Education
Deciding where your children should go to school is a very important and personal decision. You should collect as much information as possible and listen to whatever advice is offered, but the final decision is yours and has to be one that best suits your family’s unique circumstances.
Factors that should be considered before any decision is reached: 1 How long is the family planning to live in the Geneva area? If the length of assignment is uncertain, then it is probably best to assume a long term view. 2 How old are the children now? 3 How old will they be when the family leaves Geneva? 4 Does the family know where they will move next? This must be considered to ensure some continuity e.g. in language or system of education. 5 The amount of schooling that the children have received already has to be considered with respect to slotting them in at the appropriate level for ability and knowledge. 6 Which academic level is compatible with the child’s own abilities and interests? 7 Which language(s) do the children speak now and which ones will be appropriate or beneficial later? 8 Keep in mind that the choice of permanent residence may affect the choice of school. 9 Last point to bear in mind is that it is very important to subscribe early to the school of your choice, meaning if possible January for September, places being quite limited.
Before making any decision: • Consider ALL options. • Visit all appropriate schools. • If possible, contact parents of children in the school. • Consider the long term effects of any decision. • Consider the psychological and sociological factors. • Talk to experts – remembering that any decision will have to be yours. You are the only one who can decide what is best for your family. • If appropriate age wise, involve the child and consider his/her wishes.
Education – general
OPTI 3 federal certificate of capacity (certificat fédéral de capacité CFC) professional matura (maturité professionnelle)
school of diplomas ac-cording to level (école de degré diplôme: école de culture générale - école de commerce) (yc. MSSP1 et MPC2) school of matura (école de maturité) In Switzerland schools are the responsibility of the cantons. This results in each canton having its own individual school system. Schools funded by the canton are referred to as state schools. Officially state schooling starts at six years of age in the canton of Geneva (1P class). However the ’Département
de l’instruction publique’ (DIP) encourages registration at school from 4 years old (1E). The following is a diagrammatic overview of the state schooling system in the canton Geneva. professional training (formation professionnelle) college (gymnase) VSO secondary school with options (voie secondaire à options) VSG general secondary school (voie secondaire générale) VSB secondary school for baccalaureate (voie secondaire de baccalau-réat)
transition cycle (cycle de transition,CYT) second primary cycle (deuxième cycle primaire, CYP 2)
first primary cycle (premier cycle primaire, CYP 1) initial cycle (cycle initial, CIN)
sp ec ia liz ed te ac hi ng fo r s tu de nt s w ith a h an di ca p sp ec ia l c ar e fo r c hi ld re n w ith s ch oo lin g di ff ic ul tie s 1 MSSP: specialized Matura 2 MPC: professional commercial Matura 3 L‘OPTI: is in principal open to all students who have finished compulsory schooling but don‘t have a defined project for the future. 2 1 6 Rac. l Rac. ll End of 7e End of 7e Sc ho ol y ea r A ge 4 3 8 6 5 10 9 8 7 12 15
The start of the school year in Switzerland is between mid-August and mid-September. One point of note is that most state schools have a break for lunch and children are expect-ed to return home for lunch. Kindergarten For children aged 5 and 6, the Swiss authorities offer a pro-gram to prepare the children for primary school. Attendance is mandatory and free of charge. In general, children attend Kindergarten for a couple of hours in the morning and afternoon. Classes are be held 5 days a week. The language of instruction in class is French. Primary School Children begin primary school between the ages of 6 and 7. In the canton of Vaud, they have 6 years of primary education.
There is continuous assessment of the children’s work. Reports are sent out twice a year and must be signed by the parent and returned to the teacher. Advancement to the next level is dependent on having received a satisfactory report. If the report is unsatisfactory it is graded ‘Provisional’. If the next report is still unsatisfactory the child may have to repeat the year. Repeating a year is quite common here and is not usually seen as a stigma. Further information on schools is available from your local community (Commune). Secondary School
When pupils enter the second stage of their compulsory schooling they split up into different types of schools accord- ing to their ability and their career intentions. Children typi-cally spend between 3 and 6 years at these schools. These schools can be broadly split into the following catego-ries: • Lower level where the emphasis is on general education and manual trades. • Middle level which prepares the student for more demand-ing commercial and technical professions. • Higher level which prepares the student for university. This school is sometimes divided into lower and upper schools (Progymnasium and Gymnasium – Lycée).
Following compulsory schooling, young people have the chance of completing their general education or entering a trade school. The schools providing a more general educa-tion include a type that leads to higher vocational schools (e.g. nursery schools, teachers’ colleges, schools for social workers etc.) without leading to university; and the Gymnasi-um which leads to the Higher School Graduation Certificate (Matura) and gives access to universities. Matura The curriculum for the Maturity schools of the Swiss Con-ference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK, www.edk. ch) comprises the fields of languages, humanities, social science and economic science, mathematics and natural sci-ence, visual arts and music, together with sport. Pupils attend lessons in seven core subjects, in one in-depth subject (choice of eight subjects) and one supple-mentary subject (choice of 13 subjects). School holidays Every canton has its own school holidays. They may even dif-fer from commune to commune. On www.edk.ch/dyn/15213.php you will find a com-plete list with the dates for the school holidays
Switzerland offers a large variety of private schools. The Swiss Federation of Private Schools (FSEP) is comprised of 260 schools and approximately 100,000 students. Fees for schools vary depending on quality, reputation and location of the school.
