Summer in Switzerland, SIS, offers two 3-week sessions to students of the world, ages 9-19, in the beautiful Swiss Alps. SIS is a well-balanced program of study and recreation.

SIS offers a general program and specialized programs such as English-as-a-Second-Language, Theater, SAT Preparation and Outdoor Leadership Adventure. The summer school campus is located at 4,500 feet above Lake Geneva. SIS is a program offered by the Leysin American School in Switzerland, a coed International/American boarding school.

The General Program includes academic enrichment in the mornings, as well as activities, events and excursions in the afternoons and evenings. Morning classes are taught by qualified and experienced teachers. Courses include math, English, French, Spanish, photography, art, voice, piano, computers, world cultures and religions, creative writing, IB writing preparation and extended essay guidance. Afternoon activities are selected upon arrival by each student. All excursions include a visit to a place of cultural interest, as well as time to shop and enjoy the atmosphere of the city or town.

General Program and Specialized Program students live together, and most afternoons, evenings and excursions will be spent together.

Our Theatre International students perform and produce two shows each session which are presented before the SIS student body, staff and local community. Classes in a variety of theatre discpilines are taught by award-winning professional theatre teachers with years of experience in educational theatre.

Outdoor Leadership Adventure students challenge themselves with alpine activities such as rock-climbing, white water rafting, hiking, high ropes courses, and other outdoor activities. These activities are combined with a series of indoor classes that focus on leadership, communication, teaching others, environmental education and problem solving. The program involves outdoor activities that require a certain level of fitness. Participants should bring appropriate equipment and clothes since the program will include hiking in the Alps and sleeping in Alpine huts. The staff for this program are experienced, skilled, and certified outdoors instructors.

The Program Assistant program will give participants the opportunity to develop leadership skills and experience working with the SIS staff. They will assist in preparing and leading activities and take part in the entire SIS program. Participants can enjoy some classes in the morning as well. Email the SIS director for more.

The SAT/ACT Preparation course is taught by a trained teacher from a specialized company. It prepares students to tackle the content and question types that will appear in the areas of each test: math, reading, and writing. SAT/ACT Prep students will have classes all morning, and three afternoons per session. The rest of the time they will join the General Program.

ESL: SIS provides students a chance to learn English in an intensive and supportive environment. Upon arrival, students will be evaluated for their ability. All ESL morning classes are small with a curriculum designed to meet individual needs. Classes go on village excursions, and eat lunch together in order to practice English all day, including being immersed in English speaking Faculty Families. Students can choose to take two or four classes of ESL in the mornings. The common language in the dormitories, afternoon and evening activities is also English.

Recreation & Culture Week is the week in between the two three-week sessions,
Based in Leysin, AA students (9-12 years-old) enjoy a week of recreation, fun, and seeing places of culture and interest in Switzerland.
AE and AC students (13-19 year-olds) go on a one-week tour of either England, Italy, France, Germany, and Switzerland.