At Leysin American School, we believe the next generation of world leaders needs an innovative, creative mindset to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. That belief is at the heart of our Changemakers program, which integrates innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship into academics and student life, preparing students for a rapidly evolving global economy.

Through AP/IB pathways and our microcredential system, students build future-ready skills—critical thinking, leadership, and responsible use of technology—while creating portfolios that support university applications and future careers. Dynamic courses, real-world case studies, business partnerships, and international competitions give students the hands-on experience and confidence to lead and make an impact.

A Partnership with Babson College and SCAD

LAS partners with Babson College, the top-ranked institution for entrepreneurship in the US, and the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), a global leader in art and design, to offer an unparalleled entrepreneurship program. These collaborations bring Babson's Entrepreneurial Program for Innovators and Changemakers (EPIC) curriculum and a bespoke SCAD curriculum into our coursework, giving students access to cutting-edge methodologies and expert mentorship from both institutions.

Students gain experience in problem-solving, opportunity recognition, and venture creation through real case studies, including Orchard House Preserves, an organic farm start-up on Prince Edward Island; The Grand Chalet in Leysin; Myosotis Creations, a local flower shop; and Paris-based fashion designer Charles Sébline. Working through these real business challenges, students learn to research and analyze problems creatively, and propose solutions grounded in actual market conditions.

Coursework Built for Real-World Thinking

The Changemakers curriculum spans several courses. In Pivots and Profits, an introduction to entrepreneurship, students explore ideation and analysis through a startup simulator with investment-based elimination rounds, live pitches, and a stock market simulation. Intro to Entrepreneurship, developed with Babson EPIC, builds agency and critical thinking aligned with the UN Global Goals. In Pre-MBA, students use case studies from MBA programs and local businesses to analyze information and make high-stakes decisions under time pressure. Inventors' Workshop and Futures and Funds guide students from concept to market—covering invention, product development, and investment fund management—while IB Economics and IB Business round out the program with a foundation in economic theory and global business practice.

Real-World Skills, Real-World Impact

Beyond the classroom, students engage in professional simulations, compete in global challenges, and pursue certificates for college credit. A speaker series brings in thought leaders, and every student builds a credentialed toolbox of soft skills through our microcredential system.

Together, the Babson and SCAD partnerships reflect what makes Changemakers distinctive: students learn entrepreneurship and design by doing, guided by mentors from two world-leading institutions and grounded in real businesses and real challenges. At LAS, we're proud to give our students the tools and experiences they need to become the Changemakers of tomorrow.