Independent shortlist
We don't sell one school: we compare Swiss boarding schools on supervision, curriculum, boarding life and fit with your child.
Boarding schools in Switzerland
Find the Swiss boarding school where your child will truly flourish.
Independent school-placement advice: we shortlist boarding schools across French- and German-speaking Switzerland — human-scale schools, family-atmosphere schools and prestigious boarding schools — starting from who your child actually is.
Visits & interviews
We organise visits, prepare families for admission interviews and read school files critically.
Support to day one
Admission, logistics, tutoring, permits and family relocation to Switzerland when needed.
The main families of Swiss boarding schools
Switzerland has around a hundred boarding schools, and they differ enormously. Broadly: international boarding schools (IB, A-Levels, highly mixed nationalities), traditional Swiss boarding schools (Swiss or bilingual Maturité), human-scale schools of 30 to 150 students with family-style supervision, and mountain schools combining academics with skiing. Regions carry distinct profiles: Lake Geneva (Vaud, Geneva) for international and bilingual paths, Valais and Graubünden for altitude and sport, German-speaking Switzerland for German and academic rigour, Ticino for Italian.
Our five-step selection method
1. Child portrait: personality, learning pace, specific needs, sporting or artistic passions. 2. Family framework: budget, languages, distance, educational values, three-year plan. 3. A shortlist of 3 to 5 genuinely suitable boarding schools with verified availability. 4. Visits and interviews: we prepare the child and family, then debrief every meeting. 5. Admission and integration: file, tests, enrolment, arrival and follow-up through the first months.
Why use an adviser rather than contacting schools directly
Boarding-school websites all look alike: the same campus photography, the same promise of excellence. What actually differentiates them — evening and weekend supervision ratios, the real boarding atmosphere, how well a dyslexic student or an elite athlete is supported — never appears in a brochure. We know these schools from the inside, speak regularly with heads and families, and advise around the child rather than the reputation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Swiss boarding school cost?+
Swiss boarding schools typically range from CHF 45,000 to CHF 130,000 per year depending on the region, the curriculum (IB, Swiss Maturité, French Baccalauréat, A-Levels) and included services. Human-scale schools in Vaud or Valais are often more accessible than large international institutions.
From what age can a child board?+
Most Swiss boarding schools welcome students from age 11-12, and a few family-run schools from age 8. We recommend timing the entry with a natural change of school cycle.
Prestigious boarding school or human-scale school?+
Prestigious boarding schools offer exceptional facilities and an international network; human-scale schools offer close supervision, small classes and a family atmosphere. The right answer depends on your child's temperament, not on rankings.
When should we apply?+
Ideally 9 to 12 months before entry. Places do open mid-year — we track real availability and can submit a complete file within weeks.
Do you support non-French-speaking families?+
Yes. We work in French and English and support international families end to end: shortlist, visits, interviews, admission and relocation to Switzerland.
Read next
Let's talk about your child
A free 30-minute call is usually enough to identify three genuinely suitable boarding schools.
Request advice