International schools in Geneva: curricula, fees and how to apply
Every school near Geneva on the canton lists that teaches in English, or in French and English: what each one teaches, what it charges and when it takes applications, all from the schools’ own pages.
In short
Geneva and the nearby Vaud communes have 10 schools teaching mainly in English or another foreign language, 11 bilingual French–English schools and 20 Montessori and early-years schools. Curricula include the IB, British, American, German and Swedish programmes. At the international schools, 2026–27 tuition runs from CHF 13,200 in Grade 1 to CHF 39,200 a year. Most admit all year.
Which international and bilingual schools are there in Geneva?
Ten schools near Geneva teach mainly in English or another foreign language, from the International School of Geneva’s three campuses to German and Swedish schools. Eleven private schools teach in French and English, and twenty Montessori and early-years schools are bilingual or English-speaking. Seven of the schools, and campuses of three more, are in canton Vaud.
The tables cover every school in canton Geneva’s directory of authorised private schools (opens in a new tab) that teaches in English, in another foreign language, or in French and English (ge.ch, checked ), plus the schools on canton Vaud’s list in the Nyon district and in Aubonne (vd.ch, checked ). Programmes, ages and campuses come from each school’s own website, checked on 21 October 2026. Schools in canton Vaud are marked (VD).
International schools
The International School of Geneva (Ecolint), founded in 1924, teaches the IB on three campuses: La Grande Boissière in Geneva, Campus des Nations in Grand-Saconnex and Pregny, and La Châtaigneraie in Founex (VD), which also offers the IGCSE and the Swiss Maturité (Ecolint, checked ). Collège du Léman in Versoix has English, French and bilingual tracks to the IB Diploma and Career-related Programme, an American High School Diploma, the French Baccalauréat and the Swiss Maturité, and takes boarders (Collège du Léman, checked ).
The Geneva English School in Genthod and Versoix and the British School of Geneva in Châtelaine teach the English National Curriculum to GCSE or IGCSE and A levels (Geneva English School, checked ) (British School of Geneva, checked ). Bell International School, listed by the canton as Bell One World School, teaches it from nursery to Year 4 (Bell, checked ) (ge.ch, checked ). The Institut International de Lancy has an English section (National Curriculum, IGCSE, IB Diploma) beside its French and bilingual sections (IIL, checked ).
In canton Vaud, La Côte International School in Aubonne teaches from age 3 to the IB Diploma, and Institut Le Rosey in Rolle is a boarding school for ages 8–18 that prepares for the IB Diploma or the French Baccalauréat, with a winter campus in Gstaad (LCIS, checked ) (Le Rosey, checked ). The Deutsche Schule Genf in Vernier follows the German curriculum to the Abitur, and the Swedish International School of Geneva in Meyrin teaches the Swedish curriculum in Swedish–French or English–French classes (DSG, checked ) (SISOG, checked ).
Bilingual schools
These schools teach in French and English, mostly to the Plan d’études romand (PER), the curriculum of public schools in French-speaking Switzerland. Institut Florimont in Petit-Lancy follows the French programme with a bilingual track and offers the IB Diploma and the Swiss Maturité in French or bilingually (ge.ch, checked ) (Florimont, checked ). Ecole Moser prepares the Swiss Maturité in French, French–English or French–German streams in Chêne-Bougeries and in Grens near Nyon (VD), whose fee page also lists a Maturité and IB double diploma (Ecole Moser, checked ). Ecole et Collège La Découverte runs primary classes in Geneva and Mies (VD) and a lower secondary for Grades 9–11 (La Découverte, checked ). Lignum Vitae opened at the start of the 2026–27 school year for ages 9–15 (ge.ch, checked ).
Montessori and early-years schools
Twenty smaller schools on the two canton lists teach young children in French and English, most of them with the Montessori method; The Montessori School Geneva in Thônex teaches in English (ge.ch, checked ) (vd.ch, checked ) (The Montessori School Geneva, checked ). Several also run toddler groups from 18 months, but private schools in Geneva can teach the first primary classes only from age 3 (LIP C 1 10, checked ).
Not in the tables: schools on the lists that teach in French with English as a subject (Ecole Brechbuhl, Eveil Montessori, Ecole Montessori Rive Droite), Ecole Rudolf Steiner Genève, two Jewish schools that follow the French-language programme, a school for children with developmental difficulties, and Liceo Pareto in Mies, which teaches in Italian and French from age 14 (ge.ch, checked ) (vd.ch, checked ).
