Aiglon

About us

Aiglon College is a renowned, non-profit independent boarding school located high in the Swiss Alps, in the village of Chesières-Villars.

Welcome to Aiglon

Everything we do has been thought out with reference to our basic aim and developed from our guiding purpose.

Our founder, John Corlette, had a unique vision of what education should be when he enrolled the first six students in 1949. Aiglon continues to be a visionary place today, one where we are proud to nurture the next generation of global citizens and leaders. At Aiglon, you will join a diverse community of enlightened, engaged young people who are ambitious to make a positive difference.

Our students enjoy outstanding educational opportunities in a beautiful, safe and secure location. And, by the time you leave us, you will be fully prepared for the next stage of your life.

Our school community includes students from all over the world, we are in fact a global hub in our own right! Currently approximately 60 nationalities are represented within the Aiglon student body, from diverse religions, languages and cultures.

Many of our students are seasoned international travellers with links to more than one country. Students follow the challenging International GCSE (IGCSE) and International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB Diploma) programmes. We also offer optional courses for the American SAT exams.

We provide expert support for students who speak English as an additional language, who go on to take Cambridge and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exams. All students take part in our programme of outdoor expeditions and adventures, which is a unique and distinctive feature of life at the school.

You will also enjoy many opportunities in sport, drama, art, music, and community service. The Aiglon student body includes close to 70 juniors (age 9-13), nearly 300 Senior School students (age 13-18), including just under 140 in the IB Diploma years (age 16-18). While new students most commonly join us at 9, 11, 13 or 16, we offer rolling admission and welcome applications at any age from 9 to 16.

Location

• Avenue Centrale 61
• 1885 Chesières-Villars
• Switzerland

Entrance Tests

Our entrance tests are designed to be suitable for a wide range of nationalities, skills and backgrounds. We ask all prospective students to take tests in English and Mathematics, along with an IQ test, so we can be sure that each applicant meets Aiglon’s standards, and determine where they might best fit into our academic programme. These tests are always conducted in English and can be taken throughout the school year.

For prospective students whose first language is not English, we will also ask you to take an EAL (English as an Additional Language entrance test. Where needed we can provide an EAL programme for students in the Junior School and the first year of Middle School, up to the end of Third Form, Grade 8 in the US and Year 9 in the UK. There is an extra charge for this provision.

All entrance exams and interviews must be conducted at Aiglon, so we will arrange for your child to complete the tests and have an interview when you come to look around the school. It is not usually possible to sit the entrance exams or have an interview at any other location. We will let you know when you can expect an admissions decision, and keep you informed throughout the process.

The Aiglon Day

There are six periods in a typical day, which normally consists of two periods, morning break, two periods, lunch, and two further periods. On Wednesdays, we only hold classes in the morning. Some classes also take place on Saturday mornings. The timetable changes during the Winter Term (January to March) to accommodate the skiing programme.

Each day begins with the morning meditation, a concept introduced by our founder, John Corlette. This short, whole-school gathering is an important feature of our school life. Each meditation is a short talk with complete silence before and afterwards, with the aim of encouraging personal reflection and discussion.

Expeditions are a really important aspect of life at Aiglon. There will be days when our adventure programme takes you into the mountains on skis, on foot, by bike, or by boat. Every student is required to take part, it is a fundamental part of being an Aiglonian.

Finally, learning to lead and serve is an integral aspect of the Aiglon experience, so your day will probably include activities that contribute to the life of the school, the local community, or the wider world in some way.

The Aiglon curriculum extends far beyond academics. We offer a huge range of activities, including our expeditions programme, service and leadership, sport, music, art, and drama. We encourage all students to develop their skills and talents, and we work hard to build their character and resilience.

Our students sit a variety of International GCSE (IGCSE) exams, GCSE exams, and O Levels in the Fourth and Fifth Forms. In the Sixth Form, we follow the challenging International Baccalaureate Diploma programme (IB Diploma) to ensure access to the world’s leading universities.

We also help students prepare for other exams such as the American SATs, and a variety of English examinations (IELTS, First Certificate in English (FCE) and Cambridge English: Preliminary (PET)).

We were conceived as a small school and we continue to be so; students receive exceptional levels of individual attention. We provide excellent support for students whose first language is not English, and for those who have mild dyslexia or other moderate special educational needs.

