About La Garenne | La Garenne International School

Welcome to La Garenne

I am delighted to welcome you to the International Boarding School La Garenne.
Nestled in the stunning alpine setting of Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland, La Garenne has been a home away from home for generations of boarding and day students since 1947.
Our mission is to guide young people in becoming independent, resilient, internationally-minded individuals. We nurture each student’s unique talents, meet their individual needs and aspirations, and support them in becoming the best possible versions of themselves.

Our core values shape everything we do:
Care is the foundation of our close-knit, nurturing community – every student is seen, heard, and valued.
Resilience is instilled through challenge and support, helping students grow in confidence and strength.
Impact inspires our students to contribute meaningfully to the world around them, both now and in the future.
Curiosity drives a lifelong love of learning, exploration, and discovery.

From ages 4 to 18, our top priority is for every student to feel happy, safe, healthy, and cherished throughout their educational journey.
Our motto, “Be happy and Never, never, never give up,” reflects not only our ethos, but also the Swiss values of open-mindedness, responsibility, innovation, empathy, and respect.
We look forward to welcoming you into our La Garenne family.

Our Pathway to Individual Success

La Garenne has always been more than a school to me: it has been my home. I grew up here, watching my parents lead the school with care and dedication, and I always knew I wanted to follow in their footsteps. Today, alongside my family and a devoted team of educators, I have the privilege of continuing their legacy while shaping the future of our school.

We offer more than just academic programmes or an international community: we create the feeling of belonging. Every student who joins us becomes part of a supportive, loving environment where they are seen, valued, and encouraged. We guide our students to develop their strengths, discover new passions, and learn with curiosity and purpose.
I am proud of how far La Garenne has come from a traditional chalet school to a dynamic international learning community with state-of-the-art facilities. But the heart of our school remains the same: a place where children feel safe, inspired, and at home.

Welcome to La Garenne: a school built on tradition, driven by passion, and guided by people who truly care. Join our family.

Grégory MéanGeneral Director

Our Leadership Team

Grégory Méan

General Director

Grégory Méan is the fourth child of the Méan family. He grew up with La Garenne as his home. He graduated from the Hotel Management School (École Hôtelière de Lausanne) in 2003. After gaining experience in hotels around the globe, he returned to Villars to become Assistant Director of a local hotel. He balanced work with continuous learning, studying Happiness through Harvard Online and completing several management courses at IMD in Lausanne. In 2008, Grégory took over management of La Garenne, with the goal of making it one of the leading schools in the world at the forefront of both educational and pastoral development. Grégory’s wife, Mme Céline Méan, is a former La Garenne student who now works in the school’s HR department.

Grégory Méan

General Director

Alexey Filatov

CFO

Before joining the Board of La Garenne School, Alexey spent twelve years managing the accounts of major multinational companies in the advertising, media consulting, and audit sectors. He holds a Master of Science from Moscow State University and pursued business studies at the Stockholm School of Economics and INSEAD. In 2015, he completed an Executive MBA at IMD Business School. In his current role, Alexey develops financial and practical solutions to support La Garenne’s continued expansion and development.

Alexey Filatov

CFO

Gavin Williams

Principal

Gavin Williams has worked in education for over 15 years, including 10 years in senior leadership roles. He has extensive experience with the MYP, IGCSE, and IB Diploma programmes, and most recently served as Head of an IB Continuum school in Italy, supporting students aged 2 to 19. He holds a BSc in Biochemistry, a Master’s in Teaching and Learning, and is currently completing a Doctorate in Education at the University of Bath. Gavin is proud to lead learning at La Garenne and looks forward to sharing his passion for high-quality teaching, learning, and pastoral care with the school community.

Gavin Williams

Principal

Danielle Allard

Head of Primary School

Danielle has led the development and implementation of the Primary Curriculum and Assessment structure at La Garenne since 2018. She also introduced Cambridge English Qualifications to the school. Previously a teacher in England, Danielle frequently travels abroad to visit schools and attend leadership workshops. She remains actively involved in classroom teaching and collaborates closely with her Primary School colleagues to help every child build confidence and reach their full potential. One of the most rewarding aspects of her role is getting to know families and working with them to support their children’s learning and development.

Danielle Allard

Head of Primary School

Alexandra Hunn

Head of Secondary School

Content to be added soon!

