Visiting La Garenne School: Questions to Ask During a Campus Tour

Last spring, my husband and I found ourselves driving up a winding road in the Swiss Alps, our stomachs in knots. We were about to tour La Garenne school, a place we’d heard praised by other expat families but knew little about firsthand. As parents of a curious nine-year-old, we weren’t just looking for pretty buildings. We wanted to know if this school would feel like home. That visit taught me something important: the questions you ask matter far more than the glossy brochures. So here’s what I learned, and the questions I wish I’d asked sooner.

Understanding the Academic Philosophy

During the tour, our guide emphasized the school’s commitment to individualized learning. But I wanted specifics. How do teachers differentiate instruction for a child who races ahead in math but struggles with French? What does assessment look like beyond report cards? Ask about the curriculum’s flexibility. For instance, does La Garenne follow a British, Swiss, or International Baccalaureate framework, and how do they blend them? Also, request to see a typical weekly timetable. It’s one thing to hear “small class sizes” and another to see how those small groups actually function. I found that asking “Can you show me a recent project that a student was proud of?” revealed more about teaching style than any statistic.

Boarding and Day Student Dynamics

We were considering day enrollment, but I wanted to understand the boarding culture. How integrated are day students with boarders during meals, evening study, and weekend activities? A helpful question: “What does a typical Wednesday look like for a day student versus a boarder?” Also, ask about the ratio of staff to students in the dorms. If your child has dietary needs or medical routines, ask who oversees those details. I was relieved to learn that La Garenne has a full-time nurse and a flexible approach to homesickness. But you should hear that directly from the staff, not just the marketing team. Another key question: “How do you handle conflicts between boarders?” The answer tells you a lot about emotional intelligence training.

Pastoral Care and Well-being

Mental health support is non-negotiable for me. I asked, “What happens when a student is struggling socially or emotionally?” I wanted to know if there’s a dedicated counselor, how often they meet with students, and whether teachers are trained to spot warning signs. Also, ask about bullying policies. Not just whether they exist, but how they’re enforced. For example, “Can you walk me through a recent case where a student felt isolated?” That might feel intrusive, but schools that handle such questions with transparency earn my trust. I also asked about screen time and outdoor time. In the Alps, nature is a huge asset, but I wanted to confirm that students actually get outside daily, not just on special trips.

Extracurriculars and Weekend Life

La Garenne offers skiing, music, and robotics, but I wanted to know what happens when a child wants to try something new mid-term. Ask, “How do you balance structured activities with free time?” Also, “Are weekends mostly programmed or do boarders have unstructured hours?” For our family, the answer mattered because we didn’t want a child who was exhausted by Sunday night. I also asked about transportation to local towns and whether day students can join weekend excursions. The tour guide admitted that some activities fill up quickly, so ask about sign-up processes and waiting lists. Finally, ask about the arts. Is there a choir, a theater production, or a pottery studio? A school’s creative side often reveals its soul.

Communication and Parent Involvement

How often will I hear from teachers? Is there a parent portal, and how responsive are emails? I asked, “What is the best way to raise a concern without it becoming a big deal?” The answer helped me gauge the school’s culture. I also asked about parent-teacher conferences, report timelines, and whether there are opportunities to volunteer or join a parent association. For international families, time zones matter. Ask if meetings can be recorded or if there’s a weekly newsletter. One more thing: ask about turnover. High staff turnover can disrupt a child’s sense of security. “How long has the average teacher been here?” is a fair question.

Final Reflections

Leaving the campus, my husband and I didn’t have all the answers, but we felt more grounded. The questions I’ve shared aren’t about catching the school off guard. They’re about building a genuine picture of daily life. If you’re planning a visit, write your top five questions down before you go. Then listen not just to the words, but to how they’re said. A school that welcomes hard questions is often a school that will welcome your child. And that, more than any alpine view, is what matters.