Leysin American Boarding School

Welcome to Leysin American School in Switzerland

A guiding set of principles and beliefs set the highest standards for life at Leysin American School in Switzerland. These standards help us create the best residential life program available within a safe, boarding school environment. Our strong academic program gives students a choice of tracks—they can choose from our International Baccalaureate, AP, and diploma programs, and our Academic Deans and advisors are here to guide them every step of the way. Outside of the classroom, students have access to the natural, cultural, and historical wonders within Switzerland and Europe From skiing and mountaineering in the Swiss Alps (in world-famous spots like Zermatt and St. Moritz!), to exploring historic cities and cultural centers (from Lugano and Geneva to Paris and Milan!), LAS gives students an opportunity to grow and thrive.

Extraordinary Educators

  Our educators’ teaching methods are informed by years of research, education, and experience, allowing them to provide your child with high-quality, innovative learning experiences.

• 56% of LAS staff have more than 10 years of experience in education
• Over 40 teachers earned a LAS-sponsored master’s degree
• 20% of our teachers have presented and published their research
• 20 outside research fellowships have been awarded by LASER

Top University Admissions

  We take pride not only in educating strong students but also in attracting the attention of strong universities. The LAS University Advising Office plays a key role in our students’ successes, providing them with active guidance throughout their time at LAS.

• Our University Ateliers curriculum starts in grade 9, while 1 on 1 advising curriculum starts in grade 10
• 92% of LAS graduates received an admission offer from at least one of their top three universities
• 89% of LAS students go to one of the top 5% of universities
• Over 100 universities visit LAS every year

A Caring Community

  LAS is a diverse, tight-knit community in which staff are always on hand to provide students with consistent care and guidance as they navigate the responsibilities and challenges that come with young adulthood.

• 1:4 faculty-to-student ratio, ensuring every student is heard and supported
• 98% of our students and faculty live on campus, creating a strong sense of community
• 9.3 students per class on average
• About 60 nationalities living in harmony on campus

A Home Away From Home

  From LAS to post-graduation, we provide the foundation and resources for students, parents, and alumni to stay connected and maintain lifelong friendships.

• Students meet weekly in their Faculty Family with 6 “brothers and sisters” led by faculty “parents”
• Non-profit school managed by the 3rd generation of the founding family
• Parents visit Leysin about 3 times per year while LAS travels to 70% of parents in their home country
• Beyond Leysin, connected with over 3,000 alumni and their families in over 85 countries

A Passion for Learning

  We help students to uncover their passion by creating exciting ways for them to select and engage with the material they are being taught—this includes hands-on learning, individualized academic schedules, and opportunities for immersive travel.

• 2 strong academic pathways to university: International Baccalaureate and US High School Diploma
• Hands-on learning opportunities within these 5 areas: Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Science, Arts, and Community Service
• Study trips every year to over 32 destinations
• Individualized academic schedules and over 46 clubs, sports teams, and activities to choose from

Middle School

The LAS Middle School provides students in grades 7 and 8 with a safe environment in which they can learn, study, play, and thrive. Students in the Middle School program are immersed in a tight-knit community of passionate learners and take part in an exciting curriculum filled with educational field trips and opportunities for hands-on, experiential learning. The goal of this program is to develop within students an enthusiasm for learning, an ability to take part in self-directed study, and to develop a strong foundation upon which they can build their success in later grades. Outside of the classroom, students are able to take part in after-school activities such as sports, yoga, and theater, or, in the wintertime, skiing and snowboarding. Supervised cultural trips and weekend excursions are also great ways for our youngest students to embrace living abroad and gain international exposure. In order to provide our Middle School students with a strong scholastic foundation and skill set, our 7th and 8th grade programming is divided into two segments—Academic Core and Academic Exploration. Academic Core, consisting of English, Reading and Writing, Physical Education and Health, Science, and Math classes, emphasizes the key principles and knowledge students need to be successful in later grades. Academic Exploration is made up of a selection of transdisciplinary courses designed to broaden horizons and uncover new talents.

Preparatory Years

Preparatory Years students are those who are entering their first two years of high school. LAS seeks to support students during this transitional period of their lives by allowing them to test the waters in new, challenging classes, encouraging them to join teams and take on leadership roles, and exposing them to international cultural experiences.  Opportunities for introspection and self-discovery extend beyond the classroom. Model United Nations, the Alpine Institute, and Robot Gardening are all examples of interactive, self-regulated learning opportunities that students can take advantage of in order to learn more about themselves, their learning styles, and their interests.  Students in the Preparatory Years program have the option to take either Mainstream or ELA classes. Those who select the Mainstream course of study will have seven classes, matching the number of classes they would have in the IB Programme in grades 11 and 12. Six of their classes will consist of year-long core classes.  ELA helps students become effective communicators, collaborators, and thinkers. Students in this program will engage in a mix of ELA-focused and integrated classes to ensure they achieve the necessary proficiency in all their subjects to graduate and continue on to university education. 

Diploma Years

Our Diploma Years program helps students prepare for the next major phase in their lives. LAS guides students throughout this time, allowing them to tailor their academics to meet their goals.  All Diploma Years students work towards achieving the LAS Diploma and can choose the IB Diploma or the US High School Diploma. We offer the full IB program, an AP program, or a combination of both courses for credit. Students in their Diploma Years also regularly consult with our top-notch University Advisors as they prepare to continue their education after LAS. IB Diploma students engage in deep, concentrated learning through engagement with the International Baccalaureate curriculum. The IB Diploma Programme has over forty course offerings (SL/HL classes) available for students to select a program that best suits them and their future goals. In 2022, our highest score was a 45, 34% of our candidates had a score higher than 38 points, our average score was 36 points, and 23% of our candidates received a bilingual diploma! LAS had a 100% pass rate as well! Students who pursue IB studies are highly motivated and independent learners who have shown themselves to be strong academic achievers. If ELA students reach a high enough proficiency in English after grade 10, they can undertake the full IB Diploma with the option for a "Bilingual IB Diploma." The US High School Diploma program well-prepares students for postsecondary success while allowing them more time to pursue personal goals in and outside of the classroom. Students in this program also have the opportunity to earn IB certificates. This stream of study is ideal for students who are intellectually curious and excel in active learning. ELA students who need continued focus on language acquisition and are not ready to undertake the IB program continue with ELA courses within this stream and maintain a focus on content knowledge in core areas so they are ready for university studies following graduation.  Our seniors are encouraged to exercise their growing independence through academic, social, and leadership opportunities. Students are also encouraged to take on roles as Student Council members, Student Ambassadors, and club presidents—such positions help them to build character, develop new skills, and can give them an edge on university applications.   In addition to taking classes, students are expected to work together with the University Advising Office. Though students begin communicating with advisors in grade 10, this partnership is emphasized more heavily in their final two years of school. Students will have the chance to interact with advisors during one-on-one meetings as well as in small groups in their Theory of Knowledge (TOK) classes. TOK classes allow students to complete personal assessments, take part in career exploration exercises, conduct university research, practice essay writing, and review university application procedures. Advisors also organize visits from representatives of international postsecondary institutions, as well as coordinate visits to nearby college fairs.

Tuition Fees Approximately

Application Fee 500CHF Security Deposit 10000CHF Tuition 109000CHF (Approximately) Capital Improvement Fund 10000CHF **Personal Account ** 10000CHF