18

15

Yes

Yes

Yes

French, German, Spanish, Italian

Students from E3 to MYP2 (5y.o. - 12y.o.) are given an iPad for the duration of their time at Haut-Lac.
Students from MYP3 to DP2 (13y.o. - 18y.o.) bring in their own laptops.
Interactive whiteboards in every Infant and Primary classroom.

Yes, we did distance learning in March and have a plan at the ready should we need to use it again. We used Zoom, online resources and Managebac to keep in contact with students and hold lessons as normally as possible. We offer remote learning currently to students in other parts of the world looking to continue their studies in countries where remote learning is not as advanced.

Yes

The amount of homework is different for every age group.

Yes

Yes, depending on the year group.

No, we just ask for school reports from the last three years.

Enrolments accepted throughout the year.

Yes

100%

IB MYP E-Assessment, IB Diploma exams, IB Career Related Programme, US High School Diploma, Swiss Cantonal Maturité

The class of 2020 achieved an average of 34 points in the IBDP (versus world average of 29). 100% pass rate.

No

Yes

Yes

English as an Additional Language lessons
French as a Foreign Language lessons
In-class support
One-to-one and group support sessions
Drop-in maths and science clinics

Teachers use differentiated teaching methods to ensure all their students are motivated and eager to learn.

A school counsellor is available to talk to secondary students if necessary.

8:20

15:30 or 16:20 depending on the age group

Breakfast club from 7:15 in the morning
After-school clubs from 15:45 to 16:45 / 17:30
Out-of-hours supervision from 17:00 to 18:00

Badminton, Basketball, Horse-Riding, Sailing, Football, Swimming, Table-Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Art, Band, Chess, Debating, Drama, Caring for the Environment, Global Issues, Photography, Spanish, Guitar, German, Taekwondo, Choir, Gymnastics, MUN

Yes

Yes, vegetarian, no pork, gluten-free and/or lactose-free options are available, as well as no pork.

Normal gym lessons (all sections), swimming lessons (primary), winter ski outings (from 6 y.o.)

1 large fully-equipped sports hall which may be split into three smaller halls.
1 outside multisports court on both campuses.
Use of the town football fields opposite the school.
1 climbing wall
1 fitness gym (older students)

Yes

Haut-Lac International Bilingual School, an independent day school, opened its doors in 1993 with thirteen students and continues to grow and develop. It's location and highly diverse, international student body give students a wealth of opportunities to examine their own and other cultures in a global context. Small class sizes enable the teaching staff to follow the progress of individual children closely. The students are actively encouraged to adopt a positive, responsible and caring attitude within the classroom as well as towards the wider school community and beyond. A good relationship between the school and the parents, a rich choice of extra-curricular activities and the many opportunities to become involved and act cooperatively with others provide a stimulating and caring environment in which they are able to develop their potential to the full.

The bilingual programme (French/English) in the Infant/Primary sections is offered on a one day-one day schedule, alternating the language of instruction from one school day to the next and delivered by native French- and English-speaking teachers. The children thus spend an equal amount of time in each language environment, so that by the time they move up to secondary level, they are comfortable in both of the working languages of the school and can continue to benefit from a bilingual curriculum based on the guidelines of the IB MYP and Diploma Programme.

The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) provides an in-depth study of the conventional subject areas within a challenging framework which emphasises the teaching of life skills for students aged 11 to 16. It is a five-year programme that allows schools the liberty to be creative in the development of their curriculum, but closely disciplines them through a rigorous assessment system. Fundamentally, the IB MYP aims to show how school subjects are inter-related and teaches students that consideration of issues and problems in their widest scope will enhance their critical thinking. Their ability to find acceptable solutions to a range of problems and adapt them to a variety of situations is developed through five cross-curricular perspectives, termed ‘areas of interaction’. This holistic approach to education combined with the fostering of inter-cultural awareness and communication promotes in students the values of understanding, tolerance and respect. In consequence, adolescents are helped to grow into responsible members of a world community.

The IB Diploma Programme (DP) continues the philosophy of encouraging students to follow a broad-based educational programme. They study six subjects selected from the following subject groups: Language A, Language B, Individuals and Societies, Experimental Sciences, Mathematics and the Arts. At Haut-Lac students are able to benefit from the possibility of taking the IB Diploma in French, in English or bilingually (i.e. some subjects in each of the school’s two languages). In order to meet all the requirements, students must also complete three compulsory elements that are central to the IB Diploma Programme philosophy: writing an extended essay (EE), participating in a theory of knowledge (TOK) course and demonstrating creativity, action and service (CAS). In this way the aim of offering students a holistic education that provides them with the skills and knowledge to cope with the challenges of further education and life beyond is fulfilled. The IB Diploma is widely recognised by the world’s leading universities.
Students who are interested in keeping their options open, undecided between going straight into work or onto university also have a third option: the IB Career-Related Programme (IBCP). At Haut-Lac, we offer the chance to undertake the IBCP with one of three different focuses: Sustainable Business Management (in collaboration with SUMAS University) , Art & Design (in collaboration with the Savannah College of Art and Design), or International Sports Management (in collaboration with Federation University.)
In addition, running parallel throughout the Infant/Primary school, there is also a programme of studies conducted mostly through English which caters for children of families on short-term contracts to Switzerland. At the IB level it is possible to choose subject options in such a way as to follow a predominantly English or French programme depending on the individual student’s needs.
The programmes of study, based on interdisciplinary linked learning in the primary school and theme-centred at the MYP level, demand teacher and subject co-ordination and integration, including emphasis on the appreciation of self and others, which we consider as part of the necessary framework for a successful and happy school.