International schools near Geneva
| School | Curriculum | Ages | Campus | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell International School | English National Curriculum (EYFS, Years 1–4) | 2–9 | Geneva (Colombettes) | English; bilingual nursery |
| British School of Geneva | English National Curriculum, IGCSE, A levels | 3–18 | Châtelaine (Vernier) | English |
| Collège du Léman | IB DP and CP, IGCSE, American diploma, French Bac, Swiss Maturité; boarding | 2–18 | Versoix | English, French or bilingual |
| Deutsche Schule Genf | German curriculum, Abitur | 3–18 | Vernier | German |
| Geneva English School | English National Curriculum, IGCSE/GCSE, A levels | 3–18 | Genthod (primary), Versoix (secondary) | English |
| Institut International de Lancy | English section: National Curriculum, IGCSE, IB DP; French and bilingual sections | 3–19 | Grand-Lancy | English, French or bilingual |
| Institut Le Rosey | IB DP or French Baccalauréat; boarding only | 8–18 | Rolle (VD); winter campus Gstaad | English and French |
| International School of Geneva (Ecolint) | IB PYP, MYP, DP, CP; IGCSE and Swiss Maturité at La Châtaigneraie | 3–18 | Geneva, Grand-Saconnex, Pregny; Founex (VD) | English and French |
| La Côte International School | EYFS, International Primary Curriculum, IGCSE, IB DP | 3–18 | Aubonne (VD) | English, with French |
| Swedish International School of Geneva | Swedish curriculum | 4–12 | Meyrin | Swedish or English, with French |
Geneva directory of 8 Oct 2026, Vaud list of 28 Aug 2026 and each school’s website, checked 21 Oct 2026. VD = canton Vaud.
Bilingual French–English schools
| School | Curriculum | Ages | Campus | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adventist International School of Geneva | PER, Adventist Christian school | 3–12 | Genthod | French and English |
| Ecole Active | PER, active teaching methods | 3–12 | Geneva (Malagnou) | French and English to age 10 |
| Ecole bilingue Séquoia | PER, Montessori-inspired | 3–9 | Thônex | French and English |
| Ecole Eden | Swiss and French programmes | 3–12 | Veyrier; Geneva (Frank-Thomas, ages 3–6) | French, English, German |
| Ecole et Collège La Découverte | PER; lower secondary Grades 9–11 | 3–15 | Geneva (Sécheron); Mies (VD, ages 4–12) | French and English |
| Ecole Mosaic | PER with English National Curriculum elements | 3–12 | Geneva (Champel) | French and English |
| Ecole Moser | PER, Swiss Maturité; Maturité and IB in Grens | 8–18 (Geneva), 4–18 (Grens) | Chêne-Bougeries; Grens near Nyon (VD) | French, with English or German streams |
| Ecole Totup | PER with an extra maths programme | 3–8 | Petit-Lancy | French and English |
| Institut Florimont | French programme, bilingual track, IB DP, Swiss Maturité, French Bac | 3–18 | Petit-Lancy | French; bilingual track |
| La Nouvelle Ecole | PER with the UK Early Years Foundation Stage | 2–7 | Geneva (Old Town) | French and English |
| Lignum Vitae, Ecole pour tous | PER, project-based; opened 2026–27 | 9–15 | Chêne-Bourg | French and English |
Montessori and early-years schools
| School | Curriculum | Ages | Campus | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deux Mille Feuilles | Montessori | 3–12 | La Rippe (VD) | English and French, German added |
| Ecole Bilingue Montessori 3 12 | Montessori | 3–12 | Geneva | French and English |
| Ecole Internationale Maria Montessori | Montessori | 3–6 | Geneva (Petit-Saconnex) | French and English |
| Ecole La Marelle | Montessori | 3–12 | Chêne-Bourg | French, English immersion |
| Ecole Montessori Meyrin | Montessori | 3–15 | Meyrin | French and English |
| Ecole Montessori-Nations | Montessori | 3–12 | Geneva (Petit-Saconnex) | French and English |
| Growing Together Montessori School | Montessori | 3–6 | Grand-Saconnex | French and English |
| Les Enfants de Marsillon | Montessori | 3–6 | Vessy (Veyrier) | French and English |
| Little Friends Montessori | Montessori | 3–6 | Thônex | French and English |
| Little Green House | First two cantonal school years | 4–6 | Gland (VD) | French and English |
| Montessori Grange Explorers | Montessori | 3–12 | Geneva (Eaux-Vives, Champel) | French and English |
| Montessori Happy Kids | Montessori | 3–6 | Grand-Lancy | French and English |
| Montessori l’Etincelle | Montessori | 3–6 | Coppet (VD) | French and English |
| Montessori L’Idylle | Montessori | 3–6 | Crans-près-Céligny (VD) | French and English |
| Montessori Little Birds | Montessori, PER objectives | 3–6 | Onex | French and English |
| Montessori Rive Gauche | Montessori, PER | 3–12 | Vésenaz | French and English; German from 6 |
| Montessori Saint-Jean | Montessori | 3–6 | Geneva (Saint-Jean) | French and English |
| The Montessori School Geneva | Montessori | 3–6 | Thônex | English |
| The Secret of Childhood | Montessori | 3–12 | Nyon (VD) | English and French |
| United Montessori Children | Montessori | 3–6 | Petit-Lancy | French and English |
School ages only; several schools also run toddler groups from 18 months.
