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Haut-Lac International Bilingual School

Switzerland, Lausanne

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, French
Fees CHF 21,800 - 88,000
Ages 1½ - 18 years
Pupil numbers 620
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1993
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), Swiss Curriculum
Taught languages German, Spanish, Dutch, Mandarin, Japanese
Typical class size 15
Strengths Sport, STEM, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Leadership and Professional
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

Haut-Lac International Bilingual School is a co-educational day and boarding community in Switzerland, serving students from age 1 to 18 across two campuses in Saint-Légier-La Chiésaz and Vevey with a boarding house in Saint-Légier-La Chiésaz. The school offers a bilingual IB pathway within a Swiss framework, with MYP for ages 11–15 and DP for ages 16–18, plus IBCP and a Swiss Curriculum. The Middle Years Programme provides language instruction in English and French across eight subject groups, while Diploma Programme offers English Diploma, Bilingual Diploma, Advanced Bilingual Diploma or French Diploma, supported by language assistance and university guidance. Haut-Lac is recognized by the Council of International Schools and the Fédération Suisse des Écoles Privées. Facilities include a design technology lab with CAD, a library, art and music spaces, and sports facilities. The school is known for its MUN program, Duke of Edinburgh Award, LAMDA drama, and mother-tongue language clubs worldwide.

Chem. de Pangires 26, 1806 Saint-Légier-La Chiésaz, Switzerland

The Essentials

Haut-Lac International Bilingual School has 620 pupils, typical class sizes of 15, instruction in English, French.

Location
Saint-Légier-La Chiésaz, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland. The school sits in the hills above Vevey with views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. It is about an hour's drive from Geneva Airport and just 10 minutes from the Lake Geneva shoreline.

Stages
Les Marronniers Nursery (18 months–3 years); Praz-Dagoud Campus (3–12 years); Roches Grises Campus (13–18 years). A Boarding House accommodates 11–18-year-olds.

Type
International bilingual day and boarding school with two day campuses and a boarding house in Saint-Légier-La Chiésaz.

Country affiliation
Switzerland

School day structure
The school day runs from 8:00 to 15:30 (16:20 for Upper Secondary) on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 8:00 to 12:00 on Wednesday (13:05 in Lower Secondary and 13:45 in Upper Secondary). Breakfast Club is available from 7:15; after-school supervision and clubs are offered.

Bus service
Seven daily bus routes to the Praz-Dagoud campus cover areas up to 30 km away, plus a Vevey train-station shuttle; local transport via train and bus stops within walking distance to both Roches Grises and Praz-Dagoud campuses. Airport pick-up is available for boarding students on scheduled transfer days.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarding is offered as 7-day or 5-day arrangements for students aged 11–18. The Haut-Lac boarding house opened in September 2022 and can accommodate up to 30 boarders. It sits near Vevey and Montreux, within walking distance of the main campuses, and rooms are typically twin bedrooms with en‑suite facilities (IB1/IB2 boarders may have single rooms if available). Boarders follow a structured daily routine with supervised study, meals, and weekend enrichment trips.

Uniform Requirement
The school has a uniform. Infant and Primary students wear a white polo shirt, a green Haut-Lac sweatshirt and plain black trousers, shorts or skirts. Secondary students wear a white polo shirt and a navy blue Haut-Lac sweatshirt with plain black trousers, shorts or skirts. Uniform articles available in the School Shop include hoodies, sweatshirts, polos, and sport shirts, with NEXT items used for plain black trousers/skirts and some items ordered online.

Food Options
Healthy lunches are provided for all students, including meals for allergies. School meals are designed according to the Swiss Fourchette Verte label, and weekly menus are published.

House System
All Haut-Lac students are assigned to one of four Houses named after Swiss cantons: Bern Bears (blue), Fribourg Falcons (red), Jura Jaguars (green) and Valais Vipers (yellow). Houses foster competition across sport, arts and academics, and feature student leaders such as Captains and Ambassadors.

