Private school Ecole La Garenne

La Garenne International School, Switzerland

The school was founded in 1947. It is located in the French part of Switzerland, in the small resort town of Villars, at an altitude of 1250 m. Villars is easily accessible from Lausanne or Geneva. The school is located away from busy roads, right in the center of the park. The consistently high reputation and fame of this school are the result of the professionalism of its teachers and staff. Particular attention in the learning process is paid to languages, music, and computer technology.

Sports play a big role in the lives of students. To instill in students a sense of responsibility, to instill respect for traditional values, to give a feeling of emotional security – These are the basic principles of school policy. "Children are our future" - the school's motto. Here we are firmly convinced that what the world will become tomorrow will largely depend on how they grow up.

Director (for 2026)

Gregory Min, education - Hotel Management School (Lausanne).

Key factors

• All children follow the British curriculum in English and learn French as a second language. You can also study Japanese, Russian, Chinese, German, Italian, Greek and Spanish.
• The curriculum is well balanced and easy to understand even for children whose first language is not English or French.
• Teaching is conducted in small classes: on average 12-18 people. 
• Children are taught by experienced teachers who help them adapt to life in unusual conditions. 

Equipment

The campus is located around the main building of La Garenne, an authentic but modernized Swiss chalet. Carefully designed, it includes dining, administrative and living spaces. The main academic building contains classrooms, a library, learning support facilities and a well-equipped science laboratory. Indoor facilities include student lounges, a school auditorium and music room, and an art room.

The campus is located in a green garden, children have access to a sports ground, trampolines, table tennis tables, table football, swings, and outdoor play equipment. The school continually invests in improving facilities and infrastructure without compromising the natural beauty of the area; A new addition recently included an on-campus farm.

Program

La Garenne offers the International Baccalaureate Secondary Education Program (IBMYP). This internationally recognized program taught from MYP 1 - MYP 5 (grades 6-10).

The MYP curriculum consists of eight subject groups, providing a broad and balanced education for the 11-16 age group. In the final two years (MYP 4 and MYP 5), flexibility in subject choice allows students to follow their personal learning goals and future study plans.

In Years 10 and 11, students study the IGCSE program and take exams before moving on to senior school. This is a two-year program for obtaining a General Certificate of Secondary Education. There are 6 compulsory subjects, 4 subjects are optional.

At the age of 16-18, children study in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program or High School Diploma (for admission to US universities).

The educational program is conducted in English. However, all students learn French at different levels. An additional French program is available upon request. Children can also take additional private language lessons with our native speaking teachers. Children are given many opportunities to practice their language skills in informal settings at school and on trips.

La Garenne students study French from 1st grade and above. Depending on their level, students prepare for internationally recognized exams that confirm their language skills - the DELF set of qualifications.

Accommodation

Children live in a residence on the school grounds. They receive the same care and attention as if they were living at home. Girls and boys have separate sleeping areas, with bright, comfortable rooms, all with magnificent views of the mountains. Two to four students share a room, each with their own desk and closet for personal belongings. Junior suites have a private bathroom. Bedrooms are a place where children can relax, enjoy reading or listening to music.

The home's friendly staff clean and maintain bedrooms and bathrooms daily, and encourage children to take responsibility for keeping their rooms clean and organized. In the locker rooms on the ground floor, each child has a locker for outerwear and sports equipment. Recreation rooms with age-appropriate books, toys and a TV are popular for quiet time or socializing with peers.

The buildings are equipped with security and safety systems, including video surveillance, and access to the doors is controlled by wrist bracelets.

The residence hosts bonding events: games, shared dinners and baking together, even the traditional annual walk to choose a Christmas tree and drink hot chocolate. Children feel like they belong to a community and adapt to school faster. Studying and living here – This is an opportunity to make new friends from all over the world and gain experience of living in a multilingual environment, strengthening character and developing social skills.

Sport

Sport plays a very important role in the lives of La Garenne students. Sports at school: football, basketball, volleyball, rugby, hockey, Frisbee, basketball, tennis, swimming, badminton. Adventure and mountain sports depending on the season: hiking, rock climbing, rope bridge walking, orienteering, skating, hut building, skiing and snowboarding, igloo building, sledding and ice hockey.

Ski Academy

From January to March the school runs its own ski academy. She works in partnership with Gryon Ski Club to provide students with professional ski racing training. Children train and participate in 10-15 ski races every season. Staff at La Garenne are supervising and committed to ensuring each child has the support they need to ensure their progress. The Ski Academy offers first-class sports training with exceptional winter sports facilities. Children get an unforgettable experience!

There are 2 types of participation:

• elite program (participation in 10-15 ski races per season + ski training before the season (September - December),
• program for champions (participation in 5-10 ski races per season).

Additional activities

Clubs for children 5-10 years old:

• Creating videos and films
• Swimming
• Football
• Cooking
• Art Club
• Karate
• Rock climbing

Clubs for children 11-17 years old:

• Art Club
• Model United Nations
• Sound recording and video creation
• Board games
• History Club
• Running
• Football Academy
• Basketball
• Swimming
• Badminton
• Fitness for girls
• Theater
• Young investors: studying the stock market
• Cycling
• Journalism

In addition to academic activities, the school offers many recreational and cultural activities: cycling along the lake, trampolines and table tennis, trips to laser games, a swimming pool, going to the cinema, going through a giant maze, a water park and bowling. And also: discos and costume parties, theater/dance performances, mountain picnics and outdoor games.

Children visit local attractions: Olympic Museum, Food Museum, historical castles and villages, where children get acquainted with Swiss culture through cheese production and chocolate production. The trip program includes visits to painting exhibitions and music concerts.

The school conducts educational trips to other countries for each age group – your own trip. For example, to Thailand with a mission to save ecology and wildlife, to Germany to study history and culture, to Costa Rica to study environmental issues, to the NASA center in Florida, USA for space exploration and to Manchester, UK, where children take part in the concert of the Young Voices children's choir.