Haut-Lac is a leading Swiss international school overlooking Lake Geneva in Saint-Légier-La Chiésaz, a small town between Lausanne and Montreux.
Our 600 day and boarding students, aged 3 to 18, follow bilingual English-French or English-only programmes from preschool through to the full IB Middle Years and Diploma programmes. It’s an approach we’ve been refining for thirty years, and you can see it in the way students move between languages with real fluency.
Classes are small, teachers know every student by name, and learning is built around projects, real problems and personal support. Outside lessons, competitive sport, the arts and 150+ after-school clubs give children room to explore new interests.
That same community carries into our Swiss boarding school campus, where students aged 11 to 18 live, study and relax under the care of experienced boarding parents day and night.
By the time they graduate, our students are fluent in two languages, comfortable in an international setting, and ready for leading universities in Switzerland, Europe, the UK and the US.
Haut-Lac welcomes international students aged 11 to 18 into a caring, family-style Swiss boarding school community on the Swiss Riviera, just 20 minutes from Lausanne and near Montreux.
Experienced Boarding Parents are present 24/7 to provide the structure, care and guidance students need. Whether they’re settling in for the first time or preparing for their final IB years, boarders are supported every step of the way so they can grow in confidence, build friendships and learn to live independently.
They follow International Baccalaureate programmes, join evening clubs, go on weekend trips across Switzerland and Europe.
Book a personalised tour today to see what boarding at our bilingual IB school could mean for your family.
As a top-ranked IB World School in Switzerland, we work with each student to tailor their learning journey to their personal needs, academic objectives and professional goals.
Each student receives comprehensive guidance and support throughout our rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) pathways so that they are well-equipped to succeed at university and beyond. This goes for our IB Diploma students, our IB Career-Related Programme students, and the high-performing athletes on our Sport & Study IB programme.
Our graduates place among the top performers in Swiss international education thanks to an average IB diploma score of 35 points and a 98-100% pass rate.
With our all-round bilingual education under their belts, Haut-Lac alumni have gone on to meet and exceed their potential at universities such as the EPFL (CH), the University of Cambridge (UK), and MIT (USA).
Discover their exciting journeys into entrepreneurship, science, finance, sport and more on our graduate page.
Haut-Lac International Bilingual School is more than just a school. It is a family that welcomes Swiss and international students, from over 64 nationalities, and their families with open arms.
Discover what our students and parents have to say about their experience at Haut-Lac, one of the most internationally diverse day and boarding schools in the Lake Geneva region.
Our kids had a wonderful time at the school. I see a lot of improvements in both my kids and they have learned a lot. They will miss the school, their teachers and friends.
We’ve had a fantastic time, the school is very good and the kids have enjoyed their time a lot. We would recommend the school to anyone.
Amazing learning opportunities, academic challenges (encouragement) tailored to our child’s needs and excellent facilities for education and sport. Haut-Lac ticked all the boxes for our son.
Primary Parent
My time at Haut-Lac and studying the IB has not only shaped my passion for learning, but also provided me with the tools required to be a young entrepreneur.
Haut-Lac lets you pursue so many talents and passions, academically-speaking or otherwise.
The bilingual, international environment taught me how to express myself, adapt, and be confident in unfamiliar settings. It planted seeds I didn’t even realise were growing.
A new programme. Student achievement. Alumni success.
Here is where we share all the new and exciting things that happen at Haut-Lac.
Contact us and see for yourself why Haut-Lac is the perfect international school in Vaud to grow and learn.
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Got a question about our Swiss international school?
Check our FAQ page for quick answers.
Or contact our Admissions team by e-mail to [email protected] or phone +41 21 555 51 29.
At Haut-Lac, we provide a top-tier bilingual education in English and French to 600 students from 64 countries. 67% of our community are native English and French speakers.
An international school gives your child daily exposure to different languages, cultures and ways of thinking. At Haut-Lac, that means learning in English and French through real bilingual programmes from age three and with classmates from 64 countries.