What do international schools in Geneva cost?
Published 2026–27 tuition for the first primary year at the English-language schools runs from CHF 22,135 to 29,600, and final years cost up to CHF 39,200 at La Côte International School. The Deutsche Schule Genf charges CHF 13,200–15,480 from Grade 1. Bilingual schools publish up to CHF 34,000. Registration and capital fees are charged separately.
Every figure comes from the school’s own fee page, checked on 21 October 2026. Ranges run from the lowest published tuition, often a part-time place for the youngest children, to the final year, and cover tuition only:
- International School of Geneva, 2026–27: Pre-Reception CHF 20,000 (light) or 23,000, Classes 1–4 CHF 28,160, Classes 12–13 CHF 36,540, plus a CHF 500 capital charge every year (Ecolint, checked ).
- Collège du Léman, 2026–27 day fees; the boarding fee is CHF 117,500 a year (Collège du Léman, checked ).
- Geneva English School, 2026–27: full-time pre-school CHF 19,300, mornings only CHF 11,575; the CHF 3,000 deposit is refunded after the final term (Geneva English School, checked ).
- British School of Geneva, 2026–27: the CHF 1,045 registration fee is charged every year (British School of Geneva, checked ).
- Institut International de Lancy, 2026–27: English section CHF 10,140 (nursery mornings) to 31,290 (IB2); French section from CHF 9,920 (IIL, checked ).
- Bell International School, 2026–27: priced by days a week; Years 1–4 cost CHF 22,135 for four days or 28,235 for five (Bell, checked ).
- La Côte International School, 2026–27: exam costs are included, and a CHF 850 administration fee is charged each year (LCIS, checked ).
- Deutsche Schule Genf, 2026/27: CHF 11,625 for kindergarten, 13,200 for Grades 1–4 and 15,480 for Grades 5–12, class trips included (DSG, checked ).
- Swedish International School of Geneva, 2026–27: one fee for ages 4–12, lunch included (SISOG, checked ). Institut Le Rosey does not publish its fees (Le Rosey, checked ).
- Institut Florimont, 2026–27: CHF 19,700 (bilingual pre-school class) to 30,100 (IB); lunch costs CHF 2,800 a year (Florimont, checked ).
- Ecole Moser, no year stated: Geneva CHF 19,500 (5P) to 27,500 (Maturité); Grens CHF 18,500 (1P) to 34,000 (Maturité with IB) (Ecole Moser, checked ) (Ecole Moser, checked ) (Ecole Moser, checked ) (Ecole Moser, checked ).
- La Découverte, 2026–27: Geneva primary CHF 16,470–18,150, Mies CHF 17,200–18,950, Collège CHF 22,000 (La Découverte, checked ) (La Découverte, checked ).
- Adventist International School of Geneva, no year stated: fees depend on family income, from CHF 5,250 at age 3 to 21,210 when an institution pays (AIS Geneva, checked ).
- Ecole Active charges CHF 12,900 for every class, no year stated (Ecole Active, checked ); Ecole Eden charges CHF 15,000–16,500 at Frank-Thomas and 22,920–26,220 at Veyrier for 2026–27 (Ecole Eden, checked ) (Ecole Eden, checked ).
- La Nouvelle Ecole and Séquoia include lunch (La Nouvelle Ecole, checked ) (Séquoia, checked ); Ecole Mosaic’s half-day early-years places cost CHF 15,520 (Ecole Mosaic, checked ). No fees were found on the websites of Lignum Vitae and Ecole Totup (Lignum Vitae, checked ) (TotUP, checked ).
The Montessori and early-years figures also come from each school’s own page: Deux Mille Feuilles (Deux Mille Feuilles, checked ), Montessori 3 12 (Montessori 3 12, checked ), La Marelle (La Marelle, checked ), Montessori Meyrin (Montessori Meyrin, checked ), Montessori-Nations (Montessori-Nations, checked ), Growing Together (Growing Together, checked ), Les Enfants de Marsillon (Les Enfants de Marsillon, checked ), Little Friends (Little Friends, checked ), Little Green House (Little Green House, checked ), Grange Explorers (Grange Explorers, checked ), Happy Kids (Happy Kids, checked ), L’Idylle (L’Idylle, checked ), Little Birds (Little Birds, checked ), Rive Gauche (Rive Gauche, checked ), Saint-Jean (Montessori Saint-Jean, checked ) and United Montessori Children (United Montessori Children, checked ). Most price by weekly schedule rather than by age, several bill monthly over ten months, and many include lunch.
All published fees for Basel, Geneva, Zug and Zurich in one table, with a CSV download: international school fees 2026–27.
What do the fees leave out?
