VIRTUAL TOUR PARENTS
VIRTUAL TOUR PARENTS
Image Alt

Who we are

ABOUT US

This is Le Châtelard

Welcome to Le Châtelard, a prestigious private Catholic international boarding school dedicated to the integral formation of young ladies.
Guided by our “Growing by Experience” approach, we empower students to bring their education to life, helping them discover their full potential and become the best version of themselves.

Nestled in the heart of Switzerland, between the majestic Alps and Lake Geneva, Le Châtelard offers an inspiring environment where academic excellence, cultural refinement, and personal growth come together.

Découvrez votre potentiel!

Who we are

Our philosophy of education is rooted in the living Catholic tradition of academic excellence, personal integrity, high moral standards and a sense of service to others. It offers every student the key to her personal happiness and fulfilment, and enables her to be successful in whatever walk of life she chooses.

Formation Program

Personal Attention

At Le Châtelard, every student receives personalized guidance and mentorship that supports her academic, emotional, and personal growth.

Dynamic Academic Curriculum

Le Châtelard offers a competitive and challenging curriculum based on Switzerland’s educational standards as well as those established by our School Network.

Integral Formation

Guided by faith and values, we form young women to become authentic, compassionate, and capable leaders. Our holistic approach integrates four dimensions: intellectual, human, spiritual, and apostolic, nurturing both heart and mind for a meaningful impact in today’s world.

Our Mission

Our mission is to accompany and guide each student in her integral formation, creating opportunities for her to grow as a person, learn the art of living, and embrace the beauty of Christian life.

We pursue this mission through the holistic development of every aspect of the human person, which commits us:

  • To teach by providing students with the knowledge appropriate to their academic level.
  • To educate by nurturing in them a love for authentic values and a sense of what is good, right, noble, just, and beautiful.
  • To form character as the cornerstone of virtue and integrity.

What makes Le Châtelard so special?

At Le Châtelard, every experience is designed to enrich both mind and heart.
Through full French immersion, students build a strong academic foundation and earn internationally recognized B1 or B2 diplomas. Our signature Savoir Vivre program, the art of living, fosters self-confidence, emotional intelligence, and refinement. In partnership with Le Cordon Bleu, students master the art of French cuisine and earn the prestigious Diplôme de Cuisine. And amid the breathtaking Swiss Alps, our Ski Adventures program invites them to explore world-class slopes while embracing the spirit of challenge and joy.

History

Le Châtelard is a place rich in history that begins in the late 1800´s, when the construction of the building started. Its walls are full of history. During almost 150 years of existence it has served different purposes, from a luxurious “Grand Hotel” to a British boarding school, an International Languages Center. In October 1992 the building hosted the first Le Châtelard generation, “The Class of 1992-93”.

1873 1873
1877 1877
1900 1900
1927 1927
1938 1938
1975 1975
1992 1992
2022 2022
2025 2025

1873

Jean-Louis Dufour built the luxurious Grand Hotel between 1873 and 1874 in Les Avants, a little town above Montreux.

1877

The luxurious Grand Hotel opened in 1877 to guests.

1900

It was later modernized and enlarged in 1900 and in 1911.

1927

Meanwhile, Dorothy Braginton, an English woman, opened around 1927 a boarding school for young girls in Montreux, near the Château du Châtelard. She called it Châtelard School. When the building became too small, the school moved to the Hôtel des Narcisses in Chamby.

1938

The building was soon too small as well and in 1938 it moved to the Grand Hôtel des Avants, which had just closed. The school was organized according to the English system and welcomed girls from all around the world, mainly British. The future Queen of Greece was among them.

1975

Châtelard School closed at Christmas 1975, after the English pound lost most of its value. The building was bought in 1977 by Dr. Robert Eckert, from Germany. He used part of it for summer camps and rented a few rooms to tourists. He sold it in 1989 to Roger Liechti, from Montreux. He wanted to transform the building into many small flats, but the idea never became reality.

1992

Oak International bought the building in 1992 and founded Le Châtelard Academy, a boarding school teaching human values and French to girls. At the beginning, most of them were of Mexican nationality but today, the students come from all around the world.

2022

Le Châtelard Academy celebrates its 30º anniversary. With a full occupation of students and prepared to offer the best integral formation program to young ladies for many more years.

2025