Work has now started on a major expansion program at the International School of Lausanne, situated in the town of Le Mont-sur-Lausanne on the northern edge of Lausanne.
Scheduled for completion by September 2015, the program will enable the school to improve its existing facilities, by increasing both its academic and co-curricular offerings to the local and international community. An extra class at all year levels will also enable ISL to benefit from a much wider and more diverse student body, with the intake increasing from its current level of 620 pupils, aged between 3 and 18 years, up to 990 students in 2015.
Founded in 1962, the International School of Lausanne moved to its current purpose-built premises in 2005, and has earned itself a worldwide reputation as a high quality, not-for-profit English-language day school achieving excellent academic results. Not only has ISL spent the last 50 years building up a strong pastoral program, but it has also created a diverse schedule of after-school activities, to ensure that pupils can work in a safe, stimulating and happy environment at all times. Equally important are the staff, who appear to be very happy at the school too, with a turnover of less than 5%!
With small class sizes and currently 2 classes per year, ISL follows the highly acclaimed International Baccalaureate Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes, renowned for providing a truly global education and for preparing students for entrance to the best universities in the world.
Asked at the official launch meeting for the expansion program in September why the school was embarking on such an ambitious project, during a period of such economic uncertainty, ISL Director, Lyn Cheetham reminded the audience of the school’s unwavering dedication to its mission and aims, “The International School of Lausanne is committed to excellence in education; it strives to fulfill the unique potential of each student in a supportive and challenging holistic learning environment that prepares him or her for continuing education and an active and responsible role in a multicultural world.”
Under the new plans, the space occupied by the school buildings will more than double, from a surface area of 11,300m2 to 23,300m2, within campus grounds measuring 42,300m2. The new campus will comprise of 2 main buildings identified as “North” and “South”, as well as a new Early Childood center for children aged between 3 and 5 years old. Various other initiatives are also planned that will improve the safety and circulation of children throughout the school. 46 million swiss francs have been budgeted for the project, which will be financed by a combination of school and bank funds. No money will be sought from the school’s existing sponsors and there are no plans to increase the capital fees.
Housing the current school building, the North building will be extended to include a new reception and administrative area, more facilities for the primary and senior school, a new library (accessible to children even when the school is closed), a larger dining area, and a new gym hall with fitness rooms.
The South building will incorporate a magnificent new center for the Arts, Sciences, Technology and Maths, dedicated classes for the school’s IB programme, a special section for the performing arts including an audio and video recording studio, and a multifunctional, tiered auditorium with 400 places.
ISL will also need to employ additional qualified staff to teach the extra classes created by the expansion program. The school will move from 2 to 3 classes per year, with a proportionately larger expansion in Years 12 and 13.
Given the comments made by inspectors compiling ISL’s recent CIS/NEASC Accreditation Report, the school seems to have a winning formula for educating children from both the local and international communities.
“If you could bottle the atmosphere in this school, you would make an absolute fortune!” said one inspector.
“If I was a young teacher again, I would work in a school like this. The children are so happy to be here,” said another.
Lyn Cheetham concluded, “Although we are obviously pleased to receive comments like these, ISL must never rest on its laurels! By improving our facilities and taking on more qualified staff, we are committed to providing more opportunities for our students to fulfil their potential in a wider-ranging academic and extracurricular program of activities.”
International School of Lausanne
Chemin de la Grangette 2
1052 Le Mont-sur-Lausanne
Switzerland
021 560 02 02
www.isl.ch
Photo caption 1: Lyn Cheetham, ISL Director and Rosalie Hoffmann,ISL Board Chair, lay the foundations for the expanded North building.
Photo caption 2: The South building.
Photo caption 3: The Early Childhood Center.
