You want the best for your child. So do we.

Our enhanced curriculum offer

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Our enhanced Curriculum Offer A very warm welcome to La Côte International School.

We are proud to offer an unparalleled learning environment with a focus on one principle aim:

To provide the best possible learning experience for all, where students are prepared to enter their first choice college or university and meet the challenges of the complex world they will inherit.

Students from 2 to 18 years-old benefit from our commitment to contemporary and personalised learning, outstanding teachers from around the world and global opportunities unique to Nord Anglia Education. La Côte International School (LCIS ) provides modern facilities, world-class educational programmes and a warm, caring environment to deliver an extraordinary learning journey.

Our bespoke selection of studies offers our students the possibility of an English, French or bilingual language route through Primary into Secondary.

The programmes supporting this include the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the English National Curriculum (ENC) and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) in our Early Years and Primary sections. Our Secondary provision includes the Swiss Maturité, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP), the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP). In addition to level-adapted French classes in Primary, students have the option, as of Key Stage 2, of following their IPC studies in either English or French. Secondary students have the option of following the Swiss Maturité or continuing with French studies in the International stream with a view of attaining a bilingual IB Diploma Programme.

These educational offerings were selected to ensure academic rigour and challenge, while providing an educational journey that allows your child/ren to flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically.

Our enhanced Curriculum OfferWhat makes us special?Early Years Foundation StagePrimary School Bilingual Swiss MaturitéSecondary SchoolIB Middle Years Programme (MYP)IGCSE IB Diploma Programme (IBDP)

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The LCIS Learning Journey

Early Years (EYFS) / F0 - F2 / ages 2 - 5 Primary / Year 1 - Year 6 / ages 5 - 11

Bilingual Swiss Maturité / 7ème to 11ème / ages 10 to 15

Secondary / Year 7 - Year 13 / ages 11 - 18

MYP/ Year 7 - Year 9 IGCSE / Year 10 - Year 11 IBDP / Year 12 - Year 13

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What makes us special?

Transforming learning

We offer bespoke English and French curricula and an individually tailored approach to every child to enable them to get ahead in the changing world of the future.

Outstanding teachers

As part of the Nord Anglia Education (NAE) family of premium international schools, we are able to recruit and retain outstanding teachers. As dedicated, passionate and committed professionals, they strive to inspire their students each and every day.

Our collaboration with King’s College

London, as well as Nord Anglia University, our exclusive professional development platform, provide our teachers with exceptional resources to ensure that they, too, are inspired to be lifelong learners.

Engaging learning environments

Nestled amongst apple orchards with a view of the Alps and Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), our modern campus features first-class facilities and technology designed to give your child a great head-start.

Our nurturing community embraces over 36 nationalities, connected

through shared values. In this welcoming environment, we bring your children’s talents to the fore, support them to be academically and socially confident, and give them all the benefits you would expect from one of the best schools in Switzerland.

Beyond the classroom

Our students are all given the opportunity to explore their passions through their studies and trips, clubs, teams and a wide range of extra-curricular activities, whether they are in sports, languages, technology, drama, music or art.

Our House System, Student Council and Leadership Programme empower students and support their social and emotional development.

Specialised student support

English as an Additional Language (EAL) is offered to students requiring further English instruction. In addition, we have a Learning Support (LS) department which offers in-class and 1:1 provision for students with mild to moderate learning needs.

World-class learning opportunities

As part of Nord Anglia Education, La Côte International School offers

our students a range of unparalleled global opportunities.

Your child will have the opportunity to expand their creativity, imagination and self-confidence through our performing arts programme, which is strengthened by our collaboration with The Juilliard School in New York.

Our collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) takes a real-world, hands-on approach to teaching STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths), to nurture curiosity and inspire your child to invent the future.

With UNICEF, we raise awareness of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and learn to create local solutions for global issues.

In addition to our on-campus learning, NAE’s exclusive online learning environment, Global Campus, allows our students to connect with peers from all NAE schools to collaborate, learn and interact with one another in order to develop a truly international perspective.

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Your child’s Early Years at La Côte International School are exactly what they should be: enjoyable, stimulating and secure. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum offers children ages 2 to 5 a balanced and varied learning programme to prepare young learners for their future education by developing skills, interests, self-esteem and confidence.

