - 74,500
Age range	Age range 4 - 14 years	Age range 8 - 20 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Swiss Curriculum	Curriculum Swiss Curriculum, IB (MYP), IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 259
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 15
Instruction language	Instruction language English, German	Instruction language English, French, German
Opened	Opened —	Opened 1897
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location —	Location Saint-Charles International School is in Porrentruy, Jura, Switzerland at Rue du 24-Septembre 1, 2900 Porrentruy. The campus is less than two hours from Zürich and about one hour from Basel, and is easy to reach by car or train. From Zürich Airport, trains to Zürich Main Station and then to Porrentruy take about 2 to 2.5 hours; from Basel Airport, direct trains to Porrentruy take just over an hour. On arrival in Porrentruy, the campus is minutes away from the train station, with a six-minute walk for travelers without luggage.
Stages	Stages —	Stages Swiss Programme from primary through middle school and high school (Maturité), with instruction in French, English, and German.
School type	School type —	School type The school is private and offers day schooling and boarding; boarding is available for students from age 10.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation Recognised by the Swiss Confederation and authorised to prepare students for the Maturité exams.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation Christian; founded with Christian roots and supported by the Diocese of Basel.
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure The day includes standard classroom instruction with after-school Devoirs accompagnés (supervised study) available for students after class.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details —	Fee details Admission & Application Fees: - Day students (day-school admission): CHF 500 (one-time, non-refundable). - Boarding students (boarding admission): CHF 3,000 (one-time, non-refundable). Tuition fees (annual and per-term / per-semester equivalents): Note: Tuition is quoted as an annual amount. Billing may be processed by semester on request; where a per-term amount is shown below it is the annual figure divided by two (per-semester). - Primary School (Swiss curriculum): - Annual: CHF 6'600 (families in the Canton of Jura) / CHF 14'400 (outside the canton). - Per semester (billing-by-semester equivalent): CHF 3'300 / CHF 7'200. - Middle School (Collège, Swiss curriculum): - Annual: CHF 7'200 (Jura) / CHF 18'000 (outside the canton). - Per semester: CHF 3'600 / CHF 9'000. - Swiss Lycée – Maturité (French): - Annual: CHF 9'600 (Jura) / CHF 20'400 (outside the canton). - Per semester: CHF 4'800 / CHF 10'200. - Bilingual Lycée (English–French) – Maturité: - Annual: CHF 12'000 (Jura) / CHF 24'000 (outside the canton). - Per semester: CHF 6'000 / CHF 12'000. - International Section (IB MYP and DP): - IB MYP 3: Annual CHF 20'000 (Jura) / CHF 23'000 (outside). Per semester: CHF 10'000 / CHF 11'500. - IB MYP 4: Annual CHF 22'000 (Jura) / CHF 33'000 (outside). Per semester: CHF 11'000 / CHF 16'500. - IB MYP 5: Annual CHF 22'000 (Jura) / CHF 33'000 (outside). Per semester: CHF 11'000 / CHF 16'500. - IB Diploma Programme (DP): Annual CHF 25'000 (Jura) / CHF 33'000 (outside). Per semester: CHF 12'500 / CHF 16'500. Boarding fees (packages, inclusions and exclusions): - 5-day boarding package (board and school week activities): CHF 32'700 per year. Included elements listed for the package: full board during the week, the boarding programme, supervised homework, on-site extracurricular activities, day trips, certain sports outfit items, and some cultural/outings; certain items are excluded (residence permit fees, books and school supplies in some circumstances, certain exam and activity costs, travel, pocket money, occasional laundry, airport transfers and some camps/trips). - 7-day boarding package (full weekly boarding including weekends): CHF 47'000 per year. The 7-day package includes weekend activities, laundry and additional weekend services; a number of items remain excluded (travel, some lessons/activities charged separately, pocket money, airport transfers, certain exam fees and specialist activities). - Day-board / lunch options (annual lunch plans): - 1 lunch per week: CHF 390 (annual). 2 lunches: CHF 780. 3 lunches: CHF 1'170. 4 lunches: CHF 1'560. 