Megeve - SEK Les Alpes, International School of SEK Megève in the Alps

• Location: Flume, Alps, France,
• Founded: 1990,
• Language of instruction: English, French, Spanish,
• Type of study: blended.

Megeve – SEK Les Alpes is an international school offering ESO's secondary education programmes in a trilingual format: French, English and Spanish. During the summer months, short-term courses are held on campus.

One of the main advantages of the school is its small size, thanks to which students study in small groups, have the opportunity to receive a large amount of individual attention from teachers. The relaxed atmosphere encourages children to delve deeper into the academic program, engage in sports and creativity in their free time, and spend many hours alone exploring their own interests.

The teaching staff of SEK Les Alpes is represented by qualified teachers who are native speakers of one of the three languages, who sensitively and attentively observe the progress of each pupil. In the learning process, teachers use modern approaches, methods and technologies to prepare children for the completion of school education, the transition to university and the beginning of a career.

New technologies are environmentally integrated into the educational process: the use of digital devices and platforms unlimitedly expands learning opportunities, prepares students for university and career activities.

The institution has two main academic departments: Phases 2 and 3 of the ESO Education System. The school also has a summer camp.

On the study territory there is a comfortable residence, offering students living rooms, bathrooms, recreation and self-study areas. Each room accommodates two people - for children there are individual beds, wardrobes for storing personal belongings and a workplace. Next to the students' rooms, there are staff rooms that guarantee safety and round-the-clock assistance.

Regardless of whether the student chooses annual or short-term programs, each of them will receive three meals a day: breakfasts, lunches and dinners, snacks between classes are served in the dining room.

Despite its small size, SEK Les Alpes provides its students with a variety of opportunities for extracurricular development: circles and sections, lectures by invited speakers, participation in competitions and contests, the creation of projects and many other events are held weekly.

Events aimed at self-development are divided into thematic categories:

• Citizenship, Social Innovation: International Conferences, Erasmus+ Projects, Participation in Model UN, Public Projects and CAS Activities,
• Communications, Digital Citizenship: Robotics and STEAM Programming, First Lego League, Public Speaking and Debate Leagues, Journalism, Radio, Social Media Activities,
• Health & Wellness: Participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Programme, MYP Personal Projects, SEK Sports Academies, Sightseeing and Ski Tours, Outdoor Education,
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Hakaton, Impact Lab Junior, Student Council, Curriculum Expansion Activities, House System,
• Creativity: Music, Design, Theater Groups.

The most sought-after leisure activity at the school is sports, as the proximity of the campus to ski resorts allows children to try many outdoor winter sports. Designed for students aged 13 to 18, the SEK International Sports Academy combines daily training with a high-performance sports programme in the heart of the Alps. Based at SEK Les Alpes in Saint-Nicolas-la-Chapelle, students will be trained with other students of different nationalities under the guidance of trusted trainers and technicians, managers from various fields.

Sports available at the school:

• Canyoning,
• Visit Chamonix and climb the Aiguille du Midi,
• Complex rafting on the Isère River,
• Paintball in Megève,
• Speleology in Sassenage,
• Skiing in Tignes,
• Ice skating in Megève,
• Skiing in Courchevel, Val Thoran and Le Sézy,
• Fort de Tamie Adventure Park,
• Water skiing.

Skiing is an important activity, which is allocated compulsory hours in the second trimester of study: students spend three days a week at the best ski resorts, attend classes from instructors from the French Ski School.

• The ratio of teachers to students is 1:3,
• There are only eight study groups in the school,
• An extensive leisure program with the opportunity to develop in what the student really likes: sports, creativity, social work, excursions and much more,
• Trilingual Education: English, Spanish, French,
• Preparation for the Alliance Française and Cambridge exams,
• Short-term summer courses during the holidays.

Located near Megève, one of the most important ski centers in France, SEK Les Alpes is an International Alpine Skiing School. In addition to skiing, during their studies, students engage in a variety of outdoor activities and adventure sports that allow them to enjoy a unique environment while gaining quality academic knowledge and developing self-esteem, resilience, and independence.

The school covers an area of 15,000 square meters, consisting of outdoor sports fields and two buildings. The first building, Le Chalet, has modern flexible classrooms, a library, a laboratory and a living floor. In the second building, La Ferme, there are living rooms, a student club, a gym, a dining room, a kitchen. In the open air, the campus is equipped with sports grounds, a swimming pool, large green areas for walking and recreation.

The academic year at SEK Les Alpes runs from September to mid-June, with standard programs followed by short-term summer courses. The weekly schedule includes study sessions, extracurricular activities, and excursions – it's balanced to give students the opportunity not to get overwhelmed, have time to study and relax while enjoying their time on a beautiful campus.

When studying in standard programs, students will have to pay extra for the following services:

• Accommodation and meals,
• Individual needs, additional activities,
• Comprehensive insurance,
• Some extracurricular activities, such as trips to a ski resort: equipment, clothing, etc.,
• Pocket money.

The additional costs of summer programs are individual needs, comprehensive insurance, and pocket expenses.

The admission process consists of several stages:

• Submission of the application, required documents,
• Receiving an official response from the admissions committee (with its help, you can apply for a visa if it was not received in advance),
• Passing entrance exams,
• Payment of tuition fees,
• Arrival at the campus for accommodation in residence and start of classes.

When enrolling in summer programs, students take a short language test upon arrival at campus, on the basis of which they are divided into groups.

Admission of new students is organized only if there are free places in the groups. It is important for applicants to submit all the required documents and meet the admission criteria, including age.

Teaching at SEK Les Alpes is conducted in eight groups.

The diploma received by graduates at the end of the main educational program will help students continue their academic path at universities in France and other countries. Thanks to the study in three languages, students have a competitive advantage in admission, which is supported by a large knowledge base and applied skills.

At the end of the summer courses, students receive a certificate confirming the curriculum completed, the knowledge gained and the number of lectures attended.

Prospective students of standard programs must meet the entry criteria:

• Personal documents: passport, health insurance, visa or residence permit,
• Academic reports for the last two years of study, assessment certificates,
• Language test confirming the level of proficiency in English (minimum B1), French or Spanish. The older the candidate, the stricter the requirements for his level,
• Letters of recommendation from teachers from the previous school.

For admission to short-term summer courses, applicants need to provide only personal documents.

With a one-year study at SEK Les Alpes, students have the opportunity to receive one of the scholarships that are based on success in studies, sports, creativity and extracurricular activities. Summer courses offer a system of discounts (5 to 10%) for those who are graduates of SEK schools or have applied for training in advance.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision