Brillantmont International School Lausanne, Switzerland celebrates its 135th anniversary.
Brillantmont International School in Lausanne, Switzerland, recently welcomed back over a hundred alumni to celebrate its 135th anniversary. The oldest had studied at the school nearly 70 years ago, whilst the youngest left very recently. Yet, they all hold the school in great affection and happily mingled, sharing memories and anecdotes over a delicious raclette lunch in Brillantmont’s beautiful gardens.
In 1882, Brillantmont was founded by the great-grandparents of the current owners, the Frei family. The school is the only Swiss boarding school which has belonged to the same family for five generations. At Brillantmont, the sense of family is felt at every level: amongst the school Board, the Direction and the staff, many of whom have been at the school for ten, twenty or even thirty years or more, but above all, the sense of family is felt amongst the 130-strong student community.
Leaving home to enter boarding school can be a daunting prospect for even the most outgoing child. The school's team works hard to ensure that every student coming to Brillantmont, whether for a summer course, a term or for several years, feels at home and part of the Brillantmont family.
The school archives make fascinating reading and document not only the school’s establishment in a district of Lausanne which at the time was covered in vineyards, but world trends and social changes. In 1882, Brillantmont opened with just eight students yet within ten years, enrolment had reached fifty, with students from countries as far flung as Barbados, India, Saigon, Argentina, Bohemia, Denmark and Australia.
Brillantmont's teachers draw on their student’s cultural diversity and rich backgrounds to enhance their lessons, preparing them not only to enter leading universities but to become global citizens. Larry, a US alum, said "I credit Brillantmont in shaping me into the man I am today. Beyond the academics I became a more worldly person. I have a deeper appreciation of different cultures and people from all around the world. This is not trivial – it helps in business, diplomacy and creating lasting bonds with people of all different backgrounds."
His words illustrate that the founding principles of the Brillantmont of 1882 are still pertinent to the Brillantmont of 2017. Happy Birthday Brillantmont!
Brillantmont International School
Avenue Charles-Secrétan 16
CH-1005 Lausanne
021 310 0400
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www.brillantmont.ch
Brillantmont International School offers:
• Summer Course for 10-17 year olds
• School year: Grades 8-13 (12-18 year olds) with British IGCSE, A Level and / or American High School