Governance and Ownership
Haut-Lac is governed by its Founding Directors: Anne-Marie Harwood (Managing Director, Secondary Academics), Neil Harwood (Managing Director, Marketing & Campus), Grainne Dubler (Managing Director, Infant & Primary Academics) and Jean-Louis Dubler (Managing Director, Administration & Finance). The founding directors' vision frames the school as a family-oriented private institution.
Fees

Annual tuition at Haut-Lac International Bilingual School ranges from CHF 21,800 to CHF 88,000 for 2026/27.

Application / Acceptance fee

- A non-refundable acceptance (enrolment) fee of CHF 3,500 is charged when the Enrolment Confirmation is signed; this payment secures the place and is not credited against tuition.

Tuition fees by year group (annual totals and fixed charges)

- E1 (half‑day): Annual tuition CHF 21,650; fixed charges CHF 150; total CHF 21,800. (E1 full‑day option: annual tuition CHF 27,150; total CHF 27,300).
- E2: Annual tuition CHF 27,300; fixed charges CHF 200; total CHF 27,500.
- E3: Annual tuition CHF 28,200; fixed charges CHF 350; total CHF 28,550.
- P1–P2: Annual tuition CHF 28,200; fixed charges CHF 750; total CHF 28,950.
- P3: Annual tuition CHF 28,900; fixed charges CHF 800; total CHF 29,700.
- P4: Annual tuition CHF 29,000; fixed charges CHF 850; total CHF 29,850.
- P5: Annual tuition CHF 29,650; fixed charges CHF 850; total CHF 30,500.
- MYP1–MYP2: Annual tuition CHF 33,900; fixed charges CHF 900; total CHF 34,800.
- MYP3: Annual tuition CHF 35,400; fixed charges CHF 800; total CHF 36,200.
- MYP4: Annual tuition CHF 37,000; fixed charges CHF 800; total CHF 37,800.
- MYP5: Annual tuition CHF 37,500; fixed charges CHF 650; total CHF 38,150.
- IB1–IB2: Annual tuition CHF 40,000–40,300; fixed charges CHF 600; total approx. CHF 40,600.

These annual totals include compulsory fixed charges (for example certain outings, ski days and standard consumables) which vary by year and are shown above as the fixed charge component.

Per‑term and instalment breakdowns (billing schedule and payment terms)

- Standard term split: Term 1 = 40% of the annual tuition; Term 2 = 30%; Term 3 = 30%. Bi‑annual billing (two equal invoices) is also available (Sept–Jan / Feb–June). Specific due dates are published with each year's fees (examples historically: Term 1 due end of July, Term 2 mid‑December, Term 3 mid‑March). Fixed charges are billed with the first tuition invoice and must be paid in one lump sum.

- Instalment options: annual payment, bi‑annual, termly (three payments using the 40/30/30 split), or monthly in 10 equal instalments (tuition billed two months in advance). A monthly instalment plan carries an administrative surcharge (≈ +1% applied to the published annual fee); a single annual payment typically attracts an early‑payment discount (historically 2% when paid by the stated deadline). Changes to payment option after invoicing may result in a CHF 50 administration surcharge. Late payment reminders and fees apply according to the school's invoicing terms.

Boarding fees (where applicable)

- Boarding is offered from age 11 with weekly and full (7‑day) boarding options. Boarding fees are all‑inclusive (tuition, accommodation, supervision, most meals, laundry and most local activities). For the 2025–26 academic year boarding costs range approximately between CHF 68,000 and CHF 88,000 per year depending on the student's year group and boarding type.

Other mandatory and optional costs

- Fixed annual charges (listed above per year group) cover standard consumables, some trips and mandatory activities (for example ski days where applicable). Day students pay for school lunches separately (boarding students' meals are included in boarding fees). Bus routes and transport are charged separately based on route and usage. External specialist clubs, private music tuition, specialist sports coaching, optional trips and certain programme‑specific costs (e.g. examination fees, some residential trips) are charged in addition to tuition. Uniforms and some optional excursions are billed separately. A 5% sibling discount (second child) and 10% (third child onwards) may apply in certain circumstances; limited financial aid is available in line with published policies.

