37 best English boarding schools in Switzerland
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In 2023: 37 IB average, 43 highest point, 100% pass rate
SwitzerlandMontreuxCurrently watching: 9from 31900.00 CHF / year -
In 2023 a quarter of the IB students gained 34 points or higher
SwitzerlandMontreuxCurrently watching: 6from 66195 CHF / semester -
The school helps with admission to public universities in Switzerland
SwitzerlandBaselCurrently watching: 8from 73000.00 CHF / year -
One of the best only-girl school in Europe
SwitzerlandMontreuxCurrently watching: 6from 56000 CHF / semester -
School is in top 3 best bilingual boarding schools in French speaking part of Switzerland
SwitzerlandLausanneCurrently watching: 8from 5400 CHF / 2 weeks -
The world's only ski-in, ski-out IB school
SwitzerlandVerbierCurrently watching: 7from 17000.00 CHF / semester -
from 27600.00 CHF / year -
One of the best preparatory boarding schools in Europe
SwitzerlandMontreuxCurrently watching: 9from 31000 CHF / semester -
School is in top 3 best bilingual boarding schools in German speaking part of Switzerland
SwitzerlandSt. MoritzCurrently watching: 10from 79500.00 CHF / year -
In 2024 100% graduates achieved IB Diploma
SwitzerlandGenevaCurrently watching: 7from 24900.00 CHF / year
Types of English-language boarding schools in Switzerland
- Boarding schools for girls.
English-language boarding schools in Switzerland offer academic programs, personal development, extracurricular activities, and residential life.
- Boarding schools for boys.
Boys' boarding schools also use a single-gender setting, with academics, sports, and activities that develop responsibility and decision-making.
- Boarding schools with a mixed form of education.
Many parents choose coeducational boarding schools. Students study together and participate in extracurricular activities, while residential accommodation is in separate buildings under the supervision of educators.
Location and infrastructure of boarding schools in Switzerland
Private boarding schools are usually located in picturesque places, in the foothills of the Alps or along the shores of lakes. Transport accessibility raises no questions. Some schools even have their own airstrips and helipads.
Geographical location influences the features of studying in Switzerland: the country is divided into 26 cantons, each with its own education system. Most schools are concentrated in the French-speaking cantons. German-speaking regions come next. The Italian-speaking region of Ticino has the fewest private institutions. Programs and requirements can vary by canton. The Matura or IB certificate, recognized at the federal level, gives the right to enter universities. Not every graduate passes the unified federal exam.
Best private schools in Switzerland
The vast majority of boarding schools in Switzerland offer an excellent quality of education, paying attention not only to the intellectual, but also to the physical development of students. However, each educational institution has an individual character and learning style, which is important to consider when choosing a school.
TASIS is one of the country's best-known schools, combining European educational traditions with American approaches to innovation. The school has preparatory classes for children aged 4-6.
Leysin American School offers several programs in small classes of 8-10 students. Learners visit ski resorts twice a week.
La Garenne International School serves children aged 4 to 14, offering bilingual education from kindergarten. Younger pupils attend classes that develop speech through creative activities and outdoor games.
Surval Montreux is a girls' school with 70 students aged 13-19. Students study etiquette, home economics, and dance, though the curriculum extends beyond these subjects. Education follows an American or British program, and many students who graduate at age 17 stay for an additional one-year Liberal Arts course. Its program includes travel, exposure to the art and culture of different countries, entrepreneurship, and international relations.
More than 200 schools belong to the Federation of Swiss Private Schools. Each member pays close attention to teaching staff qualifications, offering several international educational programs.
Alternative destinations
Living costs in major Swiss school locations
Numbeo's Swiss dataset was updated on 18 August 2026. Its indexes provide a quick comparison of everyday expenses across major locations:
- Zurich: 124.8 for living costs and 101.4 with rent included,
- Basel: 112.1 for daily expenses and 82.1 after housing is added,
- Geneva: 110.7 before accommodation and 88.3 once rent is counted,
- Lausanne: 109.5 excluding housing and 84.3 with it.
Estimated monthly spending for one person, excluding rent, is CHF 1,530.7 in Zurich and CHF 1,375.8 in Geneva. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center averages CHF 2,400.91 per month in Zurich, compared with CHF 2,246.88 in Geneva. These figures help families estimate the wider budget around a boarding school placement.
Entry visas and student permits
Non-EU/EFTA students must apply for a visa at a Swiss embassy or consulate in their place of residence before entering Switzerland. Applicants who already hold a valid long-stay visa or residence permit issued by another Schengen State do not need to apply for one.
For a course lasting less than one year, the student permit covers the full study period. For a longer program, the permit is issued for one year and may be renewed until studies end. Only courses of up to 8 years are authorized.
Required documents include:
- Confirmation of financial means or sponsorship through Form O,
- A school eligibility certificate,
- A criminal record extract,
- A written commitment to leave Switzerland after completing the course.
Advantages and disadvantages of English schools
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| The opportunity to enter the best universities in England, USA, Canada, Switzerland, Europe, the world | Expensive |
| High quality of education and academic standards | Strong workload |
| Perfect English after graduation | The need to change the social environment; it takes time to adapt |
| Useful contacts | The difficulty of choosing the most suitable school for the child, requires a qualified specialist |
Top 9 best language schools in Switzerland 2027
| 1 | Alpadia Montreux |
| 2 | Alpadia Ascona |
| 3 | Ecole Lemania |
| 4 | Home Language International |
| 5 | Institut Villa Pierrefeu |
| 6 | Verbier Language School |
| 7 | LSI Zurich |
| 8 | LSI Montreux |
| 9 | LSI Lugano |
Top 35 best schools in the USA - 2027 Smapse rankings
| 1 | North Broward Preparatory School |
| 2 | Phillips Academy Andover |
| 3 | The Storm King School New York |
| 4 | Red Bank Catholic High School |
| 5 | Windermere Preparatory School |
| 6 | Shattuck St Mary's School |
| 7 | Cheshire Academy |
| 8 | Cate School |
| 9 | Ross School |
| 10 | Deerfield Academy |
| 11 | The Village School |
| 12 | Amerigo Los Angeles – Bishop Montgomery High School |
| 13 | Webb Schools |
| 14 | Kent School USA |
| 15 | The Winchendon School |
| 16 | Darlington School |
| 17 | Marian Catholic High School Amerigo Education |
| 18 | Grier School |
| 19 | The MacDuffie School |
| 20 | CATS Academy Boston |
| 21 | The Cambridge School of Weston |
| 22 | Milton Academy |
| 23 | Amerigo Education Napa Valley |
| 24 | American Hebrew Academy |
| 25 | Northfield Mount Hermon School |
| 26 | Mater Dei Catholic High School San Diego Amerigo Education |
| 27 | American University Preparatory School Los Angeles |
| 28 | Webb Schools |
| 29 | Kent School USA |
| 30 | Groton School |
| 31 | Maine Central Institute |
| 32 | The Lawrenceville School |
| 33 | Grand River Academy Ohio |
| 34 | Saint John Paul II Academy |
| 35 | Chicago North Shore |