Hi,
Happy to have found this forum, we've been in the region a few years but its only since we've had our son that I find I'd like to know a bit more about whats going on in Geneva.
We're thinking of sending out son here when he turns three. We have visited the school and were happy with what we saw but I know nobody who has sent their kids there and can find no mention of it on any expat forums to get a real idea of what parents think or what other people have heard about it.
Googling I only find that big building work is due to start on some land the school has sold behind it (hmmm noise ahead) and literally very little else!
I would really appreciate knowing any opinions at all before we fork out all the cash. Its a decent fee compared to other schools and literally the only French private school I could find in an accessible part of Rive Gauche. We are here for the long haul so see no point in the English speaking/bilingual international schools with their massive fees.
Thank you.
Not too much input but a few words. I do not have a child there, nor do I know anybody with a child there. However, at the time my oldest was going to go to school, I looked at the school along with a number of other schools in the area.
From what I recollect, I nixed it based on two factors that were important to us, but which may be very different for you. First, it was geared on the French national curriculum, not the Swiss curriculum (in French). Thus, I believe, althouth maybe to be clarified, that it lead to a degree of French bacc., not Swiss matura. This was important for us, for further education prospects, to follow the swiss curricula not the French one. I was also not sure if the child could stay in the school until the degree was obtained, it was clear there was primary and secondary levels, but beyond say age 14, it was not clear if they obtained the French bacc. or had to transfer, and if so where. Secondly, it was basically a catholic institution, or a bit too catholic for my tastes. Again a personal issue, but one I considered important.
Anyhow, I know convenience is important, but would highly recommend choosing the school based on its curriculum and final degree obtained (in whatever is the appropriate language(s)).
Two things, we are frontalier and were looking at private as the village school is 32 per class and we aren't sure if and when we'll be moving around within the area and into Geneva. Also the religious element is important to us.
It is only primary and then they seem to go to one of the sister senior schools to do either the bac or the maturite. I think that's a part we haven't understood. Can he follow the French system till 11 then change to the Swiss?