La Découverte School - Geneva Campus vs Léman International Academy
La Découverte School - Geneva Campus and Léman International Academy are both in Geneva, about 4 km apart. Both schools offer Swiss programmes. La Découverte School - Geneva Campus also offers Bespoke, and Léman International Academy also offers British. Published annual fees are close, at CHF 16,470 - 18,950 for La Découverte School - Geneva Campus and CHF 16,500 - 16,950 for Léman International Academy. La Découverte School - Geneva Campus takes pupils from 3 to 12, and Léman International Academy from 3 to 14. La Découverte School - Geneva Campus is the larger school, with around 150 pupils to Léman International Academy's 38.
Geneva Campus: Avenue de Sécheron 11, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland; Mies Campus: Chemin du Triangle 8-9, 1295 Mies, Switzerland.
Location
Geneva, Switzerland. Léman International Academy is located on the left bank near Route de la Capite, at 120 Route de la Capite inside the Institut Biblique de Genève (IBG) complex. It is accessible by public transport, next to the Rippaz bus stop on line A, with additional stops on lines 33 (Rive ↔ Présinge) and 38 (Hermance-Village ↔ Place Favre) within about a 10-minute walk at the Vandoeuvres stop. Parking is available for visitors. The school is permanently closed.
Stages
Stages
ages 3 to 12
Stages
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School type
School type
private bilingual French-English school
School type
The school is a bilingual Christian school.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
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Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
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Country affiliation
Switzerland
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
Christian
School day structure
School day structure
The day includes class time, lunch and extra-curricular activities; Geneva campus opening hours are 8:00–18:00 on most days (except Wednesday when closing earlier at 12:00); after-school care runs from 15:30 to 18:00.
School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
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Bus service details
School transportation can be organised from the right bank on request.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Registration / Application fee
- CHF 500 once, payable at registration (enrolment).
Tuition fees — Geneva Campus
- Children aged 3 years to 4th grade: CHF 16,470 per year, payable over 10 months (equivalent to CHF 1,647.00 per month). Sibling discount: 5% (CHF 15,647 per year; CHF 1,564.70 per month).
- 5th to 8th grade: CHF 18,150 per year, payable over 10 months (equivalent to CHF 1,815.00 per month). Sibling discount: 5% (CHF 17,243 per year; CHF 1,724.30 per month).
Tuition fees — Mies Campus
- 1P to 4th grade: CHF 17,200 per year, payable over 10 months (equivalent to CHF 1,720.00 per month). Sibling discount: 5% (CHF 16,340 per year; CHF 1,634.00 per month).
- 5th to 8th grade: CHF 18,950 per year, payable over 10 months (equivalent to CHF 1,895.00 per month). Sibling discount: 5% (CHF 18,003 per year; CHF 1,800.30 per month).
Meals, materials and compulsory activities
- School meals: CHF 1,990 per year, payable over 10 months (equivalent to CHF 199.00 per month).
- School materials: CHF 270 per year, payable in a single payment.
- Cultural outings and sports: CHF 320 per year, payable in a single payment. Trips and camps are part of the educational programme and are compulsory.
Extras and after‑school care (rates and billing frequency)
- Wednesday full after‑school (1:30–5:00 pm): CHF 160 per month; supervised picnic (12:00–1:30 pm) CHF 60 per month (where offered).
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Annual tuition is invoiced as a 10‑month commitment; standard billing is spread over 10 monthly instalments. Many optional services are billed per quarter or as single payments as indicated above.
- Registration is confirmed when the signed enrolment contract and the required payments are received; enrolment requires payment of the registration fee and the first month's school fees at registration.
- A 2% discount on tuition applies for biannual or annual payments.
- The school treats the date on which payment is received in the school's bank account as the official payment date. In case of late payment, reminder fees apply: CHF 20 for the second reminder (15 days after the due date) and CHF 50 for the final notice (30 days after the due date). Continued non‑payment may lead to legal recovery procedures and refusal of class entry.
Boarding
- The school does not list any boarding provision or boarding fees; boarding fees are therefore not applicable.
- Administrative or penalty fees may apply in the event of late payment or contract breaches as specified in the general conditions.