Refund and cancellation terms

- The acceptance (enrolment) fee is non‑refundable and is not credited against tuition. No reductions or refunds are made for short periods of absence (illness or other) for a term already started. Mid‑year enrolment and mid‑year departures are subject to the published invoicing and notice rules (for example mid‑year enrolments generally require payment for the full term in progress; failure to respect contract notice periods may result in fees due for the notice period). Specific refund, cancellation and notice provisions are set out in the school's Fees & Conditions and apply to placements and nursery contracts.

Fee payment methods and surcharges

- Preferred payment methods include bank transfer or standing order. Credit card acceptance is available in specific circumstances (historically credit cards were accepted for smaller payments under CHF 1,000); cheques are not accepted. Payment by credit card or instalment plan may attract a convenience or administrative surcharge as noted under the billing/options section. Invoices include the school's banking and billing contact details for arranging payment.

Important payment notes

- The first year of enrolment carries one‑time fees (the acceptance fee and any entry charges) in addition to the published annual tuition; parents should allow for those one‑time charges in the first invoice. Fixed charges must be paid with the first tuition invoice. Failure to settle invoices on time can trigger reminders, surcharges and collection procedures as set out in the school's terms.
Academics

Haut-Lac International Bilingual School teaches IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), Swiss Curriculum for students aged 1.5 to 18.

Curriculum
Haut-Lac offers the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme for ages 11-15 and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for ages 16-18. The school runs from preschool through secondary, culminating in IBMYP and IBDP. IBMYP provides fully bilingual, English-only or predominantly French pathways, with language instruction in English and French and subject work across both languages. IBMYP uses eight subject groups: Studies in Language & Literature; Language Acquisition; Individuals & Societies; Sciences; Mathematics; Arts; Design; and Physical Education. The IBDP offers a choice of English Diploma, Bilingual Diploma, Advanced Bilingual Diploma, or French Diploma, with about 30 academic subject options across languages, individuals & societies, sciences, mathematics and the arts. The IBDP core components and assessment are complemented by language support and Higher Education guidance to prepare students for university study in Switzerland and worldwide.

Student Teacher Ratio
Classes are small. The school lists over 30 academic staff for roughly 600 students aged 3 to 18.

Exam Results
IBMYP graduates have achieved a 97% pass rate with an average of 44/56, and 14 of 29 students earned bilingual English-French IBMYP certificates. The IBDP Class of 2025 earned a 100% pass rate with an average of 35 points (world average 30.8); historically Haut-Lac reports an average IBDP pass rate around 95%.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates have gone on to universities worldwide, including EPFL (Switzerland), University of Cambridge (UK) and MIT (USA). Haut-Lac also highlights graduate destinations among its alumni and ongoing higher education guidance.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Student well-being is at the heart of Haut-Lac's educational approach; staff and parents collaborate to promote social, emotional, academic and multicultural competencies in a safe and stimulating environment. A school counselor promotes social and emotional well-being in a safe and respectful environment. Student mental health is a vital part of the school's philosophy, and emotional well-being is linked to student success. A student-designed mental health resources site is available for information and guidance. The Buddy Programme pairs new students aged 3 to 18 with an existing student to help them settle in, learn routines, and translate when needed. The House system promotes belonging and cross-age interaction, with leaders and ambassadors helping organize activities and the Secondary Student Council coordinating events.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Educational Support Department works with classroom teachers to identify each child's strengths and challenges, helping them succeed academically and personally. Support includes targeted literacy and numeracy interventions. Personalised learning strategies are used for diverse learning profiles. Specialist guidance for neurodivergent students is available. Collaborative planning with families and external professionals supports ongoing progress. Mother tongue support is provided to reinforce language development.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Haut-Lac has specialist teachers for English as an Additional Language (EAL) and French as an Additional Language (FLA) to help students develop proficiency. The language support team develops Individual Language Support Plans, with classroom-based support and, when necessary, small-group or one-to-one sessions outside class used sparingly to maintain social integration. Language development is supported by mother tongue education, including clubs and resources. A full 50/50 bilingual pathway exists, alongside an English pathway with daily French language lessons. German from P3 and Spanish from MYP1 are offered as additional languages, with language clubs supporting ongoing practice.

