For partners Leysin American School
In the process of preparing the material, we referenced the following sources: Wikipedia, International Baccalaureate, International Schools Review, YUMPU
Programs and prices, tuition fees in Leysin American School
The IB program was formed in Switzerland with the goal of bringing education systems in different countries to the same standard and enabling students to prepare for entering universities in the world. Now International Baccalaureate is recognized by higher schools as a certificate of secondary education.
IB not only prepares students from the academic side, but also develops social adaptation, analytical skills, the ability to work independently, the skills of search activity. The main direction of IB is to increase the motivation of students to study disciplines and focus on new achievements (personal and educational). The program develops ambitions, helps in building a further career.
Mathematics and methodology (system, methods and means of studying sciences) are in the list of compulsory subjects. All the subjects of schoolchildren pass on the standard or advanced levels. You can make up to 4 special courses in the IB Diploma.
The program of preparation is designed for entering universities, which includes the study of the subjects of advanced placement (Advanced Placement). The program is most often used for admission to universities in Canada or the United States. Exams and tests are indicated by credit units. To successfully complete the program, you must receive at least 24 credits. Leysin American School is the leader in Switzerland for this two-year program.
The program lasts one year, for which students with a high school diploma are preparing to take SAT or TOEFL tests, pass language courses and adapt to the foreign higher education system. It is also possible to master the IB course with a certificate or an additional program on algebra Advanced Placement (Calculus).
The Leysin American School has received a certificate as a test preparation center for the common verbal and mathematical level of the Scholarship Aptitude Test (SAT).
Communication skills help children to develop numerous trips and excursions. During the studying, a 5-day trip to Italy and an introduction to the culture and values ​​of Europe are planned.
Alpine Adventure
As part of the program, students work in groups in the morning, and in the afternoons they are engaged in active activities. On weekends there are long excursions to the nearest cities, sightseeing of interesting places. The curator and teachers help children at any time of the day.
Classes include;
- Compulsory language learning (French or English as a non-native language);
- Computer programs;
- Natural history.
Schoolchildren for mastering choose the language in which they will be studied in the future. At the lessons of computer literacy, familiarity with the most common programs, graphics software capabilities, ways of using technology for studying is provided. A separate complex of knowledge will be studying the geography and nature of Switzerland, searching for the most tempting places for excursions.
Have not forgotten in Leysin American School and about entertaining and sports events for children. Students from the first race can visit the jazz festival in Montreux (Switzerland). There are visits to the theater, the Olympic Museum in Lausanne and art galleries. From active types of recreation you can choose:
- Horse riding;
- Hiking (spending the night in the mountains, evenings by the fire);
- Basketball;
- Tennis;
- Ice skating;
- Playing football.
The spirit of competition and the desire for victory are developed by sports competitions, team games and talent shows. Schoolboys, keen on art, can try themselves in the decorative-applied forms (mosaic, miniature).
Leysin American School organizes guided tours of the Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva, the actual capital of Switzerland Bern, the water park, the chocolate factory "Nestle" in the village of Brock, the towns of Zermatt, Martigny, Montreux.
Programs Alpine Exploration and Alpine Challenge
Summer programs for schoolchildren are conducted in the language chosen by the children. Let's choose either the academic level of the program (+ entertainment and recreation), or an in-depth language course (limited entertainment program).
In the morning, all students go through general classes, learn English at a simple and medium level, computer programs, literature, algebra (two levels of complexity), experimental physics, web design, theater and acting skills, French or Spanish (levels of varying difficulty), 3-D art and photography, ethnology. Children additionally develop:
- The skills of journalism;
- Visit the writers' club;
- Master the entrepreneurial craft and take courses of young leaders.
Initial musical education can be obtained by classes of guitar, vocals, pianofortes or by studying the theory of music and composition. It provides for the education of children in the sphere of religion, culture, modern political organizations (UN). The programs prepare students for passing SAT or TOEFL tests, for passing International Baccalaureate in mathematics (algebra) at an advanced level.