Our students graduate with an IB Diploma, IB Career-related Programme certificate or US High School Diploma, all internationally recognised qualifications, along with the confidence, adaptability and independence that come from growing up in a diverse community.
Choosing Haut-Lac International School, one of the best international schools in Switzerland, means choosing a school that takes academic excellence seriously without losing sight of the child as a whole person. The International Baccalaureate curriculum is built around critical thinking, creativity and global awareness, and our teachers refine their methods continually so that learning stays meaningful.
Small class sizes mean teachers know each student by name and can give them real attention. That close contact encourages students to speak up, collaborate and develop the communication skills they’ll need anywhere in the world. A genuinely international student body adds another layer: classmates bring different perspectives, languages and experiences into every lesson.
Project-based learning and real-world problem-solving sit at the heart of how we teach. Students engage deeply with their subjects and pick up practical skills along the way. The school’s commitment to diversity and inclusion means every child feels valued and able to be themselves.
Outside the classroom, Haut-Lac offers competitive sports, the arts and over 150 after-school clubs. There’s room for students to try new things and find what they’re good at. For families who want it, the boarding programme provides a safe, welcoming home for students aged 11 to 18, looked after by experienced boarding parents.
Graduates leave Haut-Lac with strong communication skills, fluency in two languages and the adaptability to take on top universities in Switzerland, Europe, the UK and the US.
Haut-Lac International School stands out among Swiss international schools by combining academic rigour with cultural diversity and personal growth to prepare students not just for exams, but for life as confident, multilingual adults.
We would love to guide you through the process!
You can start by visiting our Admissions page,where you’ll find detailed information about requirements and steps.
If you prefer personal assistance, feel free to e-mail us at [email protected] or call us at +41 21 555 51 29.
Our admissions team is here to answer your questions and support you every step of the way.
Haut-Lac International Bilingual School is based in Saint-Légier-La Chiésaz in the canton of Vaud, on the Swiss Riviera between Vevey and Montreux.
The school is 20 minutes from Lausanne by car or train, with easy access from Geneva and the wider Lake Geneva region.
We have two modern campuses, Roches Grises and Praz-Dagoud, both within walking distance of each other.
Haut-Lac is one of the leading international schools in Vaud, welcoming over 600 students from 64 nationalities across two campuses in Saint-Légier-La Chiésaz.
We offer bilingual English-French and English-only programmes from age 3 to 18, which culminate in the IB Middle Years, Diploma and Career-Related Programmes.
Haut-Lac has been ranked among the top 10 IB schools in Switzerland and holds accreditations from CIS, NEASC and the Boarding Schools’ Association.
Yes. Haut-Lac is based in Saint-Légier-La Chiésaz, just a few minutes from Vevey and fifteen minutes from Montreux.
Families travel in daily from both towns and from across the Swiss Riviera — including La Tour-de-Peilz, Blonay, Villeneuve and Chardonne — drawn by our bilingual IB programmes, small class sizes and strong university outcomes.
Haut-Lac is about 20 minutes from Lausanne by car, or around 35 minutes by train via Vevey.
Many of our day families live in and around Lausanne and travel in daily, including from Pully, Lutry and Cully.
Geneva Airport is around 55 minutes from Haut-Lac by car, and just over an hour and a half by direct train via Vevey. For boarding families flying in from abroad, the airport is the most common arrival point, and the school can help arrange transfers at the start and end of term.
Yes. We run daily school bus routes to and from several towns in the Lake Geneva region to make the commute straightforward for families living up to 30km away from Saint-Légier.
Our admissions team can share current routes, timings and costs on request.
Yes. Saint-Légier-Village station is a short walk from both campuses and sits on the Montreux–Vevey–Riviera (MVR) line.
Students living in Vevey, Blonay, La Tour-de-Peilz and the wider Riviera area often take the train in, and connections from Lausanne and Montreux run at least every half hour.