Lunch, the school bus, trips and exams are usually extra. Ecolint lists exams, trips, transport (CHF 3,505–4,440 a year) and lunch (CHF 470–2,430) as extras (Ecolint, checked ); the Geneva English School charges CHF 3,600–4,430 for the bus and CHF 600–2,990 for hot lunches (Geneva English School, checked ); La Côte International School adds compulsory ski and residential trips (LCIS, checked ). The British School of Geneva includes books and lunch supervision but charges separately for canteen lunch and the bus (British School of Geneva, checked ).
International schools: published tuition (CHF)
| School | Tuition a year (year) | One-off fees |
|---|---|---|
| Bell International School | 5,855–28,235 (2026–27; by days a week) | Enrolment 250 |
| British School of Geneva | 23,450–32,450 (2026–27) | Capital 3,000; registration 1,045 a year |
| Collège du Léman | 24,900–37,500 (2026–27; day) | Application 500; admission 3,800; refundable deposit 600 |
| Deutsche Schule Genf | 11,625–15,480 (2026/27) | Registration 500 |
| Geneva English School | 11,575–36,500 (2026–27) | Application 250; registration 1,500; capital 4,000; refundable deposit 3,000 |
| Institut International de Lancy | 9,920–31,290 (2026–27) | Enrolment 1,000; advance 2,000, deducted from fees |
| Institut Le Rosey | Not published | Not published |
| International School of Geneva | 20,000–36,540 (2026–27) | Application 250; registration 2,500; capital 4,000 |
| La Côte International School | 19,500–39,200 (2026–27) | Registration 3,000; administration 850 a year |
| Swedish International School of Geneva | 26,845 (2026–27; lunch included) | Application 250; enrolment 750 |
From each school’s fee page, checked 21 Oct 2026. The lowest figure is the youngest class, often part-time. Lunch, transport and trips are extra unless stated.
Bilingual schools: published tuition (CHF)
| School | Tuition a year (year) | One-off fees |
|---|---|---|
| Adventist International School of Geneva | 5,250–21,210 (by family income; no year stated) | Admission 300 |
| Ecole Active | 12,900 (all classes; no year stated) | None published |
| Ecole bilingue Séquoia | 20,200–28,200 (lunch included; no year stated) | Registration 450 |
| Ecole Eden | 15,000–26,220 (2026–27) | Registration 1,500 |
| Ecole et Collège La Découverte | 16,470–22,000 (2026–27) | Registration 500; guarantee 2,000 (primary) |
| Ecole Mosaic | 15,520–19,550 (2026–27) | Registration 1,990 (1,490 from the second child) |
| Ecole Moser | 18,500–34,000 (no year stated) | Administration 200 a year |
| Ecole Totup | Not published | Not published |
| Institut Florimont | 19,700–30,100 (2026–27) | Registration 500; re-registration 300 a year |
| La Nouvelle Ecole | 24,200–26,500 (2026–27; lunch included) | First enrolment 2,750; re-enrolment 550 a year |
| Lignum Vitae | Not published | Not published |
Montessori and early-years schools: published fees (CHF)
| School | Fees (year) | One-off fees |
|---|---|---|
| Deux Mille Feuilles | 19,500–20,700 a year (2025/26) | Not published |
| Ecole Bilingue Montessori 3 12 | 14,300–23,000 a year (2026–27) | Registration 250 a year |
| Ecole Internationale Maria Montessori | Not published | Not published |
| Ecole La Marelle | 1,150–1,490 a month over 10 months (no year stated) | Registration 350 a year |
| Ecole Montessori Meyrin | 9,555–22,575 a year (2025–26) | Registration 500 per section |
| Ecole Montessori-Nations | 19,500 a year, 21,950 with meals (no year stated) | Registration 500 a year; advance 1,000, deducted |
| Growing Together Montessori School | 1,299–1,999 a month over 10 months (2026/27) | Registration 500 for three years |
| Les Enfants de Marsillon | 1,950–2,350 a month (no year stated) | Registration 750 |
| Little Friends Montessori | 11,330–15,530 a year in three terms (2025–26; meals included) | None published |
| Little Green House (Gland) | 2,120–2,550 a month, day care and meals included (no year stated) | Registration 400 |
| Montessori Grange Explorers | From 1,290 (unit not stated) | Not published |
| Montessori Happy Kids | 14,000–17,500 a year (lunch included; no year stated) | Registration 500 a year |
| Montessori l’Etincelle | Not published | Not published |
| Montessori L’Idylle | On request (2026–27, by half-days) | Not published |
| Montessori Little Birds | 10,500–15,750 a year (2026–27) | Registration 250; first month’s fee 1,000 in advance |
| Montessori Rive Gauche | 15,700–20,700 a year (2024–25; lunch included) | Registration 250 a year; refundable guarantee 4,000 |
| Montessori Saint-Jean | 11,840–16,675 a year (2026/27; meals included) | File fee 250 |
| The Montessori School Geneva | Not published | Not published |
| The Secret of Childhood | Not published | Not published |
| United Montessori Children | 1,300–1,700 a month over 10 months (2026–27; lunch included) | Registration 400; re-registration 300 a year |
Ranges run from the shortest to the longest weekly schedule for ages 3 and over.
