Aiglon College and Ecole Chantemerle are both in Lausanne, about 21 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge IGCSE programmes. Aiglon College also offers IB, and Ecole Chantemerle also offers Swiss, Cambridge A Levels and French. Published annual fees are CHF 47,850 - 159,000 at Aiglon College and CHF 23,500 - 62,500 at Ecole Chantemerle, which puts Aiglon College roughly 141% higher. Aiglon College takes pupils from 7 to 18, and Ecole Chantemerle from 6 to 18. Aiglon College is the larger school, with around 480 pupils to Ecole Chantemerle's 65. Typical class sizes are 12 at Aiglon College and 10 at Ecole Chantemerle.
Swiss Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, French Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
480
Pupils
65
Typical class size
Typical class size
12
Typical class size
10
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
French, English
Opened
Opened
1949
Opened
1966
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Located in the alpine village of Chesières (Chesières-Villars), Vaud, Switzerland. The campus address is Avenue Centrale 61, 1885 Chesières. The Villars English Church sits in the village nearby, reflecting the local community.
Location
Blonay, Vaud, Switzerland; Chemin de Chantemerle 7, 1807 Blonay; overlooking Lake Geneva; close to Vevey, Montreux, Fribourg, Lausanne and Geneva.
Stages
Stages
Discovery Years (Years 5-9); Exploration Years (Years 10-11); Inspiration Years (Years 12-13).
Stages
Swiss pathway with Primary School, Secondary School and High School (Swiss Matura); Cambridge International pathway offering IGCSE and A Levels in English, with an English immersion option; study abroad and French immersion programmes.
School type
School type
The school is a private, co-educational international boarding school.
School type
Private international boarding and day school in Switzerland.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
65 nationalities represented.
Pupil nationality mix
60% Swiss; welcomes Swiss and international students aged 6 to 18.
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
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Additional learning support
Intensive French integration programme for international students new to French.
- Enrolment deposit: CHF 15,000. The deposit reserves a place and is refundable only after the student leaves and the account is fully settled; the deposit is not returned before September of the following academic year and no interest is paid on the deposit.
- Scholarship & Development Fund (joining charge included on the first invoice): CHF 4,000.
- Additional joining charges included on the first invoice (capital / alumni programme charges apply as shown on the invoice).
Tuition and boarding fees (annual and per-term by year group)
Note: tuition and boarding charges are shown in Swiss Francs (CHF). Term structure is Autumn / Winter / Summer; the school defines an academic year as three terms. Annual amounts and per-term equivalents (annual divided by three) follow.
- Years 12–13 (Inspiration Years) - Boarding annual: CHF 159,000 — Per term: CHF 53,000. - Day annual: CHF 95,700 — Per term: CHF 31,900.
- Years 10–11 (Exploration Years) - Boarding annual: CHF 148,400 — Per term: CHF 49,467. - Day annual: CHF 87,400 — Per term: CHF 29,133.
- Year 9 - Boarding annual: CHF 145,600 — Per term: CHF 48,533. - Day annual: CHF 87,400 — Per term: CHF 29,133.
- Years 7–8 (Discovery Years) - Boarding annual: CHF 113,400 — Per term: CHF 37,800. - Day annual: CHF 64,500 — Per term: CHF 21,500.
- Years 3–6 (Wonder & lower Discovery; boarding applies for Years 5–6) - Boarding (Years 5–6) annual: CHF 95,400 — Per term: CHF 31,800. - Day (Years 3–6) annual: CHF 47,850 — Per term: CHF 15,950.
- Pocket money (charged in advance for Years 5–8 boarders): CHF 1,360 (annual).
Optional / additional charges (examples and typical extras)
- Initial clothing (uniform and school clothing) charged on the first invoice: - Inspiration Years (Years 12–13): CHF 3,900. - Exploration Years (Years 10–11): CHF 4,900. - Wonder & Discovery Years (Years 3–9): CHF 5,200.
- Expedition equipment pack: CHF 1,000.