Refunds and cancellation penalties
- Written notification is required for any withdrawal or cancellation. Cancellation charges for the following school year are: - Withdrawal up to March 31: only the enrolment fee is due. - Withdrawal between April 1 and May 31: enrolment fee plus 10% of annual tuition is due. - Withdrawal between June 1 and June 30: enrolment fee plus 20% of annual tuition is due. - Withdrawal from July 1 up to the day before the start of the school year: enrolment fee plus 30% of annual tuition is due. - Withdrawal from the start of the school year: enrolment fee, completed/started months and 30% of annual tuition are due.
- Exceptions to the annual financial commitment and penalty fees may be made for death of the pupil's legal guardian or long‑term illness resulting in study suspension. Expulsion for serious reasons results in 30% of annual tuition being charged in addition to months already completed or started.
Fee payment options
- The school records the receipt date of payments on its bank account as the official payment date; payment by bank transfer to the school account is the documented method for establishing receipt. Other payment methods are not detailed in the published conditions.
Notes on billing frequency used above
- When a fee is stated as “payable over 10 months” the monthly instalment used above is the annual fee divided by 10.
Fee details
Status - Léman International Academy is permanently closed and is not enrolling students.
Application / Registration fee - Registration fee (first year only): CHF 400. Offered for definite enrollments by the stated enrollment deadline.
Tuition fees by year group (published schedules) - Pre‑K to Grade 6 (full time): CHF 16,250 per year. Stated equivalent: CHF 1,625 per month (amount shown as a 10‑month billing basis). - Grades 7 & 8: CHF 16,700 per year. Stated equivalent: CHF 1,670 per month (amount shown as a 10‑month billing basis). - Part‑time Pre‑K: fee listed as available on request (no fixed amount published).
Other mandatory or recurring school charges - Paper / books: - Pre‑K to Kindergarten: CHF 180 per year. - Grade 1 to Grade 6: CHF 250 per year (paper supply and book fee). - Grade 7 & Grade 8: CHF 220 per year (paper supply and book fee). - School outings (day trips, no overnight): - Pre‑K to Kindergarten: CHF 80 per year. - Grade 1 to Grade 6: CHF 100 per year. - Grades 7 & 8: CHF 100 per year. - Lunch / break supervision: - Break supervision: CHF 130 per month (10 months). - Break supervision + meals: CHF 230 per month (10 months). - Additional lunch (occasional): CHF 14 (picnic lunch) or CHF 22 (school meals).
Optional / after‑school and ancillary service fees - Early morning supervision (regular): CHF 100 per month (10 months). Occasional early morning supervision: CHF 10 per day. - After‑school supervision / activities (monthly regular rates; per child): - From 15:45 to 16:45: 1×/week CHF 38; 2×/week CHF 75; 3×/week CHF 113; 4×/week CHF 150 (monthly; 10 months). - From 15:45 to 17:45: 1×/week CHF 75; 2×/week CHF 150; 3×/week CHF 225; 4×/week CHF 300 (monthly; 10 months). - Occasional after‑school supervision (per day): until 16:45 CHF 15; until 17:45 CHF 30. - Shuttle / transport service: fee stated as variable and charged based on users; no fixed tariff published. - Family discounts on ancillary services: families enrolling three or more children receive a 20% discount on these services.
Sibling discounts (tuition) - Second child: 15% discount on yearly tuition. - Third child: 30% discount on yearly tuition. - Fourth child: 50% discount on yearly tuition. - Sibling discounts do not apply when an employer or another institution is paying the school fees.
Billing schedule and payment terms (as published in fee schedules) - Published tuition figures are presented as annual amounts with an equivalent monthly figure based on a 10‑month billing basis. - Enrollment required a signed financial contract and a down payment on tuition by the stated enrollment deadline (example provided: down payment due by March 31 prior to the school year). Specific deadlines were tied to the enrollment year shown on each published schedule.
Boarding - No boarding program or boarding fees are listed in the published fee schedules; listed charges relate only to day‑school services (meals, supervision, after‑school activities, transport). No boarding tariffs are published.
Refund information - The published fee tables and enrollment forms include the requirement for a signed financial contract and a tuition down payment but do not contain an explicit, detailed refund or cancellation policy in the fee documents located with the schedules. No specific refundable/non‑refundable breakdown for the registration fee or down payment is published in those fee tables.