Mental Wellbeing
Student mental health is a vital part of Haut-Lac's philosophy and is linked to student success. A school counselor promotes social and emotional well-being in a safe and respectful environment. The school provides mental health resources, including a website designed by a student with mental health facts and resources. Boarding students have access to the school counsellor for confidential support. Boarding and day programmes include sessions on mental well-being, healthy eating, and emotional development as part of tutor programmes and awareness campaigns.

Safeguarding
Haut-Lac is recognised as a Child Safeguarding School. The primary social & emotional well-being program creates a safe environment where every 6- to 11-year-old feels secure, valued and ready to learn. The school prioritises emotional, physical and mental safety within both boarding and day programmes. Staff and the school counsellor are available to listen to and support students, including confidential conversations. Boarding staff engage in mental well-being sessions and related awareness campaigns as part of their care and safeguarding responsibilities.
Parent Experience

History
Opened in Vevey in 1993 with 13 students by two bilingual teaching couples to bring bilingual, international education to Vevey. Today, Haut-Lac serves 600+ students aged 3 to 18 from over 64 countries on two campuses in St-Légier-La Chiésaz and Vevey's Les Marronniers Nursery for toddlers. The founding directors' vision of a family-oriented school guides the team today. Haut-Lac received IBMYP authorisation, then IBDP authorisation, and is accredited by the Council of International Schools; it is recognised by the Fédération Suisse des Écoles Privées and celebrated its 30th anniversary.

Community
The Haut-Lac community is international, with students from over 64 countries learning in a bilingual English-French setting. The House system promotes belonging and interaction across all ages. The Haut-Lac values champion Respect, Resilience and Open-mindedness, and the school emphasises global perspectives, digital innovation and environmental issues. As an IB World School, Haut-Lac is accredited by CIS, AVDEP and WAoS.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Vevey campus includes a Les Marronniers Nursery for children aged 18 months to 3 years. Classrooms are equipped with the latest educational technology. Specialist art and music rooms, a library, a school shop, a teaching kitchen, and an administrative quarter support daily school life. Two smaller buildings adjacent to the main school provide space for language lessons and individual study, while a design technology lab with CAD technology, a research library, and a study room serve older students. First-class sports facilities include a sports hall, an outdoor multisport pitch, and two full-sized outdoor football pitches.

Sports Facilities
The school has a sports hall that meets international competition standards, an outdoor multisport pitch, and two full-sized outdoor football pitches.

Academic Facilities
The school has classrooms equipped with the latest educational technology, a design technology lab equipped with CAD, a research library, and a study room for older students.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The school has a robust sports programme and is accredited by the World Academy of Sport as an athlete-friendly education centre.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Model United Nations enables students aged 14-18 to develop diplomacy, leadership and critical thinking through weekly debates on environmental and political topics. IB2 students run beginner and advanced level clubs to prepare members for Haut-Lac's MUN conference and other inter-school conferences in Switzerland and Europe. Haut-Lac offers innovation and STEM-focused clubs that extend learning beyond the curriculum with coding, science experiments and engineering challenges, plus creative problem-solving. The International Award (Duke of Edinburgh) provides an all-round challenge from Bronze to Gold, including mountain hikes in Switzerland.

Arts & Creative
Private music lessons are available: students can sign up for 30-minute lessons in piano, guitar, cello, drums or singing with Haut-Lac Music School teachers, and showcase their talent at biannual musical evenings. LAMDA drama is offered as part of the performing arts program.

Cultural & Language
Mother tongue language clubs help students maintain and develop their home languages; the specific languages offered vary according to student interest and teacher availability.

Social & Hobbies
Haut-Lac offers more than 150 after-school clubs organized by age group and school section. Clubs include leisure and sport activities and language, music and drama offerings; the school also trains teams for inter-school competitions in football, basketball, volleyball, netball, golf, badminton, gymnastics, athletics, swimming and skiing. The ski team trains weekly and participates in inter-school events, and Ski Zenit provides a dedicated Ski Race Academy for serious racers aged 11–18.

