Family Style Boarding School amidst the Swiss Alps private school boarding in Switzerland

Location

The chalet-like campus of the Chantemerle School is beautifully located near Lake Geneva and the Swiss Alps, on an amazing piece of land with a private forest and a river. The towns of Montreux and Lausanne are a 15-minute drive away, and the Swiss alps are all around.

School Info

With a population of 60+ international and Swiss students, Chantemerle is often described as a “small big school”. The small class sizes and the school’s relatively small size overall, mean every pupil receives personalized attention in a warm and family atmosphere.

Every student is allocated a tutor responsible for monitoring academic progress and for addressing any concerns that may occur. This system enhances the naturally positive relationships that exist between staff and students in the school.

Timetables remain carefully balanced to provide a varied program, alternating class hours and supervised studies, with a varied sports programme, nature walks, music, art & crafts, reading time, and more.

In today’s fast paced world, Chantemerle offers a peaceful and well-balanced learning environment. The students will be taught to be attentive to nature and its wonders, and will be encouraged to actively protect the environment. The staff at the school is very engaged for a reasonable use of personal electronic devices as well as for healthy living and eating.

The Chantemerle welcomes boarding and day school students with a wide range of backgrounds and culture creating an interesting and diverse community. The intelligent and rigorous application of simple community rules contributes to the smooth running of the school.

Boarding students are housed in pleasant 2 to 4-bedded rooms according to their age, gender and preferences. A school nurse is permanently present at the school and follows the children in relation to their health.

Academics

At Chantemerle, there is an emphasis on building strong academic foundations and “learning how to learn” more efficiently and in autonomy. One feature of the school timetable is that there are 3 x 50 minutes reserved each week for supervised independent study. Together with homework, these periods help encourage pupils to develop their motivation and capacity for autonomy.

Chantemerle follows the French National Education guidelines. Advanced Programs in Mathematics, French, English and German are also proposed to meet the Swiss Maturity program requirements.

The following academic programs are proposed during the school year:

- Elementary to middle school, Brevet des Collèges (French program)

- Preparation for Swiss and International High Schools

- French Immersion and Study Abroad programs

- Elite Sports & Studies (Ski, Soccer or Basketball)

Students ages 15+ willing to continue their studies in Switzerland prepare for the International Baccalaureate (I.B) or the Swiss Maturity diploma (residency program).

Extra Curricular Activities

At Chantemerle, there is a strong belief that personal growth and wellbeing are just as important as academic success. Every day has its after class activity program in place that is coordinated by professional teachers and educators.

Sports:

Group sports (soccer, basketball, volleyball or rugby), martial arts, target sports (air shooting, archery), Fitness and running, swimming, tennis (private lessons possible), ski (private lessons possible).

Performing Arts:

Ballroom dancing and street dance, circus skills, theatre and improvisation, school choir and singing, instruments (piano or guitar)

Cultural visits and excursions:

A rich program of cultural visits excursions is planned throughout the year, on Wednesdays and during weekends as well as during the October and February school breaks.

Artistic workshops:

Cultural and artistic workshops are offered in the form of group lessons or individual sessions: Painting, creative design, arts & crafts, nature discovery, cooking and chocolate, photography and multimedia.

Summer and Winter Educational Camps

Throughout the school year and during the Summer, Chantemerle hosts residential educational camps for individual students and school groups

• Languages courses (French, English, German)
• « Inventors for a better world » (Science, robotics & game design)
• Soccer camp (with the Juventus academy)
• Basketball camp (with NBA star Thabo Sefolosha)
• Tennis camp (Spirit of Tennis)

Core Values

A positive and personalized approach to education is at the core of Chantemerle’s philosophy.

The aim is to educate and nurture every child, ensuring they acquire the knowledge, life skills and attitudes to fulfill their academic and personal potential and be successful in the future.

The Chantemerle strongly believes that this objective can best be achieved by

• encouraging student motivation and engagement
• respecting individual learning differences and potential,
• reassuring the student and make learning relevant,
• teaching methods for developing self-confidence and autonomy,
• promoting healthy living and appreciation of nature.