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Brillantmont International School is a boutique Swiss boarding and day school in Lausanne, welcoming students aged 13 to 18 in a highly personalised environment. Founded in 1882 and still run by the same family, Brillantmont combines city access, strong pastoral care and an academically focused pathway from Grades 8 and 9 into a one-year IGCSE programme, followed by British A Levels or the High School Diploma.
Brillantmont International School in Lausanne occupies a very specific place in the Swiss boarding school landscape. Unlike many mountain boarding schools, Brillantmont offers a genuinely city-based experience in a safe, green residential area of Lausanne, just minutes from the lake, forest, cultural venues and high-level sports infrastructure. This makes it especially attractive to families looking for a Swiss boarding school with more urban energy, easier access to music, dance or sports clubs, and a stronger sense of independent city life.
Academically, Brillantmont is not simply “an international school in Switzerland”. It is a boutique school with a clearly structured Grades 8 to 12 progression. Students build broad foundations in Grades 8 and 9, move into a one-year IGCSE programme in Grade 10, then choose between British A Levels and the High School Diploma in Grades 11 and 12. For families specifically searching for A Levels in Switzerland, Brillantmont is one of the most distinctive names in the market.
The school’s long-term family ownership also matters. Founded in 1882 and still run by the same family, Brillantmont has preserved a more human, home-from-home atmosphere than many institutions with larger populations or more corporate structures. For teenagers who need individual attention, pastoral closeness and a smaller international environment, this is often one of Brillantmont’s strongest advantages.
A concise and SEO-focused overview of Brillantmont International School in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Lausanne, Switzerland, in a green setting close to Lake Geneva and major sports facilities.
Private international boarding school.
13 to 18 years old.
Grades 8 to 12, with Term Abroad, Winter Course and 13th Grade options.
On-campus boarding, with boys and girls housed separately by age.
Grades 8–9, then IGCSE in Grade 10, followed by A Levels or the High School Diploma.
Teaching in English, with French as the host language and English support where needed.
A boutique-size school with around 80 students from about 30 cultures.
Main entry is usually in August, with January and term-based options also available.
Term Abroad, 13th Grade, Summer Course and Winter Course.
CIS and NEASC reaccreditation support the school’s international standing.
Registration fee: CHF 2,000. Annual boarding fees: from CHF 99,500 to CHF 111,000.
*Fees vary by programme and selected options. Billed in CHF.
The academic structure at Brillantmont is one of the key areas that needed to be corrected and clarified. The school should be understood as a staged Grades 8 to 12 pathway, not merely as “A Levels and American Diploma”.
Grades 8 and 9 at Brillantmont build strong academic foundations in a broad curriculum designed for international teenagers. These years include STEAM courses in Robotics and Coding, helping students develop curiosity, digital confidence and stronger learning habits before entering the exam years. French is part of the programme, and English support is available when needed.
In Grade 10, Brillantmont prepares students for British IGCSE examinations in one year. Students usually take five to seven subjects, including Mathematics, English, at least one foreign language, at least one humanities subject and at least one science. This one-year structure is particularly interesting for internationally mobile students who want a recognised external qualification within a shorter timeframe.
From Grade 11 onwards, students choose between British A Levels and the High School Diploma. A Levels allow students to specialise in three, four or even five subjects in depth, while the High School Diploma follows a credit-based model across the High School years. Brillantmont also prepares students for PSAT and SAT testing, and some students combine elements of both academic profiles depending on their future university strategy.
Brillantmont also offers flexible alternatives beyond the core school year. Students may join for a term abroad, experience the Winter Course in January and February, or complete a 13th Grade / Post High School year before university. This flexibility makes Brillantmont particularly relevant for families seeking a shorter Swiss international school experience or a structured bridge year in Europe.
Brillantmont is especially attractive to families looking for a smaller Swiss boarding school in Lausanne, with city access, strong individual attention and a clearer A Levels route than most competing schools in the region.
Brillantmont stands out for families specifically searching for British IGCSE and A Levels in Switzerland, while also offering the High School Diploma as an alternative post-16 route.
The school offers a rare “best of both worlds” profile: a green, safe Lausanne location with access to culture, sports, transport and local clubs, while still being close to ski resorts and mountain weekends.
Still run by the same family since its foundation, Brillantmont has preserved a more personal and values-driven atmosphere than many larger or more institutional schools.
Its smaller population gives students more visibility, easier teacher access, closer follow-up and a faster sense of belonging, which is especially valuable for teenagers relocating internationally.
Boarding is designed around safety, structure and emotional support, with well-being positioned at the centre of school life and a strong home-from-home ethos across the campus.
Brillantmont starts university guidance from Grade 10 and states that 100% of its students continue to higher education, which is a major point of reassurance for internationally ambitious families.
Brillantmont students continue to higher education around the world. Some destinations highlighted on this page include North America, the United Kingdom and Europe.
Student life at Brillantmont is shaped by boarding, city access, sports, arts, service and a strong after-school rhythm. This is not an isolated mountain campus model; it is a Lausanne-based boarding experience with much wider day-to-day opportunities beyond the classroom.
