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Frequently Asked Questions
About the School
What kind of
school is the International School of Lausanne?
Founded in 1962,
ISL is a not-for-profit, English-language day school providing international
education to students from 3 to 18.
Who attends ISL?
Our students come
from some 50 countries. 22% of them are American and 15% British. The rest of
Europe is very well represented with 50% (UK not included) of our student
body, among them 13% are from Switzerland. Latin America, Australia, Asia and
Africa represent 13%. The families of our students are posted in Switzerland
by international companies, although the proportion of long-term residents,
Swiss or foreign, has increased considerably over the past few years.
How many students
attend the school?
ISL enrols 600
students, which is equivalent of two parallel classes at each year level.
This is the maximum capacity of the school.
What is the average class size?
In order to
enable the school to offer a stimulating, caring and positive environment,
class sizes are limited to the following: (US and CH: subtract 1 year for
equivalent grade)
R3
16 students
R4, Y1 – Y3 18 students
Y4 – Y6 20 students
Y7 – Y9 22 students
Class
sizes will be exceeded under no circumstance.
Y10-13:
there is the possibility for larger numbers, since subjects are taught at
different levels to small groups.
What are the qualifications of the faculty? Where do they come from?
We have currently
108 teachers and staff representing 16 nationalities. They share their broad
international teaching experience and offer a wide variety of extracurricular
skills. All teachers at ISL are fully qualified; many hold advanced degrees
and have taught overseas.
What are the school facilities?
The school has a
new purpose-built campus since 2005. It comprises a central building for the
administration, 2 libraries, IT rooms and a multipurpose auditorium, which
serves as a cafeteria and theatre (with stage). A wing to the east hosts the
Early Childhood Centre and Primary school. A west wing hosts the Secondary
school. An additional building houses a magnificent double Sports Hall. The
grounds also include a soccer pitch, a basketball court, a multi-sport arena
and ample playing areas.
What food facilities does ISL provide?
Cafeteria
services are available at ISL with hot meals provided at lunch time. A local
catering company of excellent repute provides nutritious, well-balanced meals
at competitive prices. Students also have the possibility to bring their own
packed lunch, and will eat with their classmates in the cafeteria.
Is there a bus service organised?
ISL provides a
bus service morning and afternoon. Six different routes are currently
offered, from varied locations within an area from Vevey
to Morges. The school is accessible by public
transport as well: the last stop of the bus line 22 is just in front of the
school. For more information, please contact the person in charge of
transports at ISL: +41 21 560 02 16..
About the curriculum
What curriculum does ISL follow?
In the Primary School, the International Baccalaureate Primary Years
Programme (IBPYP) is in place and in the Middle School,
we introduced the IB Middle Years Programme (IBMYP) curriculum. Students in
Years 12 and 13 follow the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP). ISL is proud of their
excellent results achieved by its IB Diploma students.
What is the education language at ISL? What are the other languages
taught?
English is the
educational language of the school. Since Year 1 French is taught daily as
the first “foreign language”. German and Spanish are taught in the Secondary
School. The school also provides a strong support for non-English
mother-tongue students with a programme called English as an Additional
Language. Mother-tongue support and development is facilitated by the school
when possible. Supplementary education in Swedish is offered as well from
Year 1.
What about homework?
While homework
does not take the place of effective teaching, ISL believe that it
contributes to the progress of students by enriching their programme and
their learning experience. Reading is an essential and on-going component, in
which parents with small children can take an active role. Students from Year
3 onwards are required to keep homework diaries and are expected to complete
assignments on time. As they get older, Secondary students, especially IB
Diploma students may spend more time on their homework and must also count on
some weekend assignments / homework.
What is the sports programme?
Many
co-curricular and extra-curricular activities are offered to enhance the
physical education programme. These include basketball, volleyball, football,
cross-country running, softball, swimming, track and field, gymnastics,
skiing and ice skating, amongst other activities.
Has ISL a varied range of After-School Activities?