Fee payment options - The fee schedules and enrollment forms that list amounts and deadlines do not specify accepted payment methods (for example: bank transfer, credit card, direct debit) in the published fee tables. No payment‑method details are listed in the fee documents located with the schedules.
Summary of what is available - The most recent published fee tables available for the school list registration, annual tuition (with a 10‑month equivalent), supply and outing fees, meal/supervision rates, after‑school service rates, shuttle as variable, sibling discounts, and published enrollment deadlines requiring a contract and down payment. However, Léman International Academy is now stated as permanently closed and is not enrolling; the published fee schedules remain the only available numeric fee detail in the school's public materials.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
The school is a member school of instruire.ch and is permanently closed.
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Mies Campus uses a project-based, socio-constructivist approach. Learning is organized around projects that connect disciplines and are driven by questions or problems. A class council meets weekly to coordinate group life, and a Grand Council Meeting is held monthly to discuss school-wide matters. Philosophy develops critical thinking and the ability to listen to others. Outdoor learning happens daily in all weathers, in a park or forest, to build resilience and environmental understanding. An open-space environment supports autonomous workshops and collaborative inquiry. Theatre activities develop oral expression and performance skills. Extras after school and after-school care are available.
Curriculum details
The program is based on the Swiss PER (Plan d'Étude Romand) and the North American program (Common Core USA). French-language subjects (French language, mathematics in French and other subjects) follow the PER but use French textbooks. English-language subjects (English, mathematics in English and other subjects) follow the North American program but use British textbooks. German is taught from age 7 as required by the Swiss curriculum. Computer science is taught to all students and used as a learning tool by the end of primary. History and geography are adapted to an international audience. A weekly Bible time introduces biblical knowledge and values, and the program integrates a biblical worldview with opportunities for outdoor learning and cross-disciplinary exploration.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
At the end of primary schooling, students can move toward the Geneva cycle d'orientation, an international curriculum, or an anglophone or bilingual (English/French) secondary school.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
Self-confidence is strengthened to enable children to question, inform themselves and explore the world in complete safety. Collaboration and socio-emotional skills are developed to create responsible and empathetic children. Projects based on children's interests deepen their passions and motivate learning.
Social & emotional learning
The school prioritises the individual and holistic development of each student, focusing on character and social skills to help students manage their own emotions. The approach seeks to involve students as vital members of the school community. The teaching staff recognise progress, offer next steps, and support each student's growth. The school takes a holistic view of intellect, emotions, and spirit functioning in harmony. The environment is safe, encouraging, and supportive of personal growth.
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
A new student will typically be placed in the group corresponding to their age. However, if necessary for the child's well-being, the school may place them in the group best suited to their academic abilities and maturity.
English as an additional language
English as an additional language
A bilingual immersion environment is set up to help students express themselves, read and write clearly and confidently in French and English.
English as an additional language
A dominant and partner languages concept guides instruction, offering each child the appropriate level of French and English. A new student is typically placed in the age-appropriate group, but for the child's well-being the school may place them in the group best suited to their abilities and maturity.
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
Self-confidence growth and collaboration support mental wellbeing by enabling children to explore and express themselves in a safe environment.
Mental wellbeing
The pedagogy seeks the overall healthy development of the child, emphasizing strong character and social skills that enable a child to manage their own emotions. The entire faculty is committed to ensuring every student participates as a vital member of the school community. The school considers each child from a holistic perspective, aiming for harmony between intellect, emotions, and spirit.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
Campus Mies offers a stimulating learning environment with dedicated teachers and supportive infrastructures. Children spend every day outdoors in all weather, in parks or forests, to develop resilience and explore scientific topics. An open-space approach provides autonomous workshops and cross-age collaboration, while theatre engages students from age seven and helps develop memory, diction, and presence on stage. The campus provides after-school daycare until 18:00 and meals prepared on-site guided by a quality charter that emphasizes balanced, healthy, and sustainable menus.
Facilities overview
Léman International Academy is located in a park-like setting near downtown Geneva. The campus is easily accessible by car and parking is available for parents. Bus A stops in front of the Rippaz school stop. Students have a pleasant outdoor area for recess, and school events are held in the hall adjacent to LIA.
Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
The campus has a grassy football pitch for outdoor sport. From November to April, during the winter season, the gymnasium of the commune of Vandoeuvres is rented to provide space for gymnastics and team sports such as basketball and badminton. Quality sporting equipment is available all year round.
Academic facilities
Academic facilities
Academic learning emphasizes project-based pedagogy that integrates disciplines and gives context to learning. Projects emerge from children's questions or problems and aim to motivate and deepen understanding. Philosophy develops critical and creative thinking, listening, and debate, and fosters autonomous, free, and responsible individuals. Outdoor learning is practiced daily, in all weather, to connect students with nature and science. An open environment supports autonomous workshops where students of different ages collaborate to solve problems.
Academic facilities
Students have access to high-performance IT equipment, including All-In-One stations and laptops. Older students with classroom computers learn to master search engines, word processing, and document management. Computers are used as a supplementary teaching tool to support learning.
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
Capoeira; Art; Robotics; Football
Extra curricular facilities
Recreational activities vary by season and include leaf pile contests, sledding, sandpits, igloo building, football, and table tennis. School events take place in the hall adjacent to LIA.
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
La Découverte was founded in the early 1990s by a group of teachers, education specialists, psychologists and parents who sought a different approach to schooling. Their aim was to implement a teaching method that keeps children active in their learning and enables them to search for answers and solutions themselves. La Découverte offers a personalised and family learning environment using active teaching methods. Over thirty years, the number of children in La Découverte private school has grown from 13 to 340 pupils, reflecting growing demand for this approach.
History
Opened in September 2010. The school opened with TeachBeyond authorization by the Department of Public Instruction. Rachel Sanchez joined LIA in 2010 right at the start of the project. The school describes itself as a bilingual Christian school in Geneva. Léman International Academy is now permanently closed.
Community
Community
La Découverte is based in Geneva and Mies and serves children aged 3 to 12. It provides a bilingual French-English learning environment and uses project-based learning to develop self-confidence, inquiry, collaboration and socio-emotional skills. Extra-curricular activities and after-school care are available daily and on Wednesdays, and the program welcomes children from outside the school. Holiday camps offer sports, creative and cultural activities year-round, with summer camps also open to children from outside the school.
Community
Small class sizes and a family-like school community create a safe, encouraging environment. The campus features park-like landscaping and bright classrooms that foster a sense of belonging. The schedule includes class hours, break times, and extracurricular activities. Articles and events reflect ongoing community engagement and reflections.
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
The school is a bilingual French-English school that uses active teaching methods. Projects based on children's interests deepen motivation and learning. Self-confidence, collaboration and socio-emotional skills are developed so students can question, inform themselves and explore the world in safety. The bilingual immersion environment helps students express themselves, read and write in French and English, contributing to academic success and a love of learning.
Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
Extras include arts activities as part of the after-school program. After-school care runs daily and on Wednesdays, with extras in sports, arts and games. During school holidays, camps offer creative and cultural activities, and summer camps are open to children from outside the school.
Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
The school runs a bilingual French-English immersion program. The immersion environment helps students express themselves, read and write in French and English. The Geneva and Mies campuses support this bilingual approach.
Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
Extras include sports and games as part of after-school offerings. After-school care and optional activities run on school days and on Wednesdays. Holiday camps provide opportunities for social and recreational activities.
Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Sports and games are included in extras and after-school activities, supporting physical activity. The program fosters self-confidence, collaboration and socio-emotional development as part of its learning approach.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
French and English are taught; the school serves children aged 3 to 12.
Language provision
The school is a bilingual institution in Geneva, Switzerland.
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
The school is a bilingual French-English school.
Bilingual teaching
The school offers immersive bilingual education.
Immersion programs
Immersion programs
A bilingual immersion environment is in place to help students express themselves, read and write in French and English.
Immersion programs
Immersion in a bilingual environment is part of instruction.
Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Online pre-registration puts your child on the waiting list free of charge; collective visits occur twice a year; if there is availability, a meeting with the Head teacher and a visit to the school are arranged.
Admissions
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Scholarships
Scholarships
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Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
The waiting list is joined via an online form, which is free of charge.