When do you apply to an international school in Geneva?
Most schools near Geneva take applications all year and offer places while they last, so there is rarely a deadline. The International School of Geneva makes offers for September from February to the end of August, and Le Rosey decides on applicants aged about 14–17 in rounds closing on 26 November 2026 and 11 February 2027.
The table summarises each school’s admissions page, checked on 21 October 2026. The usual steps are an enquiry, a visit or video call, an application with the last two years of school reports, and a meeting or assessment; the place is confirmed once the contract is signed and the first fees are paid (Ecolint, checked ) (Collège du Léman, checked ) (Geneva English School, checked ).
Sources for the other rows: Bell (Bell, checked ), British School of Geneva (British School of Geneva, checked ), Deutsche Schule Genf (DSG, checked ), Institut International de Lancy (IIL, checked ), La Côte International School (LCIS, checked ), Le Rosey (Le Rosey, checked ), Swedish International School (SISOG, checked ), Adventist International School (AIS Geneva, checked ), Séquoia (Séquoia, checked ), Ecole Eden (Ecole Eden, checked ), La Découverte (La Découverte, checked ) (La Découverte, checked ), Ecole Mosaic (Ecole Mosaic, checked ), Ecole Moser (Ecole Moser, checked ) (Ecole Moser, checked ), Institut Florimont (Florimont, checked ) and La Nouvelle Ecole (La Nouvelle Ecole, checked ).
Montessori and early-years schools
Most of these schools take children all year when a place is free; Ecole Montessori-Nations, Montessori Rive Gauche, Montessori Grange Explorers, Montessori Saint-Jean and Montessori l’Etincelle say so on their sites (Montessori-Nations, checked ) (Rive Gauche, checked ) (Grange Explorers, checked ) (Montessori Saint-Jean, checked ) (L’Etincelle, checked ). Montessori Saint-Jean keeps a free waiting list, The Montessori School Geneva gives priority to children with an English-speaking background and to siblings, and the Ecole Internationale Maria Montessori handles requests in order of arrival (The Montessori School Geneva, checked ) (Maria Montessori, checked ).
Application windows
| School | Application window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adventist International School of Geneva | Pre-admission form for 2026/27; no deadline stated | The form asks about languages and learning needs |
| Bell International School | Rolling, subject to space | Open days 16, 17, 19 and 20 Nov 2026; the place is secured by the signed contract |
| British School of Geneva | Rolling, all year | GL assessments from Year 3; English must be enough to follow lessons |
| Collège du Léman | Rolling, all year | Non-selective; a confidential report from the current school; review in five working days |
| Deutsche Schule Genf | No deadline published | Meeting with the section head; taster days for later entry |
| Ecole Active | Contact the school to pre-register | Enrolment is for a full ten-month school year |
| Ecole bilingue Séquoia | All year | Interview with the director |
| Ecole Eden | No deadline published | Visit by appointment; the registration fee confirms the place |
| Ecole et Collège La Découverte | Free waiting list through online pre-registration | Group visits twice a year; open days 29 Oct (Mies), 3 Nov (Collège) and 10 Nov 2026 (Geneva) |
| Ecole Mosaic | All year, first come, first served | Sibling priority; assessment with a written report within 48 hours; open day 5 Nov 2026 |
| Ecole Moser | Each application reviewed individually | Language tests for the bilingual streams; 5P entry from age 8 by 31 December |
| Ecole Totup | Not published | Not published |
| Geneva English School | Rolling, in order of application | Waiting list when a year is full; taster sessions; interview for A levels |
| Institut Florimont | All year | Meeting with the admissions manager and a visit; from age 3 |
| Institut International de Lancy | No deadline; entry during the year possible | Meeting with the section director; no automatic right to a place |
| Institut Le Rosey | Ages about 8–14: rolling, register June–September of the year before; ages about 14–17: rounds closing 26 Nov 2026 and 11 Feb 2027 | Campus day with tests in maths, English or French and the mother tongue |
| International School of Geneva | Rolling; September offers from February to end of August; entry during the year until 1 May | Two years of reports; the first six weeks are probationary |
| La Côte International School | Rolling, all year; August start advised | In-class assessment for Early Years; reply within 24 hours of a complete application |
| La Nouvelle Ecole | All year | Visit or meeting first |
| Lignum Vitae | Not published | Not published |
| Swedish International School of Geneva | No deadline; waiting list by date of application | Application fee of CHF 250 with the form |
From each school’s admissions page, checked 21 Oct 2026.
Which private schools does canton Geneva recognise?
Every private school in Geneva needs the canton’s prior authorisation to operate, under article 41 of the education law (LIP). The canton’s private schools service publishes a directory of authorised schools, last updated in October 2026 with 75 entries. In Vaud, the canton supervises private schools that teach children of compulsory school age.
