The municipalities of Ollon and Gryon host no less than 6 private and public schools that offer excellent education and a wide range of extracurricular activities. Today, we offer an overview of the educational establishments in Villars-sur-Ollon.
After a snow-scarce winter in 2023-2024, it would be legitimate to question your real estate investment in the resort. Let’s not forget that Villars, due to its strategic location, is not simply a destination for ski and hiking enthusiasts, nor solely a destination for second homes or hotel tourism. It increasingly asserts itself as a locality where it makes sense to live year-round.
Today, we focus on education in our village. We will inevitably address the constellation of exceptional private schools that project a prestigious image of our resort around the world. These institutions, true ambassadors of the region, not only provide top-notch education but also significantly contribute to the local economy and forge strong ties with the community.
We will also discuss the public schools which, as you will see, have an impressive number of students considering the resident population. This figure has been steadily increasing in recent years.
This article invites you to discover certain demographic figures of the local population and shows how these schools shape the future of young people while enriching the life of Villars-sur-Ollon and the surrounding villages and municipalities.
The demographics of the municipalities of Ollon and Grylon at the end of 2022
Here is a summary of the figures as of the end of 2022:
- The municipalities of Ollon and Gryon have a year-round resident population of 10,065 people, of which 3,750 are foreigners – accounting for more than 35%.
- Half of the people live in Villars, Gryon, or Chesières (above 1,000m altitude).
- There are approximately 1,860 students across all schools.
- 830 students are in public schools and 1,030 in the private sector.
- 620 people work in one of these schools.
This represents almost 2,500 people in total, which is 25% of the population of the two municipalities or 50% of the residents of the upper plateau.
The public school
Primary and secondary school establishment of Ollon-Villars and Gryon
© Etablissement primaire et secondaire Ollon-Villars-Gryon
Ages: from 4 to 18 years
Boarding school: No
Day school: Yes
Number of students: 830
Employees: 120
The Ollon Villars Gryon public school comprises 45 classes, with approximately 830 students and 120 professionals spread across four sites. They are committed together to an inclusive school environment that promotes healthy and constructive values. Together, they organize, develop, make decisions, and enhance their skills to achieve their various objectives and overcome challenges every day. Team spirit is their strength, ally, and support.
In the canton of Vaud, the Concept 360 is emphasized and evolving. This concept ensures a comprehensive modeling of professional practices. The school is attractive not only due to its location but also due to its expertise in inclusion and innovative pedagogy for over 20 years now.
Their work and expertise are recognized by all their partners as well as by parents and political authorities.
VPS, the association that brings together private schools
Total number of students: 1,030
“Villars Private Schools” is an association representing the five private schools located in Villars-sur-Ollon, in the heart of the Vaud Alps: Aiglon College, Collège Alpin Beau Soleil, La Garenne International School, PréFleuri, and Villars Palace Academy.
Together, these schools welcome more than 1,000 students aged between 3 and 28 from over 90 countries. They employ around 500 staff within the municipality and offer a world-class international education, with programs ranging from early childhood to secondary education and higher education. Through their activities, they promote the Villars resort worldwide and convey important educational messages to families and visitors.
The “Villars Private Schools” Association aims to strengthen ties with various local economic actors, create professional synergies, provide broad visibility for private education, and support various projects in Villars by assisting numerous entities during events or promotional actions in the region.
These schools are also known for their innovative pedagogical approach. They offer a variety of educational programs such as participation in numerous sports, multiple extracurricular activities, project-based learning, individualized instruction, and advanced educational technology to help students develop their skills holistically. They are renowned for their quality of teaching, innovative approach, and stimulating learning environment.
Villars is an ideal place to raise the younger generation, with a warm and welcoming community and a healthy and safe environment.
Collège Alpin Beau Soleil
© Collège Beausoleil
Founded in 1910
Ages: from 11 to 18 years
Boarding school: Yes
Day school: No (upon request)
Annual fees: CHF 150,000-160,000.-
Number of students: 300 – no desired increase to maintain impeccable quality of education.
Employees: 180
The school focuses on the personal development of students, offering rigorous teaching in a stimulating learning environment. Students benefit from a comprehensive academic program leading to the International Baccalaureate, with courses in both English and French, as well as foreign language classes. A variety of extracurricular activity programs, including sports, mountain expeditions, arts, study trips, and community service projects are offered.
Beau Soleil College is also known for its attention to students, providing academic support to help students reach their full potential.
A boarding school accommodating 300 students from 50 different nationalities, in 6 boarding houses.
The +: One of the most prestigious private schools in the world!
