Why include Saint-Charles in a riding family’s shortlist?
Saint-Charles International School is in Porrentruy, in French-speaking Switzerland. It is first a school with academic and boarding provision. Its current sports information includes horse riding, giving families a starting point for discussing how an existing interest might continue.
I saw this arena during the visit, alongside the school’s learning and living environment. Seeing facilities is valuable; it does not by itself establish each student’s coach, training frequency or competition programme.
A beginner and an established competitor need different answers
| Experience | First questions |
|---|---|
| New or recreational rider | Appropriate lessons, horses and supervision within the activity timetable. |
| Regular rider | A sustainable term-time frequency, riding time, coach and transport. |
| Competition ambitions | Assessment by the relevant coach and a specific plan for horses, events, accompaniment and academics. |
Families seeking intensive training, a competition season or arrangements for their own horse should make those needs explicit. LEP will take them to the school for an individual response. They should not be assumed to be included in a standard boarding package.
Choose the academic direction first
Saint-Charles offers an English-language IB direction and a separate Swiss curriculum route. Language preparation, placement and graduation timing differ. Riding facilities should complement a suitable education, rather than determine it before those questions have been answered.
A family considering international university options can explore the IB, while the Swiss route requires its own language and progression assessment. Students with substantial training demands should check how schoolwork, assessments and travel will coexist. Read our guide to training and university planning.
Connect boarding care with time at the stable
The school offers seven-day boarding. Its accommodation, fitness and swimming facilities made an impression on me during the visit. Good living facilities and an agreed arrangement for off-campus training are, however, separate practical questions.
Map out a training day and an event day: permission, transport, accompaniment, return time and missed meals or study. When parents are abroad, responsibility needs to be attached to an identifiable role, not a general promise of care.
Budget beyond tuition and boarding
The 2026/27 seven-day boarding fee sheet gives CHF 92,500 for IB Diploma tuition and basic board. Optional and off-campus sports expenses are separate items. First-year charges, insurance, deposits and account advances also need to be distinguished; the budget guide explains the structure.
How LEP helps families progress
Through our direct school relationship, we can present academic goals, boarding needs and riding experience together. We help establish educational fit, gather the school’s response on riding needs and organise useful visit questions. The school decides admission, and relevant coaches assess riding suitability.
Send us the child’s age, grade, language profile and recent training and competition experience. The full Saint-Charles school and visit guide provides the broader context.
Discuss your child’s school and riding plans with LEP
Tell us the age, grade, languages, riding experience, horse arrangements and annual budget. LEP begins with school and course fit, then coordinates the specific questions with the school.
Sources and verification
Saint-Charles Co-Curricular Activities, IB Programme, Swiss Programme, Accommodation and 7 days boarding fees 2026–2027; James Liu’s visit observations and photographs. Checked 6 October 2026.