Community & Service
The Environmental Committee & Eco-Leaders promote eco-friendly initiatives and raise awareness; members organise waste-reduction projects and collaborate with local groups to improve sustainability across the school.

Leadership & Professional
Primary and Secondary Student Councils give students a voice and develop public speaking, listening, teamwork and problem-solving. House Leader Roles provide formal leadership opportunities within four Houses. The Villars Institute runs the Villars Fellows program (a Systems Thinking experience) for selected students, including an online course and a week of workshops with global experts. The MUN and Diplomacy & Debate clubs build diplomacy, leadership and critical thinking, while the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award offers a progression from Bronze to Gold through physical activity, volunteering and leadership.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school offers a wide range of competitive and leisure sport teams, including football, basketball, volleyball, netball, golf, badminton, gymnastics, athletics, swimming and skiing. The Haut-Lac ski team trains on Wednesday afternoons and all day Saturday for inter-school races, with Ski Zenit providing a Ski Race Academy for serious racers aged 11–18. The International Award emphasizes fitness and outdoor activity and includes 2- to 4-day Swiss mountain hikes as part of its Bronze–Gold progression.
Languages

Language Provision
The school teaches in English and French and offers an English–French bilingual education within the IB framework. English as an Additional Language (EAL) and French as an Additional Language (FLA) specialists provide language support with Individual Language Support Plans to help students access the curriculum. The school provides two bilingual pathways (Fully Bilingual and Progressive bilingual) and also maintains English- and French-language streams, along with dedicated language-learning resources and ongoing teacher professional development. Haut-Lac is an international bilingual school with a community of students from over 60 nationalities.

Bilingual Teaching
The school has a dual English-French language programme. Kindergarten and Primary bilingual students study in English and French on alternating days, with two full days in English and two full days in French each week, and a Wednesday morning language switch every nine weeks to ensure equal access to the curriculum in both languages. In Secondary, students may follow a Fully Bilingual Route (MYP1-3 study all standard subjects in English and French, alternating the tuition language each semester; MYP4 selects which language to study for each subject and commits to that choice through IB2) or a Progressive Bilingual Route (start with all subjects in English alongside French language lessons and gradually add other subjects in French as proficiency grows).

Immersion Programs
All traditional academic subjects are taught in both English and French, with immersion in both languages outside the classroom. ICT, sport and the arts are mainly taught in English, with French-language support available from specialist teachers as needed. Haut-Lac monitors language exposure and uses translanguaging strategies to deepen understanding across the curriculum.
Admissions

Admissions
Entry Points by Age & Programme: Early Years (Ages 3–6): play-based bilingual or English programmes. Primary (Grades 1–5): bilingual or English programme with a strong literacy and numeracy focus. Middle School (Grades 6–10): IBMYP programme with or without the Swiss option. High School (Grades 11–12): IBDP, IBCP or US High School Diploma pathways to universities worldwide. Admissions open all year round. Steps: submit an inquiry; visit the campus; arrange an interview; apply online. After an initial conversation, complete the online application form and upload your child's last two school reports and references. Tuition & Fees: Day students CHF 21,800–40,600; Boarding students CHF 68,000–88,000 per year. There are no hidden fees; for a detailed breakdown contact admissions. Boarding: boutique boarding house accommodates up to 32 students with personalised care, structured study time and enriching weekend activities. Admissions team: Alessia Ferrara (Admissions Officer); Magdalena Drag (Admissions Head). Haut-Lac is located in Saint-Légier-La Chiésaz, Switzerland.

Scholarships
Haut-Lac does not offer scholarships. Local families residing in Switzerland without employer school benefits may request financial aid on the fees for children enrolled at Haut-Lac.

Waitlist
Yes. There may be waiting lists for certain grades, particularly in the bilingual stream. When this happens, a place may be offered in the English stream until a bilingual spot becomes available.
School Events
The school has not added events
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