Our history

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 here.

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.

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).

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

Nord Anglia Education is a family of 68 premium international schools, based in 29 countries around the world. NAE offers personalised, inspiring learning to more than 67,000 students between 2 and 18 years old.

• Thinking beyond traditional education (learn more)
• Supporting the worlds best teachers (learn more)
• Exceptional places to learn (learn more)

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

Mrs. Nord has been with CDL since 1987 and has been instrumental in helping to drive the school’s success. During her time at the school, Mrs. Nord has held a number of senior positions, including the Middle School Math Coordinator, the Director of Primary & Preschool as well as more recently Academic Director.

As Director General, Mrs. Nord's goal is to continue to build the excellent school community and help the students continue to achieve outstanding academic results.

This year, in 2020, we are celebrating 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.