5 lunches: CHF 1'950. Other recurring fees and one-off academic/exam charges: - General / annual fees (covers textbooks, school supplies, school outings, ski/green camp, graduation trips and administrative costs): billed in two instalments (at the start of the school year and at the start of the second semester). Amounts vary by programme: - Primary: CHF 1'000 per year. - Middle School (Collège): CHF 1'500 per year. - Swiss Lycée / Bilingual Lycée: CHF 1'500 per year. - International Section MYP levels: CHF 1'500 per year. - IB DP (final years): CHF 2'500 per year. - Support / tutoring and extra academic services (examples): - Private 45-minute lessons: CHF 100 per lesson. - Semi-private (max 3 students) 45-minute: CHF 60 per lesson. - Group (4+ students) 45-minute: CHF 30 per lesson. - Language-exam preparation courses: approx. CHF 1'000 per semester (charged when organised). - Language examination fees: generally between CHF 400 and CHF 750. - IB DP examination fees: CHF 2'980. - Extras commonly excluded from package fees and billed separately: specialist lessons (horse riding, music, golf, aviation), certain travel and airport transfers, replacement of lost/damaged books or licences, some medical or insurance costs beyond those listed, pocket money and occasional laundry/dry-cleaning. Billing schedule and payment terms: - Invoices are issued in advance and are payable within the stated payment term; billing may be processed by semester on request. Payments are to be made in Swiss francs (CHF). Payments in cash are not accepted. Late payments incur interest at 1% per month; administrative reminder fees apply (typical reminder fees: CHF 20 / CHF 50 / CHF 100 for successive reminders). No place reservation is processed before payment of the registration/admission fee; students may not attend classes until invoices are paid. Cancellation, refunds and contractual penalties: - For new applicants: if registration is cancelled before 30 June, a cancellation fee equal to two months of tuition (and boarding, where applicable) is charged; if cancelled after 30 June a cancellation fee equal to three months of tuition (and boarding where applicable) is charged. - For current students: withdrawal before the end of the school year makes all expenses for the current trimester and the following one payable. Unless written notice is given by parents before the specified deadline for re-registration (28 February), students are automatically entered for the following school year; cancelling after that date creates a financial obligation (example: tuition for the first three months may be payable as compensation). Uniform / clothing and included clothing items: - No separate general uniform fee is listed. For boarding students a sports outfit (t-shirts, leggings or jogging pants) is listed among included items in the boarding packages; additional specialist sports or activity clothing or equipment may be charged separately. Fee payment options: - The school accepts international payments via Flywire (enables bank transfers and local payment methods in many currencies) and invoices are payable by bank transfer. Payments in cash are not accepted. Specific payment instructions and the school's Flywire payment portal are used for international transactions. Summary of the key amounts at a glance (examples): - Admission fee (day): CHF 500; Admission fee (boarding): CHF 3'000. - Typical annual tuition (examples, Jura / outside canton): Primary CHF 6'600 / 14'400; Middle CHF 7'200 / 18'000; Swiss Lycée CHF 9'600 / 20'400; Bilingual Lycée CHF 12'000 / 24'000; IB MYP/DP ranges CHF 20'000–25'000 (Jura) and up to CHF 33'000 (outside). Per-semester equivalents are half the annual amounts. (End of fees overview.)
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements Saint-Charles offers 5-day boarding and 7-day boarding. Two separate boarding houses accommodate up to 70 students, each supervised by a dedicated staff team. The 5-day boarding includes boarding school management, full board, residence permit fee, books and school supplies, KVG/LAMAL and private health insurance, and other related costs. The 7-day boarding includes boarding school supervision including weekend activities, full board, residence permit fee, books and school supplies, KVG/LAMAL and private health insurance, and other related costs.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement A sports uniform is provided for boarders, consisting of a t-shirt and leggings or jogging pants.
Food options	Food options —	Food options Charly's Corner on campus provides breakfast, lunch and dinner for boarders; day students have lunch. The menu is varied daily with vegetarian options, and fresh fruit is available throughout the day. The kitchen holds the Fourchette Verte label and Saint-Charles is a member of the Healthy Schools network; menus are updated daily.
