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La Découverte College

Switzerland, Geneva

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, French
Fees CHF 22,000
Ages 11 - 15 years
Pupil numbers 30
Type Co-educational
Opened 2025
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, Swiss Curriculum
Taught languages French, English, German
Typical class size 20
Strengths Languages, Performing Arts, STEM
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Academic and Intellectual
Stages Middle School
Introduction

Collège La Découverte is a bilingual secondary school in Geneva's international district, following the Swiss Plan d'études romand (PER). This framework prepares students for the Swiss Maturité or the International Baccalaureate. Classes for 9th and 10th-grade students operate with a focus on personalized instruction, where teachers adapt lessons to individual learning styles. A distinctive feature of the school is "Studio Dec" and "Radio Découverte," a specialized program where students create their own television and radio content, mastering digital storytelling and public speaking. The campus includes dedicated spaces for hands-on workshops in ceramics and linocut printmaking. Students also participate in weekly outdoor educational outings across Switzerland to apply classroom concepts to real-world environments. The curriculum balances core subjects with practical experiences in robotics and multimedia, ensuring students develop technical skills alongside French and English fluency. The school maintains a family-oriented atmosphere, prioritizing close communication between parents and the teaching team.

Chem. Camille-Vidart 17, 1211 Genève, Switzerland

The Essentials

La Découverte College has 30 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in English, French.

Location
Located in the heart of Geneva at Chemin Camille-Vidart 17, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland. The Geneva campus sits in the international organisations district and is easily accessible by public transport (tram 15, buses 5 and 22). The school runs a bilingual program in English and French.

Stages
Lower and upper secondary.

Type
Private secondary school.

Additional learning support
Dedicated support rooms and a specialized team help students with learning difficulties.

Country affiliation
Switzerland

School day structure
Classes run Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with Wednesdays ending at 12:15 p.m. Extracurricular activities are offered outside these times.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms are not mandatory; students wear appropriate attire for a school environment.

Food Options
A canteen serves healthy, balanced meals daily, including snacks. A variety of dishes is offered; weekly menus are published, and the Fourchette Verte label is recognized.

Governance and Ownership
La Découverte is a family‑owned educational group founded by Catherine Firmenich over 30 years ago. It began with a Geneva primary school and a second campus in Mies and is currently led by Nicolas Firmenich.
Fees

Annual tuition at La Découverte College ranges from CHF 22,000 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- Registration (enrolment) fee: CHF 500 one-time, payable at the time of registration and non-refundable.

Tuition fees (by year group)

- Secondary 1 (Cycle d'orientation):
- 9e: CHF 22,000 per academic year.
- 10e: CHF 22,000 per academic year.
- Secondary 2 (Gymnase): annual fees not applicable / not listed.
- Sibling discount: 5% reduction on tuition for each sibling enrolled simultaneously.

Fees shown per term / instalment examples

- The school issues invoices and allows a choice of billing frequency. When the annual tuition is split into equal instalments under common billing schedules, the amounts are as follows (examples rounded to two decimals):
- Annual (single payment): CHF 22,000.
- Semestrial (2 equal instalments): CHF 11,000 per instalment.
- Trimestrial (3 equal instalments): CHF 7,333.33 per instalment.
- Monthly (12 equal instalments): CHF 1,833.33 per instalment.

Note: invoices are issued in advance and instalment amounts correspond to equal divisions of the annual tuition according to the chosen billing schedule. Payment must be made prior to the period covered by the instalment.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Invoicing and accepted billing frequencies: monthly, trimestrial, semestrial, or annual; invoices are issued and must be paid in advance. A 2% discount applies to semestrial and annual payments.
- Monthly payments are due in the month preceding the service period.
- The date of receipt of payment on the school's bank account is the decisive date for payment. Late-payment reminder fees apply: no charge on first reminder (at due date), CHF 20 for the second reminder (15 days after due date), CHF 50 for the final reminder (30 days after due date). The school may commence legal recovery procedures and may refuse class access until payment is regularised.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable; no boarding fees are listed. The school operates as a day programme (school hours and on-campus schedule apply).

Meals, materials, trips and other recurring costs

- School meals (4 days per week: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday): CHF 2,750 per year.
- Annual materials and school trips contribution (covers textbooks, supplies, access to pedagogical resources, outings and class camps during school hours): CHF 1,500 per year.
- Extracurricular activities (charged separately and binding for the full year):
- Short format (1 h 15 / week): CHF 1,100 per year (equivalent stated as CHF 110 per month).
- Long format (2 h / week): CHF 1,800 per year (equivalent stated as CHF 180 per month).
- Additional costs such as extra academic support required beyond normal programme, damages to school property, or optional summer-camp cancellation penalties may be charged as described in the school's financial conditions.

Refund and cancellation policy

- The registration fee is non-refundable.
- Cancellation penalties for withdrawing a place are applied according to the date the written cancellation is received:
- Cancellation received on or before March 31 for the following school year: only the enrolment fee is due.
- Cancellation received between April 1 and May 31 for the following school year: enrolment fee plus 10% of annual tuition are due.
- Cancellation received between June 1 and July 31 for the following school year: enrolment fee plus 20% of annual tuition are due.
- Cancellation received between August 1 and the last day before school resumes for the following year: enrolment fee plus 30% of annual tuition are due.
- Cancellation from the start of the school year onward: enrolment fee, months completed or started, plus 30% of annual tuition are due.
- In the event of withdrawal during the current school year, the annual financial commitment and penalties may be waived only for exceptional reasons (for example, death of the child's legal guardian or long-term illness preventing study). Expulsion for serious misconduct leads to charges of months completed/started plus 30% of annual tuition.
- Extracurricular activities are charged for the full year and are non-refundable once enrolled; specific summer camp cancellation penalties also apply.

