Every young athlete knows the tug-of-war between sport and school. Early mornings on the slopes or in the pool. