Looking for one of the best international boarding school in Switzerland for a child who needs personalized attention? Choose small. Chantemerle, established in 1966 above Lake Geneva, caps enrolment at 50 boarding students. That number explains everything.
Why size is the biggest factor
Most international boarding schools in Switzerland host 200 to 600 students. At that scale, personalized attention becomes a brochure word. At Chantemerle, 95 students total, 50 boarders. Every adult knows your child by name and routine.
When focus drops in class, a teacher notices the same week, not in a term report. When homework piles up, supervised study catches it before it becomes a problem at home.
What personalized attention really means
It is not a programme. It is daily habits. Weekly assessments, supervised homework on site, reading aloud, mental arithmetic and cursive writing anchor fundamentals that most curricula leave loose.
For students with ADHD, dyslexia or a gifted profile, differentiated teaching means a structured framework, not vague flexibility. Instructions are reformulated, tasks broken down, adults stay consistent across the day.
A campus built for rhythm
Four hectares above Lake Geneva in Blonay. Forests, mountain trails, archery, swimming, Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Weekly skiing in Villars, Portes du Soleil and Zermatt in winter. Home-cooked meals, on-site nurse, constant educational supervision.
A Swiss curriculum that opens real doors
Chantemerle prepares international students for the Swiss Federal Matura and the Cambridge IGCSE, A-Level programmes. The Matura grants automatic admission to EPFL, ETHZ, HEC Lausanne and Swiss medical schools, with no entrance exam and tuition among the lowest in Europe.
Chantemerle’s 2025 Matura pass rate: 95%, third consecutive year above 90%. Non-French speakers join through our French integration programme, leading to a bilingual Matura.
Choosing the right school
Three questions cut through marketing. How small is the school really? Do the same adults follow your child across class, study and boarding? Is the pathway recognised where your child wants to apply later? At Chantemerle, family-run since 1966, the answers stay consistent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many students does Chantemerle have?
The total number of students at Chantemerle is capped at 95 students total, with 50 boarders. We chose this size deliberately so that every teacher and boarding staff member knows each child personally. Class sizes typically range from 6 to 12 students depending on the level.
Is Chantemerle suitable for children with ADHD, dyslexia or other learning differences?
Yes, for many profiles. Our small classes, structured daily routines and differentiated teaching create a stable framework that helps students with ADHD, dys profiles or a high-potential needing more challenge. We do not replace medical or specialist support, but we work closely with families and external professionals to give the child consistent conditions to learn.
What is the difference between the Swiss Federal Matura and Cambridge A-Levels?
The Swiss Federal Matura is the only diploma that grants automatic admission to Swiss public universities such as EPFL, ETHZ, HEC Lausanne and Swiss medical schools, with no entrance exam. The Matura is also very well recognized internationally. Cambridge A-Levels open doors to UK and international universities with subject-specific applications. Chantemerle prepares both, including a bilingual Matura option for non-French-speaking students.
Can my child start at Chantemerle if they do not speak French?
Yes. We run a French integration programme designed for international students. It combines intensive French immersion with key academic subjects taught in French, leading progressively to the bilingual Matura or another suitable pathway. The small school size makes this transition realistic and efficient, not theoretical. Our international students prepare and sit DELF certifications at various level (A1 to C1).
Where is Chantemerle located and how do I get there?
The main campus is in Blonay, on four hectares overlooking Lake Geneva and the Alps, about 25 minutes from Lausanne and 1 hour from Geneva airport. Our pre-university campus, LémanMaturité, is in Vevey, directly behind the train station. Families coming from abroad can reach Geneva or Zurich airports and continue by train.
What are the boarding options at Chantemerle?
We offer 5-day boarding, 7-day boarding and flexi-boarding. Five-day boarders return home for the weekend, seven-day boarders stay throughout the term, and flexi-boarding lets families adjust week by week. All boarders benefit from supervised study, home-cooked meals, an on-site nurse and 24/7 educational supervision.