During sessions, certain subject courses are available for studying. The schoolchild's choice of a specialized program includes 4 types of directions:
- English or French (intensive programs);
- Rock climbing (tourism);
- Theater.
The children pass academic program for two sessions of 3 weeks. For recreation, one week of recreational activities is provided between sessions. Summer vacations can last 2 - 7 weeks.
Over the summer it is also possible to receive up to 1.5 credits on the American educational system, having overcome 6-week schooling with homework and extracurricular activities. The study of one subject on summer courses will correspond to a semester course.
Leysin American School will offer basketball, golf, parapenting, aerobics, horse riding, football, altimat (frisbee), volleyball to improve the physical form and engage in active lifestyles, rafting, tennis, mountaineering, swimming, field hockey.
Artistic love is developed by theater lessons, talent shows, culinary competitions, decorative handicrafts, master classes of artists, meetings at the Red Frog school cafe, participation in theatrical productions.
Students from the first race can enjoy jazz music at the festival in Montreux. It is possible to visit the chocolate factory Nestle, the cities of Lucerne, Zermatt, Geneva, Martigny and the actual capital of Switzerland, Bern.
Alpine Adventure
As part of the program, students work in groups in the morning, and in the afternoons they are engaged in active activities. On weekends there are long excursions to the nearest cities, sightseeing of interesting places. The curator and teachers help children at any time of the day.
Classes include compulsory language learning (French or English as a non-native language), computer programs and natural history. Schoolchildren for mastering choose the language in which they will be studied in the future. At the lessons of computer literacy, familiarity with the most common programs, graphics software capabilities, ways of using technology for studying is provided. A separate complex of knowledge will be studying the geography and nature of Switzerland, searching for the most tempting places for excursions.
Have not forgotten in Leysin American School and about entertaining and sports events for children. Students from the first race can visit the jazz festival in Montreux (Switzerland). There are visits to the theater, the Olympic Museum in Lausanne and art galleries. From active types of recreation you can choose:
- Horse riding;
- Hiking (spending the night in the mountains, evenings by the fire);
- Basketball;
- Tennis;
- Ice skating;
- Playing football.
The spirit of competition and the desire for victory are developed by sports competitions, team games and talent shows. Schoolboys, keen on art, can try themselves in the decorative-applied forms (mosaic, miniature).
Leysin American School organizes guided tours of the Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva, the actual capital of Switzerland Bern, the water park, the chocolate factory "Nestle" in the village of Brock, the towns of Zermatt, Martigny, Montreux.
Programs Alpine Exploration and Alpine Challenge
Summer programs for schoolchildren are conducted in the language chosen by the children. Let's choose either the academic level of the program (+ entertainment and recreation), or an in-depth language course (limited entertainment program).
In the morning, all students go through general classes, learn English at a simple and medium level, computer programs, literature, algebra (two levels of complexity), experimental physics, web design, theater and acting skills, French or Spanish (levels of varying difficulty), 3-D art and photography, ethnology. Children additionally develop the skills of journalism, visit the writers' club, master the entrepreneurial craft and take courses of young leaders. Initial musical education can be obtained by classes of guitar, vocals, pianofortes or to study the theory of music and composition. It provides for the education of children in the sphere of religion, culture, modern political organizations (UN). The programs prepare students for passing SAT or TOEFL tests, International Baccalaureate in mathematics (algebra) at an advanced level.
During sessions, certain subject courses are available for studying. The schoolchild's choice of a specialized program includes 4 types of directions:
- English or French (intensive programs);
- Rock climbing (tourism);
- Theater.
The children pass academic program for two sessions of 3 weeks. For recreation, one week of recreational activities is provided between sessions. Summer races can last 2 - 7 weeks.
Over the summer it is also possible to receive up to 1.5 credits on the American educational system, having overcome 6-week schooling with homework and extracurricular activities. The study of one subject on summer courses will correspond to a semester course.
