Haut-Lac International Bilingual School vs Lemania College
Haut-Lac International Bilingual School and Lemania College are both in Lausanne, about 20 km apart. Both schools offer IB and Swiss programmes. Haut-Lac International Bilingual School also offers IBCP, and Lemania College also offers Bespoke and French. Published annual fees are CHF 21,800 - 88,000 at Haut-Lac International Bilingual School and CHF 20,700 - 105,080 at Lemania College, which puts Lemania College roughly 15% higher. Haut-Lac International Bilingual School takes pupils from 1.5 to 18, and Lemania College from 11 to 20. Lemania College is the larger school, with around 1,100 pupils to Haut-Lac International Bilingual School's 620. Typical class sizes are 15 at Haut-Lac International Bilingual School and 12 at Lemania College.
IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum, French Curriculum, Swiss Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
620
Pupils
1,100
Typical class size
Typical class size
15
Typical class size
12
Instruction language
Instruction language
English, French
Instruction language
French, English
Opened
Opened
1993
Opened
1908
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Saint-Légier-La Chiésaz, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland. The school sits in the hills above Vevey with views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. It is about an hour's drive from Geneva Airport and just 10 minutes from the Lake Geneva shoreline.
Location
Located in the heart of Lausanne, Switzerland. The campus address is Chemin de Préville 3, 1003 Lausanne. Lausanne Central Station is a 5-minute walk from the campus.
Stages
Stages
Les Marronniers Nursery (18 months–3 years); Praz-Dagoud Campus (3–12 years); Roches Grises Campus (13–18 years). A Boarding House accommodates 11–18-year-olds.
Stages
General Education at secondary level includes Swiss Maturity, French Baccalaureate, and International Baccalaureate. Professional Training is available, with courses offered during the day or evening. The school provides the International Baccalaureate experience and pre-IB (9–10) pathways.
School type
School type
International bilingual day and boarding school with two day campuses and a boarding house in Saint-Légier-La Chiésaz.
School type
Private international school in Lausanne with day and boarding options.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
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Additional learning support
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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 school day runs from 8:00 to 15:30 (16:20 for Upper Secondary) on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 8:00 to 12:00 on Wednesday (13:05 in Lower Secondary and 13:45 in Upper Secondary). Breakfast Club is available from 7:15; after-school supervision and clubs are offered.
School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
Seven daily bus routes to the Praz-Dagoud campus cover areas up to 30 km away, plus a Vevey train-station shuttle; local transport via train and bus stops within walking distance to both Roches Grises and Praz-Dagoud campuses. Airport pick-up is available for boarding students on scheduled transfer days.
Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application / Acceptance fee
- A non-refundable acceptance (enrolment) fee of CHF 3,500 is charged when the Enrolment Confirmation is signed; this payment secures the place and is not credited against tuition.
Tuition fees by year group (annual totals and fixed charges)
These annual totals include compulsory fixed charges (for example certain outings, ski days and standard consumables) which vary by year and are shown above as the fixed charge component.
Per‑term and instalment breakdowns (billing schedule and payment terms)
- Standard term split: Term 1 = 40% of the annual tuition; Term 2 = 30%; Term 3 = 30%. Bi‑annual billing (two equal invoices) is also available (Sept–Jan / Feb–June). Specific due dates are published with each year's fees (examples historically: Term 1 due end of July, Term 2 mid‑December, Term 3 mid‑March). Fixed charges are billed with the first tuition invoice and must be paid in one lump sum.
- Instalment options: annual payment, bi‑annual, termly (three payments using the 40/30/30 split), or monthly in 10 equal instalments (tuition billed two months in advance). A monthly instalment plan carries an administrative surcharge (≈ +1% applied to the published annual fee); a single annual payment typically attracts an early‑payment discount (historically 2% when paid by the stated deadline). Changes to payment option after invoicing may result in a CHF 50 administration surcharge. Late payment reminders and fees apply according to the school's invoicing terms.
