Secondary School Curriculum (Ages 12 to 18)

During this time, students start to make important choices about their future. Our Swiss day and boarding school supports them every step of the way as they solidify the skills and knowledge needed to achieve their goals.

Our private secondary school is divided into two parts:

• Grades 9 and 10 (middle school): Students follow our bilingual French-English pathway or the pre-IB (International Baccalaureate programme in English) pathway.

• Grades 11 to 14 (high school): Students focus on diploma preparation, choosing either the bilingual Swiss Maturité, French Baccalaureate or International Baccalaureate in English.

With each of our diploma programmes, we provide a rigorous curriculum rooted in our Swiss standards of excellence. Our approach to teaching enables students not only to learn, but to understand how they learn. It helps them become inquisitive and highly skilled lifelong learners. Along the way, they develop the teamwork and leadership skills they will need to succeed in all their future endeavours.

Our three internationally recognised diploma programmes enable students to follow the pathway that best fits their interests and future goals. At the same time, as part of Nord Anglia Education, our students benefit from enhanced learning opportunities through our Juilliard Performing Arts programme; our STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) programme with MIT; and our collaboration with UNICEF.

Multilingual Education and Support

Collège Champittet offers a French-English bilingual programme throughout secondary school. In addition, we offer two German language tracks – standard and advanced – until Grade 11, or Grade 14 for Swiss Maturité students. From Grade 9, students may also elect to study Italian instead of German.

A higher level of French is required to pursue the Swiss Maturité and French Baccalaureate, while a higher level of English is required for the International Baccalaureate. Regardless of which programme they pursue, we encourage all students to develop their language skills. Our French as a Foreign Language (FLE) programme has been specially designed to support non-francophone students in becoming confident communicators in French. To learn more, please see our FLE programme flyer.

Choosing Between 3 Internationally Recognised Diplomas

Collège Champittet is proud to offer three internationally recognised diplomas: the bilingual Swiss Maturité, the French Baccalaureate and the International Baccalaureate in English. Each curriculum has its own unique features, including main language and the option to specialise in certain subject areas. The decision to choose one diploma over another may depend on a student’s academic interests, linguistic preferences and desired destination after graduation. More details on each diploma are available in our Curriculum, our Three Diplomas brochure and our International Baccalaureate brochure.

Whichever diploma programme students decide to follow, our private high school prepares them to apply to some of the best universities in Switzerland and worldwide. Every student at Collège Champittet receives career counselling and guidance from Grade 9. This provides them with the support they need to succeed in higher education and the professional world. For more information on how we prepare students for university and beyond, please see Our Results.