Leysin American School

ACADEMIC YEAR & SUMMER PROGRAM

Academic Year Program

“Developing innovative, compassionate and responsible citizens of the world”- that’s the maxim embraced by students and staff at the Leysin American School in Switzerland.  Located in picturesque Leysin, facing the panorama of the Southern Alps, LAS has both a strong academic ethos and an inspirational setting!  Founded in 1961, the school is a family-run international coeducational boarding school for ages 12 – 19.  LAS is a truly international, multicultural community made up of 370 students from more than 60 countries.

The school combines an American educational philosophy with the rigor of a European educational system. We are proud of the fact that we were the first American boarding school in Switzerland to offer the International Baccalaureate diploma. In addition we offer a comprehensive US university preparatory curriculum with courses in all major subjects. For non-native English speakers our integrated English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) program promotes academic and linguistic growth through intensive work in reading, writing, listening comprehension and conversational English.

At LAS we strongly believe in the relationship between parents, students and ourselves and utilize internet-based systems which make detailed academic and non-academic information accessible to parents interested in remaining closely involved with their child’s education.

To complement our academic curriculum, our students enjoy an extra-curricular program which features exciting recreational activities, extensive cultural travel and fine art courses.  Our boarding community provides a stable, caring and supportive family-like environment. Faculty members who also live in the dormitories believe in student-centered education, where close relationships lead to each student achieving his or her potential.

Summer Program

Summer in Switzerland (SIS) is an educational and recreational program for young people ages eight to 19. Our mission, “peace through understanding,” encapsulates the program’s belief that bringing together young people from all over the world supports intercultural understanding and a more peaceful co-existence.

Students attend morning classes in a wide variety of disciplines (e.g. English and world religions, journalism and leadership, mathematics and art) taught by a great variety of international and qualified teachers. Afternoons are dedicated to alpine activities in the two state of the art sport centers and the beautiful outdoors surrounding the campus, including parapenting, white water rafting, horseback riding, climbing, and hiking. During the evening, students and staff come together to make friends through camp games and dormitory activities. Three times weekly students travel on excursions to tourist destinations within an easy bus ride of campus to experience the local history and see Switzerland. An interim week in July is dedicated to optional tours in England, France, Italy, and Spain.