- Extra language tuition (price per year, where applicable): IB Language HL (5 periods) CHF 16,640; IB Language SL (3 periods) CHF 9,900; IGCSE language 3 periods CHF 6,560; IGCSE language 2 periods CHF 4,370.
- Private lessons (per session): Private lesson (50 min) CHF 115; shared private lesson CHF 60; small group CHF 50. Music private lesson (25 min) CHF 55; music shared lesson (25 min) CHF 35.
- Learning support (price per term): 1 period per week CHF 1,880; 2 periods per week CHF 3,120.
- Optional Scholarship Fund contribution (voluntary): CHF 10,000.
- The tuition fee covers class tuition, public examination fees and invigilation costs, all meals, required expeditions and activities, CLE, books/online resources, expedition equipment and ski locker, pastoral/tutoring/university advising programmes, access to the Health Centre, school trip travel insurance, an allowance for stationery (up to CHF 300), yearbook and certain other items; items explicitly excluded (and billed separately when applicable) include optional social/sporting trips, ski equipment rentals, toiletries/personal items, dry cleaning, travel to/from school, special escorts/booking fees, non-mainstream IB languages, personal devices, and costs arising from property damage.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Term dates (for billing and notice purposes): Autumn Term 1 August–31 December; Winter Term 1 January–31 March; Summer Term 1 April–31 July.
- Standard requirement: payment of tuition fees for the academic year is due upfront unless an alternative arrangement has been agreed. Failure to meet payment deadlines may forfeit a student's place.
- Payment plan (available on request): fees may be paid in two equal instalments due 15 May and 15 November; an administrative fee of CHF 3,000 per annum is added to the first instalment.
- Advance fee payment option: families may pay fees in advance (minimum two years) under special arrangements that can include exchange-rate and other financial considerations; further details are arranged with Finance.
- Invoice timing and first-invoice items: the first invoice typically includes enrolment charges and the initial clothing charge and other joining charges as listed above.
Refunds, cancellations and withdrawal rules
- Registration fee: non-refundable in all cases.
- Cancellation before 15 February: the school will retain only the non-refundable registration fee. Cancellation before 15 May: paid tuition fees will be reimbursed in full but the deposit and registration fee will not be refunded. Cancellation after 15 May: tuition fees for the Autumn Term remain due even if the student does not attend; the deposit and registration fee will not be returned.
- Withdrawal during the academic year: at least one term's written notice is required; failure to give proper notice can mean the deposit will not be returned and tuition fees for the remainder of the year may not be reimbursed. When withdrawal is mutually agreed, the current term's tuition fees will not be refunded; the deposit will be returned provided the account is settled.
- Absence, suspension, expulsion, force majeure: tuition fees are not reimbursed for missed schooling due to sickness or other reasons; tuition fees are non-refundable in the event of closure due to force majeure; in case of suspension or expulsion the current term's fees will not be refunded and the deposit will not be returned.
Late payment and penalties
- Late payments may incur interest at 1% per month. The school may restrict student participation or re-enrolment if instalments are past due.
Fee payment options (how payments are accepted/managed)
- Fee accounts are managed through an online payment portal; the portal provides secure, multi-currency payment using various methods. Families may contact the Finance Office for details on available payment channels and any required banking information.
- Two-instalment plan and advance-payment options are available as described under billing schedule and payment terms. Administrative fees apply to instalment plans as noted above.
Other practical notes on costs
- VAT is applicable and included in fees where required; invoices will show applicable VAT rates. Sibling tuition reductions apply when two or more siblings are enrolled simultaneously (2 children: 5% discount on second child; 3 children: 10% discount on second and third; 4+ children: 15% on second and subsequent children).
- Certain insurances (Swiss health insurance, third-party liability, property coverage, travel insurance for school trips) are included for boarders within the tuition charge; families should review the insurance arrangements and top-up or supplementary cover where appropriate.