Leysin American School will offer basketball, golf, parapenting (parachuting), aerobics, horse riding, football, altimat (frisbee), volleyball to improve the physical form and engage in active lifestyles, rafting, tennis, mountaineering, swimming, field hockey.
Artistic love is developed by theater lessons, talent shows, culinary competitions, decorative handicrafts, master classes of artists, meetings at the Red Frog school cafe, participation in theatrical productions.
Students from the first race can enjoy jazz music at the festival in Montreux. It is possible to visit the chocolate factory Nestle, the cities of Lucerne, Zermatt, Geneva, Martigny and the actual capital of Switzerland, Bern.
Description of Leysin American School
- Foundation year: 1960
- Location: Leysin
- Age of students: 7-18 years
- Type of education: mixed
- Number of students: 380
- Programs: Advanced Placement (High School Diploma ), GCSE, A-level, Abitur (German certificate), Schweizer Maturitat (Swiss certificate), Esame di stato (Italian certificate), winter and summer English courses (Cambridge, DELF, PLIDA, Goethe, etc.), summer English, French and rest for school children
- Accommodation: residence (12-19 years)
- Ranking: one of the best international schools in Switzerland.
Leysin American School is located in the picturesque town of Leysin in the mountains. It is one of the most prestigious educational institutions of its class in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. It offers studying in English and French. The school, like the entire resort town of Leysin, is known for its friendly atmosphere, an international worldview. The Leysin American School honours the traditions of Swiss education. At the same time, innovative methods and tools are constantly introduced here, making the studying process more comfortable and effective. The certificate issued at the boarding school is recognized by high-ranking universities of the EU, America, Canada.
The school is rightly proud of its academic results. Many of its graduates take exams for the highest scores. Yesterday's students easily enter prestigious American, European (including Oxbridge) and Swiss universities.
The school in Leysin is located near the historical center. In the resort city there is a lot of cultural entertainment. Here the guests are offered museums, galleries, private exhibitions. Shops, cafes are also located near the school. The resort status of Leysin determines the specificity of leisure time for Leysin American School students. Here, children are offered a wide range of sports activities. During summer students can get involved in team games, golf, athletics, hiking. In winter, students can go to workout in skiing, snowboarding.
Not far from Leysin there are interesting Swiss cities:
- Geneva;
- Basel;
- Bern;
- Lausanne.
On weekends, students of Leysin American School are offered excursions to historical places.
Educational process
The educational process at Leysin American School is built on the principle of individualization. The average class size is 10 students, and the teacher-to-student ratio is 1:4. The curriculum is shaped by the student himself: he chooses both required and elective courses from more than 230 academic sections, updated annually.
17% of students are enrolled in the ELA program, which allows them to master academic English in a specially organized language environment. All students are assigned to a «learning family» (Faculty Family) — weekly communication groups with teachers and classmates.
Leysin American School has a well-thought-out artificial intelligence usage policy based on a «traffic light» system: green means encouraged use, yellow means limited, red means prohibited. AI is integrated into learning for research, data analysis, and language study.
University admission preparation begins in grade 9; in grades 11–12, a weekly Student Success course is provided for this purpose. The school serves as an accredited testing center for PSAT, SAT, and English language tests.
Faculties and colleges
Leysin American School offers programs for three levels: middle school (grades 7–8), preparatory years (grades 9–10), and diploma years (grades 11–12).
Three programs are available at the senior, graduating level:
- International Diploma Program — includes more than 40 SL and HL courses across six subject groups.
- Advanced Placement (AP) — 12 courses for students in grades 10–12: Biology, Chemistry, Calculus AB, Computer Science Principles, English Language & Literature, European History, Economics (Micro & Macro), Environmental Science, Human Geography (grade 10 only), Physics, Pre-calculus, Business with Personal Finance.
