Aiglon College is a Swiss boarding school of excellence, located in the picturesque alpine village of Chesières, at an altitude of 1,200 meters. Founded in 1949 by John Corlette, it is based on a unique educational philosophy centered on the balanced development of mind, body, and spirit. This holistic vision is reflected in a rigorous academic approach, complemented by sports activities in the mountains and ongoing community engagement. Recognized worldwide, the school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC), the Council of International Schools (CIS), and is one of the founding members of Round Square.

With a total of 475 students aged 7 to 18, 80% of whom are boarders and 20% day students, Aiglon College stands out for the diversity of its learners, who come from 68 different nationalities. This multicultural environment encourages open-mindedness and tolerance. Academically, small class sizes allow for individualized support, reinforced by a student-teacher ratio of three to one. Everyone is encouraged to strive for excellence, whether in the Junior School (with 93 students) or the Senior School (382 students), before progressing to top-tier higher education.

The academic program at Aiglon College is structured around two international qualifications: the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) and the International Baccalaureate (IB). Students first prepare for the IGCSE over two years (Years 10 and 11), while newly arrived Year 11 students follow a Pre-IB curriculum designed to introduce them to IB requirements. Over the following two years (Years 12 and 13), they work toward the IB Diploma, regarded as one of the most comprehensive school programs in the world. The results speak for themselves: Aiglon’s IB pass rates frequently exceed 95%, reaching 100% in recent sessions. Many students score above 30 points, and some even surpass 40, which facilitates admission to the most prestigious universities worldwide.

One of Aiglon’s distinctive features is the emphasis placed on outdoor education. Located in the heart of the Vaud Alps, the school campus offers direct access to the mountains, which students explore through regular expeditions. Nine such excursions are required annually, some spanning the entire weekend. During the winter season, the school schedule is adapted to include ski sessions, integrated into the compulsory sports program. These activities encourage students to develop initiative, teamwork, and resilience. Moreover, Aiglon College recently launched the Mountain School Program in collaboration with the Bear Grylls Survival Academy, where students learn to handle extreme conditions and hone their leadership skills.

Boarding life also occupies a central role in students’ education. Divided among various houses, they are supervised by dedicated teams, who ensure an atmosphere of trust and solidarity. Senior students can become leaders, for example, by serving as prefects or as a School Guardian — the highest-ranking student role. Through initiatives such as the Student Council or by becoming wellbeing ambassadors, every student is encouraged to get involved in community life. Values like respect, diversity, and service are thus practiced on a daily basis, preparing students to become responsible citizens in an ever-evolving society.

Academically, Aiglon College advocates a collaborative and challenging learning environment. Subjects such as mathematics, science, history, economics, or literature are taught through a rigorous approach that blends theory with real-life application. The IB places special emphasis on research work, writing in-depth essays, and carrying out creative projects. The teaching staff, who come from a variety of backgrounds, bring extensive experience and diverse skills, fostering a vibrant intellectual environment. This diversity mirrors the student body, offering multiple perspectives in debates and group projects.

To promote a healthy balance between study and recreation, Aiglon offers a broad range of extracurricular activities. Students can participate in music, theater, visual arts, or debate clubs, while those who enjoy technology might gravitate towards robotics or computer science. Such pursuits, along with sports, shape the identity of the school, which encourages everyone to explore their interests and develop their creativity. Modern facilities include well-equipped classrooms, advanced science laboratories, and sports facilities suited to various skill levels.

Aiglon’s academic success is also measured by the caliber of universities its alumni attend. In a competitive world, the IB Diploma earned in Chesières paves the way to highly regarded institutions such as the London School of Economics, the University of Cambridge, Cornell, Stanford, the University of Chicago, or the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL). Graduates benefit from continual support through the university counseling department, which helps them craft their applications and prepare for interviews, working closely with the teaching staff.

However, finding the most suitable Swiss private school can pose a challenge for parents. This is where Swiss School Consulting (SSC) comes in. Specializing in guiding families who wish to enroll their children in Switzerland, SSC offers comprehensive services that encompass research, presentations of schools, and application preparation. With in-depth knowledge of Aiglon College, Swiss School Consulting can highlight its distinctive features: its alpine setting, its IB approach, its sports requirements, and its multicultural environment. The SSC consultants also know how to pinpoint each student’s strengths to create a compelling application, aligned with the school’s values and admissions criteria.

Whether for the IGCSE, the Pre-IB, or the IB Diploma, Swiss School Consulting informs families about the available programs and the skills expected. SSC’s expertise includes understanding Aiglon’s academic requirements, such as class participation, mock exam performance, and practical projects. Its consultants also help parents anticipate the boarding school routine, discover various clubs and extracurricular activities, and grasp the importance of mountain expeditions for students’ overall development.

Beyond explaining how weekends are organized — with students required to undertake nine annual expeditions — Swiss School Consulting clarifies the house system, teachers’ responsibilities, and leadership opportunities. Prospective students can therefore envision a stimulating environment in which academic achievement goes hand in hand with personal growth. This professional support smooths the admissions process, from the initial contact with the school to final acceptance.

Aiglon College’s appeal extends beyond its top-quality programs: it also fosters a sense of responsibility and solidarity. Students are encouraged to engage in service and charity endeavors supported by the school throughout the year. In this context, working with Swiss School Consulting helps highlight the applicant’s personal qualities, motivation, and potential for community involvement.

In conclusion, Aiglon College offers a rare balance of tradition and modernity, combining the heritage of a rigor-based education with ongoing innovation in the academic, sports, and social arenas. This blend has made the school a go-to choice for families seeking a safe, multicultural environment that paves the way for success. With the expertise of Swiss School Consulting, which understands Aiglon’s specifics and is familiar with Swiss private education, parents can navigate the selection process with ease. For students, it is a unique opportunity to study in an exceptional alpine setting while building a solid, globally recognized academic path. Such an experience prepares them to become engaged citizens, equipped to meet the challenges of a constantly evolving world and to excel at the most prestigious universities.