Contacts for billing and finance
- The Finance Office handles account-specific enquiries and the Admissions Office handles admissions-related billing queries; contact details are provided on the school's published financial information.
Fee details
Application / initial deposit and admission fees
- Compulsory, non‑refundable initial deposit for an academic school year: CHF 1,600. This deposit guarantees reservation of the student's place and covers the one‑off admission fee and initial fixed charges in the breakdown shown by the school.
- Programme‑specific initial deposits shown in the published 2025/26 price list: - Immersion / study‑abroad programmes: initial deposit CHF 1,000. - Summer / holiday camps: initial deposit CHF 500. - For the High School / Gymnase section the published price list lists a compulsory, non‑refundable deposit of CHF 400 in that section.
Tuition and boarding fees by school year (annual and per term)
Notes on per‑term calculation: the published school calendar divides the academic year into three terms. Per‑term figures below are the annual published fee divided by three.
- Primary school (Swiss pathway) — Day student - Annual tuition: CHF 23,500 per year. - Per term (annual ÷ 3): CHF 7,833.33 per term.
- Primary school (Swiss pathway) — Boarding student - Tuition + 5‑day boarding (weekends and mid‑term breaks not included): CHF 45,500 per year. Per term: CHF 15,166.67. - Tuition + 7‑day boarding (weekends and mid‑term breaks included): CHF 53,500 per year. Per term: CHF 17,833.33.
- Middle school (Swiss and international pathways) — Day student - Annual tuition: CHF 25,500 per year. Per term: CHF 8,500.
- Middle school — Boarding student - Tuition + 5‑day boarding (without weekends and mid‑term breaks): CHF 47,500 per year. Per term: CHF 15,833.33. - Tuition + 7‑day boarding (with weekends and breaks): CHF 55,500 per year. Per term: CHF 18,500.
- High school / Gymnase (Swiss and international pathways) — Day student - Annual tuition: CHF 25,500 per year. Per term: CHF 8,500.
- High school / Gymnase — Boarding student - Tuition + 5‑day boarding (without weekends and mid‑term breaks): CHF 50,500 per year. Per term: CHF 16,833.33. - Tuition + 7‑day boarding (with weekends and mid‑term breaks): CHF 55,500 per year. Per term: CHF 18,500.
- Immersion / Study‑abroad (residential) — short stays and full year - 4 weeks: CHF 1,950 per week (example weekly rate). - 4–8 weeks: CHF 1,650 per week. - More than 8 weeks: CHF 1,450 per week. - Full academic year (residential): CHF 55,500 per year. Per term (if billed by term): CHF 18,500.
Included items and scope of the published tuition/boarding prices
- Day‑student tuition prices include the full academic programme, supervision during stated hours, lunches and snacks (listed per programme), accompanied homework sessions and the programme of extracurricular activities. Boarding prices include full board, accommodation, 24/7 supervision and the extracurricular programme as set out in the price list.
Additional / optional fees and typical extras
- Compulsory components included in the initial deposit breakdown (examples as published): one‑off admission fee, school material package, school uniforms package, annual cultural/artistic package — the total shown in the published deposit amount covers these elements. Specific breakdowns differ by programme.
- Typical additional costs (charged separately or invoiced as options): - Personal expenses deposit or top‑up deposit (simulation available on request). Unused funds from the personal expenses deposit are refunded. - Accident, health and liability insurance; option to subscribe to comprehensive insurance is shown in application materials (example: CHF 150 per month option for school‑year insurance). - Private lessons and academies (sports, skiing, music); example published rate for private music or sports lessons: CHF 60 per 60 minutes. - Examination fees, exam registrations (where applicable). - Membership of local sports clubs or academies (annual fee + transport). - Study trips, paid excursions, entry to public areas (swimming pool, museums, ski passes). - School shuttle bus: CHF 550 per term (published). - Private transport / airport transfer example: Geneva airport transfer CHF 200 per course (published example). - Ski pack (rentals, teachers, passes) — published as a charged option. - Uniforms and extra special equipment beyond the uniform package included in the deposit.
