American High School Programme
A personalised pathway through High School
At Surval Montreux, our American High School Programme combines academic ambition with the flexibility to create an education around the individual.
Girls join a small international school community where teachers know them well, classes are small and learning can be shaped around individual strengths, interests and future ambitions.
Students in Grades 9–12 follow the American High School curriculum, progressing through a carefully structured programme towards senior-level study and Advanced Placement opportunities. For younger students, Grade 8 provides a springboard into High School, developing the academic skills, confidence and habits of learning they will need for the years ahead.
A strong academic core, with room to explore
Students typically take five core academic subjects each year, providing breadth and academic rigour while allowing girls to develop their individual interests through additional courses and electives.
Across the High School years, students study English, Mathematics, French, Science and Humanities/Business, with courses becoming progressively more challenging as girls move through the school.
Alongside their academic core, girls have opportunities to explore Visual Arts, Culinary Arts, Performing Arts, sport and other areas of interest, creating an individualised curriculum that combines academic learning with creativity, languages and personal passions.
Building towards Advanced Placement
Academic challenge develops progressively throughout the programme.
In Grades 9 and 10, girls strengthen their research, analytical and presentation skills, including through AP Seminar, preparing them for more advanced study.
In Grades 11 and 12, students can progress towards Surval's most challenging courses, including Advanced Placement (AP) opportunities. APs are university-level courses culminating in an external examination and are recognised by universities around the world.
Surval offers AP opportunities across English, History, French, Mathematics and Sciences, including Psychology, while native speakers of Spanish and Japanese can also be supported towards AP Language and Culture.
Languages are part of everyday life
Living and learning in French-speaking Switzerland gives languages a natural place within a Surval education.
Every girl studies French, with students placed at the appropriate level following an assessment before arrival. The programme progresses from French I through to French IV, with AP French Language and Culture available to suitably qualified students.
For our international community, language learning extends well beyond lessons. Girls live alongside students from different countries and cultures, using language as part of everyday school life.
Developing the whole person
The Surval curriculum deliberately creates space for life beyond traditional academic subjects.
Visual Arts, Culinary Arts and Performing Arts allow girls to discover and develop creative interests.
Sport is an important part of the week too. Girls have two timetabled sport afternoons each week, with opportunities including horse riding, volleyball, sailing, skiing, yoga, cycling and running. During the Winter Term, students ski or snowboard every Thursday, with further weekend skiing opportunities available.
PSHE and Student Voice add another dimension, developing wellbeing, resilience, responsible decision-making, leadership, debating and the confidence to contribute to the wider community.
From Grade 8 to Grade 12
The High School journey develops with each girl.
Grade 8 – Building the foundations
A springboard into High School, developing academic confidence, French, writing, analytical and research skills.
Grades 9–10 – Exploring your strengths
Broadening knowledge, discovering individual interests and becoming a more independent learner.
Grade 11 – Challenge yourself
Greater academic challenge, increased independence, AP opportunities and the beginning of serious future planning.
Grade 12 – Preparing for your future
Senior-level study, university preparation, leadership and a purposeful final year preparing for life beyond Surval.
Preparing for university
University preparation is built into the later years of the programme.
In Grade 11, girls begin individual meetings with Surval's college counsellors to explore university options, application requirements and external examinations.
In Grade 12, students attend weekly College Workshop sessions, receiving support with university selection, essays, SAT and IELTS preparation where required, applications and interview preparation.
Recent Surval students have gained places at universities across the UK, France, USA, Mexico, Switzerland and Spain, reflecting the genuinely international pathways available after graduation.
An individual High School experience
No two girls arrive at Surval with exactly the same strengths, interests or ambitions.
Our size allows us to combine a strong academic programme with the flexibility to recognise the individual — challenging each student academically, encouraging her to explore her interests and helping her build the confidence and independence to take her next step.