Brillantmont International School vs Ecole Chantemerle
Brillantmont International School and Ecole Chantemerle are both in Lausanne, about 21 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge A Levels programmes. Brillantmont International School also offers Cambridge International AS Levels and American, and Ecole Chantemerle also offers Swiss and French. Published annual fees are CHF 34,000 - 111,000 at Brillantmont International School and CHF 23,500 - 62,500 at Ecole Chantemerle, which puts Brillantmont International School roughly 69% higher. Brillantmont International School takes pupils from 13 to 18, and Ecole Chantemerle from 6 to 18. Brillantmont International School is the larger school, with around 100 pupils to Ecole Chantemerle's 65. Typical class sizes are 9 at Brillantmont International School and 10 at Ecole Chantemerle.
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, American Curriculum
Curriculum
Swiss Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, French Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
100
Pupils
65
Typical class size
Typical class size
9
Typical class size
10
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
French, English
Opened
Opened
1882
Opened
1966
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Lausanne, Switzerland. The school is in the centre of Lausanne in an exclusive residential area, set in parkland with views of the lake and close to forests. Lausanne is in the French-speaking part of Switzerland and is about 40 minutes by train from Geneva International Airport. The campus is easily reached by metro and bus and is located at Avenue Charles-Secrétan 16, 1005 Lausanne.
Location
Blonay, Vaud, Switzerland; Chemin de Chantemerle 7, 1807 Blonay; overlooking Lake Geneva; close to Vevey, Montreux, Fribourg, Lausanne and Geneva.
Stages
Stages
Grades 8–12. The school welcomes students into Grades 8–12, with 8th–10th Grade programmes leading to British IGCSE and English-language instruction, and 11th–12th Grades offering British A Levels or a High School Diploma.
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
Co-educational day and boarding school.
School type
Private international boarding and day school in Switzerland.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
60% Swiss; welcomes Swiss and international students aged 6 to 18.
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
EAL (English as an Additional Language) support is available.
Additional learning support
Intensive French integration programme for international students new to French.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Switzerland.
Country affiliation
Switzerland
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
The Brillantmont school day for boarding students starts at 07:00 with wake-up, breakfast and room care, then classes from 08:15. The day includes a lunch break at 11:55–12:45, classes finish at 16:00, after-school activities 16:00–18:30 and scheduled study time; evenings include boarding activities and further study before lights-out.
School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
A school bus service is available for day students.
Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application / registration fees and confirmation deposits
- Boarding students: Registration fee CHF 2,000 (non‑refundable). An Admission Deposit of CHF 12,000 is required to confirm enrolment; this deposit is held separately from school fees and is returned in full on the final statement of account subject to the school's terms and provided no unpaid fees or penalties remain. New boarding students are charged an initial Brillantmont kit (t‑shirt, polo, sweatshirt, tracksuit) of CHF 350 for the 2025–2026 academic year; this amount is deducted from the personal expenses deposit.
- Day students: Registration fee CHF 1,600 (non‑refundable). An Admission Deposit of CHF 2,000 is required to confirm enrolment for day students; the deposit is held separately and returned in full on the final statement of account subject to the school's terms. Day students receive one set of Brillantmont branded kit included in the fees.
Tuition and boarding fees by year group (annual and per‑term detail for the 2025–2026 academic year)
- Boarding annual fees (2025–2026, prices in Swiss francs, including VAT): - 8th Grade / 9th Grade: CHF 94,500 per year. Per term: Autumn (Sept–Dec) CHF 40,500; Winter (Jan–Mar) CHF 27,000; Spring (Apr–Jun) CHF 27,000. - 10th Grade: CHF 98,500 per year. Per term: Autumn CHF 42,300; Winter CHF 28,100; Spring CHF 28,100. - 11th / 12th / 13th (PG Year): CHF 104,500 per year. Per term: Autumn CHF 44,700; Winter CHF 29,900; Spring CHF 29,900. These boarding annual fees are stated inclusive of VAT and include specified items such as full board and lodging, most in‑school activities and several school trips as outlined in the school's fee schedule.
- Day student annual fees (2025–2026): - 8th Grade / 9th Grade: CHF 34,000 per year. Per term: Autumn CHF 14,000; Winter CHF 10,000; Spring CHF 10,000. - 10th Grade: CHF 36,000 per year. Per term: Autumn CHF 15,000; Winter CHF 10,500; Spring CHF 10,500. - 11th / 12th / 13th (PG Year): CHF 38,000 per year. Per term: Autumn CHF 16,000; Winter CHF 11,000; Spring CHF 11,000. Day‑student fees include lunch, one set of Brillantmont kit, some school activities and core learning materials as specified in the fee documentation.
Other compulsory deposits and routine/optional costs
- Personal expenses deposit (boarding students): CHF 6,000; this deposit appears on the first term invoice and is used to cover personal and optional costs (private lessons, external clubs, off‑programme trips, ski hire, non‑school excursions, some laundry charges for older students, graduation dinner, etc.). Any unused balance is refunded on the final statement when the student leaves.
- Pocket money recommendation: school guidance recommends a weekly allowance between CHF 30 and CHF 120 (in multiples of CHF 10); parents are asked to send the chosen weekly sum multiplied by the number of weeks in the school year (35 weeks) as the first payment with school fees so a pocket money account can be established.
- Academic/examination charges: Official external examination fees (IGCSE, A Level, IELTS) and any private tuition or exam entry fees are charged to the Personal Expenses Deposit or invoiced separately. School books for courses are provided and returned at year end; books not returned in satisfactory condition are charged.
- English additional support and SEN support (where required): Extra English (EAL) support is charged at CHF 7,500 per academic year (standard two periods per week package). Special Educational Needs / Learning Support standard package is charged at CHF 7,500 per academic year (two periods per week); further specialist external support may incur additional costs.
- Health and accident insurance: Private health and accident insurance in private division is quoted at CHF 2,700 per year; a pro‑rata reimbursement is made for months not attended on departure. Students who leave Switzerland in June receive a specific reimbursement (document cites CHF 410 for the summer months' portion).
Billing schedule, payment terms and penalties
- Per‑term billing: The school issues fees per term (Autumn, Winter, Spring) with the per‑term amounts shown above for each year group. For the 2025–2026 school year the published payment deadlines and arrangements in the school's fee documentation are: for certain entry dates the fees for the first two terms are required by an early deadline and the third term by a later deadline; separate, specific due dates are set for Autumn/Winter/Spring invoices as shown in the school's fee schedules and payment sections. Interest and consequences for late payment: the school reserves the right to cancel enrolment or to withhold access to school activities in the event of late payment, and to charge interest on unpaid sums (documented at 5% p.a. in the school's financial conditions).
- Exact due‑date examples published in the 2025–2026 documents (examples as stated in the school's fee documents): - Day students: Autumn term payment due before 30 June 2025; Winter term due before 31 October 2025; Spring term due before 31 January 2026. - Boarding students: the fee documents set specific due dates that depend on the student's start date (September, January or April starts); the school's terms of payment section lists the exact deadlines applicable to each start date and the timing when invoices must be settled. Late enrolment results in fees becoming due on receipt of an invoice.
Payment methods
- Preferred online payment platform: Flywire (international secure payment platform) is recommended for international transfers; parents are provided with a personalised payment reference for invoice reconciliation. - Bank transfer: payment by bank transfer is accepted; details of the school account are provided on invoices. All payments must be made in Swiss Francs (CHF) and the full invoiced amount must be received. - Cash payments and credit card payments are not accepted. - Refunds are paid back into the account from which funds were received.
Refunds, withdrawal and cancellation rules
- Admission Deposit: The Admission Deposit is returned in full on the final statement of account once all fees and charges have been settled, except where the student's place is cancelled or the student is expelled or withdrawn after published deadlines — in those cases the Admission Deposit may be retained until outstanding fees are paid or may not be reimbursed as specified in the enrolment cancellation rules.
- Personal expenses deposit: Any remaining balance of the Personal Expenses Deposit is refunded on the final statement after departure and settlement of outstanding items.
- Cancellation and withdrawal deadlines: Published deadlines apply for cancelling the enrolment of a new student (deadlines depend on the intended start term) and for withdrawing a current student for the following academic year; cancelling after the stated deadlines will generally make the full fees for the following term payable and may affect the refund of the Admission Deposit.