Billing schedule, payment terms and refunds
- The initial deposit is required to guarantee the place and is non‑refundable. School fees, boarding charges and any personal‑expense deposits are payable in accordance with an agreed payment plan. A term that has started is due in full. Early departure must be notified in writing at least 30 days before the start of the next term. Payments made in advance are not refunded in the event of early departure, cancellation or expulsion. Unused funds from a personal‑expenses deposit are refunded.
Boarding fees (summary)
- Boarding is offered as 5‑day (weekends not included) or 7‑day (weekends and mid‑term breaks included) options. Published boarding combinations for 2025/26 vary by school level; examples: Primary 5‑day boarding CHF 45,500 / year and 7‑day boarding CHF 53,500 / year; Middle school 5‑day CHF 47,500 / year and 7‑day CHF 55,500 / year; High school 5‑day CHF 50,500 / year and 7‑day CHF 55,500 / year. Per‑term equivalents are the annual amounts divided by three.
Uniforms and material costs
- A school material package and a school uniform package are included within the initial deposit breakdown (amounts in the deposit differ by programme). Additional uniforms or special equipment beyond that package are charged separately.
Refund information (exceptions and returns)
- The initial admission deposit for the academic year, immersion programmes or camps is non‑refundable and non‑deductible from tuition (amount depends on programme). Payments made in advance will not be refunded in the event of early departure, cancellation or expulsion. Unused funds from a personal‑expenses deposit are refundable. Early departures must be notified in writing 30 days before the next term; any term started is due in full.
Fee payment methods (published detail)
- Published fee materials and the school's application documentation state that fees are payable according to an agreed payment plan and list the required deposits, terms and timing; the publicly posted fee documents for the 2025/26 year do not include a specific list of accepted payment methods (for example: credit card, bank transfer, IBAN) in the fee schedule itself. Payment method details are handled through the school's admissions process and the agreed payment plan.
Other published items and incidental charges
- Private courses and optional activities have published example prices (private music or sports lesson CHF 60/60 min; sport academy week supplements published for camps). Airport transfers, ski packs and sport academy supplements are listed as additional options with example charges in the published materials.
Key published references used for these figures
- The school's published 2025/26 price list (Price list 2025/26) and the school‑year calendar 2025/26 provide the fee amounts, deposit rules, lists of included services and the three‑term calendar used for per‑term calculations. The school's online application form confirms deposit amounts and insurance and optional extras.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Discovery Years (Years 5-9) connect academic study with expeditions, the arts and personal reflection under guiding questions to foster student growth. Exploration Years (Years 10-11) offer two tracks: Cambridge IGCSE and a bespoke Pre-IB Programme designed to prepare students for the IB Diploma. Inspiration Years (Years 12-13) deliver the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. English is the language of instruction, with targeted English as an Additional Language (EAL) support to enable access to the curriculum. Alongside the IB, graduates receive a fully accredited High School Diploma.
Curriculum details
Swiss pathway (French-language) covers primary through high school and prepares students for the Swiss Matura Diploma and the French Baccalaureate. International students can join a French immersion programme and pursue the bilingual version (French–English) of the Matura. The Matura is taught primarily in French; non-French-speaking students join a French integration programme to access the Matura. An effective, structured teaching approach features small classes, three-week concept blocks, daily supervised homework, and regular assessments, with excellent results in national and cantonal examinations. Earning the Matura grants direct access to Swiss universities, including automatic admission to public Swiss universities. Cambridge International pathway provides an English-language curriculum for ages 11 to 18, offering Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels, with an option to join for one semester or one year as an English-immersion programme; Cambridge qualifications are internationally recognized and support university admission worldwide.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
5:1 student-teacher ratio; classes average 12 students.
Student teacher ratio
Small classes with personalized teaching; total capacity is 100 students (45 boarding, 55 day).
Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
Excellent results in national and cantonal examinations; high success rates in national and federal examinations.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Graduates receive a fully accredited High School Diploma alongside the IB, enabling entry to universities worldwide.