A grading system called “Mark Reading” is used in every year group in the school, with marks given for both effort and attainment. These marks are used to calculate grade point averages and award end-of-year prizes. During each term, students also take internal exams in most subjects.

Parents receive regular updates and are welcome to contact their child’s tutor or Houseparents with any concerns.

When you arrive at Aiglon you will be allocated to a House that will become your term-time home, a place where many of your closest friendships and most lasting memories will be formed. Indeed, 90% of students are boarders.

The House system is a hallmark of a British-style education. At Aiglon there are eight Houses in total: four for girls and four for boys (all Houses are single-sex), with six in the Senior School and two in the Junior School.

Each house is home to around 50 students (up to 40 in the Junior School) and will have a particular personality, often influenced by its Houseparent, and bolstered by the House’s own distinctive traditions and identity.

Within each House, students occupy a study bedroom shared with no more than three others (sixth formers are in single or double rooms), and there are common rooms, a dining room, and other communal spaces, such as a kitchen and a games room.

Houseparents live on-site; assisting them are Deputy Houseparents and the tutors who are assigned to each child.

Students also play a strong role in looking out for their peers, and each House’s captains and prefects take the lead on this.

Holiday-camps

Aiglon Summer School is a vacation experience like no other. We would like to thank you and all the staff at Aiglon for the wonderful experience that our daughter had in July.

We’re glad to see that Aiglon College is still, after so many years, a top level offer for a teenager’s education.

Our Summer School students leave with greater confidence and knowledge of themselves, and understanding of others.

That is because in addition to a packed timetable of lessons, they get to participate in one of the things that makes an Aiglon education unique, Expedition.

Each Summer School includes a mini-expedition, appropriate to the age of participants. At Aiglon, young people have the chance to hike a small peak, learn new skills such as orienteering and campcraft, enjoy teamwork and relax around the campfire.

That’s all rounded off with a night under the stars.

Whether you are considering sending your child to Aiglon full-time or simply want them to enjoy a few weeks of exciting and rewarding activities during the summer, our Summer Schools give children age between 9 to 16 the opportunity to experience all that Aiglon has to offer.

A Typical Day

Morning classes are spent honing language skills in either English or French, utilising Aiglon’s state-of-the-art language lab, role-play, and of course the school’s own wonderful setting in the French-speaking Swiss Alps.

After lunch, students have the opportunity to take part in exhilarating activities at Aiglon’s brand new sports centre, and on the river, lakes, mountains and pasture all around us. Students can choose to receive expert tuition in activities such as windsurfing, horse riding, and rock climbing, as well as the full range of traditional sports. And there are creative options, too: dance, drama, music and art.

After supper, there is time to relax with new friends from around the world, and perhaps try out their fast-growing language skills. Our evenings are full of fun such as BBQs and Swiss fondues, a musical extravaganza, and favourites that include 10-pin bowling and a disco.

Dates and Fees

If you think your child would thrive during a summer with us at Aiglon, we will be delighted to tell you more. There are 8 summer school programmes in 2017:

The Classic Summer School Language Classes and Activities for students aged 8-13 years

This classic programme offers a blend of language classes and activities for students within the framework of Aiglon College. A wonderful way to experience and enjoy Aiglon Life.

• Programme 1 Monday 4 July, Sunday 16 July 2016, 2 week course, fees CHF 5’590
• Programme 2 Monday 17 July, Sunday 30 July 2016, 2 week course, fees CHF 5’590
• Programme 3 Monday 3 July, Sunday 23 July 2016, 3 week course, fees CHF 8’300
• Programme 4 Monday 3 July, Sunday 30 July 2016, 4 week course, fees CHF 10’900

The Summer School Eagle Programme Language Classes and Activities for students aged 14-16 years

This programme offers a greater challenge for the older students at Summer School. The Summer School structure will remain with language classes in the programme, however activities will be geared to challenge and interest the older students such as a night in a mountain hut, visiting thermal baths, rock climbing and a dinner party cookery class.

• Programme 5 Monday 4 July, Sunday 16 July 2016, 2 week course, fees CHF 5’590
• Programme 6 Monday 17 July, Sunday 30 July 2016, 2 week course, fees CHF 5’590
• Programme 7 Monday 3 July, Sunday 23 July 2016, 3 week course, fees CHF 8’300
• Programme 8 Monday 3 July, Sunday 30 July 2016, 4 week course, fees CHF 10’900