Early Years Foundation Stage (ages 2 to 5)

Foundation 0 (ages 2 to 3) / Foundation 1 (ages 3 to 4 ) / Foundation 2 (ages 4 to 5)

Thanks to a unique focus on child-led learning and In The Moment Planning (ITMP), children are encouraged to learn at their own pace through a play-based approach in a nurturing environment.

Their individual needs and development are observed and assessed by experienced, specialised teachers. ITMP ensures students are engaged and involved, which is linked to better brain development in young children, and it enables teachers to focus on each child’s individual interests. As a result, students make very good progress and the learning is

• Expressive Arts and Design

Our teachers regularly incorporate teachable moments to extend a child’s learning by providing opportunities to develop their maths, phonics and writing skills.

While we teach predominantly in English, there is a strong emphasis on French within a bilingual environment. As of Foundation 2, there is a distinction in lessons between French as a mother tongue and French as a foreign language.

embedded and relevant to each child. Our open classroom allows children to explore their interests via child-led and play-based learning in an indoor-outdoor setting, using the outside space as an extra classroom.

The seven areas of learning and development within the EYFS framework are:

• Personal, Social and Emotional• Physical• Communication and Language• Literacy• Mathematics• Understanding the World

Teachers are resourceful and creative in finding the most amazing ways to develop our children’s curiosity and to make learning a fun activity. I have visited many schools in the area and I have yet to see the quality of teachers like those in the Early Years at La Côte.

- a parent at La Côte International School

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Our Primary Years programme is based on the English National Curriculum (ENC) and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). These curricula are broad, balanced and internationally recognised programmes, which offer high education standards while ensuring students develop crucial life skills that are needed for them to develop into well-rounded citizens of the world. Our Primary programme puts a high value on Personal, Social, Health, and Emotional Education (PSHE) which, alongside the framework of academic excellence, ensures personal development is at the heart of education.

Primary School / Years 1 to 6 (ages 5 to 11)

Key Stage 1 (ages 5 to 7) / Key Stage 2 (ages 7 to 11)

At LCIS, English and Maths follow the objectives of the ENC in order to ensure our teaching and learning programme is well-structured, balanced, consistent and rigorous. For most other subjects, namely Geography, History, Science, Art, Technology, Physical Education, and Computing, we follow the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) programme, which suits the requirements of an international school environment and helps students develop a global mindset from a very young age. The IPC is an interdisciplinary, creative and thematic curriculum with specific learning goals for every subject. The IPC offers students the opportunity to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding through exciting and meaningful enquiry-based units of work, known as ‘Topic Work’. As of Key Stage 2, students have the option to follow the IPC in English or in French.

Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2

Throughout Key Stage 1 (ages 5 to 7) and Key Stage 2 (7 to 11) your child will be encouraged to be inquisitive and develop a real desire to learn.

Our curriculum builds on each stage of development, nurturing students to become self-confident, curious and self-disciplined, as well as respectful of their environment and other people. We plan our curriculum carefully to offer a range of stimulating topics and themes, and form links between and across subjects so that students can see the value and relevance of different elements of their learning. Students become independent learners, who are effective and confident communicators, willing to take risks and able to organise their thoughts critically and coherently.

Key Stage 1 and 2 subject areas

Key Stage 1 and 2 subject areas include English Language and Literacy, Mathematics, French, Science, Geography, History, Art, Design & Technology, Music, Physical Education, Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Information Technology.

French programmes in Primary

The French programmes offer both a French mother tongue course (A) and French as a foreign language course

(B). The French A programme is an ambitious hybrid course based on the French and Swiss curricula and offers a rigorous preparation for our students who wish to opt to follow the Swiss Maturité or take a bilingual IB Diploma.

