The Best Schools in Lausanne

Families moving to Lausanne or the surrounding area often ask "what are the best schools?" It is no surprise parents ask, as the sheer choice of schools on offer can be overwhelming. Here we have brought all our knowledge together to help parents find the best school for their family. Once known for its finishing schools, today Lausanne has a wide range of internationals schools offering the IB, A-Levels and IGCSEs, the French Baccalauréat, as well as the local programme ending in the Swiss Maturité. Bilingual programmes in French and English are also widely available. So how do you make the best choice?

best schools in lausanne

Choosing a School

The best international schools in Lausanne

Home to a wide range of excellent schools, Lausanne offers high-quality international education. The city is also known for hosting world-class universities such as EPFL, making it a centre for academic excellence. Whether for local families or expatriates, Lausanne provides a huge range of school options, from pre-school to boarding. Here, we give you the background on school choices in the region. Plus detailed guides to key schools. The aim is to help you navigate the choice of curriculum, language and ethos to make your final choice a little bit easier.

How do families choose the best Lausanne school for their child ?

Schooling in the region doesn’t come cheap. In fact, nearby Rolle is home to the most expensive school in the world, Le Rosey. It is known for moving from it’s campus by the lake to its winter home in Gstaad each year. This tradition began in 1916 so the students could enjoy winter sports and get away from the grey weather of Lac Léman. However, at almost 150,000 Swiss Francs a year a more pragmatic and cost-effective options is to take the plunge into the local system.

Swiss local education in the French-speaking part of the country comes through the PER (the curriculum in Suisse Romande). The biggest challenge with it, is that it is not “portable.” This is because children can’t continue the Swiss programme internationally when they need to move on. Also, French-language education can make it harder to transition into an English focused academic system later on. As a result, international families to choose the option of an IB school. The only school to offer the full IB programme from pre-school to the final Diploma is the International School of Lausanne.

Also, in local schools don’t expect the same space-age facilities, nor after school activities options. In fact, most primary-age children in Swiss schools come home for lunch. Which is not always practical for a family with two working parents.

Paying eye-watering fees does not guarantee academic success, nor a happy child. So, we encourage parents to think about what will make the best education choice for their child. Try not to jump on advice from your colleague by the water cooler. Instead, do an assessment of what the top schools have to offer. Then think about how they best fit the needs of your child.

Once you have the shortlist of Lausanne schools, make sure you visit each one. Ideally with your child in tow, and be sure to take advantage of the “taster day” option offered by most schools. This kind of experience will give your child a real experience on what the school is like.

Practical considerations for choosing a school in Lausanne

Lausanne’s reputation is reinforced by its position as a strong economic region. Just along the lake in Vevey, Nestlé’s global headquarters attracts a large community of international professionals, while Lausanne itself hosts the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and numerous multinational organisations. This concentration of international companies has created strong demand for high-quality international schools, both for long-term residents and expat families. As a result, many schools have expanded over the last 15 years.

For many families, Lausanne’s location broadens the options. A significant number of professionals commute between Lausanne and Geneva, and as a result, families may also want to consider some of the best schools in Geneva, particularly those close to the Vaud /Geneva border. However, the A1 highway linking towns and cities along the lake is often choked at rush hour, so location and commute timings need to be important considerations when making the final school choice.

Not only is there a wide range of programmes available in the region, but most schools offer a dual French-English curriculum. Although, take care as it is offered in different ways by different schools, each with its own emphasis and approach.  This can also make the decision a difficult one when parents aren’t sure if there are here for the long or short term, and how important local language acquisition will be.

This guide to schools in Lausanne is designed to help you make that difficult choice. You’ll find our collection of articles on Lausanne’s international schools and family life in Vaud, giving you the insights you need to make a well-informed decision with greater confidence. 

Schools

Articles

In this section, you’ll find a collection of articles covering both schooling and expat life in Lausanne. From guidance on choosing the top schools in Lausanne to suggestions on how to enjoy everything in this beautiful city. You will gain useful insights and informed advice on how to quickly settle in and enjoy everything the “Swiss Riviera” has to offer.