 Poster: A snowHead
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I loved the year we spent in Bourg St. Maurice with our daughter attending the Ecole Maternelle, but my French wife didn't care for it and we are now back in the States. One of the conditions for her going back is an International School for our daughter (who is now 6 in 1st grade). I know we could find one in most of the big cities, but I liked the easy ski access we had in BSM and was hoping to find something in another ski town...anyone know of anything that might work? Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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MEfree30, I preaume you have looked at Council of International Schools
As you say: no schools on their list in ski resorts. Suggest you contact them by phone: +44 (0)1730 263131.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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MEfree30, Closest we found was the Ombrossa (SP?) in Chamberey. Its still in our plan c but we havent visited yet or got past the looking at the website.
I believe there are a couple close to resorts in Switzerland but going by the cost of the Geneva schools they could be pricey.
There are also a couple near Nice that may be close enough to the Southern Alps
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| Quote: |
There are also a couple near Nice that may be close enough to the Southern Alps
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It's a bit of a schlep up from Nice to places like Isola - very slow road. Geneva, Chambery or Grenoble would all be much more accessible to a far greater range of better resorts.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Geneva has good international schools and you are only an hour away from the Grand Massif, less if you live on the French side south of Geneva. Lots of other good resorts within driving range. International School of Lausanne is good and you easily get to PDS from there, plus Crans Montana, Villars etc. Aiglon College is actually in Villars. La Rosiere in Rolle spend the winter in their Gstaad campus! Also International School of Zurich has good resorts within range. I spent last year teaching in Geneva and skied 14 different resorts.
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| welshskier wrote: |
| Geneva has good international schools and you are only an hour away from the Grand Massif, less if you live on the French side south of Geneva. |
Given all the hedgies are decamping london to GVA to avoid gordon's really clever 50% tax, then it's almost impossible to get a kid into an international school in GVA and house prices are through the roof.
So I was told...
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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It is certainly difficult, but not impossible. I'm not sure how many hedgies are actually going, and how many would prefer Eton & Rodean, but the situation has been tight for both schools and property for some years. On the other hand last year there was a fear that due to the recession many multinationals would continue the trend of only sending staff for relatively short stays and not relocating families, which did concern schools planning for the future. If you are going to relocate get in touch with schools as soon as possible.
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MEfree30, Hi mate, good to hear you might come back over the pond. But then I could not come to visit next season, so wait another year ok.
As for your question. There are loads of IS in Geneva, and getting into one for you child at that age is not hard, BUT it will cost quite a lot. There is one in Morgins I believe and Villar. Even Gstaad, but you will need even more money. Someone said the ISC I think. That is what most of my friends use to find schools around the world for there kids. But all are private and expensive. IF you are really serious, PM me with details and I can ask a friend that teaches in Geneva at one of them. Oh and the French run International English streams in some of there schools on there side of the border near Geneva and in other towns I believe and they are nearly free. CERN has one for sure. Or very near to it, but I have know idea how you would apply. Good hunting!!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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bitoffluff, of the skills with which my education provided me, reading and skiing are the two of which I avail myself the most. I assume the poster's children can already read. 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Villars ? I seem to recall a friend of a friend teaching in a school there ?
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| snowcrazy wrote: |
MEfree30, Hi mate, good to hear you might come back over the pond. But then I could not come to visit next season, so wait another year ok.
As for your question. There are loads of IS in Geneva, and getting into one for you child at that age is not hard, BUT it will cost quite a lot. There is one in Morgins I believe and Villar. Even Gstaad, but you will need even more money. Someone said the ISC I think. That is what most of my friends use to find schools around the world for there kids. But all are private and expensive. IF you are really serious, PM me with details and I can ask a friend that teaches in Geneva at one of them. Oh and the French run International English streams in some of there schools on there side of the border near Geneva and in other towns I believe and they are nearly free. CERN has one for sure. Or very near to it, but I have know idea how you would apply. Good hunting!! |
Thanks Chris (and everyone else that has provided good info). Although I wouldn't mind coming sooner, this is something that we will not likely do in the next few years, so you still have time to visit. Thanks for the heads up about French run International English streams- financially this would probably be the best for us as my daughter has dual citizenship. When researching the first few replies, I noticed that several of the programs were located within (or next to) a French public school, so this could work well if I could find one near where we would like to spend a year or three.
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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My girls were in ski school with girls who went to the International school in Lyon - they were obviously very well travelled little things as their Dad worked for a large international corporation but they seemed very happy with their lot there! (or this was the impression I got from several chair lift rides with one or other of the sisters!)
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FAQ
Afetr all, which is most important - your kids education or convenience for skiing? 
