International Schools Near Lausanne: A Guide for Families

Lausanne is home to a large international community, drawn by major institutions such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL). Lakeside living and strong transport links in and around the city add to its appeal. If you are relocating with children, your search for international schools near Lausanne can also include neighbouring towns, many of which are only a short journey away by train or car.

This guide walks you through what’s available in Lausanne itself and in the surrounding area, so you can compare age ranges, curricula, languages and fees before deciding what fits your family best.

Why Choose Lausanne for Your International Family?

Lausanne sits on the northern shore of Lake Geneva, in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. It’s a compact city, easy to get around, and even has a metro system, which is unusual for a place its size, but great when planning school runs and work.

The city attracts families connected to EPFL, IMD Business School and the International Olympic Committee, along with the wider Lake Geneva business community. Many parents also commute to Geneva for work, which is roughly 40 minutes away by train.

Because Lausanne draws so many international families, its education options aren’t limited to the city itself. Families often look at international schools around Lausanne in Pully, Aubonne, Montreux and the surrounding villages, where fees, class sizes and campus space can look quite different from what’s on offer in the city centre. Living in Lausanne doesn’t mean your child’s school has to be within walking distance. For many families, a 20 or 30-minute commute to a school that’s the right fit matters more than proximity alone.

International Schools in Lausanne Itself

A handful of well-established schools sit within the city or its immediate urban area. These tend to be the first stop for families who want to keep the school run short and stay close to central Lausanne.

International School of Lausanne (ISL)

ISL is a not-for-profit school located on a hilltop campus in Le Mont-sur-Lausanne, a short drive north from the city centre. It offers the IB Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes. Teaching is primarily in English, with French offered alongside. 

ISL’s dual language programme is available in Years 3 to 6 and uses an English-French co-teaching model, allowing students to study part of the curriculum in French. If you’re seeking strong French-language development alongside an English-medium education, maybe because you’re planning to remain in Switzerland for the medium- or long-term, this will set your young children up with strong French language skills. 

Collège Champittet, Pully campus

Collège Champittet is located in Pully, a short commute along the lake from Lausanne, and offers both day and boarding places. Its three secondary pathways accommodate different academic and language profiles, with a high level of French required for the French Baccalauréat, strong English needed for the IB Diploma and the bilingual Swiss Maturité for those unsure yet whether to study further in Switzerland or abroad. This range gives families flexibility when considering tertiary education at Swiss, French-speaking or international universities.

Brillantmont International School

Brillantmont is a small school in central Lausanne, taking students from age 13 to 18 only. It offers Cambridge IGCSE and A Levels alongside a US High School Diploma programme, with both day and boarding places available. Its size, around 90 students, means smaller class groups and a close-knit community. Brillantmont tends to suit families arriving with a teenager who’s already on an English-medium academic path and needs continuity through to university entrance exams.

All these Lausanne-based schools offer convenient access to a range of curricula, languages and day or boarding options.

International Schools Around Lausanne

If the right curriculum or language mix isn’t available in the city, or if you plan to live around Lausanne, it’s worth widening the search. Several schools within commuting distance of Lausanne offer facilities, fees or programmes that some families find are a better match. Please note the travel times below are approximate and will vary depending on your route and the time of day.

La Côte International School, Aubonne

La Côte International School (LCIS) sits between Geneva and Lausanne, in a rural setting among vineyards and orchards. A 20-30 minute car ride on the A1 from Lausanne will get you there. LCIS offers international early-years and primary curricula, followed by lower-secondary studies, IGCSE and the IB Diploma Programme. Around 400 students attend, and over 30 percent come from Swiss families, which gives the school a more local feel than some purely international options. It’s a day school only, so it works best for families who don’t need boarding. Read more in our full profile of La Côte International School Aubonne.

Haut-Lac International Bilingual School

Haut-Lac is based in St-Légier, close to Vevey and Montreux and around 25 to 30 minutes from central Lausanne by car or train. It teaches the IB alongside Swiss curriculum elements, in a thorough bilingual English-French setting, and takes students from 18 months to 18 years old.

With more than 600 students from a wide range of nationalities, it’s a large school but still has a distinctly community feel. Many Lausanne-based families choose Haut-Lac specifically for its bilingual approach, accepting a longer commute in exchange for stronger French exposure for their child.

St. George’s International School, Montreux

St. George’s is located in Montreux, around 25 to 30 minutes from Lausanne by train. It welcomes day students aged 18 months to 18 years, with boarding available from age 10. Students follow Cambridge programmes, including IGCSE, before progressing to the IB Diploma Programme. Its close-knit environment and pastoral care may appeal to families seeking strong support throughout their child’s education.

Schools around Lausanne offer families additional choices in curricula, languages, facilities and learning environments within commuting distance of the city.

Comparison Table – International Schools Near Lausanne

The table below compares each school’s location, curriculum and approximate annual fees based on the current 2026/27 fee schedules. Fees vary by year group, so confirm the latest figures directly with each school. 

This comparison offers a useful starting point, but contact each school directly to confirm admission requirements and whether mandatory activities are included in the fees.

How to Choose an International School Near Lausanne

Once you’ve got a shortlist, it helps to weigh up a few practical factors before booking any visits. Each of these considerations below can change which school actually works for your family day to day.

1. Location and daily commute. A school close to home cuts down on stressful mornings, but a slightly longer commute might be worth it if the school offers a better curriculum match or bus service. Check whether the school runs its own transport, as this can make a longer distance far more manageable.
2. Age range and school continuity. Some schools, like Brillantmont, only take secondary age students, while others run from age 3 right through to 18. If you’d rather not move your child between schools as they grow, an all-through school is worth prioritising.
3. Curriculum and future education plans. Think about where your child might study after school. The Swiss Maturité is widely accepted for admission to Swiss universities, while the IB Diploma and A Levels may provide more internationally recognised pathways, subject to each university’s entry requirements. 
4. Language of instruction and bilingual options. If bilingual education is important, compare exactly which subjects are taught in English and French at each stage. ISL, Champittet and Haut-Lac all provide bilingual opportunities, but their models and eligible year groups differ. 
5. Fees and additional costs. Tuition is only part of the picture. Registration fees, deposits, uniforms, school trips and, where relevant, boarding fees can add up, so ask each school for a full breakdown rather than relying on the headline tuition figure.
6. School size, community and learning environment. A smaller school like Brillantmont offers close attention and a tight community, while a larger school like Champittet or ISL may offer broader extracurricular options and more year group choice.
7. Admissions, availability and entry requirements. Some year groups fill up faster than others, particularly around common relocation periods. It’s worth applying to more than one school if your timeline is tight, and asking directly about waiting lists for the specific year group your child needs.

Working through these points before you start booking visits will make each school tour far more useful, since you’ll already know what questions matter most for your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main international schools near Lausanne? 

The main options include the International School of Lausanne, Collège Champittet in Pully, Brillantmont International School, La Côte International School in Aubonne, Haut-Lac International Bilingual School in St-Légier, and St. George’s International School in Montreux.

Are there international schools in Lausanne itself? 

Yes. The International School of Lausanne, Collège Champittet’s Pully campus and Brillantmont International School are all within or immediately around the city, making them the most practical choice for families who want to avoid a longer commute.

What international schools are close to Lausanne? 

La Côte International School in Aubonne, Haut-Lac in St-Légier, and St. George’s in Montreux are all within approximately 25 to 40 minutes from central Lausanne, depending on the school, route, traffic and public transport connections. 

Which international schools near Lausanne offer the IB? 

ISL, Champittet, La Côte, Haut-Lac and St. George’s offer IB programmes. ISL provides the full PYP, MYP and DP continuum, while the other schools offer selected IB pathways at secondary level. 

Are there bilingual international schools around Lausanne? 

Yes. ISL’s dual language programme, Champittet and Haut-Lac all teach in both English and French, which can suit families planning to settle in Switzerland for the longer term.

Which schools near Lausanne offer education in English? 

All the international schools mentioned offer education in English, but the balance between English and French varies by school, programme and year group.

How far are international schools outside Lausanne? 

Most of the international schools outside the city, such as those in Aubonne, St-Légier and Montreux, are between 25 and 30 minutes from central Lausanne by car or train, though this can vary with traffic and time of day.

What are the fees for international schools near Lausanne? 

Annual fees generally range from around CHF 12,800 at the lower end for younger year groups up to CHF 40,000 or more for senior years, with boarding schools charging significantly more once accommodation is included.

Is Pully a practical location for an international school near Lausanne? 

Pully is one of the most practical choices for families based in Lausanne, since it sits right along the lake next to the city and typically involves only a short commute, similar to travelling within Lausanne itself. It is even accessible via public transport from the main train station.

Conclusion

Choosing between these international schools near Lausanne comes down to what matters most for your own family, whether that’s a short commute, a bilingual programme, or a particular curriculum that lines up with your child’s future plans. Visiting a few in person, and talking to admissions teams directly about availability for your child’s year group, is the best way to see which one feels right.