The canton of Vaud has a number of international primary and secondary day schools where lessons are usu-ally taught in English. There are also a number of bilingual schools teaching in English/French. In order to know more about private schools, go to the website (Swiss Federation of Private Schools). www.agep.ch.
Private schools around Lausanne
Private pre-school and primary schools
Club Alpha Bilingual school 021 711 15 88 Av. C.-F. Ramuz 60, 1009 Pully
www.club-alpha.ch
Montessori Micki’s Bilingual School 021 729 41 67 Les Hérissons Petits Futés
Av. du Général-Guisan 18, 1009 Pully www.montessori-mickischool.ch
Bilingual French-English to age 6
Private schools (French & English)
Brillantmont International School 021 310 04 00 Av. Secrétan 16, 1005 Lausanne
www.brillantmont.ch
Age 12-18, English
International School of Lausanne 021 560 02 02 Ch. de la Grangette 2, 1052 Le Mont-sur-Lausanne www.isl.ch Age 3-18 International Baccalaureate IGCSE Below are a number of criteria to help you select an appropri-ate and reputable school: 1 Does the school have a good reputation and can it give you references? 2 Does it belong to a school association? 3 What are the contract conditions? Contracts should be clear and cover things like admission conditions, syllabus, duration of courses, fees, extras etc. 4 What are the physical conditions of the school like? Is it possible to take a tour of the buildings and classes? 5 How does it compare to other schools on your shortlist?
College Champittet Pully 021 721 05 05 Ch. de Champittet, CP 622 , 1009 Pully
www.champittet.ch
College Champittet Nyon 022 364 52 50 Ch. du Joran 11 A 1260 Nyon www.champittet.ch Age 1-5, 6-15. Bilingual French/English
International School of Geneva 022 960 91 11 La Châtaigneraie ‚La Chat‘ Ch. de la Ferme 2, 1297 Founex www.ecolint.ch Age 5-19 International Baccalaureate, IGCSE, Swiss Federal Maturité, Diplôme National du Brevet
Private schools (French)
Ecole Steiner 021 648 01 11
Rte de Bois Genoud 36, 1023 Crissier www.ecolesteiner-lausanne.ch
Institut Mont-Oliver 021 617 71 16 Ch. de Montolivet 19, 1006 Lausanne www.montolivet.ch Bilingual French/German Catholic private school, age 3-20 Ecole nouvelle de la Suisse Romande 021 654 65 00
Ch. De Rovéréaz 20, 1000 Lausanne www.ensr.ch Montessori program for age 3-6 International Baccalaureate and Swiss Maturité
Private schools around la Côte
Little Friends Preschool 022 367 81 85 Ch. de Montelly 3, 1263 Crassier [email protected] English for children under 6 years Montessori Harmonie 022 776 24 77 Ch. de la Poste 6, 1297 Founex www.montessori-harmonie.ch Age 3-7 English-French bilingual school International Montessori Pre-School 022 776 16 90
Ch. en Saugey 1, 1291 Commugny www.emontessori.info Age 2-7, mornings in English, afternoons in English or French
La Côte International School 022 823 26 26 En Clarens - Vich
Rte de L‘Etraz 54-60, 1196 Gland www.international-school.org
Private schools around Vevey-Montreux
Ecole Montessori Vevey 021 923 72 63 Rue de l’Union 11, 1800 Vevey
www.montessorivevey.com
Age 3-16, Bilingual French/ English
International School of Monts-de-Corsier 021 948 08 08 Champ des Pesses, 1808 Les Monts-de-Corsier www.international-school.org Age 3-11, English Ecole Chantemerle 021 943 11 93 1807 Blonay www.chantemerle.ch International Boarding School Ecole Blancpain 021 944 53 04 Muraz 19, 1814 La Tour-de.Peilz www.blancpain.ch Age 1-5, 6-15, French/English
Institut Monte Rosa 021 965 45 45 Av. de Chillon 57, 1820 Montreux-Territet www.monterosa.ch Age 6-15, 16-18. English
Ecole Riviera School 021 961 18 72
Av. des Planches 25, 1820 Montreux www.riviera-school.ch
Haut Lac International Bilingual School 021 925 40 00 Quai Maria Belgia 16, 1800 Vevey
www.haut-lac.ch
Age 3-18. French and/or English, International Baccalaureate
Leysin American School 024 493 37 77 1854 Leysin www.las.ch Surval Mont-Fleuri 021 966 16 16 Ecole Internationale de Jeunes Filles Route de Glion 56, 1820 Montreux www.surval.ch