Primary Learner Goals

We believe that there are key qualities and dispositions essential to promoting the whole-person development of a child. Accordingly, these 8 Learner Goals underpin everything we do during the Primary years at LCIS:

• enquiry

• resilience

• morality

• communication

• thoughtfulness

• co-operation

• respect

• adaptability

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In Secondary, we are proud to offer a bespoke selection of studies designed to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world and to enrich the individual and academic development of each student. The LCIS enhanced curriculum model amalgamates the very best elements of both the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP), with its enquiry-based and student-led focus on creativity, independent learning, reflection, community and service, and the rigorous structure of an externally validated formal examination provided by the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). The internationally respected and renowned IB Diploma Programme (DP), which allows entry to the world’s top universities, completes our Secondary offer.

We follow the full IB MYP Programme in Years 7 to 9 and then incorporate the IGCSE as a form of external assessment in Years 10 and 11. Our enhanced model allows us to include relevant and purposeful pillars of the

IB, such as the Learner Profile (LP), Approaches to Teaching and Learning (ATL), Theory of Knowledge (ToK), and service learning throughout our curriculum. We believe that these are the best means of preparing for

the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and the demands of tomorrow’s world. Through these purposeful choices for our Secondary curriculum provision at LCIS, we are enabling our students to develop crucial skills for their future.

Secondary School / Years 7 to 13 (ages 11 to 18)

IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) / Years 7 to 9 (ages 11 to 14)International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) / Years 10 and 11 (ages 14 to 16)IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) / Years 12 and 13 (ages 16 to 18)

Bilingual Swiss Maturité /7ème to 11ème / ages 10 to 15

Our bespoke bilingual Swiss Maturité programme can be an optimal choice for those students who aspire to graduating with the respected Bilingual (Federal) Swiss Maturité Diploma as a pathway into higher education. A unique, bilingual, English-French immersion programme with a truly international perspective, our innovative curriculum is based on the plan d’études romand (PER) and blends the best of two pedagogical approaches: the rigour and versatility of the Swiss curriculum combined with the transformational and stimulating pedagogical approach of the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) in Year 6, and the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) from Year 7.

Students in the bilingual stream study French, maths, science and German. They join their peers for lessons conducted in English, including the IPC interdisciplinary Topic Work in 7ème, English language and literature, individuals and societies, computer science, music, sports and performing arts. Through frequent immersion,

students acquire strong English language skills, while continuously perfecting their written and spoken French in preparation for the academic rigour of the Bilingual Swiss Maturité.

As part of our unique blended curriculum, students benefit from the holistic framework of learning introduced by the MYP. They are

motivated to become creative, intellectually curious, confident and collaborative learners as well as socially responsible members of tomorrow’s world.

Students learn in small class sizes and receive personalised support, allowing them to be ambitious and achieve their personal best.

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IB Learner Profile

At the core of all IB programmes is the learner profile, which fosters students to be: inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective.inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective.

At LCIS, our teaching approach is driven by this IB philosophy. We aim to develop the skills and attributes of each learner in our community so that students can meet the challenges of 21st century life with confidence, capability, adaptability and understanding.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) provides a holistic framework of learning that encourages students to become creative, critical and reflective thinkers. It prepares students to meet future academic challenges, including the IB Diploma Programme (DP), while developing their skills for communication, intercultural understanding and global engagement.

The MYP ensures depth and breadth of understanding through study in eight subject groups:

• Language acquisition• Language and literature• Individuals and societies• Sciences• Mathematics• Arts (Art, Music and Performing Arts)• Physical and Health Education• Design

A community project encourages students to explore their responsibility to implementing service in the community.

IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) / Years 7 to 9 (ages 11 to 14)

IGCSE / Years 10 and 11 (ages 14 to 16)

Benefits of the MYP curriculum

• Rigorous learning objectives combine with a holistic, student-centred approach.

• Students learn how to learn. They are introduced to conceptual understanding and inquiry-based thinking, while developing key knowledge, attitudes and skills.

• Students are taught and learn in context, encouraging them to make connections between their studies and the real world. Using global contexts, students learn what it means to be internationally minded.

• Students learn about shared values, being a caring member of the community and making a positive difference through service and activity.

• MYP students learn three languages.

• Students develop their ability to critically evaluate information, think flexibly and apply their knowledge to manage unfamiliar and complex situations.

