About Us

Welcome

We are a non-profit, independent, English-language, International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. Since 1962, we’ve grown to almost 1,000 students, aged 3 to 18 years, who come from more than 60 nations. We believe in strong values, the courage to think independently, and cooperation across cultural boundaries–ideas that form the heart of a progressive approach to learning.

International School of Lausanne campus aerial view — Drone footage of the International School of Lausanne

Class of school year 2019-2020 at International School of Lausanne — School Year 2019-2020 photo with more than 1000 people

923

Students
167

Faculty and Staff
47

Languages spoken

More key facts

Our vision and mission

Vision

ISL will be a world leader in international education. We will be acknowledged for our genuine care for the well-being of all members of our community, and for providing a challenging, innovative, holistic, values-based education that develops in young people the knowledge, skills and disposition to bring about positive change.

Mission

The International School of Lausanne is committed to excellence in education. We strive to recognise the unique potential of each student, and to equip them to play an active and responsible role in a complex, multicultural world.

Values

honesty

respect

self-control

equality

care

Find out more about our values and code of behaviour here.

One campus, four buildings

Our modern and open campus was designed with students’ well-being in mind–to encourage interdisciplinary learning and creativity. We are close to the city and nature.

North

South

Early childhood

Sports facilities

Our Director

Frazer Cairns joined ISL as its Director in 2017. With a background in management consultancy and journalism, he has worked as a science teacher and more recently as a school leader in the UK, Indonesia, Switzerland, and Singapore. Frazer holds masters and doctorate degrees in education, his research focusing on the place of bilingualism in international education. He is a strong advocate for the importance of student well-being and student voice. Frazer is a member of the Board of the Swiss Group of International Schools.

All our leadership team

History

The English School of Lausanne opened with seven students in the rehearsal rooms of the Municipal Theatre in 1962. The following year the School was renamed The Commonwealth-American School. It grew within five years to over 100 students from nine different countries. The school was finally renamed the International School of Lausanne (ISL) in 1997. We now have close to 1000 students.

Learn about our History

Jobs and careers

Are you looking for a new challenge? One of our key aims is to attract the very best people and help them grow further. ISL has a superb reputation and a track record of academic excellence. Our teaching staff seek to provide children with an outstanding education that builds confidence, curiosity, and adaptability in a fast-changing world. Our administrative and support staff work hand in hand with teaching staff to provide the best operational support to ensure the smooth running of the school.

$Teacher explaning fractions to students$

Discover job opportunities

Sustainability at ISL

The ISL students and staff believe we should respond collectively, as a school, and individually, to the many environmental crises happening worldwide.

Find out about ISL’s goal to become plastic free, the eco society committee and, the implementation of sustainability into ISL’s curriculum. More information on ISL’s approach to sustainability can be found here.

Discover ISL’s annual report

Click on the link below to read ISL’s 2019-2020 annual report.

isl_annual_report_2019_2020

pdf File

Accreditations

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Council of International Schools (CIS)

IB World School

Explore our approach to learning