La Garenne is a family-run international boarding and day school located in Villars-sur-Ollon, a safe and family-friendly Alpine resort in the Swiss Alps, welcoming students aged 3 to 18.
Founded in 1947, the school offers a continuous international education from Pre-Reception and Reception through Primary and Secondary School to the IB Diploma or the La Garenne High School Diploma.
Known for its strong values, close-knit international community and focus on well-being, La Garenne combines academic ambition, pastoral care and an international outlook in the heart of the Swiss Alps.
Its motto is 'Be Happy, and Never Never Never Give Up'.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: (Boarding Students) 1-12
- Grades: (Day Students) PK-12
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $105,094
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $58,111
- Average class size: 10 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
School Overview
Definition of Terms | 2025 School Data
La Garenne
School Focus
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
1-12
Grades Offered (Day)
PK-12
School Type
Co-ed
ADD/ADHD Support
Supports Learning Differences (LD)
Dual Language Immersion Program
Religious Affiliation
Year Founded
1947
Student Body
% International Students
100%
% Students Boarding
90%
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
Academic Profile
Saturday Classes
No
Classroom Dress Code
Average Class Size
10 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
2:1
Number of IB Courses Offered
18
ESL Courses Offered
Summer Program Offered
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
n/a
Courses
Tuition & Financial Aid
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$105,094
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$58,111
Merit Scholarships Offered
n/a
Admissions
Application Deadline
None / Rolling
Average Percentile SSAT
n/a%
Director of Admissions
Mark Silverstein
Associate Director of Admissions
Gavin Williams
College Matriculation
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
School Notes
- La Garenne at a Glance: Founded in 1947, La Garenne is a truly international community of more than 200 students from over 40 nationalities. It occupies a safe, family-friendly location in Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland - one of the world's top safest countries (Global Peace Index). The school offers a consistent academic pathway starting from Pre-Reception and Reception, followed by Primary, then Middle School, up to the IB Diploma and High School Diploma programmes. In the 2025/26 academic year the average IB score was 36 versus a global average of 30 (top score 44), with a 100% first-choice university acceptance rate and more than 50 extracurricular activities. Boarding: Run by the Mean family for decades, La Garenne follows a "Family Away from Home" approach. Boarding is available across the Primary, Middle and Senior sections, with approximately 200 boarders from more than 40 countries living in three age-specific residences. Full-time House Parents and boarding staff live in each house, providing daily supervision and pastoral support, with a boarding staff-to-student ratio of 2:1. Students also have access to counselling, wellbeing and safeguarding support throughout the school. Curriculum: Early Years (ages 3-5) follows the EYFS framework with Forest School-inspired learning. Primary School (ages 5-11) follows the English National Curriculum and the International Primary Curriculum. Middle School combines the IB Middle Years Programme (ages 11-14) with IGCSE qualifications (ages 14-16). Senior students (ages 16-18) choose between the IB Diploma Programme and the La Garenne High School Diploma, with classes of up to 12 students. University guidance begins in Year 9, and Class of 2025/26 graduates received offers from universities including UCL, Manchester, Bristol, Pennsylvania State University, Bath and UC Davis. Accreditations: La Garenne is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), and is authorised as an IB World School for the MYP and DP. It is an authorised examination centre for Cambridge English Qualifications, IGCSE (Pearson Edexcel and Oxford AQA) and IELTS, and is a member of SGIS, the Boarding Schools' Association (BSA) and the Swiss Private Schools Federation (FSEP). Campuses: La Garenne has two campuses in Villars-sur-Ollon, five minutes apart on foot. The Primary and Middle School campus comprises four traditional Swiss chalets (including Chalet La Garenne, Chalet Beau Site, the Millennium building and the Academia building). The Secondary campus, Le Roc, sits next to the main Villars ski lift and brings senior learning, boarding and community life together in one building. The school is approximately 90 minutes (119 km) from Geneva Airport, 40 minutes from Montreux and 60 minutes from Lausanne. Languages and Leadership: Education is conducted in English, supported by an Intensive English Programme until students reach at least B1 level. French is compulsory until age 16, with DELF diploma certification. Gavin Williams is the Headteacher, supported by Danielle Allard (Head of Primary School) and Alexandra Hunn (Head of Secondary School). More than 50 extracurricular activities are offered, ranging from mountain biking, music and robotics to Model United Nations.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does La Garenne cost?
La Garenne's tuition is approximately $105,094 for boarding students and $58,111 for day students.
When is the application deadline for La Garenne?
The application deadline for La Garenne is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
Nearby Boarding Schools
The nearest boarding school to La Garenne is Leysin American School in Switzerland (LAS) (3.5 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Chemin de la Source 3
Leysin, Switzerland 1854
0041244934872
Leysin, Switzerland 1854
0041244934872
3.5 miles
Gr: 7-12, PG | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Avg. class size: 10 students Acceptance rate: 64% Tuition listed
Chem. de Pangires 26
Saint-Légier-La Chiésaz, Switzerland 1806
412155550
Saint-Légier-La Chiésaz, Switzerland 1806
412155550
14.3 miles
Gr: 6-12 | PK-12 (day) | 620 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Avg. class size: 10 students Tuition listed
Route de Sauverny 74
Geneva, Switzerland 1290
41227755656
Geneva, Switzerland 1290
41227755656
42.5 miles
Gr: 4-12 | PK-12 (day) | 1,800 students Tuition listed
Gmeindi 318b
Hasliberg Goldern, Switzerland 6085
41339729292
Hasliberg Goldern, Switzerland 6085
41339729292
62.3 miles
Gr: 8-12, PG | 100 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Avg. class size: 6 students Acceptance rate: 75% Tuition listed
St. Josefsweg 15b
Altdorf, Switzerland 6460
0766909288
Altdorf, Switzerland 6460
0766909288
85.9 miles
Gr: 8-12, PG | 80 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition listed
Recent Articles
Homesickness or a Poor School Fit? How Parents Can Tell the Difference
Learn how to distinguish normal homesickness from signs that a boarding school may not be the right fit, and discover practical strategies for supporting your child through the transition.
Does Boarding School Spending Reduce What Families Can Save for College?
Discover how boarding school tuition can affect college savings, explore financial planning strategies, compare long-term educational investments, and learn how financial aid and careful budgeting can help families balance both important goals.
Four-Year Cost Forecasting for Boarding School Families
Learn how to build a realistic four-year boarding school budget, anticipate future costs, and plan for tuition, travel, and financial aid.
