Our progressive primary curriculum brings learning to life through four thought-provoking, real-world themes: culture, conflict, communication and conservation.
We help students grow into active, independent learners with the skills and resilience to tackle any challenges that come their way by encouraging them:
Each day with Haut-Lac’s Primary School team is a day of incredible discovery, starting with language and maths in the morning followed by theme-based work in the afternoon.
Check out our sample timetable to see how our native English and French-speaking class teachers and music, art, sport and computer science specialists ignite student curiosity and creativity through varied bilingual learning experiences.
The Praz-Dagoud campus opens early to welcome children who need to be dropped off at school before the start of the working day at 8:00.
The Breakfast Club is a complimentary service included in the school fees.
The children hang up their coats, change their shoes and head into class to get ready for a day of learning.
Students start the day with English or French language lessons, maths lessons and theme work.
Some classes may also head to the library to change their books.
The students enjoy a balanced school meal or a homemade picnic lunch in the main canteen before heading out to play.
Unless it’s a Wednesday when lessons finish at 12:00 and students either go home or register for afternoon supervision.
The students have specialist art, music or ICT lessons or stay with their class teacher and continue their theme work.
Teachers use theme work to connect learning in languages, maths, science, history and geography.
The children return home with their parents, catch the school bus or attend a supervised after-school activity.
Children take part in age-appropriate indoor and outdoor activities with the out-of-hours supervision team until 18:00.
Our Swiss and international primary school students develop more than just their literacy, science and mathematical skills.
They learn to apply their communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to daily life through activities such as Ancient Greek dress-up days, World War II bunker visits, outdoor learning experiences and fundraising initiatives.
Our primary bilingual programme nurtures young learners’ confidence and ability to communicate in Switzerland and worldwide.
With 30 years’ experience in bilingual education, we see students from monolingual and multilingual families study, interact and play 50% in English and 50% in French every day with support from native English and French-speaking teachers.
Of course, additional language support is available for those who need it.
Our primary students get to apply what they study in class to real life on day excursions to iconic Swiss sights like the Olympic Museum, the Charlie Chaplin Museum and the UN headquarters.
P5 students also give their independence a final boost before secondary school by exploring conservation on a two-day residential trip in Switzerland.
Haut-Lac students grow into leaders by getting involved.
From sharing ideas with academic staff in Student Council meetings, to helping make the school greener as Eco-Leaders, or supporting peers and staff with technology as Digital Leaders, they take on real responsibilities and make a difference to daily school life.
As a recognised Child Safeguarding School, we prioritise student well-being by creating a supportive environment where every 6- to 11-year-old feels secure, valued and ready to learn.
We empower students to explore their strengths, navigate their emotions, build lasting friendships, and develop the resilience needed to face challenges with confidence. It is this foundation of trust and belonging that inspires them to embrace learning with curiosity and courage.
Haut-Lac primary students complement their academic learning by developing their individual talents during specialised sport, music and art lessons, annual performances, and 150+ after-school clubs.
Our current Swiss and international primary school parents have come together to share their families’ experiences of the Haut-Lac school community with you.
The quality of education my child has received at Haut-Lac has been very good. The sense of belonging and support he has experienced has played a significant role in his personal growth and self-confidence
Our daughter enjoyed learning at Haut-Lac. The school has a very balanced educational approach which develops character and a love for learning in the students.
Our children have had a fantastic time at Haut-Lac. We were also very happy with our time at the school and would highly recommend it to other families.
Our daughter was really happy studying at Haut-Lac and we as her parents were very satisfied with the school. We really liked the teachers, the level of academics and sports.
My children mentioned that Haut-Lac is the best school and they really enjoyed the education and the time there.
We loved the time at the school, the care you take, the way you teach.
Read more about our modern, cross-curricular approach to teaching and learning on our school blog.
The primary school hours at Haut-Lac are 8:30 to 15:30 (12:00 on Wednesdays).
Families who need extended care can drop their children off at Breakfast Club from 7:15 in the morning, and/or register them for after-school supervision until 18:00.
Yes, primary school students do get homework at Haut-Lac. However, we believe that home learning should enhance development without causing stress and anxiety.
Haut-Lac primary school teachers therefore follow the time allocation guidelines below when setting home learning tasks and activities:
Please note that the above weekly time allocations are approximate and may vary. All students are also expected to read regularly in English or in both English and French if in the bilingual section.
Primary school parents receive two school reports per year, one in February and one in June.
New families also receive a settling-in report for their child a month or so after they start.
Science is taught through an inquiry-based, hands-on approach that encourages primary school pupils to explore real-world phenomena, ask questions and carry out investigations.
Guided by the teacher as a facilitator, students link their discoveries to key scientific ideas and global themes such as sustainability and the environment by observing, experimenting, analysing data and drawing conclusions. This method helps them understand how science works, think critically, and see connections between their learning and the world around them.
Find out more about science in primary in our blog on the subject here.
The Haut-Lac primary school curriculum uses a thematic, cross-curricular approach to make learning more relevant to the 21st century. It is built around four core “Cs” – Communication, Conflict, Culture, and Conservation – to connect learning to real-world issues and develop lifelong skills through an engaging, forward-thinking curriculum.
The students develop skills and knowledge through inquiry-based learning, which transfers naturally to the demands of the IB MYP programme.
MYP teachers regularly see our primary students on the Praz-Dagoud campus so faces are familiar. Workshops for students and parents ease the transition to secondary school, and teachers regularly meet to discuss key transition phases and how each student is supported through personalised plans.
Our students study all the standard academic subjects, just like those in Swiss state schools.
However, we encourage them to take an active role in their learning by asking questions, testing their knowledge, and solving problems.
Our programme focuses on making connections between subjects and linking classroom learning to the real world, equipping students with both academic knowledge and essential life skills for success at school and beyond
Sport is part of the primary school programme at Haut-Lac. We use it to help students adopt a healthy active lifestyle, and develop key life skills like teamwork, leadership and communication.
Primary students have two PE lessons per week with specialist sports teachers. One of these lessons is replaced with a swimming lesson for half a term each year.
The Winter sports programme also includes regular ski outings led by Swiss ski school instructors so that students discover and improve their skills in a local Swiss sport.
Yes. Primary school students prepare one class assembly per year for their primary school peers and one year group show per year for parents. Individual singers, musicians, dancers and actors can also audition to participate in the annual Primary and Secondary Talent Show.
Students who take private lessons with the Haut-Lac Music School teachers on Wednesday afternoons or after school, get the chance to showcase their skills at one or two recitals a year.
Yes, all primary students study music with a specialist teacher throughout the school year.
Students from P3 upwards also have specialist art lessons, and students interested in drama can sign up for age-appropriate LAMDA and school-run drama clubs.
Yes, primary school students in the bilingual section start learning German with a specialist teacher in P3 (5 HARMOS/Grade 3). P3 students have one 45–minute lesson per week, whilst P4 and P5 students have two 45-minute lessons.