La Garenne International School
© La Garenne International School
Ages: from 4 to 18 years
Boarding school: Yes
Day school: Yes
Number of students: 170 (135 boarders, 35 day students)
Employees: 98
Annual fees: CHF 77,000-115,000 (boarding) / CHF 40,000 to 82,000 (day)
An innovative educational approach that focuses on experiential learning and personal development. Individualized teaching and an extremely diverse extracurricular activity program help students develop their sports, social, and self-confidence skills. Cinema, mountain expeditions, a ski and football academy, and even theater, absolutely all options are available.
A multilingual environment, with educational programs mainly taught in English. Intensive French instruction is also an integral part of the curriculum, as well as optional learning of German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and Chinese in private lessons.
An integration program of 1 to 5 weeks available year-round to allow interested families to test the school. La Garenne also offers summer and winter camps that allow students to learn languages while having fun in the Vaud Alps.
The +: “The only private school in Villars that is family-owned and operated”!
Préfleuri – Ecole Alpine Internationale
© Préfleuri School
Founded in 1948
Ages: from 3 to 13 years
Boarding school: Yes
Day school: Yes
Number of students: 86 (24 boarders – 62 day students)
Employees: 29
Annual fees: CHF 13,500 – 20,000 (day) / CHF 57,000 – 67,000 (boarding)
Pré Fleuri School offers a family-friendly and warm environment, with dedicated and passionate teachers who provide personalized instruction to meet the individual needs of students.
A comprehensive curriculum, with particular emphasis on foreign language learning, as well as a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, arts, and study trips.
A skiing program, offering students the opportunity to practice their favorite sport while developing self-confidence and teamwork skills.
Classes limited to 6 to 12 students.
Highly popular summer and winter camp programs.
The +: The choice between a French section and an English section following the official British curriculum, for students aged 5 to 13.
Aiglon Collègue
© Aiglon College
Founded in 1949
Ages: from 7 to 18 years
Boarding: Yes
Day School: Yes
Number of students: Primary School (Ages 7-13): 70 students – Secondary School (Ages 14-18): 370 students.
Annual Fees: CHF 45,000 to CHF 140,000 for full boarding.
Located in a stimulating learning environment, the school has state-of-the-art facilities and focuses on academic excellence, community engagement, and personal development.
Aiglon College stands out for its diverse community, bringing together students from 65 different nationalities and speaking 23 distinct languages. It is also noteworthy that 85% of students reside on campus. The Aiglon College curriculum allows students to obtain various diplomas, including the Secondary School Diploma, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, the Pre-IB Certificate, and the Cambridge ICE Diploma.
Students at Aiglon College are both challenged in the classroom and enriched through quality expeditions that are an integral part of the educational program. In addition, a wide range of extracurricular activities is offered, allowing students to acquire essential life skills and flourish personally. This also allows students to have unforgettable experiences, to excel, to develop leadership skills, while also having the chance to discover the beauty of Switzerland.
Students are encouraged to participate in concrete actions towards the local community, as well as to take part in more distant trips such as to Cambodia and Africa to help people living in less fortunate countries and to exchange with them. Cultural visits to European cities are also an integral part of the students’ curriculum to enrich their knowledge. The purpose of these actions is to provide our students with service opportunities, in line with the school’s values, and to offer them a diverse and comprehensive education.
The +: Aiglon College is a non-profit institution that prioritizes the student experience. The school reinvests its profits for the benefit of current and future students.
Villars Palace Academy
© Villars Palace Academy
Founded in 2021
Ages: From 18 years old
Boarding: Yes
Day School: Upon request
Number of students: 30
Employees: 6
Fees: CHF 60,500 for the 24-month program in Hotel Administration
The Villars Palace Academy is located at the heart of the Villars Alpine Resort hotel complex. This group currently comprises four hotels (Villars Palace, Chalet RoyAlp Hôtel & Spa, Villars Lodge, and Victoria Hotel & Residence) and combines traditional hospitality with a training center.
It is an innovative concept of a learning platform in collaboration with the EHL (EHL Hospitality Business School). This exclusive partnership combines the “VET by EHL” program (Vocational Education & Training) with unique content designed by the Villars Palace Academy team to train future professionals in hotel administration.
Upon completion of the two-year program, culminating in final exams, students receive a Professional Diploma in Hotel Administration certified “VET by EHL,” enabling them to directly access careers in hospitality and tourism.
The Villars Palace Academy welcomes students from various backgrounds, but primarily those from more disadvantaged backgrounds; they are supported by various partner foundations or by private sponsors/donors.
The +: Offering a fully-funded comprehensive VET by EHL professional training to talented disadvantaged youth from rapidly growing tourist countries.
This article was written in collaboration with Céline Guava Gelli from https://www.guava.swiss/. From A to Z, Céline helps you find the ideal school for your children, in Villars or elsewhere in Switzerland, coordinate your needs in terms of on-site or international childcare services, and assist you in organizing any event of your choice.
For any inquiries about life in Villars-sur-Ollon: schools, housing, community, feel free to contact us, and we will be delighted to guide you!