- LAS Diploma (High Diploma) — an American high school diploma with a wide selection of elective courses.
The ELA (English Language Acquisition) program is designed for students improving their English, offers three levels, and includes courses in social and natural sciences in a sheltered language environment. For additional preparation, there is the LAS Bridge Program — an intensive language course starting in April and continuing through the summer.
The Changemakers program combines entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity, is implemented in collaboration with Babson College (EPIC program) and SCAD, and includes courses such as Pivots and Profits, Pre MBA, Inventors Workshop, Intro to Entrepreneurship, Futures and Funds, and others.
The summer program Summer in Switzerland has been open since 1949 and offers two camps — Junior and Senior.
Scientific achievements
Since 2014, Leysin American School has had the LASER (LAS Educational Research) research program: during this time, teachers have implemented more than 60 research projects, with more than 100 visits from scientists from 20+ countries around the world. Every year, 8 teachers receive the status of Resident Scholars.
The city of Leysин, where the school is located, hosted the 2020 Youth Olympic Games competitions.
Things to know about
- The local nickname of the campus is «Magic Mountain».
- LAS teachers and staff collectively speak more than 25 languages, and the admissions team speaks 16 languages.
- The student body represents more than 50 nationalities, and school alumni live in 112 countries around the world.
- The summer program has been held here since 1949, even before the founding of the main school (1961).
- More than 20 events are held annually for the global alumni community.
Accommodation, meals, prices
The guesthouse at Leysin American School provides separate stay (boys / girls, junior / senior students). There is comfortable furniture in the rooms of the school. Amenities are located in the apartment. Each room has an exit to the balcony, which offers a magnificent view of the Swiss Alps.
There are also kitchens in the residence, free laundries. 24/7 educational control is provided. To communicate and spend an interesting time students Leysin American School can be in residences.
Meals in the boarding form of studying are provided 3 times a day. The menu is dominated by traditional Swiss cuisine. Also there are French dishes. By agreement, vegetarian and dietary meals are possible.
Subjects and sports
Activities Leysin American School
Extracurricular life at Leysin American School is exceptionally diverse and engaging: there are more than 70 clubs and sections, and every student is required to choose at least two activities per semester.
The sports program includes 16 competitive teams and sports: basketball, football, volleyball, badminton, tennis, swimming, golf, cross-country, karting, and others. A special place is held by the alpine skiing program — classes are held up to 4 days a week on slopes totaling more than 100 km. Magic Pass provides access to 90+ mountain resorts, trips are organized to Zermatt, Verbier, Saas-Fee, and Chamonix, Freeride and Freestyle teams are available, and instruction is offered across 6 skill levels.
Within the Alpine Institute mountain program, students engage in mountaineering, rock climbing, ice climbing, snowshoeing, mountain biking, and multi-day expeditions. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award program is also available.
Each year the school organizes 33 multi-day trips, 133 day excursions, and 2 mandatory cultural trips (autumn and spring). Students have already visited 14 countries, with destinations including Athens, Venice, Zimbabwe (volunteering), Cyprus, Monaco, and others.
The Fred Ott Leadership Program offers more than 15 leadership role options: around 50 students participate annually, 4 community service clubs operate, and volunteer trips to Zimbabwe and China are organized.
Advantages
- Orientation for maximum disclosure of each student's ability.
- Small groups of students (about 13 people on average). This gives the teacher the opportunity to give every student proper attention.
- The choice between the American and international courses and programs.
- Presence of professional support for foreign students: additional classes in subjects and language, counseling to solve emerging educational, domestic issues, emotional support for psychologists, educators, services of outside specialists (communication in the form of confidential conversations), communication and recreation with "Educational family".
- Location in an ecologically safe, picturesque and convenient area.
- Excellent material and technical base for education abroad.