Boarding fees (where applicable)
- Boarding is offered from age 11 with weekly and full (7‑day) boarding options. Boarding fees are all‑inclusive (tuition, accommodation, supervision, most meals, laundry and most local activities). For the 2025–26 academic year boarding costs range approximately between CHF 68,000 and CHF 88,000 per year depending on the student's year group and boarding type.
Other mandatory and optional costs
- Fixed annual charges (listed above per year group) cover standard consumables, some trips and mandatory activities (for example ski days where applicable). Day students pay for school lunches separately (boarding students' meals are included in boarding fees). Bus routes and transport are charged separately based on route and usage. External specialist clubs, private music tuition, specialist sports coaching, optional trips and certain programme‑specific costs (e.g. examination fees, some residential trips) are charged in addition to tuition. Uniforms and some optional excursions are billed separately. A 5% sibling discount (second child) and 10% (third child onwards) may apply in certain circumstances; limited financial aid is available in line with published policies.
Refund and cancellation terms
- The acceptance (enrolment) fee is non‑refundable and is not credited against tuition. No reductions or refunds are made for short periods of absence (illness or other) for a term already started. Mid‑year enrolment and mid‑year departures are subject to the published invoicing and notice rules (for example mid‑year enrolments generally require payment for the full term in progress; failure to respect contract notice periods may result in fees due for the notice period). Specific refund, cancellation and notice provisions are set out in the school's Fees & Conditions and apply to placements and nursery contracts.
Fee payment methods and surcharges
- Preferred payment methods include bank transfer or standing order. Credit card acceptance is available in specific circumstances (historically credit cards were accepted for smaller payments under CHF 1,000); cheques are not accepted. Payment by credit card or instalment plan may attract a convenience or administrative surcharge as noted under the billing/options section. Invoices include the school's banking and billing contact details for arranging payment.
Important payment notes
- The first year of enrolment carries one‑time fees (the acceptance fee and any entry charges) in addition to the published annual tuition; parents should allow for those one‑time charges in the first invoice. Fixed charges must be paid with the first tuition invoice. Failure to settle invoices on time can trigger reminders, surcharges and collection procedures as set out in the school's terms.
Fee details
Application and registration fees
- Application fee (non‑refundable): CHF 1,500. - Administration fee (annual, non‑refundable): CHF 500. - Alumni fee: CHF 500. - CAS trip fee: CHF 500. - Deposit (refundable): CHF 6,000 for boarding students; CHF 1,000 for day students. The refundable boarding deposit must be paid before arrival and will be returned on request after accounts are settled (refund processed within three months after the end of the academic course).
Tuition fees by year group (academic year 2025/26)
- Grade 9 (Prep Year 1): CHF 25,000 per academic year. Per semester (if invoiced semi‑annually): CHF 12,500. Per quarter (if invoiced quarterly): CHF 6,250. - Grade 10 (Prep Year 2): CHF 28,000 per academic year. Per semester: CHF 14,000. Per quarter: CHF 7,000. - Grade 11 (IB1): CHF 36,000 per academic year. Per semester: CHF 18,000. Per quarter: CHF 9,000. - Grade 12 (IB2): CHF 36,000 per academic year. Per semester: CHF 18,000. Per quarter: CHF 9,000.
Boarding fees (grades 9–12; room + full board)
All boarding fees below are given as annual amounts. The school offers 7‑day (full week) and 5‑day options and three room categories (Standard, Comfort, Comfort+).
- Standard (double room): 7‑day CHF 39,220; per semester CHF 19,610; per quarter CHF 9,805. 5‑day CHF 28,490; per semester CHF 14,245; per quarter CHF 7,123. - Standard (single room): 7‑day CHF 66,230; per semester CHF 33,115; per quarter CHF 16,558. 5‑day CHF 47,730; per semester CHF 23,865; per quarter CHF 11,933. - Comfort (double room): 7‑day CHF 49,580; per semester CHF 24,790; per quarter CHF 12,395. 5‑day CHF 33,250; per semester CHF 16,625; per quarter CHF 8,313. - Comfort (single room): 7‑day CHF 85,470; per semester CHF 42,735; per quarter CHF 21,368. 5‑day CHF 60,310; per semester CHF 30,155; per quarter CHF 15,078. - Comfort + (double room): 7‑day CHF 58,830; per semester CHF 29,415; per quarter CHF 14,708. 5‑day CHF 49,920; per semester CHF 24,960; per quarter CHF 12,480. - Comfort + (single room): 7‑day CHF 105,080; per semester CHF 52,540; per quarter CHF 26,270. 5‑day CHF 74,000; per semester CHF 37,000; per quarter CHF 18,500.