Kumon Leysin Academy of Switzerland 024 493 53 35 1854 Leysin www.kumon.ac.jp/klas/en Private Japanese boarding school 10-12th grade, Japanese and English St-Georges School 021 964 34 11 1815 Clarens www.st-georges.ch Age 3-19, IGCSE
The town of Lausanne has day care centres (crèches, garder-ies, jardins d’enfants) which look after children of pre-school age, kindergarten and school age. In addition, there are pri-vate day care centres which offer child care services. Care can be provided on an all-day, morning or afternoon basis or on the weekdays of your choice. Public centres are funded by
Child care in Lausanne
the community and you may only enrol your child in a centre in your local community. These may be slightly cheaper than private day care centres, but the waiting list for admission may be considerably longer. Cost for child care is calculated based on the parents’ combined assessable income with a minimum and maximum contribution. Children-Palace Nursery 021 653 10 00 Grand-Mont 17, 1052 Le Mont sur Lausanne www.children-palace.ch
Centre de la petite enfance 021 315 60 81 Sallaz-Vennes
Ch. De Boissonnet 43, 1010 Lausanne
Crèche les Pitchounes 021 657 06 79 Ch. Du Devin 72, 1012 Lausanne
Crèche Mandarine 021 320 51 56
Ch. des Croix-rouges 5, 1007 Lausanne
Garderie Carambole 021 316 44 48
Valentin 24, 1004 Lausanne
Garderie de Bourg Minibulles 021 329 12 00 Rue de Bourg 49, 1003 Lausanne
Garderie Atelier de Lutry 021 793 11 74 Cathy Chauvet
Grand-Rue 18, 1095 Lutry
Garderie Aurore 021 323 83 77
Rue Aurore 1, 1005 Lausanne www.ecole-aurore.ch
Garderie Les Lucioles 021 648 34 90 Av. du Grey 60, 1018 Lausanne
Garderie Les Tournesols 021 601 50 77 Av. de Chandieu 12, 1006 Lausanne
www.lestournesols.ch
Garderie Eléphant bleu 021 728 88 39 Rue du Midi 2, 1009 Pully
www.lelephantbleu.ch
Garderie ‚Petites Couleurs‘ 021 802 02 41 Rte de Genève 105, 1026 Denges
www.petitescouleurs.ch
Garderie L’île aux enfants 021 729 58 09 Ch. de Villardiez 24, 1009 Pully
Garderie de Lutry 021 791 24 25
Grand-Pont 30, 1095 Lutry
Garderie les Ouistitis 021 791 27 57 Ch. des Champs 4, 1095 Lutry
Garderie Les Koalas 021 323 14 15
Ch. du Muveran 11, 1012 Lausanne Le Manège enchanté 021 728 46 47 Rte des Monts-de-Lavaux 11, 1092 Belmont-sur-Lausanne www.myarea.ch/nursery La Gardoche 021 653 13 53 Rte de Berne 21, 1010 Lausanne
The Young English Club 021 881 50 00 Ch. des Sauges, 1041 Bottens
www.yec.ch
Babysitting Croix Rouge 021 340 00 70 Rue Beau-Séjour 9-13, 1002 Lausanne
Garderie La Girolle 021 826 03 81 Rue Auguste Martinge 3, 1180 Rolle
Garderie La Cajole 021 801 50 59
Chemin des Philosophes 16, 1110 Morges
Halte Garderie La Ribambelle 022 362 54 94 Chemin d’Eysins 51, 1260 Nyon La Barcarolle 021 826 12 00 Promenade Grandes-Buttes 1, 1180 Rolle La Boironnette 022 362 13 40 Route du Boiron 19, 1260 Nyon www.laboironnette.ch La Petite Maisonnée 021 807 18 52 Route de la Gare 20, 1163 Etoy www.lapetitemaisonnee.ch
Child care in Vevey-Montreux
Garderie La Barcarolle 021 925 53 30 Quai E.-Ansermet 1-2, 1800 Vevey
Garderie du Point du Jour 079 373 08 81 Chemin du Point-du-Jour 2, 1800 Vevey Nursery de Chernex 021 964 70 36 Chemin du Blanc 16, 1822 Chernex La Trottinette 021 964 67 21 Avenue du Châtelard 12-14, 1815 Clarens La Coccinelle 021 963 15 55 Rue Industrielle 21, 1820 Montreux Les Lutins 021 961 99 66 Rue des Vergers 11, 1815 Clarens Le Kangourou (mornings) 021 962 62 50 Bâtiment le Bristo Avenue de Chillon 63, 1820 Territet
Halte-garderie du Collège d‘Etraz 021 963 93 50 Avenue des Alpes 28, 1820 Montreux Pouponnière de Montreux 021 964 41 50 Avenue Rambert 25, 1815 Clarens Scoubidou 021 963 23 10 (unité d‘accueil pour écoliers) Av. des Alpes 90, 1820 Montreux Saturnin 021 964 59 19 Rue du Port 22, 1815 Clarens Babysitting 021 944 47 49 A La Maison Rue du Léman 2, 1814 La Tour-de-Peilz www.alamaison.ch
