Brillantmont International School is one of the oldest boarding schools in Switzerland still owned and run by its founding family, established in 1882 in the heart of Lausanne on Lake Geneva. Its deliberately small size, with classes that average single figures, gives it a close community feel that distinguishes it among the wider Geneva international schools that relocating families weigh up around the lake.
This profile sets out the two academic routes, the fee level, the admissions calendar and the community around the school. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so what follows is an editorial reference rather than a prospectus. For the wider shortlist of options, see our guide to the best American schools in Geneva.
Brillantmont International School at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | American high school diploma with AP and SAT preparation, and a British route to Cambridge IGCSE and A Level |
|---|---|
| Stage range | Ages 13 to 18, boarding and day |
| Founded | 1882 |
| Accreditation | Family owned independent school; confirm current accreditation and memberships directly with the school |
| Fee band | Premium Swiss boarding (see Geneva fees guide) |
| Campus area | Central Lausanne, Vaud |
Curriculum and academics
Brillantmont runs two parallel routes through the senior years. Students can follow the American programme towards a United States high school diploma, with preparation for AP examinations and the SAT, or the British programme towards Cambridge IGCSE and A Level. Families weighing the American route can read our guide to the American curriculum, which explains how the high school diploma and AP courses are recognised by universities, while the British route draws on the British curriculum and its IGCSE and A Level qualifications.
The very small class sizes are central to how the school works, allowing close attention and flexible pathways for students who arrive mid posting from different systems. English is the language of instruction, with support for students still building their English, and the school prepares applicants for universities in North America, the United Kingdom and beyond. Ask the admissions office for recent destinations during your visit.
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Brillantmont International School fees
Brillantmont sits in the premium part of the Swiss market. As a central boarding school its fees are among the higher tiers mapped in our Geneva school fees guide, with day places set below full boarding. We do not republish a precise figure here because schedules change each year, so confirm the current boarding and day rates on the school fees page before you budget.
Plan for the costs that sit above headline tuition. Expect a registration or application charge, a refundable deposit, and extras such as uniform, trips, examination entry and optional private lessons. For boarders, travel home and guardianship should also be factored into the total cost of attendance.
Admissions and intake
Brillantmont runs an academic year from late August or early September and admits across year groups subject to availability, with rolling international arrivals through the year given the school size and boarding model. Places at popular year groups can be limited, so register early once a move is confirmed.
Admission is based on prior school reports, references and an interview, often held online for overseas applicants, with age appropriate assessment where needed. The school looks for students who will thrive in a small community and engage with the chosen academic route. Applications are made through the admissions office and require recent reports and passport documentation.
Location and who goes there
The school occupies a campus in the centre of Lausanne, the lakeside city in canton Vaud about forty minutes by train from Geneva, with the old town, the lake and the mountains all within reach. Boarders live on campus in houses organised by age and gender, while day students come from families based in Lausanne and the surrounding area. The urban setting, unusual for a Swiss boarding school, suits families who want city life rather than an isolated mountain campus.
For the wider picture of how the boarding, American, British and IB schools sit across the canton and the lakeside city, including fee tiers and neighbourhoods, see the Geneva schools hub.
Brillantmont International School reviews
No verified parent reviews of Brillantmont International School have been submitted to GlobalSchoolGuide yet. We hold back from publishing a star rating until we have enough verified first hand accounts to represent the school fairly, and we never fabricate ratings. If your family attends or has attended Brillantmont, please consider sharing your experience through our school reviews page to help other relocating families.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Brillantmont International School fees?
Brillantmont sits in the premium Swiss boarding band, with day places set below full boarding. Schedules change annually, so confirm the current rates on the school fees page and budget separately for registration, a deposit, uniform, trips and examination entry.
Is Brillantmont International School a good school?
Brillantmont is a family owned school founded in 1882, known for very small classes and a close community. Suitability depends on whether a small central boarding school and a choice between British and American routes fit your family. Confirm current accreditation and results directly with the school.
What curriculum does Brillantmont follow?
Brillantmont offers a United States high school diploma with AP and SAT preparation, and a British route to Cambridge IGCSE and A Level, in English, rather than a single national curriculum.
When do Brillantmont applications open?
Brillantmont runs an academic year from late August or early September and admits across year groups subject to availability, with rolling international arrivals. Apply early once a move is confirmed because places can be limited.
Where is Brillantmont located?
Brillantmont is in the centre of Lausanne in canton Vaud, about forty minutes by train from Geneva, close to the old town, the lake and the mountains.
