How to choose a boarding school: 6 questions to ask

The reason shapes everything else.

Need for structure, international plans, relocation, high-level sport, independence: each reason points to a different type of school. Write it down and discuss it with your child.

A quiet child often thrives in a small school.

A smaller school offers more personal follow-up; a large campus offers more options. Ask about class sizes and the number of boarders.

The diploma opens or closes doors.

To stay in the French system, the bac is simplest. For EPFL or ETH, the Swiss maturité is the most direct route. The IB is recognised worldwide.

This is where daily life happens.

Who is present in the evening and at weekends? How is supervised study organised? How does the school keep parents informed? Ask during the visit.

Every weekend or only holidays?

From Paris, Lyon or eastern France, French-speaking Switzerland is reachable by train. Check the calendar of trips home and school transport.

Count extras from the start.

Beyond tuition, plan for uniforms, trips, private lessons, insurance and travel. Always compare schools on total cost, not just the headline fee.