Chantemerle private school in Switzerland
Why choose Chantemerle ?
Switzerland offers a compelling alternative to studying abroad—especially compared to the UK or the US—thanks to its unique combination of academic excellence, cultural richness, and exceptional quality of life.
Founded in 1966, Chantemerle is a private school with a personalized, family-like atmosphere. Along the years, we have developed an educational model based on a high level of academic standards, a healthy lifestyle, core values, and the culture of effort. It is this balanced approach that makes our school so strong and unique.
Our student body is limited to 65 day and boarding students aged 6 to 18, more than half of whom are Swiss. We propose the Swiss curriculum in French as well as the Cambridge International curriculum in English.
The educational vision of our founders is now carried on by Mr Yann Wegmüller, director of Chantemerle, supported by Mrs Anne White-Wegmüller, Katia Gora-Stanek and a full team of experienced and dedicated teachers and educators.
The boarding spirit of Chantemerle
More than a school – a life experience
At Chantemerle, we believe that great success begins with small, repeated achievements and healthy habits. Through daily rituals, hands-on nature workshops and community projects, students develop fundamental values and good daily habits needed to build a sustainable future.
Making their bed and tidying their room, changing a light bulb or repairing a bicycle tire, being organized, planting flowers, and feeding the school’s animals, baking their own bread or playing chess and overnight camping out under the stars: these are all experiences that shape young people into responsible, self-reliant individuals aware of their place in the world.
Integrated into the school curriculum, Chantemerle’s “School of Life” programme is treated as an academic subject in its own right and graded as such in their report cards.
A healthy and structured family environment
Boarding school at Chantemerle
With a maximum capacity of 65 students, Chantemerle’s boarding school offers an enriching experience in a healthy and personalized family environment.
In a complex and fast-changing world, our students enjoy a peaceful and happy environment where they can focus and find balance.
Each morning begins with simple rituals—making beds, sharing breakfast, and setting personal goals for the day. Classes starts at 08h15 and run until late afternoon, followed by supervised by teachers who provide tailored academic support. Evenings bring communal dinner, more personal study time or leisure time with friends, and a calm “lights-out” at around 22h00.
Chantemerle provides facilities designed for well-being :
- Comfortable bedrooms for 2–4 students, with a beautiful view on lake Geneva, most with private en-suite bathrooms.
- Bright classrooms equipped with internet resources for collaborative projects.
- On-site kitchen serving balanced, home-cooked meals—fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced whenever possible.
- Indoor and outdoor spaces—gardens, sports courts, forest trails—encouraging movement, play, and a love of nature.
A healthy and structured environment :
- Simple and structured family atmosphere where students feel at home. The Wegmüller family and a full educator team are present 24/7 to ensure that
life at Chantemerle runs smoothly. Our residential school nurse cares for our children’s well-being and monitors health issues on an individual basis. Simple community rules promote a healthy and happy environment. - Well balanced weekly schedules that balances academics with practical life skills, sports, excursions and cultural visits. By following daily good habits, as well as through sports, arts and
nature activities children and teenagers become self-confident, happy to learn and to excel. - Digital well-being: we teach our students to disconnect through limited hours of access.
- Proven results in both academic achievement and character development.
Living away from home offers invaluable opportunities for personal development. Most importantly, at Chantemerle, students learn to live together in a spirit of togetherness and respect. Upon leaving Chantemerle, our graduates carry into their adult lives the spirit of solidarity and the strong sense of friendship that characterize our school.
A programme that meets the needs of local families
Day school at Chantemerle
Abour half of our students live in the area and study at Chantemerle as day students. Day students fully benefit from the structure of our boarding programme together with the boarding students :
- Full on-site academic and pastoral care at the school with flexible hours from 7:30am to 6:30pm
- Healthy and tasty home-cooked meals and snacks
- Supervised studies and assistance with homework on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
- A rich and balanced after school activity programme (Sport, Art and Nature)
The pick-up and drop-off of students can be arranged with our own shuttle buses (Blonay-Montreux-Vevey).
The intelligent and rigorous application of simple community rules contributes to the efficient and organized running of the establishment and its harmony. Chantemerle promotes digital education and screen time management. Digital access is controlled on the school premises. A team of dedicated and experienced educators garanties a healthy, well balanced and safe environment. Our on-campus school nurse follows the students in relation to their health.
Personal development through sports, arts, nature & cultural activities
During extra-curricular time, Chantemerle offers its students a rich programme of sports, artistic and cultural activities. Supervised by dedicated and experienced professionals, our students develop essential values and skills such as perseverance, leadership and team spirit.
- Archery, swimming, jiu-jitsu, running
- Tennis, Football, Basketball, Volleyball
- Sports academies : tennis, basketball, football, golf, horse riding, ice hockey and ski
- Winter Sports
* = optional
- Performing arts : Music & singing, Dance, drama, circus skills
- Visual arts: painting, photography, cinema
- Art & Study Programme* (Piano, Ballet)
- Digital creation (3D printing)
* = optional
- Pratical skills (cooking, gardening, repairing)
- Nature worskhops
- City tours, Swiss Museums and heritage
- UN Youth Leadership Programme*
* = optional