House system	House system —	House system Up to 70 students are accommodated in two separate boarding houses, each supervised by a dedicated staff team.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership Saint-Charles International School is governed by a Board of Directors and a management team. The Board comprises five members: Didier Membrez (President), Josiane Sudan-Girardin, Anne Seydoux-Christe, Pierre-Alain Berret, and Abbé Jean-Jacques Theurillat; Esmond Tweedie serves as Executive Director and heads the management team.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details —	Curriculum details Saint-Charles offers two curriculum pathways: the Swiss Programme and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme. The Swiss Programme covers primary through maturité and uses instruction in French, English and German; Primary is taught in English and French, and the Middle School is multilingual in English, French and German. The Swiss Maturité is bilingual French-English and is recognised by the Swiss Confederation, with the school authorised to prepare students for maturité examinations. The IB Programme is taught in English, offering the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme, with English as the language of instruction for all subjects and ESL support available. Immersion language teaching introduces English and German from early years through 'language islands' where other subjects are taught in additional languages, laying the foundation for bilingual Matura or the IB Diploma Programme.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results IB Diploma Programme class of 2025 results: 17% entering a top 25 institution; 1 in 3 graduates joined a top 100 university; 30% were recognised for excellence in their subject areas.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression University preparation and guidance are core at Saint-Charles. A dedicated University Support Team helps identify universities and coordinate applications, with university talks and fairs accessible to students. From the Middle Years Programme, students take part in regular guidance lessons and receive tailored advice on IBDP subject selection in MYP5; in the Diploma Programme, guidance becomes more personalised with one-to-one meetings and university representation is facilitated by the school, supported by a University Library.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning Wellbeing and pastoral care are central to Saint-Charles. The school fosters mental, physical, social, and academic wellbeing to help students grow. A dedicated Wellbeing Team coordinates pastoral care; the team is led by Esmond Tweedie, Executive Director and Designated Safeguarding Lead. Boarding is supported by Head of Boarding José Miquelino, with round-the-clock support, while Antonella Galioto supports day students. A confidential listening ear is available from Paulina Tkaczyk, and an external nurse supports day students. Students' rights are upheld; they can turn to staff with concerns and are cared for in a safe and respectful environment.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) Study support and mentoring help students manage their learning. A dedicated Wellbeing Team coordinates care for all students. ESL (English as a Second Language) assistance is available for students who require language support. Boarding students receive guidance with personal matters, organization, and daily routines, with weekly progress monitoring by the boarding staff and teachers. These measures support students across their academic journey.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language IB programmes are taught in English. English proficiency is emphasized and ESL support is available for students who require it. Language Acquisition includes French and German; Group 2 offers foreign languages from beginner to advanced. From Grade 9, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) is taught entirely in English. Group 1 Studies in Language and Literature are usually taken in the student's mother tongue, while Group 2 Language Acquisition covers foreign languages from beginner to advanced; English is the language of instruction for most subjects.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing Student wellbeing is central to the mission. Pastoral care nurtures mental, physical, social, and academic wellbeing. The Wellbeing Team coordinates this care, led by Esmond Tweedie. Boarding staff provide 24/7 support; a confidential listening ear from Paulina Tkaczyk and a nurse are available to support health needs. Students' rights ensure safety, care, respect, privacy, and a voice to raise concerns.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding A designated safeguarding lead oversees safeguarding within the Wellbeing Team. Boarding staff provide round-the-clock protection and support for students. Students' rights protect privacy and ensure a voice to raise concerns. The school upholds the rights of the child under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Staff are available to discuss safeguarding concerns and to provide support.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview The school has on-campus facilities including a swimming pool, a gym, tennis courts, music rooms and a private movie theatre. The on-campus dining hall serves meals with vegetarian options; day students have lunch at Charly's Corner and boarders are offered breakfast, lunch and dinner in the dining hall. Off-campus, Saint-Charles provides equestrian training at two world-class partner riding centres and opportunities to join local football or ice hockey clubs, with nearby options for ice skating and climbing. Cultural enrichment is supported by access to a Children's Music Conservatory minutes from the school.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities Saint-Charles has on-campus highlights including a swimming pool, a gym, tennis courts, music rooms and a private movie theatre. The co-curricular programme features sports and athletics such as horse-riding, ice hockey, football, basketball, tennis, padel, swimming and volleyball, plus fitness and martial arts options including kickboxing, judo, karate, yoga and pilates.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities Saint-Charles offers a comprehensive curriculum in French, English or a bilingual programme. The academic programme is organized into three pathways: the Swiss curriculum, the International Baccalaureate and the Saint-Charles High School Diploma. The school emphasises small class sizes and personalised guidance to support each student.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities Saint-Charles offers a wide range of co-curricular activities in sport, music, arts and academics. Sports and athletics include horse-riding, ice hockey, football, basketball, tennis, padel, swimming and volleyball. Fitness and martial arts include kickboxing, judo, karate, yoga and pilates. Arts and performance include ballet, dance, drama, music and photography. Academic, innovation and language clubs include AI Club, Business Club, Model United Nations, STEAM Club, robotics, chess and a variety of language clubs.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History Saint-Charles International School was founded in 1897 by Ernest Daucourt as a Catholic boarding school, known as the Catholic Institute. By 1901 primary and secondary classes were established, and enrolment growth led to the search for a larger home. In 1915 Abbot Charles Humair renamed the institute the Saint-Charles Institute; in 1918 it acquired neighboring watchmaking and gilding workshops to expand, and in 1925 it became Collège Saint-Charles with capacity for 300 students. From 1939 to 1977, final-year students could complete the baccalaureate through an agreement with Saint-Maurice; in 1975 the school welcomed its first female students and, in 1978, was authorised to award its own high school diplomas. In the late 20th century the school continued to develop, and in 2020 became a recognised IB World School offering the Diploma Programme and the Middle Years Programme; today over 8,000 alumni worldwide carry forward its humanistic spirit and the school educates around 250 students.
