Cardinal Education is an independent educational consulting company. We are not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with any public or private school.
Everything Families Need to Know About Applying to This Family-Owned Boarding School in the Swiss Alps.
Quick Answer for Busy Parents
Leysin American School (LAS) is a highly individualized, family-owned boarding school in the Swiss Alps, serving 300 students with an average class size of 10 and a student-teacher ratio of 1 teacher for every 4 students. Admission does not require a standardized test; instead, it centers on three teacher recommendations, three years of transcripts, and a handwritten student essay. LAS admits on a rolling basis year-round, with decisions issued within 10 business days of a completed application.
Why Do Families Choose Leysin American School?
Founded in 1961 by Fred and Sigrid Ott, Leysin American School has remained family-run for three generations, a rarity among international boarding schools. The school’s mission is “developing innovative, compassionate, and responsible citizens of the world,” and LAS counts more than 8,000 alumni from 112 countries. LAS holds accreditation from NEASC and is a member of the Educational Collaborative for International Schools (ECIS), the IB Organization, the Council of International Schools (CIS), ACCIS, and NACAC, reflecting a distinctive educational philosophy.
Leysin American School at a Glance
| Category | Detail |
| Total Enrollment | 300 students, representing 50+ nationalities |
| Average Class Size | 10 students |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 1 teacher for every 4 students |
| Faculty Holding Advanced Degrees | 68% |
| Accreditation | NEASC; Member, ECIS, IB Organization, CIS, ACCIS, NACAC |
| Highest IB Score Achieved | 45/45 (a perfect score) |
How Hard Is It to Get Into Leysin American School?
LAS does not publish an official acceptance rate. What’s verifiable is that the school evaluates applicants on teacher recommendations, transcripts, and a handwritten personal essay, rather than a standardized test score. Families researching other international boarding schools in Switzerland alongside LAS may also benefit from Cardinal’s broader private school admissions consulting practice.
Top Tips for Applying
- Apply early: LAS admits on a rolling basis, and earlier applications have more available spots to fill.
- 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 early in the process 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.
Leysin American School Admission Process
- Apply online through LAS’s admissions portal (OpenApply), including the application form.
- Receive a unique login to complete forms and upload required documents.
- Submit supporting documents: transcripts, recommendations, passport copy, and passport-style photo.
- Receive an Admissions Committee decision within 10 business days of a completed application.
- If accepted, submit a deposit within 10 business days to hold your place.
- Finalize enrollment once all required documents are received.
For general guidance on assembling a strong private school application, see our full application walkthrough.
Admissions Timeline & Campus Visits
LAS admits students on a rolling basis year-round, with no fixed application deadline. Admissions decisions are issued within 10 business days of a completed application. School visits are available year-round by appointment:
| School Visit Day | Available Time Slots |
| Tuesdays | 9:30 AM (local time) |
| Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays | 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM (local time) |
A virtual tour is also available, and the admissions team travels internationally to meet prospective families directly.
Application Requirements
Testing Policy
No standardized entrance exam (ISEE, SSAT, or HSPT) is required for admission. English placement testing applies only to non-native English speakers. Once enrolled, LAS serves as a test center for the PSAT, SAT, and IELTS, with the ACT available at a nearby school.
Recommendations
Three teacher recommendations are required: one from an English teacher, one from a Math teacher, and one additional recommendation.
Transcripts & 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.
Essays
A handwritten student essay is required, alongside a parent component, a notably analog requirement in an increasingly digital admissions landscape.
Ready to Build Your Child’s LAS Application Strategy?
Our consultants help families choose the right recommenders and craft a genuinely compelling personal essay.
Student Life at Leysin American School
Academics
LAS offers both the American High School Diploma and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (Grades 11-12), reflecting a personalized learning approach, alongside 12 AP courses spanning English, sciences, mathematics, history, economics, human geography, and business. The Diploma Years curriculum is structured around IB subject groups, including Studies in Language & Literature, Experimental Sciences, and Individuals & Societies.
The Alpine Institute
Unlike most college-preparatory schools, LAS does not field traditional interscholastic sports teams. Instead, its Alpine Institute program centers student life around the surrounding mountains: skiing and snowboarding on the school’s own home mountain every Tuesday and Thursday in winter, alongside hiking, mountain biking, ice climbing, snowshoeing, via ferrata, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. See The Alpine Institute: How Leysin American School Replaces Team Sports with Mountain Life for a full breakdown.
University Advising
LAS’s university advisors begin working with students in Grade 9, well ahead of the typical junior-year start at many college-preparatory schools, focused on finding the right fit for each student.
College Outcomes
LAS graduates go on to a genuinely global range of universities: 32% to the UK, 28% to the US, 19% to Continental Europe, 7% to Canada, and 7% elsewhere, with 69% of graduates attending Times Higher Education Top 100 universities.
“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
Get Into Leysin American School with the Best Admissions Consultants
LAS’s process rewards families who prepare thoughtfully for the recommendation letters and handwritten essay that anchor the file in place of a standardized test. Cardinal Education helps families build results-driven strategies for each stage of that process.
Families specifically interested in how these same fundamentals apply to Asian American applicants can also see our dedicated guide to LAS for Asian American families.
Considering Leysin American School?
Our consultants help families navigate LAS’s admissions process with less stress, especially for international applicants.
Related Articles:
The Alpine Institute: How Leysin American School Replaces Team Sports with Mountain Life
The Changemakers Program: How Leysin American School Partners with Babson College and SCAD