Special Programs

Have an interest in another subject? Our three-week Special Programs give Alpine Exploration and Alpine Challenge students the opportunity to become deeply involved in a single course of study.

Theatre International

Got a calling for the stage? In just three weeks, the theatre program's student actors and teachers actually rehearse for and present one complete play and a musical plus a talent show! Past shows have included Over the River and Through the Woods, Grease, Rags to Riches, The Odd Couple, and Bye Bye Birdie. Morning study includes classes in acting, directing, improvisation, stage combat, lighting, costuming, and set design, with evenings and weekends open for group activities with the general program participants. Students may enhance their experience by participating in the UK Theatre Highlight Tour during Recreation and Culture Week.

Daily Schedule:

Mornings
Four classes of Theatre skills chosen from courses such as acting, directing, improvisation, stage combat, lighting, costuming, and set designing
Afternoons
Rehearsing for a musical or play, and preparing set, lights, and costumes for production
Evenings
Join the General Program for Group Activities, rehearsal schedule permitting, or performing for the SIS community
Weekends
Join the General Program for All-day Excursions, rehearsal schedule permitting

Outdoor Leadership Adventure

During the SIS Outdoor Leadership Adventure program, students follow a challenging path that focuses on individual and group development—with emphasis on learning by experience. Morning classes focus on communication, environmental education, decision-making skills, and leadership styles and techniques. By mastering challenging and fun outdoor activities in the afternoons and on overnight hikes, the program's students develop a positive group dynamic, while gaining a shared sense of personal accomplishment and individual people skills. The group joins the general program during the evenings for group activities. Leadership participants have the opportunity to experience Swiss Alpine culture through a multi-day hike spending nights in traditional mountain hostels.

Daily Schedule:

Mornings
Classes based on communication, environmental education, decision-making skills, leadership styles and techniques, first aid, and outdoor living skills
Afternoons
Putting into practice lessons learned in the mornings, usually hands-on group and individual activities such as climbing, canoeing, white-water rafting, high ropes course, and hiking
Evenings
Join the General Program for Group Activities, unless on an extended overnight hike
Weekends
Join the General Program for All-Day Excursions, unless on an extended overnight hike

Alpine Chamber Music

The Alpine Chamber Music Festival (ACM) offers dedicated young musicians ages 13-19 the opportunity to study and perform chamber music with world-class faculty, in the idyllic beauty of Leysin, Switzerland. ACM is sponsored by the Summer In Switzerland program at the Leysin American School.

Overview

Chamber music ensembles perform at the Leysin American School's beautiful facilities, and in and around Leysin, including Alpine mountain tops and 12th-century churches.

Students receive attentive individual instruction from dedicated, world-class professional faculty. ACM provides a nurturing environment that stresses personal growth, individual creativity and self-expression, as well as physical, emotional, and intellectual well-being. Read more about the Alpine Chamber Music Faculty.

Instrumentalists of all levels are welcome to apply - ensembles will be formed upon arrival and will accommodate the student's individual ability.

Summer In Switzerland offers ACM students the opportunity to participate in classes, activities, and excursions to major Swiss centers such as Geneva, Montreux, Zermatt and Bern. See SIS website for details on SIS offerings.

ACM participants will attend concerts in some of the area's world-renowned festivals, such as Verbier, Lucerne, the Giannada Foundation, and Sion-Valais.

Join a Highlight Tour to one of several musical capitals in Europe (Vienna, for example). See SIS website for details.

Both ACM and Summer In Switzerland bring together students from the U.S., Europe, Russia, the Middle East and Asia for what is an unforgettable international summer experience.

Daily Schedule:

Mornings
  • 8:45 - 9:35 Alpine Chamber Music Class Elective (ACM students may elect the ACM class or a SIS class, such as a foreign language, art, etc.
  • 9:40-10:40 Individual Practice/Group Rehearsals/Private Lessons
  • 10:50-12:30 Chamber Music Coaching Period I

    • Afternoons
  • 1:30-2:30 Individual Practice/Group Rehearsals/Private Lessons
  • 2:30-4:00 Chamber Music Coaching Period II
  • 4:30-6:00 Summer In Switzerland Activity Elective (Hiking, swimming, sports, parasailing, etc.

    • Evenings
  • 6:00-8:00 Free Time
  • 8:15-9:45 Summer In Switzerland Evening Activities, Alpine Chamber Music, Concerts and Evening Concert Excursions
  • 9:45 In Dorm time. Free Time in Dorms or Red Frog (the student's lounge at LAS)

    • Weekends
    Join the General Program for All-Day Excursions, unless on an extended overnight hike

    Download the ACM application (.pdf format)

    SAT/ACT Preparation

    Get a jump on higher education by mastering both content and question types appearing in the math, reading and writing sections of each test. This program is led by a specialist from Studyworks, and includes math content review and strategies, verbal and vocabulary review, and essay writing skills and grammar fundamentals.

    Daily Schedule:

    SAT/ACT Prep classes are held in the morning and three afternoons per session. For the balance of their schedules, students take part in the General Program.

    ESL

    Summer in Switzerland provides students a chance to learn English in an intensive and supportive environment. Upon arrival, students are assessed to determine their English language ability. All English-as-a Second-Language (ESL) morning classes are small with curriculum designed to meet individual needs. In the afternoons, students in the Intensive ESL program join the rest of the community, interacting closely with native English speakers. English is the common language for all students and staff at SIS for all activities in the afternoons and evenings.

    Daily Schedule:

    Mornings
    Small classes, special ESL curriculum
    Afternoons
    Join the General Program for activities led in English
    Evenings
    Join the General Program for Group Activities led in English
    Weekends
    Join the General Program for All-Day Excursions

    Program Assistants

    This highly selective opportunity offers a limited number of positions to 18-19 year old students who have shown leadership and a desire to become a staff member at SIS or other camp-like programs.

    Daily Schedule:

    Mornings
    Seminars in supervision techniques, conflict resolution, diversity awareness, and camp counseling strategies
    Afternoons
    Hands-on experience with SIS staff in preparing and leading activities
    Evenings
    Hands-on experience with SIS staff in preparing and leading activities