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Taught languages German, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish
Typical class size 22
Strengths Languages, Sport, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction
Located in Founex, Vaud, La Châtaigneraie is the La Châtaigneraie campus of the Ecole Internationale de Genève. It serves students aged 3 to 18 across Primary and Secondary, with bilingual French/English programmes up to Year 9. From Year 10, learners choose between an anglophone route (IGCSE/IB) or the francophone maturité suisse, supporting both international and Swiss higher education pathways. The school offers five programmes, diplomas and certificates: IB Primary Years Programme, IGCSE, IB Diploma Programme, maturité suisse. The campus combines historic and modern facilities, including specialist classrooms, ICT suites, two multimedia centres and a library, plus an auditorium and a theatre. A music studio supports a thriving arts scene, while sport is supported by an all-weather football pitch, a basketball court and several sport halls. A strong emphasis on bilingual education is complemented by Culture & Leisure, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Dance and numerous student-led clubs.
Ecole Internationale de Genève - La Châtaigneraie has 1,560 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English, French.
Location
La Châtaigneraie campus is in Founex, in the Canton de Vaud, just 20 minutes from Geneva. Set among farmland, overlooking Lake Léman, the campus has stunning views of the Alps and the Jura.
Stages
Primary School and Secondary School.
Type
Bilingual campus (French/English) with programmes for all students up to Year 9; from Year 10, students choose between the IGCSE/IB route (Anglophone) or maturité suisse (Francophone).
Pupil Nationality Mix
1560 students aged 3 to 18; 82 nationalities.
Additional learning support
Learning Support staff assist students with learning difficulties; an Extended Support Programme is available for moderate to severe learning needs.
Country affiliation
Switzerland
Bus service
Transport service to and from the campus covers parts of the cantons of Geneva and Vaud, and neighbouring France.
Fees
Annual tuition at Ecole Internationale de Genève - La Châtaigneraie ranges from CHF 24,500 to CHF 35,790 for 2026/27.
Application and enrolment fees
- Application fee: CHF 250 per child, non-refundable and non-deferrable. Payment for the application fee is accepted online by credit card (Visa and MasterCard only).
- Registration fee (new students or students returning after an absence of two years or more): CHF 2,500, payable to confirm the place. This fee is non-refundable.
- Capital Development Fee on initial enrolment (one-time): CHF 4,000, payable to confirm the place and non-refundable. This amount is charged once upon initial enrolment and is not re-invoiced after an extended period of absence.
- Advance payment on tuition for re-enrolment (current students): CHF 1,000 per child, non-refundable should the student not return. The amount is deducted from the first instalment when the child returns.
Annual tuition fees (2026–2027) — annual and term breakdown (CHF)
- Pre-Reception ("regular", same hours as other Primary classes): Annual CHF 23,000. Term instalments: 1st = CHF 4,850; 2nd = CHF 4,850; 3rd = CHF 6,400; 4th = CHF 6,900. (Pre-Reception "regular" is not available at La Châtaigneraie due to cantonal staffing rules.)
- Note: Tuition fees include books and teaching materials. Students enrolled in the Extended Support Programme are charged double the listed tuition rates for that programme.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Tuition instalment schedule (2026–2027): 1st instalment 20% due 30 June 2026; 2nd instalment 30% due 31 August 2026; 3rd instalment 30% due 31 December 2026; 4th instalment 20% due 31 March 2027. Other invoices must be settled by their stated due date.
- The financial commitment is for the full school year; no reduction will be made for absence, withdrawal or dismissal except as explicitly provided in the cancellation/withdrawal policy.
- Late payment charge: the School may charge up to 1.25% of the amount due per month for overdue instalments (covering interest and administrative costs). Failure to pay may lead to refusal of class entry, withholding of final examinations, diplomas, reports and transcripts.
- Preferred payment methods: parents indicate their preferred payment method via the parent portal (E-payment through the bank platform or using the BVR slip attached to invoices). In exceptional cases, payments can be made by bank transfer to the Foundation account (IBAN and SWIFT/BIC provided on invoices).
Other costs and services (not included in tuition; invoiced separately)
- Annual Capital Development Funding (separate from the one-time CHF 4,000 initial capital development fee): CHF 500 (for capital cost and equipment). This is invoiced in addition to tuition.
- Tutorial fees (including world language tutorials) and fees for any optional or additional courses or lessons beyond the mandatory programme.
- Fees for external examinations (e.g., International Baccalaureate and Maturité suisse) and examination-related costs.
- Study and cultural trips (field weeks), winter sports outings, project trips and similar extracurricular trips; these are invoiced separately on an ad‑hoc basis.
- Transport (school bus) and restaurant/cafeteria services are charged in addition to tuition; transport and cafeteria are invoiced separately by term. Transport is subject to VAT where applicable and places should be reserved by stated deadlines. Cancellation rules and deadlines apply for transport.
