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Join our Virtual Open House : 3 live sessions - 11th February 2026
Choosing the right primary school in Geneva is one of the most important decisions families make and today, parents are looking for more than just strong academic results. They want a school where children love to learn, develop real-world skills, express their creativity, and grow with confidence. At Collège du Léman (CDL), a leading international primary school in Geneva, that’s exactly what we deliver every day.
For children moving from Pre-school, whether they’ve been at CDL or are joining from another school, the transition into Primary is an important milestone in their learning journey. It’s where early curiosity becomes structured exploration, independence begins to flourish, and foundational academic skills are firmly established. It lays the solid foundations necessary for Middle School and beyond. Each child moves forward confident, curious, ready for the next stage of their education, and with a strong sense of who they are.
"At Collège du Léman, our Primary School is more than a place to learn subjects, it’s where children aged 6 to 11 build confidence, explore their curiosity, and discover their passions. In a nurturing environment that places well-being at its heart, we guide the students every day. Through hands-on projects, language immersion, and collaborative learning, we ensure that each child feels known, supported, inspired, and ready for the next step in their educational journey.”
Mathieu Hartmann, Principal, CDL Primary
At Collège du Léman, we guide students from ages 2 to 18, offering continuity and care at every stage of their educational journey. In our Primary School, children aged 6 to 11 learn within a vibrant international community of 80 nationalities, while the wider school brings together over 120 nationalities, all on a green campus just steps from the Léman Lake. Inspired by their surroundings and enriched by daily intercultural exchanges, students connect with peers from around the world in a safe, stimulating environment that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and confidence, a true microcosm of the world in which they are growing up.
At Collège du Léman Primary School, learning is active, creative, and firmly rooted in real-world experiences. From the early years onwards, students are encouraged to think deeply, make connections, and take increasing ownership of their learning.
Each day, Primary students engage in hands-on learning that sparks curiosity, encourages metacognitive thinking, and deepens understanding across the curriculum. Teachers make thinking visible through simple thinking routines such as “What do I know? What do I wonder? What have I learned?” These help children pause, reflect on their understanding, and become more aware of how their thinking develops over time.
Students are guided to reflect on how they learn, set meaningful goals, and evaluate their strategies across subjects. Whether they are writing and performing stories inspired by global traditions, exploring mathematics through problem-solving and pattern discovery, or developing digital skills through computer science, robotics, and coding, learning is purposeful and engaging. Watch this video to learn more about Metacognition.
Families can choose from three language pathways: Anglophone, Francophone, or Bilingual, with full immersion in English and French. Depending on their pathway and individual strengths, students follow either the Cambridge Primary Curriculum in English and Mathematics or the Éducation Nationale Française in French and Mathematics. This personalised approach ensures academic rigour while supporting each child’s linguistic development and confidence.
Primary students follow the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) alongside specialist subjects such as Physical Education, Visual and Performing Arts, and Computer Science. Teaching takes place in both English and French, creating a balanced programme that supports academic excellence, creativity, and international-mindedness.
Learning in Primary is enriched through specialist programmes and global opportunities, including Nord Anglia Education’s Global Campus, STEAM initiatives, and collaborations with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Juilliard School music programme. Through structured learning, collaboration, and regular opportunities to present and perform, Primary students build confidence, independence, and a love of learning.
Academic growth at Collège du Léman is purposeful and ambitious—closely connected to each student’s interests, strengths, and future pathways.
Alongside academic learning, student wellbeing and holistic development are at the heart of daily life at CDL. Children practise mindfulness through moments of reflection that help them recognise emotions, build focus, and develop self-awareness, and they engage in meaningful dialogue through initiatives such as the EDIB book of the month (Equality, Diversity, Inclsuion and Belonging).
Outdoor learning and experiential opportunities play a key role, from exploring our green campus and surrounding natural environments to Upper Primary mountain camps, including a ski camp that fosters independence, teamwork, and resilience.
At CDL, social and emotional growth is as important as academic achievement. Our students learn to collaborate, lead, and support their peers, develop resilience when facing new challenges, and build meaningful friendships. Through team projects, outdoor activities, and guided group experiences, students cultivate confidence, empathy, and leadership skills, preparing them to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
These opportunities are embedded in daily life: Level 5 Primary Ambassadors help younger students, lead by example, and support school initiatives, while school buddies welcome new students, guiding them socially and even having lunch together to help them settle in.
As a school for students aged 2 to 18, we regularly create opportunities for Secondary and High School students to work alongside Primary students, strengthening community bonds and modelling leadership across age groups. One particularly popular example is our High School STEAM rocket club, which regularly inspires and engages Primary students!
At CDL, academic excellence goes hand-in-hand with wellbeing. Our structured pastoral care, with a dedicated team of Counsellors and Learning Support teachers, small class sizes, and supportive educators ensure each child feels seen, challenged, and supported.
For children transitioning from Pre-school, this period is carefully guided to make the start of Primary smooth, inspiring, and confidence-building. Primary at CDL is not just a phase, it’s a key milestone in every child’s educational journey, laying the foundations for Middle School Secondaire and beyond.
We invite families to experience life at Collège du Léman firsthand. Come visit our campus, meet our teachers, and see our Primary classrooms, enrichment programmes, leadership initiatives, and holistic approach in action.
📞 Contact our Admissions Team: +41 22 775 56 56 | admissions@cdl.ch