Aiglon College

Education should be a way of life. School should be about the development of the whole person. When John Corlette founded Aiglon College in 1949, he had a unique vision: to combine the special character of mountain life with a new vision for education. Aiglon today guards this original vision and has grown into one of the world’s most distinctive boarding schools.

Spirited, independent and a not-for-profit organisation, Aiglon’s aim toward the balanced development of mind, body and spirit works to create a principle-driven environment where students and teachers alike are encouraged toward academic excellence, pursuit of physical challenge and the learning born through a deeply international culture.

Aiglon is an English-speaking school styled in the tradition of British education. Students follow the globally recognised IGCSE and International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes while simultaneously developing practical skills that integrate curriculum into all areas of life. The focused, six-day-a-week programme allows each student to access a personalised course of study.

The character of Aiglon students is forged on the mountain. Central to its educational philosophy, the uniquely crafted expedition programme utilises Aiglon’s location in the Swiss Alps to engage students in activities designed to develop their sense of challenge and responsibility in a highly practical environment. From snowshoeing to summiting high peaks, Aiglon students do it all.

At Aiglon, morning meditation is part of the teaching programme that develops a student’s sense of spirit. Led by a teacher or student, meditation invites the community to think differently about their world. Coming together this way to consider a provoking idea or concept, framed around a short time of reflection, encourages students to broaden their horizons and think ‘outside the box’.

The school’s professional College & Careers Counselling team works closely with each student to help them understand and succeed in the university application process. Through these efforts, our students have access to the world’s top universities. This tailored programme encourages, develops and ultimately matches every student with a university that can continue developing their education.

In winter, students ski twice per week as part of the physical education programme. They can also participate in other skiing activities, or join the school’s elite race team. Beyond winter, students also participate in a wide range of competitive and noncompetitive activities from football and swimming to yoga. These pursuits are encouraged and central to Aiglon’s balanced development.

Aiglon is a family, and all the teaching staff play a key role in pastoral care and learning support. From their roles as houseparents, deputy houseparents or as tutors, teachers are available to students 24/7. In this community relationship, students and teachers are able to connect in unique ways that enable young people to grow and better understand their purpose and role at Aiglon.

Located just beyond the ski resort village of Villars-sur-Ollon in French-speaking Switzerland, Aiglon's campus is itself a small village high in the Alps at 1'258m. The campus includes more than 30 building and facilities placed over our 60,000 square metres of property. Making use of our safe, alpine environment we enjoy an open-style campus where students walk freely between their houses, classes and activities and we are just 250m from the ski resort's main lift. Students live in 1 of our 9 boarding houses and have access to facilities that include our state-of-the-art sports centre, science labs, our own observatory, art department, private music practice rooms and multi-use library and technology space.