Alexandra Hunn

Head of Secondary School

Mark Silverstein

Director of Advancement and Admissions

Mark Silverstein, a graduate of NYU and Hofstra University, grew up in Switzerland and has lived in several countries including Belgium, Spain, and the USA. His professional experience includes leadership roles in organisations such as the American Red Cross, Mount Sinai Hospital, and several international schools in Switzerland, including Aiglon College, Institut Florimont in Geneva, and Collège et Lycée Saint-Charles in Porrentruy. Mark has served on various boards, including Counterpart International and the Swiss chapter of the End Hunger Project. His global outlook and background in both education and humanitarian work bring a valuable perspective to his work with families and partners around the world. When not travelling to represent La Garenne, he can be found welcoming families and agents to campus, guiding them through the school and introducing them to its vibrant community.

Mark Silverstein

Director of Advancement and Admissions

Our History

2025
2023
2022
2019
2017
2015
2014
2012
2010
2008
2004
1980
1966
1947
1820

2025

Launch of new Sports Centre

We are delighted to announce that as of today, our plans are on track to start building our new sports centre in Spring 2025. It will be just a few steps from the Le Roc campus. The building should be ready in time to celebrate the School's 80th birthday in June 2027

2023

Opening of new Chalet Millenium Early Years

2022

La Garenne marks its 75th Anniversary

La Garenne marks its 75th Anniversary, celebrating a history of education in a warm, family atmosphere where each child is prepared for the challenges ahead.

2019

Senior School Le Roc and IB Programmes

La Garenne Senior School is a fully accredited International Baccalaureate® World School providing outstanding education for students aged from 14 to 18. We offer the IB Middle Years Programme, the IB Diploma Programme, and the La Garenne High School Diploma Programme. Small class sizes favour a personalised approach based on inquiry and investigative learning. Teaching and learning for senior students takes place at Le Roc, a newly-renovated building just a few steps from the original La Garenne campus. Le Roc has state-of-the-art classrooms, a design studio, and a fitness centre. It also hosts a large dining hall, several libraries, a multi-use Community Floor, and modern en-suite accommodation for boarding students. Our Senior School embodies all the values that have served La Garenne’s students so well for generations. Le Roc is designed to nurture the talents of each student and meet their individual needs. The boarding environment creates the stability and structure for each student to thrive and develop socially and academically.

2017

La Garenne marks its 70th Anniversary

La Garenne marks its 70th Anniversary, celebrating a history of education in a warm, family atmosphere where each child is prepared for the challenges ahead.

2015

Chalet Beau Site Building

In 2015, La Garenne begins construction of the new ‘Beau Site’ building to provide junior students with en-suite bedrooms, common rooms and relaxation areas, as well as a multi-function room for theatre, exams and celebrations.

2014

Renovation of La Garenne Boarding House

The bedrooms, dining room and administrative offices within La Garenne main building are sensitively modernised, retaining the charming chalet style but upgrading functionality. Cosy bedrooms, modern bathrooms, spacious dining room with mountain views, and upgraded offices serve the school community well, whilst retaining a ‘home away from home’ feel.

2012

Chalet Académia

Chalet Académia, with classrooms for Primary and MYP, opens its doors. With its charming chalet-style facade and modern comforts, combined with the latest technology, Académia is truly a state-of-the-art learning environment with a stylish and cosy mountain atmosphere.

2010

Two plots of land are purchased

Two new plots of land are purchased and work on the new academic building ‘Académia’ begins. With nine fully equipped classrooms, a laboratory, a student lounge, and a library, separate locker rooms, offices and facilities for the disabled, ‘Academia’ is designed to exceed the highest academic standards.

2008

Grégory and Céline Méan

Grégory Méan with his wife Céline, a former student of La Garenne, succeed Christophe and Clare. Their main goal is to perpetuate the traditional values and educational philosophy of the family.

2004

Christophe Méan

Christophe Méan (second son of the Méan family) takes over the direction of the school.

1980

Mr. and Mrs. Méan make their dream become reality by taking over the ownership and management of the school.

They continue to modernise and enlarge the building, increase the number of students enrolled and achieve real progress in the development of the English section.

1966

Monsieur & Madame de Lattre take over the direction of the school. This dynamic couple decides to enlarge the existing building and create an English section, which will lead to a great success. The afternoon naps (siestas) are replaced with various sports activities for the children to enjoy and benefit from.