Community	Community —	Community Life at Saint-Charles extends far beyond the classroom, with a supportive community where learning, wellbeing, and personal growth go hand in hand. From pastoral care and boarding to co-curricular activities and daily routines, every aspect of school life is designed to help students feel at home, discover their strengths, and build the confidence to thrive. A sense of belonging unites day pupils and boarders, with strong relationships among students, house teams, teachers, and the wider school community. The day balances focused learning with time for reflection, creativity, physical activity, and social life.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual Academic, Innovation and Language Clubs inspire curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. The clubs include AI Club, Business Club, Model United Nations, STEAM Club, Robotics, Chess, and a variety of Language Clubs. Students explore new ideas, strengthen collaboration, and develop leadership through these activities.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative Arts and Performance nurture creativity and self-expression through Ballet, Dance (Hip-hop/Modern), Drama, Music, and Photography. Students develop performance and technical skills and can showcase their work in school productions and exhibitions. The programme fosters confidence, collaboration, and creative problem-solving in a supportive environment.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language Academic, Innovation and Language Clubs include a variety of Language Clubs, expanding linguistic horizons. Model United Nations and other clubs foster cross-cultural understanding and global perspectives. Students engage in collaborative projects that connect language learning with real-world contexts.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies Sports and Athletics offer a wide range of activities: Horse-Riding, Ice Hockey, Football, Basketball, Tennis, Padel, Swimming, and Volleyball. Fitness and Martial Arts include Kickboxing, Judo, Karate, Yoga, and Pilates. The programme emphasizes teamwork, discipline, and balanced development.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) are part of the IB Diploma Programme core, inviting students to engage in purposeful activities beyond the classroom and to give back to the community. This core develops responsibility, empathy, and community engagement.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional Academic, Innovation and Language Clubs inspire leadership and collaboration; Students explore new ideas, strengthen leadership skills, and expand their global perspective.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing Sports and Fitness programs encourage physical health and balance with academic life. The gym, swimming pool, and relaxation areas support well-being during boarding and after-school hours.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision French is the main language of instruction. The lycée teaches French, English, German, Italian and Spanish, with German prioritized as a national language. The International Baccalaureate is taught in English in the International Section.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The school offers a bilingual French-English Maturité in the Lycée. Primary classes include bilingual instruction, introduced in 2019.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs Language islands provide English and German within other subjects; Primary and Secondary pupils have 2 hours per week of English and 5 hours per week of German. The International Section focuses entirely on the International Baccalaureate, taught in English.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions —	Admissions Three steps are required for enrolment: schedule an appointment with the school headmistress; during an interview, all aspects of the curriculum and admissions are discussed, with the child present. The parents complete the enrolment application and send it to the secretariat and pay the enrolment fee, after which enrolment is confirmed. For primary school, motivation to learn in a multilingual environment is sought; for secondary school, candidates must pass entrance tests in French, Math, and German. Saint-Charles offers two high school streams, one in French and one bilingual French-English, both recognised by Swiss educational authorities. Appointments can be booked online or by contacting the school secretary. The admission process includes providing documents (school reports for the last two years, a letter of recommendation, and a color scan of the passport), an interview and admissions testing, and language assessments (IB Diploma: English Proficiency; Swiss Matura: English and French Proficiency) plus a Maths assessment. The Head of Admissions reviews applications and responds in roughly 10 days. Possible outcomes are admittance with a welcome package and visa procedures; provisional acceptance after a language-study period; waitlist; or non-acceptance.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships A scholarship fund for Jura-based students exists and allows residents of the canton to attend Saint-Charles. The school administration is available to answer questions in complete confidentiality.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist Waitlist: if there is no space in the desired program, a place on the waitlist may be offered until space becomes available.
	View full profile →	View full profile →