Geneva’s education law (LIP) sets the rules (LIP C 1 10, checked ):
- Running a private school, for any teaching below university level, needs the department’s prior authorisation, which can be withdrawn at any time (art. 41).
- The department checks that compulsory schooling in private schools and at home meets the law; it can visit, sit in on lessons and assess pupils, and can require parents to move a child whose teaching is insufficient (art. 43).
- Private schools may take children into the first primary classes from age 3 by 31 December, a year earlier than public school (art. 43).
- Schools teaching children of compulsory school age must give enough lessons in French for them to integrate locally (art. 43).
The Service for the authorisation and supervision of private schools (SASEP) grants the authorisations and publishes the directory (opens in a new tab) (ge.ch, checked ) (ge.ch, checked ). The canton calls the directory indicative: the schools supply the information, and most private schools are neither subsidised nor recognised by the canton or the Confederation (ge.ch, checked ). The procedure is set out in the private schools regulation (REPriv) (REPriv C 1 10.83, checked ).
Canton Vaud
The Vaud education department authorises the teachers and heads of private schools and supervises private schools that take children of compulsory school age; it can check that teaching is at least equivalent to public school, but it does not vouch for methods or quality (vd.ch, checked ). Its list (opens in a new tab), dated 28 August 2026, names the schools subject to the private education law that agreed to appear on it, and the law is being revised (vd.ch, checked ) (vd.ch, checked ).
What it means for your child
Every child living in Geneva who is four by 31 July must be enrolled at a public school, a private school or at home (art. 55) (LIP C 1 10, checked ) (ge.ch, checked ). In Vaud, a child moving from a private to a public school normally joins a class for their age, and secondary pupils are assessed to set their level and stream (vd.ch, checked ).
How does public school work in Geneva for expat children?
Public school in Geneva is free and taught in French. Children who are four by 31 July start primary school that August, and school is compulsory to 15, with education or training to 18. Non-French speakers join an ordinary class and spend half their time in a reception class. Families enrol at the primary school nearest their home.
Public primary and lower secondary schools charge no tuition (LIP art. 51) (LIP C 1 10, checked ). Primary school runs from age 4 to 12, followed by the cycle d’orientation (lower secondary) (ge.ch, checked ). Schooling is compulsory to 15, and since August 2018 young people must stay in education or training until 18 (ge.ch, checked ).
To enrol a child after a move, phone the management of the primary school closest to your home; the school directorates assign the place, normally in your commune. Bring identity documents for the child and both parents, proof of health insurance, OCPM residence certificates under three months old, your lease and the last two years of school reports. Enrolment is possible from mid-August to the end of June (ge.ch, checked ).
Children who don’t speak French join a regular class and attend a reception class (classe d’accueil) half of the time (ge.ch, checked ). At cycle d’orientation age they start in reception classes; families apply online, at any point in the school year (ge.ch, checked ).
On the Vaud side, public school is also free, and children attend the school serving the area where they live (vd.ch, checked ). For housing and the rest of the move, see our Geneva city page and the guide to registering at your commune.
-
School starts
4 by 31 July
Children who are four by then start primary school that August.
Source ge.ch (opens in a new tab) ↗
-
Public school fees
CHF 0
No tuition in primary and lower secondary (LIP art. 51).
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Enrolment
Nearest school
Phone the management of the primary school closest to home.
Source ge.ch (opens in a new tab) ↗
Where can you compare schools in Geneva and other cities?
Our directory lists international schools in Geneva, and our guide to international schools in Switzerland explains curricula and university entry. Separate guides cover Zurich, Basel and Zug. The tables above include every school in this guide, whether or not it is listed in the directory.
Browse international schools in Geneva and schools and childcare in Geneva. Moving elsewhere? See international schools in Zurich, Basel and Zug, or start with how to choose an international school in Switzerland.
International schools listed in Geneva
Bell International School
International schools · GenèveEnglish-language nursery and primary school in Geneva for ages 2–9, teaching the English National Curriculum (EYFS to Year 4), with a bilingual English–French nursery.
Checked by our editors · not yet confirmed by the business.
Is this your business?British School of Geneva
International schools · GenèveEnglish-language day school in Châtelaine (Vernier) for ages 3–18, teaching the English National Curriculum to IGCSE and A levels.
Checked by our editors · not yet confirmed by the business.
Is this your business?Deutsche Schule Genf
International schools · GenèveGerman school in Vernier for ages 3–18, following the German curriculum from kindergarten to the Deutsches Internationales Abitur, with French as a foreign language.
Checked by our editors · not yet confirmed by the business.
Is this your business?Geneva English School
International schools · GenèveEnglish-language day school for ages 3–18: primary in Genthod, secondary in Versoix, teaching the English National Curriculum to IGCSE/GCSE and A levels.
Checked by our editors · not yet confirmed by the business.