Parent parking is available on our Praz-Dagoud campus, which is home to our preschool, primary and younger secondary students aged 3 to 12.
At Roches Grises, where our older secondary students aged 13 to 18 are based, there’s no parent parking, so most families drop off and pick up nearby, or their children arrive independently by school bus, train or on foot.
Haut-Lac offers a warm, inclusive environment built around each child’s learning. Small class sizes mean teachers know every student by name and understand their strengths and challenges, so children feel genuinely supported. Our bilingual English-French and English-only programmes encourage students to move easily between languages — a skill that opens doors well past the school gates.
Learning is hands-on and student-centred. Project work and real-world problems make lessons stick, and teachers put real weight on critical thinking, creativity and collaboration. The atmosphere encourages curiosity and resilience, and students take ownership of their learning as they grow in confidence.
The community itself is one of the things parents notice first. Haut-Lac balances intellectual growth with social and emotional development, and the wide range of extra-curricular activities helps students build friendships across year groups and cultural backgrounds. The boarding campus extends that sense of community for students aged 11 to 18, with experienced boarding parents providing care and guidance day and night.
Haut-Lac educates children from age 3 to 18, covering early childhood, primary and secondary education. From preschool onwards, students can follow a bilingual English-French or English-only track, building strong language foundations alongside their academic work.
The curriculum leads into the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) for students aged 11 to 16, followed by the full IB Diploma Programme (DP) for ages 16 to 18. These internationally recognised programmes prepare students for university and for life after it, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and asking good questions.
Over thirty years of refining our bilingual approach means students leave Haut-Lac with real fluency in two languages, not just a school certificate. By graduation, they’re ready to take on leading universities in Switzerland, Europe, the UK and the US.
Extra-curricular activities are a big part of life at Haut-Lac. The school runs over 150 after-school clubs covering sports, arts, sciences, languages, technology and community service, so there’s something for almost every interest.
Competitive sport plays an important role, with teams competing in a range of disciplines and building teamwork, discipline and fitness along the way. Students can also throw themselves into music ensembles, theatre productions and visual arts workshops, which build confidence and give children room to express themselves.
Academic clubs include robotics, debate, environmental projects and language conversation groups, useful for exploring a subject in more depth or trying something new. Technology enthusiasts can join coding clubs or work on digital media projects that sharpen their problem-solving.
With this much on offer, every student finds something that sparks their interest, and the variety helps them discover new talents and build friendships in different settings.
Yes, Haut-Lac runs a full boarding programme on its Swiss campus for students aged 11 to 18. The boarding house is set up to be a safe, welcoming home away from home where students live, study and spend time together.
Experienced boarding parents look after students 24 hours a day. They provide supervision, of course, but also the emotional support and guidance that helps boarders balance schoolwork with rest and a social life.
Living on campus lets students develop real independence while staying part of a close community. Structured study times sit alongside sport, arts and social events organised within the residence. It’s an environment that quietly teaches responsibility, time management and intercultural understanding as students live alongside peers from very different backgrounds.
The facilities are modern and comfortable, with the right balance between study and downtime, so students can focus on their education and still enjoy a proper social life in a secure setting.
A bilingual school like Haut-Lac International Bilingual School offers benefits that go well past simply learning two languages. Students develop real fluency in both English and French, which lets them communicate confidently in international settings. Bilingual education also builds cognitive flexibility, critical thinking and cultural awareness, all of which matter in today’s connected world.
At Haut-Lac, immersive bilingual programmes from preschool through to the IB Middle Years and Diploma help students switch easily between languages and understand what they’re learning at a deeper level. Small classes and personalised support mean every child can thrive academically and socially, and competitive sports, arts and over 150 after-school clubs round out their development.
Bilingual education at Haut-Lac also opens doors to top universities in Switzerland, Europe, the UK and the US by equipping students with the language skills and intercultural confidence to feel at home anywhere. For families looking for a complete international education, Haut-Lac International Bilingual School is a strong choice that turns young learners into self-assured, multilingual adults.
