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Switzerland, Basel
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Saint-Charles International School was founded in 1897 by Ernest Daucourt as a Catholic boarding school, known as the Catholic Institute. By 1901 primary and secondary classes were established, and enrolment growth led to the search for a larger home. In 1915 Abbot Charles Humair renamed the institute the Saint-Charles Institute; in 1918 it acquired neighboring watchmaking and gilding workshops to expand, and in 1925 it became Collège Saint-Charles with capacity for 300 students. From 1939 to 1977, final-year students could complete the baccalaureate through an agreement with Saint-Maurice; in 1975 the school welcomed its first female students and, in 1978, was authorised to award its own high school diplomas. In the late 20th century the school continued to develop, and in 2020 became a recognised IB World School offering the Diploma Programme and the Middle Years Programme; today over 8,000 alumni worldwide carry forward its humanistic spirit and the school educates around 250 students.
Life at Saint-Charles extends far beyond the classroom, with a supportive community where learning, wellbeing, and personal growth go hand in hand. From pastoral care and boarding to co-curricular activities and daily routines, every aspect of school life is designed to help students feel at home, discover their strengths, and build the confidence to thrive. A sense of belonging unites day pupils and boarders, with strong relationships among students, house teams, teachers, and the wider school community. The day balances focused learning with time for reflection, creativity, physical activity, and social life.
Saint-Charles International School is a day and boarding school founded in 1897. It offers Swiss Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, with two pathways: the Swiss Programme (primary through maturité) and the IB Diploma Programme (in English). The school is recognised by the Swiss Confederation and authorised to prepare students for maturité examinations. Instruction in the Swiss Programme is multilingual (French, English, German), with Primary taught in English and French and the Middle School in English, French and German; the IB Programme is taught in English with ESL support. Immersion language teaching introduces English and German from early years through language islands, enabling bilingual Matura or IB Diploma. The campus features a swimming pool, gym, tennis courts, music rooms and a cinema; on-campus dining includes vegetarian options. Boarding from age 10; off-campus partnerships support equestrian training and sports. The school educates around 250 students and has 8,000+ alumni worldwide.
