Draft:La Garenne International School

La Garenne International School, known more informally as La Garenne or La Garenne School, is a private boarding school in Switzerland. Established in 1947, it is located in Villars-sur-Ollon, in the Swiss Alps. The institution began as a primary school and evolved into a boarding school that accepts students from age 5 to 18. The school's name, "La Garenne," translates to "rabbit burrow" in English.

History
La Garenne was launched as a children's home in 1947, spearheaded by qualified nurses, Misses Caboussat and L'Eplattenier. The facility accommodated up to 20 children aged between 4 and 11 within a refurbished wooden farmhouse that had been converted into dormitories and classrooms. A combination of conventional pedagogical methods and fresh air "cures" were utilized for teaching, the latter being a common treatment for tuberculosis, measles, and whooping cough in Switzerland at the time.

In 1966, the institution was acquired by the de Lattre family who expanded the original facilities, instated a structured timetable, and established an English section. They replaced the afternoon naps with more sports activities, evolving La Garenne from a children's home into an international primary school. By the 1980s, the institution was under the management of the Méan family, who are actively managing the institution.

Present
La Garenne International School continues to operate partially from its original 1947 campus, supplemented by additional boarding houses, such as Beau Site, which were erected in the 2010s. In 2021, the school expanded by purchasing an old hotel building to include a senior school department and a new boarding house, Le Roc. The institution accepts up to 170 international and local boarding and day students. The curriculum followed is the International Primary Curriculum for the primary level, and the International Baccalaureate's Middle Years and Diploma programs for older students. Instruction is primarily in English, supplemented by mandatory French lessons at all levels. The institution continues to promote outdoor activities, with a seasonal focus on snow sports and outdoor exploration. The school also organizes annual summer and winter camps designed to integrate language learning with cultural and sporting activities. These camps cater to children aged between 5 and 16

Accreditations
La Garenne is accredited by several national and international organizations, including:

The International Baccalaureate Organization The Boarding Schools Association The Council of International Schools The New England Association of Schools and Colleges The Swiss Group of International Schools DELF-DALF Swiss Learning The International Primary Curriculum Cambridge English Language Assessment - Exam Preparation Centre