Is this your business?Institut International de Lancy
International schools · GenèveDay school in Grand-Lancy for ages 3–19 with English (National Curriculum, IGCSE, IB Diploma), French (Brevet, French Bac) and bilingual sections.
Checked by our editors · not yet confirmed by the business.
Is this your business?Institut Le Rosey
International schools · GenèveBoarding school in Rolle (canton Vaud) for ages 8–18, teaching in English and French towards the IB Diploma or the French Baccalauréat, with a winter campus in Gstaad.
Checked by our editors · not yet confirmed by the business.
Is this your business?Frequently asked questions
How much does international school cost in Geneva?
Published 2026–27 tuition for the first primary year at the English-language schools runs from CHF 22,135 (Bell, four days a week) to CHF 29,600 (La Côte International School); final years cost up to CHF 39,200. Registration and capital fees, lunch and the bus are extra.
Is there an IB school in Geneva?
Yes. The International School of Geneva teaches the IB on all three campuses, and Collège du Léman, the Institut International de Lancy and Institut Florimont offer the IB Diploma. In canton Vaud, La Côte International School and Le Rosey offer it too.
Is there a British school in Geneva?
Yes. The Geneva English School and the British School of Geneva teach the English National Curriculum to A levels, Bell International School teaches it to Year 4, and the Institut International de Lancy’s English section follows it before the IGCSE and IB Diploma.
Can my child go to a Swiss public school in Geneva without French?
Yes. Public schools teach in French; primary pupils who don’t speak it join a regular class and spend half their time in a reception class, and older pupils start in reception classes at the cycle d’orientation.
When should I apply to an international school in Geneva?
Most schools take applications all year and fill places in order of application. The International School of Geneva makes September offers from February to August, and Le Rosey’s rounds for ages about 14–17 close on 26 November 2026 and 11 February 2027.
Are there bilingual French–English schools in Geneva?
Yes. Eleven private schools teach in French and English, among them Institut Florimont, Ecole Moser, Ecole Mosaic and La Découverte, and twenty Montessori and early-years schools near Geneva are bilingual or English-speaking.
At what age do children start school in Geneva?
Public school starts in August for children who are four by 31 July. Private schools may take children into the first primary classes from age 3, if they turn three by 31 December.
Sources
Last checked by the expat-services.ch editorial team
- Canton of Geneva, SASEP Répertoire des écoles privées, directory of authorised private schools (PDF, entries dated 8 October 2026; in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Canton of Geneva Service for the authorisation and supervision of private schools (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Canton of Geneva Choisir et fréquenter une école privée (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Canton of Geneva Loi sur l’instruction publique (LIP), art. 41, 43, 51 and 55 (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Canton of Geneva Règlement relatif à l’enseignement privé (REPriv) (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Canton of Geneva Inscrire mon enfant à l’école primaire (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Canton of Geneva Enrolling a child living in Geneva during the school year (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Canton of Geneva Cycle d’orientation: pupils who don’t speak French (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Canton of Geneva Formation obligatoire jusqu’à 18 ans (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Canton of Vaud, DGEO Private schools in canton Vaud for compulsory schooling (list dated 28 August 2026, PDF, in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Canton of Vaud Lieux et modalités de scolarisation: private schools and public school catchment (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- International School of Geneva International School of Geneva: our programmes (opens in a new tab)
- International School of Geneva International School of Geneva tuition and fees 2026–2027 (opens in a new tab)
- International School of Geneva International School of Geneva admissions process (opens in a new tab)
- Collège du Léman (Nord Anglia Education) Collège du Léman curricula guide (opens in a new tab)
- Collège du Léman (Nord Anglia Education) Collège du Léman tuition fees 2026–27 (opens in a new tab)
- Collège du Léman (Nord Anglia Education) Collège du Léman entry requirements (opens in a new tab)
- Geneva English School Geneva English School: secondary curriculum (opens in a new tab)
- Geneva English School Geneva English School fees 2026–2027 (opens in a new tab)
- Geneva English School Geneva English School admissions process (opens in a new tab)
- British School of Geneva British School of Geneva: A level college (opens in a new tab)
- British School of Geneva British School of Geneva tuition fees 2026–2027 (opens in a new tab)
- British School of Geneva British School of Geneva: how to apply (opens in a new tab)
- Bell Switzerland Bell International School: primary school (opens in a new tab)
- Bell Switzerland Bell International School admissions and fees 2026–27 (opens in a new tab)
- Institut International de Lancy Institut International de Lancy: English secondary programme (opens in a new tab)
- Institut International de Lancy Institut International de Lancy conditions and fees 2026–27 (opens in a new tab)
- Institut International de Lancy Institut International de Lancy: registration (opens in a new tab)
- La Côte International School (Nord Anglia Education) La Côte International School curricula guide (opens in a new tab)
