Leysin American School

"Nestled in the alpine village of Leysin in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, Leysin American School — widely known as LAS — offers families a truly singular educational experience that blends rigorous academics with the breathtaking backdrop of the Swiss Alps."

Founded in 1960 by Fred and Sigrid Ott, LAS has grown over more than six decades into one of Europe's most respected private boarding schools, remaining family-owned and deeply committed to the personal values and vision its founders instilled from the very beginning. At its heart, LAS is a co-educational boarding community that draws together approximately 300 students from more than 60 nationalities, creating a richly diverse and genuinely international student body. For expat families and relocating professionals, this multicultural environment is one of the school's most compelling qualities. Students do not simply learn about the wider world in a classroom — they live alongside peers from across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and beyond, building cross-cultural friendships and perspectives that last a lifetime. Academically, LAS offers students a choice between two well-regarded pathways: the American high school diploma and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, one of the world's most recognized and rigorous pre-university qualifications. For students whose needs fall somewhere in between, the school also makes individual IB courses available, allowing for a degree of academic flexibility that suits a wide range of learners and ambitions. English serves as the primary language of instruction, making LAS an accessible choice for English-speaking families as well as for those seeking an English-medium education within a multilingual environment. An English as a Second Language program further supports students who are building their English proficiency, ensuring that language is never a barrier to academic success. Beyond the standard secondary program, LAS extends its offerings in meaningful ways. A pre-high school program welcoming Grade 7 students provides a thoughtful entry point for younger learners beginning their boarding school journey, while an extensive summer school program opens the campus to students from around the world during the warmer months — an opportunity to experience the LAS community in a vibrant, exploratory setting. The campus itself is an undeniable part of what makes LAS distinctive. Situated high in the Alps with panoramic mountain views, the school enjoys a setting that is at once inspiring and uniquely conducive to both focused study and active outdoor living. The village of Leysin, though small, is well connected and has long been home to an internationally minded community, giving students easy access to skiing, hiking, and the broader Swiss cultural landscape. What ultimately sets Leysin American School apart is the combination of its enduring family ownership, its genuinely global student community, its flexible academic pathways, and the extraordinary environment in which all of this takes place. For families seeking a school where their child can grow academically, personally, and internationally — in one of the world's most spectacular settings — LAS represents a compelling and time-tested choice.