Quick summary of key school information
Important notes about this school
All the details about this school in their own words
Number of students |
650 |
Number of nationalities represented in the school |
45+ |
Max. number of students per class |
18 |
Average number of students per class |
15 |
Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes |
Native English and French speaking teachers |
Yes |
Language support for students not fluent in English and French |
Yes |
Additional language classes offered by the school |
French, German, Spanish, Italian |
Use of technology in the classroom |
Students from E3 to MYP2 (5y.o. - 12y.o.) are given an iPad for the duration of their time at Haut-Lac.
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Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures) |
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. |
Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes |
Approximate hours of homework given |
The amount of homework is different for every age group. |
Uniform required |
Yes |
Waiting list |
Yes, depending on the year group. |
Entry evaluation for students |
No, we just ask for school reports from the last three years. |
Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
Enrolments accepted throughout the year. |
Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes |
Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
100% |
External examinations or assessments available |
IB MYP E-Assessment, IB Diploma exams, IB Career Related Programme, US High School Diploma, Swiss Cantonal Maturité |
Results in these examinations |
The class of 2020 achieved an average of 34 points in the IBDP (versus world average of 29). 100% pass rate. |
Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
No |
School bus service available |
Yes |
Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Yes |
Learning support offered |
English as an Additional Language lessons
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The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
Teachers use differentiated teaching methods to ensure all their students are motivated and eager to learn. |
Student access to education psychologist |
A school counsellor is available to talk to secondary students if necessary. |
School start time |
8:20 |
School finish time |
15:30 or 16:20 depending on the age group |
Supervised care before/after school |
Breakfast club from 7:15 in the morning
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Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
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 |
School provided lunches |
Yes |
Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
Yes, vegetarian, no pork, gluten-free and/or lactose-free options are available, as well as no pork. |
Sports activities included |
Normal gym lessons (all sections), swimming lessons (primary), winter ski outings (from 6 y.o.) |
Sports facilities at the school |
1 large fully-equipped sports hall which may be split into three smaller halls.
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Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
Yes |
Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
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. |
Teaching approach of the school |
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.
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