- Expulsion: In the event of expulsion the term is payable in full and the full fees for the following term are also due; the Admission Deposit will not be reimbursed until fees have been paid.
- Insurance refunds: Health insurance is refundable on a pro‑rata basis for months not attended; the fee documentation provides an example reimbursement amount for summer months.
Other notes on recurring/optional charges
- Certain trips and optional programmes (October break trips, ski week, international or optional residential trips, MUN, Service Learning, special tournaments) and travel costs (plane tickets) are invoiced separately when they exceed specific thresholds. - Graduation dinner, some external exam or university application costs and private lessons or external specialist support are charged to the Personal Expenses Deposit or invoiced separately according to the school's published schedules. Laundry is included for younger boarding students in specified grades; laundry for older students appears under items charged to the personal expenses deposit.
(End of fees summary for the current school‑year fee documents published for Brillantmont International School.)
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
Middle School runs 7th-8th Grade for international students aged 12-14 and covers a broad range of subjects, with English language support as needed. High School runs 9th-12th Grade with personalised timetables to develop each student's strengths and interests. Brillantmont offers British IGCSE/AS/A Level examinations (Cambridge) along with American PSAT, SAT tests and IELTS; 7th-10th Grade courses also provide preparation for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB). Post High School 13th Grade Programme is available for a final European year tailored to the student's university plans. All teaching is in English, with English support available, and all students follow classes in French, the host language; French is encouraged and taught up to at least the end of 10th Grade. The school emphasizes intercultural understanding, small classes, and preparation for international university admissions.
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
Staff ratio is 5:1.
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
100% of graduates continue to higher education worldwide. A Guidance Counsellor starts working with students from 10th Grade to explore options and prepare university applications. University fairs and Open Days are held, and universities from around the world regularly visit Brillantmont to present to prospective students.
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
1. Pre-registration creates an Admissions Portal profile by submitting the Pre-Registration Form. After submission, a password is issued to log into the Admissions Portal with your email. In the portal you provide information about your family and upload documents such as school reports, your passport, and medical information. Have these documents ready to speed up the process.
2. An Admissions test in Maths and English is sent for all grades; additional tests may be required for Grade 11 or Grade 13. The tests help assess academic fit for the programme. You will receive instructions on how to complete the tests as part of the application process.
3. A date for a Zoom interview or an on-campus interview is scheduled. The interview provides an opportunity to discuss your child's interests and the academic programme. Staff may request further information or clarification during the interview. The interview can be conducted remotely if travel is difficult.
4. You will be asked to pay the registration fee, which is non-refundable. A student ID number is provided to effect the payment via the online secure platform. Payment completes a key step in processing the application and initiates formal review. The registration fee covers the administrative handling of the file.
5. The completed admissions file is reviewed by the Head of Admissions and the decision is communicated in writing as one of: Acceptance, Waiting list, or Refused. The review considers academic records, test results, and the interview.
6. If accepted, Brillantmont sends an Offer of Admission and an Acceptance Form. The family signs and returns the Acceptance Form, typically within 10 days. The process signals the commitment to enroll and begins the next enrollment steps.
7. The family signs the Acceptance Form and returns it within 10 days and pays the Admission Deposit within 10 days to secure the place. The Admission Deposit secures the student's place and is refunded at the end of the student's stay. The admission is not final until the Admission Deposit is received.
8. What's next? On receipt of the Admissions Deposit, the admission is confirmed and the student becomes part of the Brillantmont community. A meeting with the Head of Academics may be arranged to discuss the academic programme. A buddy will be connected to the student a few weeks prior to arrival. Visa arrangements apply: non-EU students staying longer than 3 months may require a visa, which can take up to 12 weeks; the family is responsible for obtaining the entry visa. Brillantmont will apply for a student residency permit (B Permit) once the student arrives in Switzerland.
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
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Scholarships
Scholarships are available upon request; cost simulations and flexible payment plans are offered.
Waitlist
Waitlist
Waitlist: After the admissions review, a decision may place the candidate on the Waiting list. The written outcome will specify whether the candidate is accepted, placed on the Waiting list, or refused. If on the Waiting list, the school will contact you if a place becomes available, or a final decision will be issued.
