Ecolint vs College du Leman - Geneva

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
We are moving to Geneva this summer. We have a 11 years old boy and a 7 years old. They have been accepted in College du Leman and I just got the acceptance for the International School of Geneva (La Chataigneraie). My children speak English and Spanish, so they will need to learn French.

In Ecolint, my 7 years old will be in the 60% French (no place in the 60% English). Two questions.

Overall, which school do you recommend?

And also, for a non French speaking kid, is the 60% French at Ecolint too much?

Thanks so much for your help, we need to decide this week!!!!

2
Hi,

Collège du Léman (CDL) is definitely better than Écolint... CDL has a much better campus. I wouldn't recommend Écolint at all...

3
Both are big schools, both have their plus and minus points. The best thing to do is go and visit both and ask for your child to be allowed to spend a day there, following a student of a similar age around.

That should give you as good as an idea you are realistically going to get short of actually enrolling your children there.

4
Based on your experience of both? I don't know CDL, but I am quite positive of the many pluses of Ecolint from an educational point of view. I'd choose the quality of teaching over a swimming pool, for example, but that's my opinion as a teacher.

5
What is your experience (you just moved to Switzerland ) ?

6
Remy.. are you are former CDLer ?

The OP is speaking about La Chataigneraie (which has now become part of Ecolint).

Not the same picture as 25 to 30 years ago.

7
Hi there,

I went to Ecolint and some friends went to Collège du Léman. My experience with Ecolint was not so good and therefore I would recommend Collège du Léman.

8
Rossjo1: your child's education is so unique that only you can decide. We could all write our pros and cons, each experience is different. You can, however, go round both schools with a list of prepared questions. Ask the same to both schools, get a feel and see for yourself.

Some questions you may wish to ask:

- What level of support is given in the local language (French), so that my child can follow mainstream subjects without difficulty and at the academic level expected in his year group?

- What is your homework policy? Do you have a homework club?

- How do you assess children, how do you measure progress?

- How often will I be informed of my child's progress?

- What is the main vision of the school and could you give me a couple of examples of how this vision is implemented in the classroom?

- Is the approach of teaching child-centered or teacher-centered?

- How do you integrate Information Technologies in the classroom?

- How is the school day structured? Is there a healthy lifestyle and healthy eating policy in place?

- How about education outside the classroom?

- How do I communicate with my child's teachers? Is there a system in place?

- What is the teacher-pupil ratio? Are classes streamed? What level of support is given to a child with a learning difficulty (dyslexia, organisational skills...).

- How do you encourage reading, literacy?

Don't forget to check out display work (it reflects pride from both teachers and pupils and good work done), "feel" if there is a good relationship within the school community, do you feel your child's welfare is at the heart of every policy? Will your child be prepared for the world of tomorrow or thrown into an education of the past?...

9
Thanks so much!

I know... it is difficult to choose, but this is great!

10
I work at La La Chataigneraie - so I guess I am biased! - and I cannot recommend it enough.

The students in Y13 who are graduating now are happy, confident and great students who will be missed by both the lower years and the teaching faculty. They are going off to do marvellous things equipped with knowledge, good friends and happy memories...as well as excellent exam grades and university places.

I wish, when I was a lad, I went to a school like this because every department is strong. I went to a sink hole comprehensive and only got to where I am through luck, perseverance and good parents.

Both schools are excellent IMO and you have given your children a tremendous opportunity to do amazing things whichever school you choose.

11
Can you define "better"?