- La Côte International School (Nord Anglia Education) La Côte International School tuition fees 2026–27 (opens in a new tab)
- La Côte International School (Nord Anglia Education) La Côte International School admissions (opens in a new tab)
- Institut Le Rosey Institut Le Rosey (opens in a new tab)
- Institut Le Rosey Institut Le Rosey: how to apply (opens in a new tab)
- Deutsche Schule Genf Deutsche Schule Genf fee overview 2026/2027 (PDF, in German) (opens in a new tab)
- Deutsche Schule Genf Deutsche Schule Genf: admission (opens in a new tab)
- Swedish International School of Geneva Swedish International School of Geneva: primary school (opens in a new tab)
- Swedish International School of Geneva Swedish International School of Geneva tuition and fees 2026–2027 (opens in a new tab)
- Swedish International School of Geneva Swedish International School of Geneva: how to apply (opens in a new tab)
- Institut Florimont Institut Florimont: bilingual track (opens in a new tab)
- Institut Florimont Institut Florimont tarifs 2026–2027 (PDF, in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Institut Florimont Institut Florimont: procédure d’admission (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Ecole Moser Ecole Moser Genève: primary admissions and fees (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Ecole Moser Ecole Moser Genève: collège admissions and fees (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Ecole Moser Ecole Moser Genève: cycle admissions by stream (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Ecole Moser Ecole Moser Nyon: primary admissions and fees (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Ecole Moser Ecole Moser Nyon: gymnase admissions and fees (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Ecole La Découverte Ecole La Découverte: fees 2026–2027 and admissions (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Collège La Découverte Collège La Découverte pricing 2026–2027 (opens in a new tab)
- Collège La Découverte Collège La Découverte (opens in a new tab)
- Ecole Mosaic Ecole Mosaic tuition fees 2026–27 (opens in a new tab)
- Ecole Mosaic Ecole Mosaic: how to apply (opens in a new tab)
- Adventist International School of Geneva Adventist International School of Geneva: tuition (opens in a new tab)
- Adventist International School of Geneva Adventist International School of Geneva: enrol your child (opens in a new tab)
- Ecole Active Ecole Active: tuition and fees (opens in a new tab)
- Ecole Eden Ecole Eden, Veyrier campus: fees and admissions 2026–2027 (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Ecole Eden Ecole Eden, Frank-Thomas campus: fees and admissions 2026–2027 (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Ecole bilingue Séquoia Ecole bilingue Séquoia: fees and admissions (opens in a new tab)
- La Nouvelle Ecole La Nouvelle Ecole Geneva tuition 2026–2027 (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- La Nouvelle Ecole La Nouvelle Ecole: bilingual school in Geneva (opens in a new tab)
- Lignum Vitae Lignum Vitae, Ecole pour tous (opens in a new tab)
- TotUP TotUP nurseries and primary school (opens in a new tab)
- Deux Mille Feuilles Montessori School Deux Mille Feuilles: schedule and fees 2025/2026 (opens in a new tab)
- Ecole Bilingue Montessori 3 12 Genève Ecole Bilingue Montessori 3 12: tarifs 2026–2027 (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Ecole La Marelle Ecole La Marelle: admission and fees (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Ecole Montessori Meyrin Ecole Montessori Meyrin: tarifs 2025–2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Ecole Montessori-Nations Ecole Montessori-Nations: conditions financières (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Ecole Montessori-Nations Ecole Montessori-Nations: conditions d’admission (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Growing Together Montessori School Growing Together Montessori School: admissions and fees 2026/27 (opens in a new tab)
- Les Enfants de Marsillon Les Enfants de Marsillon: inscriptions and fees (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Little Friends Montessori School Little Friends Montessori: horaires et frais 2025–2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Little Green House Little Green House Gland: childcare and school, fees (opens in a new tab)
- Montessori Grange Explorers School Montessori Grange Explorers: horaires et tarifs (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Montessori Grange Explorers School Montessori Grange Explorers: admission (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Montessori Happy Kids Montessori Happy Kids: frais de scolarité (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Ecole Montessori l’Etincelle Montessori l’Etincelle: admission (opens in a new tab)
- Ecole Montessori L’Idylle Ecole Montessori L’Idylle: tarification 2026–2027 (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Ecole Montessori Little Birds Montessori Little Birds: tarifs 2026–2027 (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Montessori Rive Gauche Montessori Rive Gauche: tarifs d’écolage 2024–2025 (PDF, in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Montessori Rive Gauche Montessori Rive Gauche: conditions générales (PDF, in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Montessori Saint-Jean Montessori Saint-Jean: horaires et tarifs 2026/27 (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Montessori Saint-Jean Montessori Saint-Jean: inscription (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- The Montessori School Geneva The Montessori School Geneva: the school (opens in a new tab)
- The Montessori School Geneva The Montessori School Geneva: admissions (opens in a new tab)
- Ecole Internationale Maria Montessori Ecole Internationale Maria Montessori: admissions (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- United Montessori Children United Montessori Children: tarifs 2026–2027 (in French) (opens in a new tab)