Known as the “school of kings,” the prestigious Swiss boarding school, Le Rosey, boasts a legacy of educating some of the most influential families in Europe. Located across two stunning campuses—the Château du Rosey estate in Rolle for spring and summer, and chalets in the ski resort of Gstaad for winter—Le Rosey offers a unique blend of luxury and academic excellence. The annual tuition fee of 108,900 Swiss francs (approximately £87,300) reflects its unmatched offerings.
A Legacy of Royalty and Affluence
Founded in 1880 by Paul-Émile Carnal, Le Rosey is one of the oldest boarding schools in Switzerland. Its alumni list reads like a who’s who of royalty and influential figures, including King Albert II of Belgium, the Shah of Iran, Prince Rainier of Monaco, and King Farouk of Egypt. This legacy has earned it the moniker “School of Kings.”
Le Rosey’s reputation for producing globally successful graduates is well-earned. The school claims that 30% of its students gain admission to universities ranked in the top 25 worldwide, including Ivy League institutions, MIT, and Oxbridge. Felipe Laurent, an alumnus and spokesman for Le Rosey, emphasizes the school’s historical weight and the legacy it offers to families who have been a part of its community for generations.
Luxurious Facilities
The main campus of Le Rosey spans 28 hectares of meticulously landscaped grounds. It features state-of-the-art facilities that rival the amenities of a five-star resort. The campus includes 179 bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, 48 apartments for teachers, a theater, three dining rooms, two cafeterias, an auditorium, two gymnasiums, and an ecumenical chapel. Academically, the school is equipped with 53 classrooms, eight science laboratories, 14 specially-equipped rooms, two infirmaries, and a library housing 30,000 titles.
The school’s sailing center, Fleur d’Eau, is situated along 100 meters of Lake Geneva’s shoreline and boasts ten dinghies, three motorboats, and a 38-foot yacht. The sports curriculum is equally impressive, featuring ten clay tennis courts, an 82-foot indoor pool, an outdoor pool, three football pitches, a synthetic rugby pitch, a wood chip running track, and a shooting and archery range. Off-campus, the private equestrian center houses 30 horses, an indoor riding school, a dressage area, and a clubhouse.
A Unique Educational Model
Le Rosey’s bi-lingual program divides students into four stages: juniors, cadets, jeunes seniors, and seniors. At the high school level, students can choose between the French Baccalauréat or the International Baccalaureate diploma. Headmaster Michael Robert Gray, in an interview with Town and Country magazine, stated that Le Rosey prioritizes a holistic education. “Le Rosey is about more than the academic, although we are very good at that. Alongside knowledge, ideas, and understanding, parents want their children to socialize, be creative, and learn about other cultures.”
The journey to Le Rosey is as enchanting as the school itself. The drive to the Rolle campus winds through picturesque Swiss countryside, past fields, farms, and vineyards, with the glistening Lake Geneva visible against a backdrop of snowcapped mountains. This fairy-tale setting is a prelude to the grandeur that awaits at the 14th-century Château de Rosey.
An Emphasis on Sports and Extracurriculars
Le Rosey is renowned for its emphasis on sports, particularly skiing. Students receive ski lessons four days a week during the winter term in Gstaad. They spend mornings in lessons and afternoons skiing down the slopes, a routine that ensures they leave the school as expert skiers.
The school also nurtures artistic talents, with over 60% of students playing an instrument or singing. They can join the school’s orchestra, chamber orchestra, choir, or individual rock bands. Unique activities in 2021 included visits to Payerne airport to meet innovators from the Swiss start-up Solar Stratos and honing sailing, water rescue, and first aid skills on Lac Léman.
With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1 and an average class size of fewer than 20 students, Le Rosey provides an intimate and personalized education. Its impressive list of facilities and the opportunities it offers make it one of the most sought-after and expensive schools globally. For families seeking a legacy of excellence, Institut Le Rosey remains an unparalleled choice.
