La Côte International School Aubonne
🇨🇭 Geneva · Founded 2008 · British / IB · Ages 3–18
Reviewed by Priscilla Han · 2026-07-24
A solid, non-selective English-medium British-and-IB day school on a purpose-built Aubonne campus between Geneva and Lausanne, backed by the Nord Anglia network and posting strong published IB Diploma results.
Curricula
British, IB
Age range
3–18
Languages of instruction
English
Annual fees
CHF 19,500–39,200
Boarding
No (day school)
IB authorised
DP
Accreditations
Tier Profile
We only tier dimensions backed by a public inspection verdict or verifiable accreditation. Other dimensions show a data flag — never a guessed score.
BrightKey's Assessment
La Côte International School (LCIS) opened in 2008 with 42 students and joined Nord Anglia Education in 2011. It runs a continuous 3–18 pathway on its Aubonne campus in canton Vaud: British Early Years Foundation Stage, Primary and Lower Secondary, IGCSE, and the IB Diploma Programme in the final two years. The school is co-educational, day-only, and describes itself as academically ambitious but non-selective, with English as an Additional Language support for new arrivals. Its most recent published cohort (2021–22) achieved a 100% Diploma pass rate and a 35-point average against a 31.9 global average, with 18% earning a bilingual diploma. Switzerland has no single national inspectorate that publishes a graded quality band for international schools, so LCIS is capped at A: the confidence rests on published exam outcomes and the Nord Anglia framework rather than a verifiable top inspection grade.
Why These Ratings?
Inspection & AccreditationA — Excellent
Capped at A because Switzerland has no single public inspectorate publishing a graded (Outstanding/Good) band for international schools; the record relies on the school's own published IB Diploma results and Nord Anglia network membership rather than an independent graded inspection or a confirmed third-party accreditation (CIS/NEASC not verified as held).
Strengths & Trade-offs
Strengths
- Strong published IB Diploma outcomes: 100% pass rate and a 35-point average vs 31.9 globally in 2021–22, with 18% bilingual diplomas.
- Continuous single-campus 3–18 pathway removes transition friction between phases.
- Nord Anglia network membership brings structured collaborations (MIT for STEAM, Juilliard for performing arts, UNICEF).
- Non-selective admissions with dedicated EAL support, welcoming families new to English.
- Internationally diverse community of around 40 nationalities.
Trade-offs
- No independent graded inspection band exists for the Swiss context, and no third-party accreditation (e.g. CIS) is verified on the school's public pages.
- IB is limited to the Diploma Programme; PYP and MYP are not authorized, so younger years follow the British framework rather than an IB continuum.
- Day school only — no boarding option for families needing residential placement.
- Premium fee level (up to CHF 39,200 for Diploma years) plus one-off registration and annual administration fees.
Is It Right For You?
Best For
- ✓Internationally mobile families wanting an English-medium British-to-IB pathway near Geneva and Lausanne.
- ✓Students aiming for the IB Diploma who value a strong published results track record.
- ✓New arrivals needing EAL support within a non-selective setting.
- ✓Families wanting one campus from age 3 through university entry.
Not Ideal For
- ✕Families seeking a full IB continuum (PYP/MYP) from the early years.
- ✕Families needing boarding.
- ✕Those seeking a low-cost or state-subsidised option.
- ✕Families who require an independently graded inspection report before enrolling.
Curriculum
English-medium British framework through the school: Early Years Foundation Stage, Primary, Lower Secondary and IGCSE, followed by the two-year IB Diploma Programme (ages 16–18). The school is IB Diploma authorized; it does not offer the IB PYP or MYP. IGCSE is offered but the school's public pages do not name the examination board, so Cambridge authorization is not confirmed here.
Fees
Published 2026-27 annual tuition ranges from CHF 19,500 (Foundation 1, mornings only) to CHF 39,200 for the IB Diploma years (DP1/DP2); full-day Early Years is CHF 28,400–29,200, Primary CHF 29,600–30,700, and Secondary CHF 34,400–35,800. A one-off registration fee of CHF 3,000 applies to new Primary/Secondary families plus an annual administration fee of CHF 850. Fees are split 40/40/20 across the three terms, with a 2% discount for annual payment. Transport, lunch, activities and after-school care are additional.
Admissions
Described as academically ambitious but non-selective; a place is offered after review of the application form and previous school reports, subject to availability. Early Years applicants have an in-class assessment; Primary and Secondary families meet the school head. The school targets a response within 24 hours (excluding weekends). Required documents include the child's passport, a recent photo, recent school reports, health insurance card, residency permit (once in Switzerland) and any relevant specialist reports.
Campus Life
Co-educational day school on a purpose-built campus at Chemin de Clamogne 8, Aubonne, in canton Vaud between Geneva and Lausanne. The community spans roughly 40 nationalities and is more than ten times its founding size of 42 students. Network collaborations with MIT (STEAM), The Juilliard School (performing arts) and UNICEF enrich the co-curricular programme.
University Placement
School-reported · not independently verified
University-destination data is not published on the school's public pages (school-reported outcomes limited to IB Diploma scores); specific university placements are not verified.
Sources
Every verifiable fact carries a public source — verify it yourself.
- LCIS — Nord Anglia school homepage · 2026-07
- LCIS — About Us (history, founded 2008) · 2026-07
- LCIS — Admissions (EAL, non-selective, process) · 2026-07
- LCIS — Tuition Fees 2026-27 · 2026-07
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