Fee payment options and practical notes

- Fees are billed by invoice; the school records payment by receipt in its bank account (bank transfer is the standard and decisive method). Instalment schedules available include monthly, trimestrial, semestrial and annual; semestrial and annual payments receive a 2% discount.
- Late-payment reminder fees and legal recovery measures apply if invoices are not settled on time; the school may deny access to classes until outstanding amounts are regularised. Written enrolment and a signed schooling contract formalise the financial commitment.
Academics

La Découverte College teaches Bespoke Curriculum, Swiss Curriculum for students aged 11 to 15.

Curriculum
La Découverte College delivers the Swiss Romand program for lower secondary and prepares students for cantonal and federal evaluations. The school provides a bilingual education in French and English, with core subjects taught in French and secondary subjects in English, plus language immersion. German is taught according to the Swiss curriculum, with one hour in 10th grade and an exchange with a German school. The program covers languages, mathematics and sciences, social sciences and humanities, arts and design, body and movement, technology and digital education. Teaching time is French 50%, English 40%, and German 10%. Cantonal exams in 11th grade lead to the bilingual IB diploma or the Maturité Suisse (fédérale), recognized nationally and internationally and opening doors to higher education worldwide.

Higher Education Progression
The cantonal examinations lead to the bilingual IB diploma or the Maturité Suisse (fédérale), enabling progression to higher education and are recognized nationally and internationally.
Wellbeing

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Bilingual program in English and French
Parent Experience

History
Collège La Découverte has 30 years of experience in education. It grew from proven success in primary education, building on two existing primary schools and extending its vision to lower and upper secondary. The college is located in the heart of Geneva and combines innovative pedagogy with high-quality learning for every child. Its secondary programs are designed to provide students with well-rounded academic development and cultivate essential skills such as critical thinking and creativity.

Community
Life at Collège La Découverte describes an environment designed for students' well-being and success, with modern facilities and many upcoming events. The school offers student services, a wide range of activities, visits and other enriching experiences.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Located in the heart of Geneva, Collège La Découverte offers modern, high-quality facilities. The campus spans two floors and supports different pedagogical approaches with functional classrooms and flexible spaces. It includes a partially covered courtyard and is near parks such as Vermont Park and Stade de Varembé, providing outdoor space for learning and activities. The canteen serves healthy meals and is Fourchette Verte certified. Independent studios and a well-equipped gym support creative and physical activities on site.

Sports Facilities
The campus features a well-equipped gym for a range of physical activities. It also offers outdoor spaces including a partially covered courtyard and access to nearby Vermont Park, enabling outdoor classes and environmental projects. The facility setup is designed to promote healthy, active lifestyles in a city setting near the international district.

Academic Facilities
Collège La Découverte has a two-floor campus with modern, functional classrooms. It includes independent studios to encourage creativity and initiative, with spaces designed to be flexible and adaptable to different teaching methods. The campus is located near parks in the international district, supporting outdoor classes and environmental projects.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extracurricular activities available include Odyssey of the Mind, Ceramics, Ball Academy, Spanish, STEAM Project, Chess, Cinematography, Performing Arts, and Taekwondo. Activities take place after school hours with diverse offerings designed to spark curiosity and collaboration.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school has a bilingual program in English and French. Innovative pedagogy and a stimulating environment develop creativity and critical thinking. Secondary programs provide well‑rounded academic development. The Plan d'Études Romand (PER) guides the lower‑secondary diploma, recognized nationally and internationally, enabling progression to Swiss maturité or the International Baccalaureate (IB).

Cultural & Language
A bilingual program in English and French accelerates language learning. Educational trips inside Switzerland and abroad immerse students in different cultures. The community emphasizes multicultural understanding through family‑oriented activities.

Social & Hobbies
A wide range of extracurricular activities supports each student's development. Extracurriculars include experimental workshops that encourage creativity. Educational trips throughout Switzerland and abroad provide cultural and intellectual experiences.

Community & Service
The school values family cohesion and builds a united community of students, teachers and parents. This focus supports collaborative learning and belonging. The community‑oriented approach reinforces partnerships among families, teachers and students.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Life at Collège La Découverte is designed for students' well‑being and success, with modern facilities and events. A personal, human‑scale approach ensures each child is recognized and supported. The environment fosters a balanced, engaging school experience.
Languages

Language Provision
English and French are the languages of instruction. The bilingual program accelerates language learning and enriches students' educational experience. The curriculum uses the Plan d'Études Romand (PER) framework, providing rigorous education that opens doors to top institutions. The diploma awarded at the end of our lower-secondary course follows the Plan d'Études Romand (PER), preparing students to continue toward a Swiss maturité or the International Baccalaureate (IB).

Bilingual Teaching
The school teaches in English and French.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Pre-registration. To enroll your child at Collège La Découverte, follow our online pre-registration process. It's simple, fast and free. This step initiates the admissions process. The page presents online pre-registration as the first step to join Collège La Découverte.

2. Visit. Come discover our campus and meet our team during a presentation. Get to know your children's future environment and explore our projects and facilities. The visit is presented as a step in joining Collège La Découverte. This visit provides an opportunity to learn about the campus and the team before the next step.

3. Individual meeting. A meeting is organized to get to know your child and discuss your expectations. This conversation helps confirm the alignment between our pedagogy and their learning style. This meeting helps advance the admissions process. The meeting is the final step described in this sequence.
School Events
The school has not added events
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