The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is adapted to suit a more internationally-focused student body. Taught in over 140 countries and almost 3,700 schools worldwide, the IGCSE programme is the world’s most popular and respected international formal qualification for students ages 14 to 16. It is widely recognised as evidence of academic ability and gives flexibility to the students’ learning and choice of subjects.

The IGCSE is exam-based and assessed through the University of Cambridge International Examination and Edexcel. Students study 10 subjects, 7 compulsory courses (English Language, English Literature, French, Mathematics and a choice of 3 out of 4 Sciences) and 3 options.

At LCIS, we teach the IGCSE alongside these key IB elements as part of our unique blended curriculum:

Theory of Knowledge (ToK), preparing students for this key area of the core at

Diploma level.

Mini Extended Essay as a natural progression from the MYP Personal Project and an ideal preparation for the Extended Essay at DP level.

Outdoor Education/Games, Assemblies and PSHE to ensure that the holistic approach of the MYP is reflected throughout the IGCSE course.

Benefits of the IGCSE

• Respected by universities worldwide, it opens doors to higher

education both in Europe, the UK and overseas.

• The assessment techniques check problem-solving skills, time-management skills, practical and oral skills, initiative and application of skills, knowledge, and understanding.

• The curriculum gives an international perspective to studies.

• It offers a solid preparation for the IB Diploma Programme.

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The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is an academically challenging and balanced two-year programme of education for students ages 16-18. As one of the most highly regarded pre-university diplomas in the world, the IBDP leads to an internationally recognised qualification which, depending on the level awarded, allows students access to the most prestigious undergraduate courses in the world. Taught in over 150 countries, the IBDP offers a holistic approach to education, nurturing intellectual, personal, emotional, and social skills.

IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) / Years 12 and 13 (ages 16 to 18)

The subjects in the IBDP are divided into six groups. Students must study one subject from each of Group 1 to 5, and another from either Group 6 or an additional subject from Groups 1 to 4. Three of the six subjects must be studied at Higher Level, while the other three are studied at Standard Level.

The subject groups are:

• Group 1: Studies in Language and/or Literature

• Group 2: Language Acquisition

• Group 3: Individuals and Societies (Geography, History, Business Management, Economics)

• Group 4: Experimental Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Design, Sports Science)

• Group 5: Mathematics (Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches, Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation)

• Group 6: The Arts (Visual Arts, Film, Music, Theatre)

For each of the six chosen subjects, students receive a grade between 1 and 7, with 7 being the highest.

Students must also complete the following three core elements of

the IB, designed to broaden their experience and skills:

Theory of Knowledge (ToK)

Students critically examine different types of knowledge (scientific, artistic, mathematical and historical) and knowing (perception, emotion, language and reason). They are taught to recognise the need to act responsibly in the world around them for their benefit and the benefit of others.

The Extended Essay

An in-depth 4,000-word study involving research into one of the six chosen subjects, or an interdisciplinary thesis combining themes from two IB disciplines.

Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)

CAS projects enable students to enhance their personal and interpersonal development by learning through experience. They provide opportunities for self-determination and collaboration with others, fostering a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment from their work. At the same time, CAS is an important counterbalance to the academic pressures of the DP.

The ToK and Extended Essay can collectively contribute another three points to a student’s total score, for a maximum of 45 points. To pass the IBDP, students must receive a total score of 24 points or above. The CAS element does not add to the score of the student, but the IB Diploma cannot be awarded without it.

Our academic successes

La Côte International School has been an authorised International Baccalaureate (IB) World School since August 2012.

For the sixth year running, our students achieved a 100% pass rate for the IBDP, a glowing result compared to the 77.4% world average IB pass rate in 2020. With an average score of 35 points, we are well above the IB global average of 29.9 points. In addition, two graduates achieved over 40 points, which is outstanding. Our graduates receive offers to study all over the world, including prestigious Russell Group Universities and World’s Top Universities, as ranked by THE (Times Higher Education) and QS World University Rankings. Virtually all of our students were accepted to their top choice of university this year.

We aim to teach students to think critically and independently, and how to inquire

with care and logic. - IB Org

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Contact us La Côte International SchoolChemin de Clamogne 8 1170 Aubonne, Switzerland

admissions@international-school.org

+41 22 823 26 26

www.international-school.org