Aiglon College

"Nestled in the Swiss Alps at an elevation that places it among the clouds, Aiglon College is a co-educational independent boarding school that has been shaping young minds since its founding in 1949."

Located in the alpine village of Chesières, close to the celebrated ski resort of Villars-sur-Ollon and approximately 58 kilometers from Lausanne in the canton of Vaud, the school occupies one of the most dramatically beautiful educational settings in the world. For families relocating to Switzerland or seeking a world-class international education with a distinctly adventurous spirit, Aiglon represents a compelling and distinctive choice. The school was founded by John C. Corlette, a former teacher at Gordonstoun School in Scotland, whose educational philosophy emphasized the development of the whole person rather than academic achievement alone. That founding vision — that challenge, resilience, and character are as essential to education as intellectual rigor — remains deeply embedded in the school's identity more than seven decades later. Aiglon draws its name from the French word for eaglet, a symbol that speaks to the school's aspiration to help young people find their wings and soar. Academically, Aiglon prepares its students for the IGCSE examinations and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, one of the most rigorous and globally recognized pre-university qualifications available. The IB Diploma is particularly well suited to the international families who make up Aiglon's community, as its credentials are accepted by universities around the world. The language of instruction throughout the school is English, making it an accessible and welcoming environment for English-speaking expatriates and internationally mobile families regardless of their country of origin. What truly sets Aiglon apart from many other IB schools is the extraordinary emphasis placed on outdoor education and winter sports. The alpine location is not merely a scenic backdrop — it is an integral part of the curriculum and the school's character. Students ski, hike, and engage with the mountain environment as a core part of their educational experience, developing confidence, teamwork, and a relationship with the natural world that simply cannot be replicated in an urban setting. This commitment to physical challenge and outdoor adventure reflects Corlette's Gordonstoun-influenced belief that pushing personal boundaries in the mountains builds qualities of character that serve students throughout their lives. The school welcomes both boarding and day students, though its identity is fundamentally shaped by its boarding tradition. The residential community brings together young people from diverse national and cultural backgrounds, fostering the kind of global awareness and cross-cultural friendship that international families often seek for their children. Living and learning together in a close-knit mountain community, students build lasting relationships and a genuine sense of belonging. For expat families and relocating professionals evaluating schools in Switzerland, Aiglon College offers a rare combination: rigorous IB academics delivered in English, an internationally diverse student body, and an unmatched alpine setting that transforms education into a genuinely extraordinary experience. It is a school that asks a great deal of its students — and gives back even more.