This official Brillantmont video introduces the school’s Lausanne setting, boutique boarding environment, academic identity and overall student experience in Switzerland.
“A city-based Swiss boarding school with a genuinely personal, family-run feel.”
Why many families shortlist BrillantmontPractical answers to some of the questions families most often ask when exploring Brillantmont International School in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Brillantmont offers a Grades 8 to 12 pathway: a broad curriculum in Grades 8 and 9, a one-year IGCSE programme in Grade 10, then either British A Levels or the High School Diploma in Grades 11 and 12.
Brillantmont is especially known for A Levels in Switzerland. Its post-16 pathways are British A Levels or the High School Diploma, rather than the IB Diploma Programme.
Brillantmont is both a boarding school and a day school. Boarding accommodation is on campus, with a strong home-from-home and pastoral approach.
Yes. In addition to the regular school year, Brillantmont offers ongoing admissions, term abroad options and a Winter Course, which makes more flexible entry possible for some students.
The school year programme is for students aged 13 to 18, corresponding broadly to Grades 8 to 12.
The boarding registration fee is CHF 2,000 and annual boarding fees range from CHF 99,500 to CHF 111,000.
We do more than introduce the school. We help families assess whether Brillantmont is the right strategic match in terms of academic pathway, city versus Alpine lifestyle, boarding readiness and university direction.
We help families assess whether Brillantmont’s A Levels or High School Diploma route better suits the student’s academic profile, university geography and long-term ambitions.
We help compare Brillantmont’s urban Swiss environment with more Alpine boarding schools, depending on the child’s personality, independence and extracurricular priorities.
We help families judge whether Brillantmont’s smaller, more personal boarding model is the right emotional and pastoral fit for their teenager.
We guide families through timing, academic choice, positioning, communication with the school and the broader Swiss school comparison process.
Choose the contact option that suits you best. We can help you assess academic fit, boarding suitability, school culture, Lausanne lifestyle and the best next admissions steps.
Schedule a short consultation to discuss your child’s profile and whether Brillantmont could be a relevant option in Switzerland.
Get in touch directly for quick questions about Brillantmont, A Levels in Switzerland, boarding life or admissions timing.
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You can also visit Brillantmont International School’s official website for further information.
Families considering Brillantmont also often compare other Swiss schools depending on whether they prioritise Lausanne location, broader age range, girls-only education, Alpine boarding life or a different academic architecture.
Champittet is a strong comparison for families who want a wider age range, a larger and more traditional Catholic-rooted school environment near Lausanne, with different curriculum options and a broader local footprint.
Surval is relevant for families who like the idea of a boutique Swiss boarding school on the Lake Geneva side, but are specifically interested in a girls-only environment with a different social and academic positioning.
La Garenne is a useful comparison for families who want a more Alpine, younger-age boarding environment with a different curriculum progression and a stronger resort-style mountain identity than Brillantmont.
This article outlines the comprehensive and progressive coding curriculum at Brillantmont International School, detailing how students build from foundational Python programming and computational thinking to advanced web development with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, all within a supportive, personalised learning environment that prepares them for future academic and professional success.
The article highlights the participation and achievements of Brillantmont International School students in the Waterloo University mathematics competitions, emphasizing the school’s commitment to fostering mathematical excellence and the challenging nature of the competitions. It celebrates the distinctions earned by James, Kathy, and Apple, with special recognition of James’s outstanding performance and dedication to mathematics.
The article highlights the outstanding achievements of the YES Club at Brillantmont International School in the BSL Entrepreneurial Challenge, with teams EDu and FashionApp making it to the finals and EDu winning the best business model award. It underscores the students’ innovation, the supportive learning environment at Brillantmont, and the mentorship opportunities that lie ahead for the winning team.
The article highlights the 8th and 9th Grade programmes at Brillantmont International School, emphasizing their comprehensive curriculum, focus on holistic development, and the supportive, family-like environment. It underscores the importance of these formative years in shaping students’ academic and personal futures, offering an ideal opportunity for an international study experience free from exam pressures. The school’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded, internationally-minded individuals is evident through its diverse academic and extracurricular offerings.
Brillantmont International School offers a unique blend of tradition, excellence, and personalised education, set in the inspiring location of Lausanne. With a legacy spanning over 140 years, the school provides a stable and nurturing environment for students from over 30 nationalities. Its small class sizes ensure a tailored educational experience, preparing students for global success through academic excellence, cultural awareness, and leadership development. The school’s graduates are well-equipped to excel in prestigious universities worldwide, making Brillantmont a distinguished choice for parents seeking a comprehensive and forward-thinking education for their children.
The article highlights the significant achievements of Brillantmont International School students at the THIMUN conference in Singapore, showcasing the school’s commitment to developing globally minded citizens through MUN. It emphasizes the holistic impact of such experiences on student development, including the cultivation of confidence, critical thinking, and a deep understanding of international issues. The piece concludes by looking forward to the continued growth of students as they apply these invaluable skills in their future endeavors.