Included in the boarding fee: full board (three meals per day and continuous snacks), daily housekeeping, weekly laundry and ironing, supply of bed linen and towels, unlimited Wi‑Fi, educational supervision and evening study support, sport/fitness and some leisure, cultural and weekend activities. For day students the tuition fee includes tuition and books.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Billing frequency options: per quarter, per semester (semi‑annual) or per year; if no option is selected on the application the school will invoice by term. Payments are required in advance according to the invoice deadlines. The student's place is reserved only after receipt of the first installment indicated on the acceptance invoice. - Currency and bank details: all payments must be made in Swiss francs (CHF). Bank transfer details (IBAN/SWIFT) are provided on school invoices. - Credit card and PayPal: payment by credit card incurs a 3% service charge; payment via PayPal incurs a 3% fee. Any bank transfer, exchange or intermediary bank fees are charged to the payer. Refunds of credit card payments are made back to the same card. - Late payment: interest at 1% per month plus reminder fees is applied from the second reminder; repeated or cumulative non‑payment may lead to immediate expulsion from courses and from boarding until accounts are settled.
Other costs and optional fees
- Examination fees (diplomas, certificates) are charged separately and are not included in tuition. - Optional/ancillary fees that may apply: study visa letter (Swiss side) CHF 450 for non‑EU students (where applicable), express mail for visa documents CHF 120, airport limousine transfers (one‑way/round trip) at published rates, and additional charges for extra boarding days outside the academic year (Christmas, winter, Easter, etc.). Extra activities, certain language subjects and external examination costs may carry additional charges.
Refunds and cancellation / early‑departure charges
- Cancellation before the course: if cancellation occurs 30 days before the start of the course, only the registration fee is due. Cancellation 14–30 days before the course results in penalties of CHF 1,000 for tuition and CHF 2,500 for boarding. Cancellation less than 14 days before the course requires payment of the first calendar quarter. - Early departure during studies: in the event of early departure or cancellation during the course, parents/guardians or the student must pay the tuition and boarding fees for the current calendar quarter and the following calendar quarter, plus any other costs incurred. A letter of credit may be issued in exceptional circumstances to cover outstanding study periods; such credit can only be used against future tuition. The refundable boarding deposit is returned on request after final account settlement (within three months). If the deposit is not reclaimed within one year after final departure it may be transferred to the Paul Du Pasquier Foundation.
Fee payment options
- Accepted primary methods: bank transfer (IBAN provided on invoices). - Other methods accepted with additional charges: credit card (Visa, AmEx, Mastercard, Diners; 3% service charge) and PayPal (3% fee). Direct payment at the school office is possible within stated deadlines. All payments must include the student's name as payment reference.
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
Haut-Lac offers the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme for ages 11-15 and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for ages 16-18. The school runs from preschool through secondary, culminating in IBMYP and IBDP. IBMYP provides fully bilingual, English-only or predominantly French pathways, with language instruction in English and French and subject work across both languages. IBMYP uses eight subject groups: Studies in Language & Literature; Language Acquisition; Individuals & Societies; Sciences; Mathematics; Arts; Design; and Physical Education. The IBDP offers a choice of English Diploma, Bilingual Diploma, Advanced Bilingual Diploma, or French Diploma, with about 30 academic subject options across languages, individuals & societies, sciences, mathematics and the arts. The IBDP core components and assessment are complemented by language support and Higher Education guidance to prepare students for university study in Switzerland and worldwide.
Curriculum details
The school offers Swiss Maturity, French Baccalaureate, and International Baccalaureate diplomas; IB Diploma and Prep Year are available.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
Classes are small. The school lists over 30 academic staff for roughly 600 students aged 3 to 18.
Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
IBMYP graduates have achieved a 97% pass rate with an average of 44/56, and 14 of 29 students earned bilingual English-French IBMYP certificates. The IBDP Class of 2025 earned a 100% pass rate with an average of 35 points (world average 30.8); historically Haut-Lac reports an average IBDP pass rate around 95%.
Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Graduates have gone on to universities worldwide, including EPFL (Switzerland), University of Cambridge (UK) and MIT (USA). Haut-Lac also highlights graduate destinations among its alumni and ongoing higher education guidance.
Higher education progression
Graduates may pursue specialised universities (HES) or Swiss universities for bachelor's degrees, with preparation for required entrance exams and maturity exams.
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
Entry Points by Age & Programme: Early Years (Ages 3–6): play-based bilingual or English programmes. Primary (Grades 1–5): bilingual or English programme with a strong literacy and numeracy focus. Middle School (Grades 6–10): IBMYP programme with or without the Swiss option. High School (Grades 11–12): IBDP, IBCP or US High School Diploma pathways to universities worldwide. Admissions open all year round. Steps: submit an inquiry; visit the campus; arrange an interview; apply online. After an initial conversation, complete the online application form and upload your child's last two school reports and references. Tuition & Fees: Day students CHF 21,800–40,600; Boarding students CHF 68,000–88,000 per year. There are no hidden fees; for a detailed breakdown contact admissions. Boarding: boutique boarding house accommodates up to 32 students with personalised care, structured study time and enriching weekend activities. Admissions team: Alessia Ferrara (Admissions Officer); Magdalena Drag (Admissions Head). Haut-Lac is located in Saint-Légier-La Chiésaz, Switzerland.
Admissions
1. Interview and application initiation. The interview with the programme director can be on campus or online. We confirm receipt within 24 hours and inform you of the next steps. 2. Download the application form and begin the process. The application form is available to download here and the steps to follow are given below. 3. School records and language information. Send copies of your school transcripts, in English, for the last two years. If you do not have these available please let us know when they will be available. 4. Language proficiency. If English is your mother tongue or if you have studied in an English speaking curriculum for over 4 years, a test will not be required. A copy of an official English test, IELTS, TOEFL or other, should be sent with the application form. If you haven't taken one, contact us to take an online evaluation. 5. Supplementary documents. A passport sized photo; A copy of your passport; A copy of your resident permit if you are not a Swiss national. 6. Next steps. Any missing documents may be sent later but please indicate when they are likely to be available. 7. When to apply and visa information. The best time to apply to Ecole Lemania is as soon as possible, but most applications are received from November to March. There are several reasons for applying early: you can reserve your boarding room preference, you have time to obtain your visa, and your place is reserved. EU/EEA or UK passport holders do not need a student visa; all other nationalities require a visa, and the visa process takes 6–10 weeks. All students must register as a foreign resident within 14 days of arrival. 8. Arriving in Switzerland and induction. After arrival, you may be met at the airport if arranged in advance. Boarding students should arrive the Sunday before classes start; day students arrive on the first day of term and will take part in an induction programme with teachers and new and returning students. Boarding and induction details are provided on arrival.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Haut-Lac does not offer scholarships. Local families residing in Switzerland without employer school benefits may request financial aid on the fees for children enrolled at Haut-Lac.
Scholarships
The Paul Du Pasquier Foundation provides scholarships to help cover part of Lemania School tuition. The decision to grant a scholarship is based on merit and the student's financial need, and each scholarship is renewable if the criteria set by Lemania are met. The selection considers motivation, academic results, talents and excellence, as well as the ability to follow the chosen program. Parents must provide information about their financial situation for the scholarship assessment, and the amount awarded is determined from that information. Recipients are treated the same as other students, and information about awards remains confidential. A Scholarship Application Form is available for applicants.
Waitlist
Waitlist
Yes. There may be waiting lists for certain grades, particularly in the bilingual stream. When this happens, a place may be offered in the English stream until a bilingual spot becomes available.