- Extra-curricular activities and After School Care (ASC) are charged separately. Flat-rate ASC fees are not refundable. Refunds for ASC or other flat-rate services are not generally granted except under specified conditions.
- School supplies, optional music lessons and other miscellaneous costs are invoiced separately. Each school publishes an activities calendar with estimated costs for planning.
- No school uniform fee or boarding fee is listed in the financial conditions; boarding is not provided: students must live with their parents or a named close relative (guardian).
Refunds, cancellations and penalties
- Registration and the one-time Capital Development Fee (CHF 4,000) are non-refundable. The re-enrolment advance (CHF 1,000) is non-refundable should the student not return, but will be deducted from the first instalment if the student does return.
- Withdrawal penalties (amounts invoiced depending on date the School is notified): - Withdrawal notified by 30 April (inclusive): no penalty (non-refundable fees are not reimbursed). - Withdrawal 1 May–15 June (inclusive): 15% of annual tuition fees. - Withdrawal 16 June–31 July (inclusive): 25% of annual tuition fees. - Withdrawal 1 August–30 September (inclusive): invoiced for the 1st school term. - Withdrawal 1 October–31 December (inclusive): invoiced for the 1st and 2nd school terms. - From 1 January onwards: 100% of annual tuition fees is payable.
- Pro‑rata invoicing: for tuition only, students arriving during the school year are invoiced pro‑rata starting in October based on the agreed commencement date.
- Specific refund for transport/cafeteria: in case of an illness lasting more than four weeks, a refund may be considered on request on production of a medical certificate; the request must be made during the week the student returns to class at the latest. Otherwise, no reduction or reimbursement is made for non‑use of services.
Discounts, financial aid and special notes
- Multi-child discount: for families with three or more children attending the School, reductions are available on request (10% for the third child; 15% for the fourth; 20% for each additional child). Application for the discount must be made to the Accounting Department before the start of the new school year.
- Bursaries (financial assistance) are available for current students subject to funds and approval by the Bursary Committee; these are typically for one year only. Application details are handled by the Finance Director's office.
Summary of key bank details and payment method notes
- Application fee: online credit card only (Visa, MasterCard). Other invoices: E‑payment via parent portal or BVR payment slip; exceptional bank transfers to the Foundation account (IBAN CH45 0024 0240 2899 4620 F; SWIFT/BIC UBSWCHZH80A). Late payment charges and collection measures apply for overdue invoices.
Academics
Ecole Internationale de Genève - La Châtaigneraie teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Cambridge IGCSE, Swiss Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.
Curriculum
Bilingual (French/English) programmes for all students up to Year 9. From Year 10, students choose between an anglophone route (IGCSE/IB) or the francophone maturité suisse route. Five programmes, diplomas and certificates are offered: IB Primary Years Programme, IGCSE, IB Diploma Programme, maturité suisse.
Student Teacher Ratio
1:11 teacher–student ratio in Secondary.
Exam Results
IBDP pass rate: 98% (past 5 years).
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school has Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Anti-Racism (I-DEA). Our I-DEA initiative fosters inclusivity, diversity, equity and anti-racism through dialogues and training to create a culture of openness and belonging.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Learning Support staff help students with learning difficulties, and an Extended Support Programme is available for students with moderate to severe learning needs.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Bilingual (French/English) programmes are available for all students up to Year 9; from Year 10, there is a choice between the anglophone IGCSE/IB route or the francophone maturité suisse route.
Mental Wellbeing
A pastoral team—comprising teachers, heads of years, nurses, psychologists, assistant principals and the principal—provides guidance and support; school nurses and school psychologists are available as part of the wellbeing framework.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding and child protection are central to the school's responsibilities, with annual Code of Conduct sign‑offs, a Safeguarding & Child Protection Handbook, and formal reporting protocols; each campus has a designated safeguarding lead and reporting emails, and a dedicated team (Groupe de Référence) manages concerns as they arise.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Applications are submitted online for the current school year or future years. The earlier you submit an application, the better the chances of obtaining a place. The required documents include a recent passport-size photo for the school ID, proof of date of birth for applicants up to age 5, copies of the end-of-year reports for the last two years (in English or French), copies of the current year's reports (if applicable), an essay or a self-portrait by the child with their name, and online payment of the CHF 250 application fee. The Admissions team reviews these materials as part of assessing suitability. 2. Admissions criteria: All applications are considered individually. The factors include placement in the present school, any changes during the applicant's education, languages spoken, final goals of the applicant, level of maturity and age, and toilet training (toilet training must be completed before starting school). The Principals may ask for further information or invite the applicant for an interview as part of the assessment. 3. Offers of places for entry in September: Places will be offered by the Admissions Office by telephone or email from February onwards to the end of August, depending on place availability. After acceptance, a contract is sent to the parents. The place is secured upon receipt of the enrolment contract signed by the parents and payment of the Registration Fee and the Capital Development Fund Fee. 4. Come and join us: If you are ready to apply for a place, you must submit your application via the Admissions platform, where you will need to create an account. We look forward to receiving your application and reviewing it as part of the admissions process. For additional questions, the Admissions team is available via the online form.
