High school in Switzerland for international students

Swiss educational institutions are known for the high quality of education at all levels of education: from elementary school to university. Secondary and high school in Switzerland are an important stage of preparation for university studies, therefore, in Switzerland, secondary education is given great importance. Perhaps it is Switzerland that foreign students associate with prestigious private schools, where wealthy parents send their children to study. The choice of schools in Switzerland is huge and allows you to choose the one that best suits the character and interests of your child, because both the educational program and school procedures differ depending on the specialization of the school and the canton in which it is located.

 In Swiss schools, students study subjects such as the language of the region, the second national language and a foreign language (if desired, several), mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, geography, history, music, art and design, physical education, housekeeping, career planning and the development of practical skills in the chosen field. The secondary education program in Switzerland is quite extensive and diverse and includes not only theoretical subjects, but also practical classes that prepare a child for independent life.

• High quality education
• Comfortable conditions for studying and living

The students live in modern decorated and furnished rooms, often for one person. During classes, they have modern equipment at their disposal, and in some schools, each student is provided with a laptop for use.

• A wide choice of educational programs

Many high schools in Switzerland, in addition to the national Matura program, offer studying  in various international programs, which increases the chances of students to enrol in the world's leading universities.

• Personal attention to each student

In schools, all conditions are created so that teachers can find an individual approach to each student. Classes are usually small in size (usually there are less than 13 students per teacher), which allows teachers to better monitor the progress of students and correct their mistakes in a timely manner.

• International environment

Thanks to the large number of foreign students, classmates have the opportunity not only to practice their language skills, but also to gain useful knowledge about other cultures, the peculiarities of communication with foreign students and make acquaintances that can be of great benefit in the future when working in international companies and doing business.

• Variety of sports and extracurricular classes

In addition to basic studies, in their free time, students can engage in creativity, music and take additional classes on topics of interest to them. The opportunities for sports are also huge due to the favourable weather and natural conditions of Switzerland: in summer, students can go swimming, horseback riding, tennis, golf, hiking, and in winter – snowboarding and racing skiing.

Students who choose to study according to the Swiss national program should be ready to study hard, since this program is considered one of the most intense and complex. It includes the main subjects and specialization, for which 5 options are offered from languages to mathematics or economics. In addition to the standard subjects that are usually taught in schools, all students are required to take an introductory course in economics and law. At the end of their studies, students take at least 5 exams: in two national languages, mathematics, the chosen specialization and one more course to choose from – and write an essay. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are issued a Matura certificate of Maturity.

Many foreign students choose studying on various international programs , which are offered by the majority of high schools in Switzerland, allowing in the future to enrol in the university of interested countries. The following educational programs are offered:

• British program (GCSE, A-level) – designed for students, who want to enrol in the universities of Britain. To successfully complete the program, it is necessary to pass 2 stages, after the first of which the student is issued a certificate of secondary education, and after the second - a diploma allowing him to enter the university.
• French program (Diplome National du Brevet, French Baccalaureate) – the studying is conducted in French, allowing to successfully enrol in the universities of France. The program is similar to British one and consists of two stages.
• German program (Abitur) is similar to Swiss course, the certificate opens the door in German and Austrian universities. At the age of 11-12, the students choose a specialization from the humanities, social sciences and technical sciences, in which many continue their studies at the university.
• Italian program (Esame di Maturity) stipulates studying of general disciplines from 11 to 14 years with further choice from 4 possible specializations.
• The program of American middle school (High school Diploma, Advanced placement) is conducted in British and British-American sections of Swiss schools and meets all the requirements for school programs in America. This program is suitable for those who plan to study at universities in the USA and Canada.
• International program (IGCSE, International Baccalaureate) is considered one of the most complicated educational program all over the world, opening variety of opportunities for graduates. Duration of studying is two years, the enrolment is possible after 10 grade.

The price of education directly depends on the chosen school: studying in ranking institutions will cost more. The type of accommodation also has a big impact on the cost of study: full-board schools charge higher rates than full-time schools. On average, it is worth counting on a price in the range of 70,000 to 120,000 Swiss francs per year. The price usually includes tuition, accommodation, meals, sports classes and electives.

It is worth taking care of admission in advance, because the competition in some schools is very high, so there is a high probability of being on the waiting list. In addition, it may take a sufficient amount of time to collect a complete set of documents. The standard list of documents includes:

• Copy of passport
• Transcript with school grades for the last 2 years of study
• Recommendation letters from teachers (recommendations from English and math teachers or the school principal are usually required)
• International language certificate
• Registration forms of school.

• College Du Leman
• St Georges School Montreux
• Institut Monte Rosa
• Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz
• Saint-Charles Collège et Lycée
• Leysin American School
• Hochalpines Institut Ftan AG High Alpine
• Aiglon College Switzerland
• Institut Le Rosey
• Institut Montana Zugerberg.