Leysin American School in Switzerland - Academic Departments

Leysin American School provides an academic challenge based on realistic goals in preparation for university study. Students are expected to master the skills necessary to become life-long learners. For non-native English speakers, instruction is given in an environment which enhances the mastery of English communications skills.

At LAS the academic objective is to support students based on the precept that each student should be motivated to perform at a continuous high level of scholastic achievement based on individual potential and consistent effort. All our students come to us with the goal of entering university. We aim to prepare them to meet the challenge of university studies.

Education at Leysin American School is based on a multicultural approach. When there are students from all over the world, it is necessary to find standards that address all cultures. This is why we have proudly embraced the International Baccalaureate Program. In fact, we were one of the first international boarding schools in Switzerland to do so—simply because it made sense. Our students come from everywhere around the globe, so why not work with a program accepted all over the world? The IBO philosophy works well with our traditional American program. Students have a multitude of options: Pursue the full IB Diploma; take just some of the IB classes offered and receive a Certificate for each; or focus on our established ESL program.

Given that many of our students also speak English as a second language, we also wanted to build an ESL program that would not only challenge our students to achieve levels appropriate to the IB, but also reflect our essentially American philosophy: Each child must succeed. I am happy to report that our three-level system, working in conjunction with a carefully sequenced four-year curriculum, accomplishes all of our goals.

Balancing the needs of our different population groups underscores a guiding principle to our academics, that education equates challenge, and that our programs must provide appropriate challenge for each of our students. This course guide allows you to view the educational options available at Leysin American School and to come to an understanding of the many ways we can support and guide each learner.

Our highly trained faculty will provide each learner with advice on appropriate class selection. Our ESL teachers will do their best to identify each student’s level of English language proficiency and place each student in the appropriate class in accordance with his or her abilities. The Academic Dean’s office, along with the IB Coordinator, will help design an individual two-year program for students who are willing to pursue the full IB Diploma. Our College Counselor will work with students individually to assist in choosing a university where the academic potential of each student will be realized. The College Counselor’s office will also assist the preparation of application forms, essays, and testing for an expedient college acceptance.

English Department, English as a second language
Our English Department’s mission is to give our students the tools to gain self-knowledge and the means to participate in community. Our courses vary in content but our goal is always the development of skills of expression, listening and understanding.  At every level, students are likely to write in various forms and to read works of poetry, plays, novels and essays.

LAS is unique in the way we support and cater to non-native speakers. We believe it is unfair for non-native speakers to compete with native speakers in classes which require a high degree of English ability therefore we provide ESL classes in Integrated Science, World Geography, US/World History, Biology, Theory of Knowledge and Literature as well as in ESL skills. ESL students will join our native speakers from the start for Maths, Arts and Physical Education. As an ESL student’s ability improves they will join the main stream courses. Therefore non-native speakers can transfer directly to LAS from abroad and continue their high school studies without the need for an ESL preparation year.

Modern languages
Our modern languages courses develop all the necessary skills—aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing— for students to understanding and appreciate not only a foreign language but also a different culture than their own. Students may choose to study either French, Spanish or German. LAS is a high tech campus and our digital system language labs are at the forefront of modern language teaching technology.

Social studies
The social studies department philosophy closely mirrors the LAS philosophy. We believe that our task is to provide a meaningful, positive and rigorous academic challenge in the study of history, business, economics, geography, and humanities. We offer a balanced course selection which will prepare students for university studies, and we seek to educate students to become citizens of the world with the ultimate goal of fostering international understanding and respect for all cultures.

Science Department
The Science Department’s goal is to provide all our students with the foundation to participate in an increasingly technological society. The students are encouraged to discover and apply scientific principles in their lives. Practical experience in the laboratory and in the field is an essential component of the curriculum for the students to develop scientific literacy.

Mathematics & Computer sciences
The goal of the Mathematics Department is for all our students to not only understand and appreciate mathematics but will also be able to use the mathematics they learn in their every day lives.  Problem solving, followed by a well-reasoned presentation of results, is core to our understanding of the subject.

Fine Arts
The Fine Arts Department prepares students to appreciate the lifelong benefits of enjoying the Visual and Performing Arts.  Skills such as self-discipline, group cooperation, commitment, and responsibility lead to increased self-esteem that will be reflected in a successful adult life.  At all levels, student art exhibitions, theatre productions, dance and music concerts influence the students’ awareness that diligent attention to both technical study and aesthetics make artistic growth possible. Study in the Fine Arts offers students a variety of ways to learn about themselves and the world around them.  We are proud that our Fine Arts faculty members are also practicing artists.