In our aim to
develop the individual potential of each student, we offer a diverse
extra-curricular programme after school hours. Soccer, basketball,
cross-country, swimming, softball, track and field, rock climbing and
abseiling, art and craft, drama, yearbook, technology, film-making, stage
band and choir are among the many activities that are on offer.
Is there
religious instruction at ISL?
The School
respects the beliefs of any organised denomination that conforms to the laws
of Switzerland. However, instruction of the virtues of a particular religion,
group, sect, faith, creed, persuasion, denomination, cult church, political
party or socio-political group may not be introduced to the school by any
individual or group of individuals.
Does the IBDP allow entrance to all universities worldwide? What is
needed for entry to Swiss universities?
The IB Diploma is
accepted world-wide as a superior pre-university qualification for students
between the age of sixteen and nineteen. It gives students access to college
and university study throughout the world, and universities rightly perceive
that a student who has completed the requirements of the IB Diploma is well
prepared for the demands of higher education. University requirements vary
significantly and it is always best to check the individual university
website to determine the specific requirements. Please see link: http://www.ibo.org/
Swiss
university requirements vary significantly as well. Certain subjects
including Visual Arts and Math Studies are not accepted at most Swiss
universities and may prevent a student from gaining an offer. Often the
individual university will examine each student’s application case by case.
Please see link: http://www.ibo.org/country/CH/index.cfm
About Admissions
Is there an entrance exam?
ISL has an open
admissions policy and does not require an entrance exam. However, admission
to the School will be determined by the Director, with the advice of the
teaching staff, based on information obtained with respect to the potential
of the applicant to benefit from the educational services available and the
capacity of the School to meet the educational needs of the applicant.
Can we come and
visit the school?
For the current academic year (not during school holidays), the following
tours have been set up:
- Group tours Mon 11:15
conducted by Secondary School Principal, Mr John Ivett
- Group tours Thurs 12:30 conducted by Primary School Principal, Mr Edward
McBride
They will be happy to answer your questions and show you around the campus.
In case of interest please inform us of your presence at least a day in
advance:
+41 21 560 02 02 or info@isl.ch
During school holidays,
please note that the school is closed and no visits are organised.
Can we schedule a
meeting with the Admissions Officer?
Whenever possible, the applicant will be interviewed by the Director or a
Principal prior to acceptance. In some cases, as determined by the Director,
a Principal or Assistant Principal, an interview may be required before
admission.
What are the tuition fees?
Tuition fees
start from CHF 13’600 (R3) to 31’250 (Y13), depending on the class year of
the student. A single acceptance fee of CHF 4’000 per student is due when the
school offers a place and the place is accepted.
Are there waiting
lists?
Yes, ISL
presently has considerable waiting lists.
Can our child’s
name be placed on the waiting list without the school records of the past two
years?
No. A child’s name will only be placed on the waiting list if a complete
application is received:
- Application form
- Past two years of school records in English or translated into
English
- Photocopy of child’s passport
Our child’s
current school does not issue report cards. What could we supply instead in
order to complete the application?
References from child’s current teachers (subjects covered and a character
reference), in English or translated into English, would be necessary for
assessment purposes. If more is needed, the school will inform you.
Once my child’s
name is on your waiting list, is a place guaranteed?
No. Places are not guaranteed as turnover varies from year to year and it is
difficult to predict the outcome of the admissions process in advance.
How could my
company become an ISL sponsor?
Please contact the ISL Development Coordinator: +41 21 560 02 08 or development@isl.ch. The number of ISL
Sponsors is limited in order to secure enough places for the existing ones.
Does our child
have a chance of being admitted even though we do not work for one of your
sponsor companies?
Yes, a significant proportion of our students are not from the sponsoring
companies. However, it is necessary to provide the complete information in
advance. Since our global turnover is 20-30% each year, new students have a
chance of being admitted depending on the waiting list.
Our child
attended ISL before. Does our child benefit from favourable entry?
No, there is no special treatment for former students.
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