Scholarships
Fully funded scholarships are offered to promising students from diverse backgrounds. Scholarships are donor-funded and fully funded since 2019. The Scholarship Programme operates within a not-for-profit framework to enable talented students to access Ecolint's international education. Details on eligibility criteria, what is included, the selection process, the application, and how to fund a scholar are provided in the Scholarship Programme brochure.
FAQs
What age range does Ecole Internationale de Genève - La Châtaigneraie serve, and what are the main programmes available for different year groups?
The school serves students aged 3 to 18. Up to Year 9 instruction is bilingual in French and English; from Year 10 students choose between an anglophone route (IGCSE/IB) or a francophone maturité suisse. The main programmes include the IB Primary Years Programme, IGCSE, IB Diploma Programme and maturité suisse.
Where is the La Châtaigneraie campus located and what is the setting like?
The La Châtaigneraie campus is in Founex, Vaud, about 20 minutes from Geneva. It sits among farmland with views of the Alps and Jura, and the site is divided into Primary and Secondary sections with a mix of historic and newer buildings.
Is the school co‑educational, and who is the head of school?
Yes, the school is co‑educational. The head of school is Soraya Sayed Hassen.
How does the admissions process work and when are offers usually made?
Applications are submitted online and early submission is advised. The Admissions team reviews documents and may invite applicants for an interview. Offers for September entry are issued from February through August depending on place availability, and a place is secured by signing the enrolment contract and paying the fees.
Are there scholarships or bursaries available?
Fully funded scholarships are offered to promising students and are donor‑funded since 2019. Bursaries are available for current students and are determined by a Bursary Committee; details are in the Scholarship Programme brochure.
What examinations or pathways are available, and what are the results like?
The school offers IGP(P)Y PYP, IGCSE, IB Diploma Programme and maturité suisse. The IBDP pass rate has been 98% over the last five years, reflecting strong performance.
What is the student–teacher ratio in the secondary school?
The secondary student–teacher ratio is about 1:11, supporting relatively small class sizes and individual attention.
What facilities does the La Châtaigneraie campus offer?
The campus includes separate Primary and Secondary facilities with historic and new buildings, extensive ICT resources, specialist classrooms, two multimedia centres, libraries, an auditorium, IT suites, a music studio and theatre, several sports halls, an all‑weather football pitch, a basketball court, and green recreation spaces, plus two cafeterias.
Are there dedicated spaces for arts and sports?
Yes. There are dedicated spaces for Visual Arts, Performing Arts and Dance, plus a Music School and a theatre to showcase performances, supporting a vibrant arts scene on campus.
What are the meal and transport arrangements on campus?
Two cafeterias serve healthy meals daily, provided by SV Group. A transport service operates across parts of Geneva and Vaud and into neighboring France; transport and cafeteria services are invoiced separately by term.
What extracurricular activities are available beyond the core curriculum?
Extracurriculars include Culture & Leisure, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Dance and a range of Clubs. The Music School serves about 500 students each year and the campus features a music studio and theatre for performances.
Is there After School Care, and what should families know about it?
Yes, After School Care runs daily until 6:00 pm and is charged separately. Flat‑rate ASC fees are non‑refundable, and refunds are only considered under specified conditions.
Are there student clubs and opportunities for leadership or project work?
The school offers a variety of clubs and social/creative activities across arts and culture, supporting student engagement beyond lessons and building a lively campus life.
How does the school support students with learning difficulties or language needs?
Learning Support staff assist students with learning difficulties, and an Extended Support Programme is available for moderate to severe needs. EAL support is provided through bilingual instruction and additional language assistance.
What wellbeing and safeguarding measures are in place?
A pastoral team supports student wellbeing, including teachers, nurses and psychologists. Safeguarding is central, with annual Code of Conduct sign‑offs, a Safeguarding & Child Protection Handbook, designated safeguarding leads at each campus, and a Groupe de Référence to manage concerns.
Is boarding offered at La Châtaigneraie?
Boarding is not offered; students are expected to live with their parents or a named guardian.
How can parents get involved in the school community?
There is an active La Châtaigneraie PTA that organizes events such as Marche des Hiver and the Kermesse International Fair. Parents are encouraged to volunteer and participate, and can contact the PTA via president.pta.cha@community.ecolint.ch.
What is the school's heritage and how diverse is the student body?
The International School of Geneva was founded in 1924; La Châtaigneraie campus opened in 1974 after a merger. The school serves around 1,560 students from 82 nationalities.
