Ecole des Arches

Founded in 1985, the school is an independent Swiss private institution that prioritizes academic rigor, continuous evaluation of pedagogical practices, and high-quality student support. Its approach is centered on fostering personal development, autonomy, and a love for learning within a structured framework. The school integrates Montessori-inspired methods in the primary section to encourage curiosity and self-confidence.

The school offers a general education pathway from early childhood through to the Swiss maturity, incorporating English immersion from 1P and German from 3P. The primary section utilizes Montessori-inspired pedagogy, while the secondary and maturity levels focus on academic preparation and exam success. Additionally, the school provides vocational training leading to Federal Certificates of Capacity (CFC) in IT, specifically for informaticians and IT operators, as well as a pre-apprenticeship program in informatics.

The school emphasizes a structured, attentive, and benevolent environment designed to provide individualized follow-up for students. Classes are maintained at measured sizes to facilitate personalized attention and academic support. Additionally, the school offers directed study sessions for students in the 9S and 10S levels.

The admissions process involves an initial contact followed by an individual interview and a school visit. Prospective families may also arrange for one or two "discovery" days for the student to experience the classroom environment corresponding to their age. Admissions are managed by specific representatives for the primary/secondary levels and the general education stream.

The school operates on a 37-week academic year. The 2026-2027 school year begins on August 24, 2026, and concludes on July 2, 2027, with scheduled breaks for autumn, Christmas, February, and Easter, as well as public holidays such as the Jeûne Fédéral, Ascension, and Pentecost.

The school operates across two primary locations in Lausanne. The primary and secondary sections are situated at Rue du Simplon 3 in the Grancy commercial center, while the maturity and IT vocational programs are located at Rue Pépinet 1. The facilities are accessible via public transport, including the Lausanne CFF train station and the M2 metro line.