Moving to Lausanne with children of school age quickly raises a practical question: which school should you choose, and how can you be sure it will really suit a family that is new to the Swiss system? Between settling in, finding a home and getting to know a new region, there is often little time left to compare schools.
This guide explains the main options available to you, the difference between an international school, a bilingual school and direct integration into the Vaud system, and what each choice means in practice for your child's education. It is not a comparison of private schools, but a starting point to help you decide based on your family's plans.
The Essentials in 1 Minute
- Who it is for: expat families settling in Lausanne, with children from 7th to 11th grade (VP or VG).
- What École Vinet offers: a private school in Lausanne with teaching in French, aligned with the Vaud curriculum, and a maximum of 18 students per class.
- Settling in: close attention from day one, with targeted support for learning French.
- Within the Vaud system: depending on their results, students can go on to the gymnase and then the Swiss Matura, which gives direct access to Swiss universities and the Federal Institutes of Technology (EPFL and ETH Zurich), with no entrance exam.
- Outside the Vaud system (international curriculum): the diploma may be recognised in Switzerland, but admission depends on each university's own requirements (grades, required subjects, additional exams, selection).
- After 11th grade: the gymnase, a bridging class (RAC) or a pre-apprenticeship.
- Admission: an admission interview and a visit to the school; fees are presented during the interview.
- The right choice: it depends on your family's plans, whether you expect to move abroad again or to settle in Switzerland for the long term.
Understanding the Vaud Education System
In the canton of Vaud, compulsory schooling is organised in two stages, in both public and private schools: primary school, then secondary school (sometimes called "collège"), which runs until 11th grade (11VP or 11VG depending on the track). After that, several paths are open depending on each student's profile and plans: the gymnase, which prepares students for the Swiss Matura, a bridging class (RAC), or a pre-apprenticeship.
École Vinet supports students from 7th to 11th grade (VP or VG), at every level of this Vaud curriculum, with programmes aligned with the cantonal curriculum and close follow-up at every stage.
For a more detailed overview of how these tracks work, see our page on the Vaud school system and the pre-gymnasial track.
An Authentic French-Speaking Swiss Curriculum
Founded in 1839, École Vinet is a well-established private school in French-speaking Switzerland. It offers a complete education in French, rooted in the Vaud curriculum, with English and German lessons built into the timetable. This is a deliberate choice: an education based on an authentic French-speaking Swiss curriculum, rather than an international curriculum that has been translated or adapted.
This choice has a direct impact on your child's future: they stay fully within the Swiss system, with no change of curriculum or teaching approach, from the day they arrive until the end of lower secondary school, in a relationship of trust with the teaching team.
International School, Bilingual School or the Vaud System: What Difference Does It Make for Your Child's Future?
Lausanne and the surrounding region have several international schools offering bilingual education and an international curriculum (the IB, the French baccalauréat or another programme recognised abroad). This is a sensible option for families who expect to keep moving internationally, or who want to keep that option open for their child's further studies.
The path a child follows at school makes a real difference when it comes to higher education. A school that welcomes expat children and integrates them directly into the Vaud system opens the way to the gymnase, depending on their results, and then to the Swiss Matura. This qualification gives direct access to Swiss universities and the Federal Institutes of Technology, with no entrance exam.
By contrast, a child who follows a path outside the Vaud system (an international curriculum, for example) obtains a diploma that may be recognised in Switzerland, but admission then depends on each university's own requirements: minimum grades, required subjects, an additional exam, or even a selection process at some institutions.
For families planning to settle in Switzerland for the long term, this is worth considering from the moment you choose a school.
The right choice depends above all on your family's plans: no option is better for everyone, but one will be better suited to your situation. Feel free to ask the school's teaching staff for advice.
How Can You Choose a School for Expat Families in Lausanne?
A few criteria can help guide your choice:
- the school's experience in welcoming expat families, and therefore in supporting their arrival and the first weeks of adjustment;
- class size and the attention given to each student, especially while they are settling in;
- how available the teaching team is to answer parents' questions, which are often numerous when a family first arrives;
- the quality of academic follow-up: coaching, occasional support and guidance towards good results;
- a clear path through to the end of compulsory schooling, and preparation for the next step (the gymnase, a bridging class or a pre-apprenticeship).
École Vinet meets these criteria by giving each family close attention, in the heart of Lausanne, from the moment you apply for admission.
Our advice: take the time to visit the school before making your decision.
Would you like to talk about your child's situation or visit École Vinet?
Get in touch with our teamA Smooth Transition
Every year, École Vinet welcomes families from all over the world. Small classes (18 students maximum) mean that every child receives genuine attention from the teaching team, in a family atmosphere.
This setting makes it easier for children who are new to French to learn the language, to catch up when needed and, above all, to make friends in a caring environment where they can learn with peace of mind.
The school is located in the heart of Lausanne and is easy to reach by public transport, which simplifies daily life for families settling in the region. Our welcome team is available throughout the year to support you through this new chapter, so that your child never has to face the change alone.
Would you like to see the school and its surroundings for yourself?
Request our brochure or arrange a visitFAQ
My child does not speak French yet. Is this a barrier to enrolment?
No. Many expat families join École Vinet before their children have mastered French, and our team is happy to talk with you before you make any decision. Personalised support and small classes help children make rapid progress, with targeted academic support if needed, so they can move steadily towards good results.
Can my child join during the school year?
Yes, mid-year enrolment is possible. It is discussed case by case during the admission interview, depending on your child's academic level, the circumstances at the time and the places available.
What are the fees at École Vinet?
Fees are presented in detail during the admission interview, so that we can respond precisely to each family's situation. You will find general information on our tuition fees page.