Facilities and equipment at Leysin American School
The campus is represented by a vast territory with 12 buildings, a green zone, sports fields and complexes. The buildings of the Leysin American School are in a classic colonial style, which inside, are equipped with the latest technology. This concerns both the classrooms, scientific laboratories, the computer class, the library, the circles, and the dorm rooms.
Admission dates and extra charges
Upon enrollment at Leysin American School, a one-time enrollment fee and insurance deposit (refunded within 3 months after graduation) are required. A one-time contribution to the campus development fund is provided for new students. It is recommended to regularly top up the student's personal account to cover personal expenses.
The tuition payment deadline is April 1; if enrollment is declined before this date, all fees except the deposit and enrollment fee are refunded. Students admitted after April 1 must make payment within 10 days of accepting the offer.
The Learning Support program is offered in two formats, each of which is paid for separately:
- basic (Fundamental Pathway) with the development of an individual study plan,
- extended (Moderate Pathway) with classes three times a week in small groups.
Extras:
- Registration fee (for a programme/course) 500 CHF
- Deposit for a course/programme 8000 CHF
- Application fee 10000 CHF
Perspectives
The academic results of Leysin American School graduates are consistently high:
- In the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, the average score is 35 out of 45, 37% of students score 38 points and above, and one student achieved the maximum result — 45 points.
- In the Advanced Placement programme, 78% of exam results are 3 points and above; a total of 182 AP exams were taken by 90 candidates.
- 69% of graduates are admitted annually to universities in the top 100 of the Times Higher Education ranking.
Entry requirements, how to apply, what is required to enrol
To apply to Leysin American School, the following set of documents must be provided:
- Academic transcripts for the last 3 years,
- A copy of the passport with a photo,
- Three letters of recommendation from teachers (in English, mathematics, and one additional subject),
- An essay (written by the student themselves),
- For students for whom English is not their native language — results of an English language test (LAS internal test, TOEFL, or Duolingo English Test).
After receiving the complete set of documents, the admissions committee's decision is made within 10 business days. The school accepts students of any race, nationality, and religion. Smapse specialists will guide you through all stages of the application process.
Scholarships Leysin American School
Leysin American School provides extensive financial support to students as well. The flagship program is the LAS Global Scholarship: a two-year scholarship covering the full cost of tuition, accommodation, and meals under the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The scholarship also includes ski equipment rental, partial coverage of university application expenses, one trip per semester, school uniform, a branded graduate bomber jacket, a yearbook, and a calculator.
Candidate requirements: status as a 10th-grade student with plans to enroll in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, advanced level of English, academic and extracurricular achievements. The scholarship recipient independently covers the insurance deposit, personal expenses, and airfare.
Applications for the 2027–2028 academic year open in autumn 2026 and close at the end of January 2027.
Literature and references
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about Leysin American School
Recommendations on when to apply
| Language courses, schools and children's language camps | Primary and secondary education - private schools | Preparation programmes for entering universities - higher education | Higher education (after completing accredited programs A-level, IB, High School) - Bachelor, Master, MBA |
| - we recommend to apply 6-9 months before the start of the course (some camps and schools offer discounts for early booking or for lengthy study programs) - there are some very popular and high demand children's camps, where the applications need to be submitted 1 year in advance (in particular Switzerland , Great Britain , USA , Canada , Austria) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the training program, - some schools have a specific time frame (September-November - please specify an individual school) - some schools require tests in several stages (UKISET, internal tests of the school: English, mathematics, logics, subjects, interview, some require a personal visit) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the program, - for Foundation and Pathway programs, IELTS and TOEFL certificates are usually required, respectively | - recommended submission one year before the start of the program, - the deadline normally closes in January, for TOP HEIs and, as a rule, in March in other universities - for a bachelor, a Foundation or Pathway preparatory program a completed A-level, IB, High School + IELTS / TOEFL are required - for Masters you need a graduated higher education, in some cases you need a pre-Masters program - MBA requires completed higher education, work experience preferably at least 2-3 years, etc. |
