Curriculum
A curriculum designed around the individual
At Surval Montreux, our American High School curriculum combines a strong academic core with the flexibility to recognise each girl's individual strengths, interests and future ambitions.
Every student takes five core academic subjects each year, developing knowledge and skills across a broad curriculum. Alongside these, girls benefit from creative subjects, sport and wider opportunities designed to encourage curiosity, confidence and a genuine love of learning.
As students progress through Surval, the level of challenge increases. Grade 8 provides a springboard into High School; Grades 9 and 10 establish breadth and strong academic foundations; and Grades 11 and 12 introduce greater specialisation, independence and opportunities for Advanced Placement study.
The academic core
Students study five core academic subjects each year:
English
Students develop as confident readers, writers and critical thinkers. Courses progress from Power of Words in Grade 8 through Stories & Voices and Breaking Boundaries, with AP English Literature & Composition available in Grade 12.
Mathematics
The Mathematics programme builds progressively from the fundamentals through Integrated Mathematics and into advanced Geometry and Trigonometry. Problem solving, mathematical reasoning and real-world application run throughout the programme.
Science
Girls develop practical and analytical scientific skills as they progress from a broad foundation in Grade 8 to Earth and Space Science, Physics and Biology. AP Biology is available in Grade 12 for students ready for university-level scientific study.
French
French is an important part of every girl's education at Surval. Students take a placement assessment before arrival and study at the level appropriate to them, progressing through French I–IV. AP French Language and Culture provides an advanced pathway for appropriately qualified students.
Humanities & Business Studies
Students explore the world from different historical, geographical and global perspectives. Courses include Global Perspectives, World History and Geography, European History and, in the senior years, The Shifting Landscape of Business.
Advanced Placement
For students ready for greater academic challenge, Surval offers opportunities to progress to Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
AP courses are university-level courses culminating in external examinations and are recognised by universities internationally. Surval offers AP opportunities across English, History, French, Mathematics and Sciences, including Psychology. Native speakers of Japanese and Spanish can also be supported towards AP Language and Culture.
Preparation for this level of study begins earlier. AP Seminar is introduced in Grades 9 and 10, helping students develop important research and presentation skills before moving into the senior years.
Creativity, sport & life at Surval
The Surval curriculum is deliberately broader than academic study alone.
Alongside their core subjects, girls have opportunities to develop interests and discover new strengths through Visual Arts, Culinary Arts and Performing Arts.
Sport is also built into the curriculum. Girls benefit from two timetabled sport afternoons each week, with activities including horse riding, volleyball, sailing, skiing, yoga, cycling and running. During Winter Term, skiing and snowboarding become a particular feature of Surval life, with expert tuition every Thursday and additional weekend opportunities.
PSHE and Student Voice complement the programme, helping girls develop resilience, wellbeing, leadership, responsible decision-making and the confidence to express their ideas. Student Voice opportunities include Charity and Leadership, Debating and Model United Nations, and the Eco Committee.
The curriculum journey
Grade 8 Building the foundations
A springboard into High School
Grade 8 gives girls a confident start to their High School journey. Alongside a strong academic foundation, students develop their writing, analytical and research skills, strengthen their French and discover new interests through Surval's broader curriculum.
A typical week includes:
Academic Core: English | Fundamentals of Mathematics | Humanities | General Science | French
Creativity, Sport & Life at Surval: Visual Arts | Culinary Arts | Physical Education | Sport | PSHE | Student Voice
The focus is on developing the skills, habits and confidence girls need to thrive as they move into High School.
Grades 9–10 Exploring your strengths
Growing as an independent learner
In Grades 9 and 10, girls broaden their knowledge while beginning to discover the subjects and areas that particularly interest them. Academic study is balanced with languages, creative subjects, sport and participation in the wider life of the school.
A typical academic programme includes English, Mathematics, French, Earth and Space Science and Humanities, alongside Surval's wider creative, sporting and personal development curriculum.
The focus is on academic breadth, languages, research and presentation, creative expression, sport and growing independence.
Grade 11 Challenge yourself
Taking learning to the next level
Grade 11 marks an important transition towards senior study. Girls are encouraged to think more deeply, work more independently and begin shaping an academic pathway reflecting their strengths and future ambitions.
A typical academic programme includes English, Mathematics, French, Physics and Humanities, alongside the wider Surval curriculum.
Students can also begin progressing towards Surval's most challenging courses, including Advanced Placement opportunities.
The focus is on greater academic challenge, independent learning, AP opportunities and future planning.
Grade 12 — Preparing for your future
A purposeful final year at Surval
Grade 12 brings together everything girls have developed during their time at Surval: academic confidence, independence, curiosity and a clearer sense of what comes next.
A typical programme includes English, Mathematics, French, Biology and Business Studies, with students continuing with challenging senior-level and, where appropriate, Advanced Placement study.
Dedicated university support runs alongside the academic programme as girls prepare their applications and for the transition to life beyond school.
The focus is on senior-level study, university preparation, individual ambition, leadership and independence.
An individual programme
The sample curricula above illustrate how a student's week at Surval might look. Individual programmes may vary, allowing us to take account of prior learning, academic level, interests and future plans.
That flexibility is central to the Surval approach. We want each girl to experience academic challenge while also having the space to explore what interests her, discover new strengths and begin shaping the pathway that will take her beyond Surval.
Explore the curriculum in detail
Our High School Course Guide 2026–2027 includes full course descriptions for English, Mathematics, French, Science, Humanities & Business Studies, electives and University Counselling, together with sample curricula for Grades 8–12.