Higher education progression
The Swiss Matura Diploma provides direct access to Swiss universities, including automatic admission to public Swiss universities. The Cambridge International pathway offers internationally recognized qualifications (IGCSE and A-Levels) that lead to university admission worldwide; A-Levels are commonly used for university entry, including in the US via AP equivalence.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions at Aiglon College are selective but untraditional. Applicants are evaluated on alignment with Guiding Principles—challenge, respect, responsibility, diversity, and service—and on whether they could access the rigorous, experiential curriculum, thrive in the mountain environment, and flourish in the international boarding community. Applications are accepted up to one year before arrival, and early applications are strongly encouraged. The admissions process follows these steps: Enquire, Visit, Apply, Interview & Assess, and Enrolment Decision. Enquire involves submitting a short inquiry for a member of the team to reach out and discuss family needs and goals. Visit invites families to experience the campus with two options: an Initial Enquiry Visit (about 1 hour 30 minutes) or a Full Admissions Visit (about 3 to 4 hours) that includes admissions assessments and an interview; Year 12 applicants must do a Full Admissions Visit. Apply requires submitting school reports for the last two academic years, two confidential teacher references, a non‑refundable registration fee of CHF 3,000, and a passport scan. Interview & Assess varies by age, with different formats for Years 3–4, 5–11, and 12. Enrolment Decision is made by the Enrolment Committee and communicated monthly with three possible outcomes: Accept, Waiting List, or Decline.
Admissions
Admission to Chantemerle is a 3-step process: 1. Pre-enrolment via the online form; 2) For the school year and study abroad applications, a visit to the school or a telephone/Zoom interview to understand your child's needs, motivations and family expectations, and to present the school and its programmes; the main admission criteria are personal motivation and the student's ability to adapt to the conditions and rules of community life at Chantemerle; 3) Confirmation of enrolment is sent once the enrolment has been validated. The school also notes that the initial payment guarantees the reservation of the student's place and covers the admission fee, with CHF 1,600 (CHF 1,000 for immersion, CHF 500 for holiday camps) applied; this amount is non-refundable. Deposits for personal expenses and options are invoiced separately (insurance, private lessons, study trips, etc.).
Scholarships
Scholarships
Aiglon offers a small number of fully funded scholarships to students whose families could not otherwise afford an Aiglon education. Since 1991, 134 scholars have been welcomed, with half of current scholars funded by the generosity of parents and alumni. Scholarships are funded through annual giving, endowment, private sponsorship, and reinvested operating expenditures. Aiglon Scholarships cover tuition and the additional costs needed for scholars to engage fully in life at the school, including accommodation, meals, wellbeing programmes, tutoring, on‑site healthcare, ski passes and equipment, expeditions, and cultural programmes, plus costs such as residence tax, permits, laundry, bedding, house equipment, travel insurance, and planned social trips. An extra allowances provides for personal expenses, travel, educational trips, medical expenses, school uniforms, technology needs, and private lessons. Scholarships are merit‑based and means‑tested, overseen by the Scholarship Committee; priority is normally given to applicants entering Year 11 or Year 12, and scholarships remain with the student until graduation pending annual achievement reviews. Arriving students are integrated through a buddy system, welcome meetings, mentorship, houseparent support, tutor and wellbeing support, university advising, and travel assistance. Information Booklet offers full details of the scholarship process. Independent Scholarship Pathway is available via an online application. Applications for Year 11 (US Grade 10) must be at least 15 by September 1, and for Year 12 (US Grade 11) at least 16 and at most 18 by September 1. The process includes online application, school reports, references, and financial information as part of later stages. For inquiries, scholarships@aiglon.ch.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available upon request; cost simulations and flexible payment plans are offered.
Waitlist
Waitlist
Waiting List occurs when a place cannot be offered immediately; those on the waiting list are reviewed during monthly enrolment assessments, and final decisions are communicated on a monthly cycle.
