Known for its global outlook and quality of education, Switzerland has always been a popular destination for parents who are considering a boarding school for their child. Many private boarding schools here are multilingual and focus on holistic education.
Here is an overview of Swiss boarding schools:
1) Academics:
Many boarding schools in Switzerland are bilingual, however, there are many where the main language of instruction is English. However studying Spanish, German or French is compulsory even in schools where English is the main language of instruction. Most private, international boarding schools have small class sizes and offer either the International Baccalaureate, Swiss Maturité, the French Baccalaureate, Cambridge A levels or some combination of these. There are also some schools, such as Brillantmont International School or The American School in Switzerland (TASIS) that offer the AP curriculum as well.
2) Educational requirements:
Educational requirements are extremely school-specific. To gain admission, your child will need to send their high grades in school in the previous three to four years. Apart from this, it is likely that your child will also have to give an entrance exam, along with an English proficiency test to ensure that they can cope with the school’s curriculum. For example, Aiglon College has an abilities assessment, which consists of English, maths and general ability tests and aims to find out where your child’s strengths lie and will identify if they need further guidance.
3) Application process:
Each boarding school also has its own application form and procedure, so applications are made directly through the school’s website. The application form will require some basic details, such as your family background and details about your child’s current school. Along with this, you will need to send your child’s academic transcripts for the previous three years. In addition, some schools may also require letters of recommendation and an essay or personal statement. Typically, many international schools accept applications throughout the year, however, it is beneficial to apply well in advance.
Once shortlisted, the school may require your family to visit. This is a great opportunity for your child to get to know more about the school and get familiar with the environment. This is also when entrance tests and interviews if any, are conducted.
4) Fees and scholarships:
Fees at private Swiss boarding schools are generally on the higher side–approximately CHF 120,000 or more, at some institutions. This fee generally covers your child’s tuition, accommodation, sports facilities, extracurricular activities and dining. There can also be additional costs for school trips, uniforms, private lessons and medical insurance.
Scholarships are rare and as such, they are highly competitive. For example, Institut Le Rosey only grants three to five scholarships a year and these are reserved for students applying to grade 6 and onwards. On the other hand, Brillantmont International School only offers scholarships for students in grades 8 and 9.
5) Visa:
To study in Switzerland, your child will likely need a student visa. As soon as a school accepts your child, you will have to submit a request to the Swiss Embassy for a student visa for your child, with all the documents requested. As soon as your child arrives in Switzerland, the school will apply for a Swiss residency permit.
As there are several factors to consider when deciding what school and country are best for your child, we suggest that you make the most of your visit to the school and consider all destinations such as the UK, the US and Canada.
For any further assistance, get in touch with us.
