Leysin American School Admissions for Asian American Families
What Asian American and International Asian Families Should Know Before Applying to This Swiss Boarding School
Cardinal Education is an independent educational consulting company. We are not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with any private or public school, including Leysin American School.
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About the School
Leysin American School and Asian American Applicants
Leysin American School (LAS) is a private, family-owned boarding school in the Swiss Alps, serving 300 students representing more than 50 nationalities. Families across Asia and Asian American families in the U.S. considering an international boarding education will find LAS’s academic model notable: both the American High School Diploma and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program are offered, reflecting a distinctive educational philosophy, alongside 12 AP courses, with one LAS student having achieved a perfect IB score of 45/45. With an average class size of 10 and a student-teacher ratio of 1 teacher for every 4 students, LAS pairs deeply individualized academics with a genuinely international community.
Fast Facts
Location
Chemin de La Source 3, Leysin, Switzerland (Swiss Alps, Vaud canton)
Type
Private, Independent, Co-Educational, Family-Owned Boarding School
Grades
7–12 (IB Diploma Program spans Grades 11–12)
Total Enrollment
300 students, representing 50+ nationalities
Average Class Size
10 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
1 teacher for every 4 students
Academics at a Glance
AP Courses Offered
12 across the curriculum
Highest IB Score Achieved
45/45 (a perfect score)
Faculty Holding Advanced Degrees
68%
College Destinations
32% UK, 28% US, 19% Continental Europe, 7% Canada, 7% elsewhere
Athletics: The Alpine Institute
LAS does not field traditional interscholastic sports teams. Instead, its Alpine Institute program centers student life around skiing and snowboarding on the school’s own home mountain, alongside hiking, mountain biking, ice climbing, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.
Admissions Timeline
LAS admits students on a rolling basis year-round, with no fixed application deadline. Decisions are issued within 10 business days of a completed application.
Why LAS’s Test-Free Process Rewards Different Preparation
Families coming from a standardized-test-driven admissions culture should note that LAS does not require the ISEE, SSAT, or HSPT for admission (English placement testing applies only to non-native speakers). Instead, three teacher recommendations and a handwritten student essay carry real weight in the file. Families should invest preparation time accordingly.
Top Tips for Applying
- Apply early, since LAS admits on a rolling basis and available spots narrow over time.
- Line up three teacher recommendations in advance: English, Math, and one additional teacher.
- Take the handwritten student essay seriously; it’s a distinctive, personal part of the file.
Best Practices for Families
- Schedule a campus visit or virtual tour to experience the Alpine Institute firsthand.
- Non-native English speakers should prepare for the required English placement test.
- Gather three years of transcripts, plus a passport copy and passport-style photo, before applying.
What the Application Involves
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01Testing Policy
No standardized entrance exam is required. English placement testing applies only to non-native English speakers.
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02Essays
A handwritten student essay is required, alongside a parent component.
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03Recommendations
Three teacher recommendations are required: one from an English teacher, one from a Math teacher, and one additional recommendation.
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04Transcripts & Documents
A school transcript covering the previous three years is required, along with a copy of the applicant’s passport and a passport-style photo.
How Our Consultants Help Asian Americans Get Into Top Swiss Schools
Cardinal Education’s private school admissions consulting helps Asian American and international Asian families choose the right recommenders and craft a genuinely compelling handwritten essay. For the full picture of LAS’s academics, admissions process, and requirements, see our main Leysin American School Admissions Consulting page. Families evaluating LAS may also find our guidance on what schools look for in applicants and LAS’s results useful.
“Leysin felt like such a leap for us. I mean, a boarding school all the way in Switzerland, with an admissions process that didn’t look anything like what we were used to. Allen Koh helped us make sense of it all. She got in, and we’re still a little amazed at how well it all came together.”— International Family from NY
Frequently Asked Questions
How international is LAS’s student body?
Does Leysin American School require a standardized test for admission?
Does LAS have traditional sports teams?
Does LAS offer the IB Diploma Program?
When should families apply to LAS?
Considering Leysin American School?
Our consultants build a preparation plan around your family’s specific priorities.