Leysin American School

Leysin American School (also called LAS) is a co-educational independent boarding school focusing on university preparation for grades 8-12 (as well as optional PG and 13th grades). It is located in the alpine resort village of Leysin, Vaud, Switzerland, 90 minutes east of Geneva. The international school is home to students from six continents representing all major religions and cultures of the world, with approximately one third being American. Students pursue either the American high school diploma or the International Baccalaureate, with additional options of individual IB classes to suit particular interests.

Throughout the year students and faculty take numerous educational and leisure trips to destinations around the globe. However, due to the ease of European travel, students often take weekend trips to other countries in Europe, promoting global awareness and intercultural growth.

In the school there are students from many different cultures from North and South America (e.g., United States, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela), almost all of the European countries (e.g., Holland, Great Britain, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Poland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia), Eastern, Western and Central Asians (e.g., China, Japan, Korea, Kazakhstan, India, Iran), Russia, and Africa. All of these students from around the world live harmoniously in one community.

Leysin American School offers many different opportunities to its students. Along with a close connection with European countries, there are also mandatory trips referred to as Cultural Trips, which take students to numerous countries, including Romania, Croatia, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, and many more. Leysin is an hour and a half train ride away from Geneva, and half an hour from Montreux, both commonly frequented by students on the weekends who have parental and school permission.

There are eight different dormitories for the students of LAS. The dormitories are divided by class and by gender. Beau Reveil is the 11th grade boys’ dorm. Savoy is the 8th, 9th, and 10th grade boys' dorm. It is also home to one of the school’s dining halls, many classrooms, administration offices, and one of the school’s libraries. Vermont is the 8th, 9th, and 10th grade girls' dorm, and also houses the Travel Office and bookstore. Esplanade is the 12th grade girls’ dorm and Eden is the 12th grade boys’ dorm. Beau Site is home to the 10th and 11th grade girls, as well as the Red Frog student lounge. The new Belle Époque campus is home to almost all 11th and 12th grade full IB boys and girls, with the students living in separate wings, and taking classes there as well.

On June 13, 2008, the Leysin American School purchased the historic 'Grand Hôtel' at the upper edge of the Leysin village. The 10,000 square meter building and 4.3 hectare grounds were originally developed in 1890, during the Belle Époque period as a lavish hotel and sanatorium clinic for the world's elite families. In the early 1980s, after decades of transition in Leysin from health clinics to education centers, the complex became the home of the American College of Switzerland. Major renovations to the building have been completed and it is now home to the new LAS IB campus. This campus has a dining hall, the Grand Salle ballroom, new Art Center, The Cave lounge for students, a library, computer lab, and the boys’ and girls’ dormitories.

Leysin is a popular ski and snowboard resort town in Switzerland. Taking full advantage of this fantastic opportunity during ski season (January-March) LAS allows students to spend the afternoon of Tuesday and Thursday on the mountain, either taking lessons (given by instructors from the town) or free skiing/snowboarding.

External links

• Commune of Leysin webpage
• Sports Store in Leysin