Why consider a school of this size?
Chantemerle’s boarding campus is in Blonay, near Montreux and Lake Geneva, in French-speaking Switzerland. Its Matura teaching programme is in Vevey. Founded in 1966, the school currently describes a community of around 45 boarders and 55 day pupils. [1]
The impression it made on me came from the relationship between its size and what it offered. For a very small school, the extracurricular facilities felt comprehensive. The setting was beautiful and the living environment warm and personal.
I also saw the accommodation. Its quality and the surrounding scenery were highlights of my visit. For parents who want a setting where their child can become familiar with teachers and other pupils, this is an environment worth seeing in person.
That is a visit-based judgment, and the child’s personality matters. Some pupils prefer a familiar small community; others want a larger school with more social choices.
For an English-medium education, look at IGCSE and A Levels
The Cambridge English pathway is the starting point for families considering secondary education in English. The surrounding region being French-speaking does not mean every course requires French on entry. [2]
| Stage | Usual ages published by the school | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| English secondary preparation | Cambridge pathway overall: around 11–18 | Build English-medium subject foundations |
| IGCSE | Usually 14–16 | Broad subject foundations before upper-secondary choices |
| A Levels | Usually 16–18 | Deeper study of fewer subjects, chosen with university degrees in mind |
A Levels allow students to concentrate on fewer subjects in greater depth. Subject choice must still match the intended degree: engineering, economics and life sciences may require different combinations. The school’s ability to provide those subjects should be confirmed before enrolment. [2]
LEP examines the student’s current curriculum, English and possible degree plans before discussing the appropriate entry stage with the school. National year-group labels are not enough to establish an equivalent placement.
What if English is still developing, or French is new?
The school offers intensive English and French learning and integration programmes combining language development with academic subjects and boarding life. A student not yet ready for an examination course may benefit from a preparation period before starting the formal qualification. [1][3]
For the French route, integration provision for non-native speakers aims towards B1/B2 proficiency. That is a language-development objective, not a universal admission threshold for every class. Entry to a specific year still needs assessment. [4]
The practical questions are how much academic teaching the student can follow now, how long remains before examinations and whether the family can allow time for preparation.
How does boarding work when parents stay abroad?
The school currently accepts day pupils from age six and boarders from age nine, with five- and seven-day options. Families remaining abroad should primarily examine the full arrangements attached to seven-day boarding. [1]
Published information describes rooms generally shared by two or three pupils, separate living areas for boys and girls, daily supervision, night duty and supervised study. Sport, arts, outdoor activities and limits on screen time form part of daily life. [5]
The school’s arrangements explain how boarding operates; visiting helps a family decide whether the small, welcoming atmosphere suits their child.
What does the 2026/27 school year cost?
The following are published 2026/27 fees in Swiss francs (CHF). Day tuition, five-day boarding and seven-day boarding should be compared separately. [6]
| Programme | Day tuition / year | Tuition + five-day boarding | Tuition + seven-day boarding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swiss lower secondary | CHF 25,500 | CHF 51,500 | CHF 59,500 |
| Swiss Matura programme | CHF 25,500 | CHF 51,500 | CHF 59,500 |
| Cambridge IGCSE / A Levels | CHF 29,500 | CHF 54,500 | CHF 62,500 |
For the English route with parents living abroad, the relevant starting figure is CHF 62,500 for tuition and seven-day boarding. A further non-refundable CHF 1,600 covers the listed admission, learning-material, uniform and cultural/arts items. Together these total CHF 64,100, before budgeting for insurance, examinations, transport and personal optional activities. [6]
The English seven-day rate states that weekends and mid-term breaks are included; the five-day option excludes these periods. Confirm actual residence dates against the school calendar: seven-day boarding does not mean every holiday throughout the year is automatically covered. Personal-account advances should be separated from actual spending. [6]
Chantemerle can merit a place on a budget-conscious shortlist. Value depends on the curriculum, living arrangements and support the pupil needs. LEP compares equivalent packages, rather than comparing one school’s day fees with another’s full boarding.
Can students progress to Swiss universities?
Swiss universities can be part of the plan, but A Levels and the Swiss Maturité have different admission conditions. The country where a pupil attends school and the qualification they receive are different questions.
The English A Level route can support applications in the UK, US, Netherlands and other destinations recognising the qualification. For Switzerland, check the exact certificate, subjects, results and teaching-language requirements of each university. A Levels do not automatically grant admission to all Swiss institutions. [7][8]
EPFL is an important example: its current guidance excludes International Advanced Levels as an entrance qualification for its bachelor’s programmes or CMS. A student aiming specifically for EPFL needs to check the route before starting, not shortly before graduating. [9]
Chantemerle’s three-year federal Matura preparation is a separate option, taught mainly in French, with a French-English bilingual format also available. Teaching is at LémanMaturité in Vevey, with boarding in Blonay. It involves broad subject and language commitments, beyond simply adding French to an English course. [4]
EPFL currently accepts the Swiss gymnasial Maturité for undergraduate admission. That is a concrete reason to examine this route. Other universities, subject-specific conditions, language requirements and special cases such as medicine must be checked separately; it is not unconditional access to every Swiss degree. [9]
Families prioritising Swiss universities can begin French and Maturité planning early. Those seeking English-medium study and several international destinations can first explore A Levels, with subject choices driven by the intended universities. LEP helps families understand these alternatives before enrolment.
Who is it for, and why discuss it with LEP?
Chantemerle deserves attention from families seeking a small school, a warm boarding environment and English A Levels. Families with enough preparation time can also assess the French-language route towards Swiss universities.
A pupil wanting a large campus community, or approaching graduation while needing substantial language preparation, should compare other options carefully. The lake views and accommodation alone cannot decide the school choice.
I have visited the school and spoken directly with its head. LEP maintains close cooperation with Chantemerle, allowing us to discuss the required subjects, language support, boarding and school resources in relation to a particular pupil, then assist with the application, visa procedures and arrival arrangements.
Our Luxembourg base gives families abroad a continuing point of contact working in a compatible European time zone. It also lets us connect school choice with longer-term European education plans, beyond passing on a prospectus.
Under LEP’s current arrangement, the LEP school application service fee is waived for partner-school applications we handle through 15 September 2027. School and third-party charges and other specialist services are separate; the applicable scope is explained before work begins.
Want to compare A Levels with a Swiss university pathway?
Contact LEP with your child’s age, current year, English and French levels, possible university destinations and annual budget. We can assess the appropriate route before discussing it with the head and admissions team.
Course and fee sources · checked 28 September 2026
- Ages, school size and campuses
- Cambridge IGCSE and A Levels
- Language and academic support
- Federal Matura preparation in Vevey
- Boarding and rooms
- 2026/27 fees and inclusions
- Cambridge International A Level recognition
- ETH admission requirements
- EPFL admission FAQ
Visit observations are James Liu’s own; photographs are LEP’s. Fees refer to the stated academic year. Confirm the individual offer with the school before enrolment.