Teens 13-19

Here at SIS, you’ll find that there’s a lot to learn and tons to explore. If you are between ages 13 and 15, you’ll fit right in to the Alpine Exploration (AE) program. For older teens ages 16-19, there’s the Alpine Challenge (AC) program. Each group has its own age-specific curfews, but both groups meet up for morning classes and afternoon activities. Students choose which afternoon activities to participate in, all led by our dedicated staff. On weekends, both age groups travel together on all-day excursions, getting the chance to explore the surrounding areas of Leysin.

Summer in Switzerland (SIS) offers two sessions of three consecutive weeks, with the optional Recreation and Culture week between the two sessions. Students have the opportunity to participate for two to seven weeks, with arrivals scheduled for Saturdays and departures scheduled for Fridays.

Additionally, the Alpine Challenge and Alpine Exploration students have the option to participate in the general program, or may choose one of the specialized programs—Theatre International, Outdoor Leadership Adventure, SAT/ACT Preparation, or English-as-a-Second-Language.

General Program students:

Choose varied classes for the morning
Choose their afternoon activities
Participate in the group activities in the evening
Go on all-day excursions on the weekend

Theatre International students:

Take theatre-based classes in the morning
Plan, prepare sets, costumes, lighting and rehearse for a play or musical most afternoons
May participate in the group activities in the evening, rehearsal times permitting
Go on all-day excursions on the weekend

Outdoor Leadership Adventure Program students:

Take Leadership-based classes in the morning, usually in the classroom
Practice learned leadership skills and concepts outdoors each afternoon
May join the General Program for evening activities, all-day excursion on the weekend, or be on a multi-day overnight hike putting into practice leadership skills learned

SAT/ACT Preparation students:

Take math, verbal and writing classes in the morning and three afternoons per session
Take part in the general program the rest of the session.

English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) Program students:

Take ESL classes in the morning
Choose their afternoon activities
Participate in the group activities in the evening
Go on all-day excursions on the weekend

Weekday Schedule*, Sunday through Thursday:

08:00: Breakfast
08:45: Morning Classes (4 periods)
12:30: Lunch
13:30: Quiet Time
14:45: 1st Activity Period
16:30: 2nd Activity Period
18:00: Dinner
18:45: Free Time
20:15: Evening Activity
22:15: Time in Dorm for Alpine Exploration
22:45: Time in Dorm for Alpine Challenge
22:30: Lights Out Alpine Exploration
23:00: Lights Out Alpine Challenge

Weekend Schedule*, Friday and Saturday:

09:00: Brunch
10:00: All-Day Excursion Leaves
20:00: All-Day Excursion Returns

* All schedules are subject to change.