A school where the Swiss Alps and the International Baccalaureate have merged so naturally that mountains became an integral part of learning.

School in the Alps

Verbier International School sits at the heart of Verbier—a world-renowned ski resort at 1,500 meters—where mountains naturally weave into students’ daily lives. Founded in 2011, it has preserved its close-knit community atmosphere while moving to a new campus, Les Trois Cimes, in the resort’s center during summer 2025. Now part of Dukes Education, a leading British network, the school offers children connections across the globe and welcomes both day and boarding students year-round or for individual terms, crafting personalized pathways in exceptionally small classes.

Accreditations and Partnerships

Cognia and the Council of British International Schools have accredited the school across all key areas—from student welfare to boarding management. Membership in the Swiss Group of International Schools supports continuous improvement, while the partnership with Dukes Education extends horizons far beyond the Alps. The school is also authorized to offer the IBDP, a prestigious international qualification highly valued by leading universities worldwide, alongside an alternative High School Diploma Programme that lets families choose the most suitable path with guidance from experienced counselors.

Programmes at Verbier International School

Primary classes follow an international curriculum with a playful, hands-on approach—Foundation Stage students learn through England’s Early Years Foundation Stage before progressing to Key Stages 1 and 2. Forest School sessions let children build shelters, light fires, and craft with natural materials. The middle years operate through IB MYP, a flexible system that balances academic rigor with projects where each child selects challenges aligned with personal goals. Senior students choose between the IB Diploma or High School Diploma, both offering a broad subject range and the freedom to explore genuine interests.

Structure:

• Foundation Stage and Primary: Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stages 1-2
• Middle School (Grades 7-11): IB Middle Years Programme
• Senior School (Grades 12-13): IB Diploma Programme or High School Diploma Programme

Beyond the Classroom

Skiing is woven into the school’s DNA—from preschool through Grade 11, all students ski at least six hours weekly in winter, accessing the 4 Vallées area with nearly 100 lifts and over 400 km of runs. The neighboring sports center provides climbing walls, squash, tennis, and swimming pools, while summer brings hiking across 500 km of trails, via ferrata, mountain biking, and even surfing nearby. Creative pursuits thrive too—visual arts, theater, and music flourish here, with the art team connected to Verbier 3-D Sculpture Park Residency and the primary school maintaining its own piano teacher.

Beyond the classroom:

• Winter sports: skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey
• Year-round sports: tennis, golf, swimming, football, basketball, climbing, horse riding
• Summer activities: mountain biking, trail running, via ferrata, surfing, wakeboarding
• Creative arts: visual arts, theater, music, workshops

Boarding Life

Flexible accommodation options include year-round boarding, winter-term-only stays, weekly boarding, or occasional overnight arrangements as needed. Les Touristes residence occupies a historic building in Verbier’s center—a small, modern house with individual rooms for students in Grades 7-11, separate wings for boys and girls, and a shared kitchen-dining area with lounge. House parents live in the same building, helping children develop independence and confidence, while weekends overflow with activities—winter skiing, summer cycling, golf, sailing, and hiking, plus trips to Swiss, Italian, and French cities often proposed and organized by boarders themselves.