Founded in 1947, La Garenne International School is owned and managed by the Méan family. Since 1980 two generations have ensured that year after year educational expertise alongside traditional and cultural values is upheld and passed on.
Here is a short history of La Garenne School, giving an insight to school life including expeditions, winter sports and Villars in the 70’s.
Responding to continuous requests from our students and their parents, we are proud to announce the launch of La Garenne Senior School!
We will welcome our first Year 10 /IB MYP 4 class to the existing campus in September 2019. As our facilities develop, we plan to launch a new class each year, ultimately opening Year 13 / IB DP 2 in 2022 - just in time to celebrate the 75th anniversary of La Garenne.
As of September 2020 our seniors will get a new home in the newly renovated building of Senior Campus Le Roclocated in Villars. Le Roc will share the same values of openness, responsibility, and respeсt as La Garenne Junior School. The new location will allow us to create a cutting edge education facility to nurture talents of each student, meeting their individual needs.
“In having contact with animals, children will learn the joys of life, fun and optimism. Animals invite us to laugh and play, and in doing so this stimulates the secretions of endorphins in the brain which makes us happier and reduces pain and stress.”
Dr. McCulloch
With the school farm we are proud to introduce the children to five hens, some rabbits, a goat and her kids. There will also be a beehive located 400 meters from the school, and next year an insect hotel. This is a really exciting time.
School farms can meaningfully impact a child’s development. A farm has the capacity to reinforce key concepts in their learning journey and can help them grow into more compassionate, caring and reflective human beings, while involving their five senses.
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.
Construction of a new school building ‘Beau Site’ begins, providing bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms for our junior students, common and relaxation areas as well as a multi-function room for theatre, exams, celebrations and so on.
The school campus and buildings are continuously improved and meticulously maintained to ensure the children live in comfort and security.
The bedrooms, dining room and administrative offices within La Garenne main building are sensitively modernised, retaining the charming chalet style and upgrading functionality. The cosy bedrooms, modern bathrooms, attractive dining room with mountain views, and offices, serve the school community well whilst retaining a ‘home from home’ feel.
Académia opens, with its charming chalet-style facade and modern comforts combined with the latest technology within.
Two plots of land are purchased and work on the new academic building ‘Académia’ begins. With nine state-of-the-art fully equipped classrooms, a laboratory, a student lounge and library, separate locker rooms, offices and facilities for the disabled, ‘Academia’ was designed to exceed today’s high academic standards.
Grégory Méan with his wife and former student Céline, succeed his brother and his wife. Their main goal is to perpetuate the traditional values and educational philosophy of the family.
Christophe Méan (second son) takes over the direction of the school with his wife Clare.
Monsieur & Madame Patrice Méan realise their dream by taking over ownership and the 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.
