OUR HISTORY

For over 60 years, Collège du Léman has helped more than 20,000 students discover the value of openness, internationalism, and co-operation.

Collège Du Léman was created to meet the needs of a new world, in which ambition and a global perspective can take you to amazing places.

Celebrating more than 60 years of Learning

College du Leman was founded in 1960 by Francis and Inge Clivaz, Swiss educators.

In the late 1950s, Francis and Inge Clivaz saw a city that was becoming home to many international businesses and organisations. A number of multilateral organisations, non-governmental organisations and multinational corporations had started setting up their headquarters in Geneva.

Geneva needed a school that could provide a truly international education for students from many different countries and a welcoming, safe atmosphere for students and parents alike.

Read their 60th anniversary message.

1960

The school opened in May 1960, on the site of a former school.

Its peaceful location on the right bank of Lake Geneva placed it between the thriving city and the beautiful countryside.

Today the school enjoys a green, village-like campus that promotes the health and wellbeing that Switzerland is famous for.

1960

In 1978, CDL secured its first of a number of accreditations.

Its commitment to global-mindedness enabled it to secure its first bilingual accreditation from the European Council of International Schools (ECIS) and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in 1978. Another accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges followed in 1998. CDL is also now an IB World School.

College du Leman is also a part of AGEP, GESBF and Swiss Learning. Learn more about our accreditations and associations.

1978

In 2015, Collège du Léman joined the Nord Anglia Education family of schools.

Nord Anglia Education is a family of 89 premium international schools, based in 37 countries around the world. NAE offers personalised, inspiring learning to more than 100,000 students between 2 and 18 years old.

2015

In 2019, Pauline Nord became our first female Director General.

Mrs Pauline Nord joined Collège du Léman in 1987 as a Mathematics teacher. After holding several senior leadership positions, she became the school's first female Director General in 2019. She played a key role in the school's development, notably by introducing the bilingual programme in Pre-school and Primary.

As Director General, Pauline Nord strengthened our school community, championed academic excellence and guided generations of students towards success, leaving a lasting legacy at Collège du Léman.

2019

In 2020, we celebrated the 60th Anniversary of Collège du Léman.

For 60 years, we have made it our mission to help students to embrace the values that will help them succeed anywhere they wish to go. We give them the confidence to discover and hone their talents, and the openness to explore and respect new languages and cultures.

2020

More than 60 years of learning and friendships. Students join our CDL family for life and we keep in touch with our alumni around the world.

Today we have nearly 1700 students from 120 nationalities. We celebrate our diversity and our community is brought together by our RISE Values.

students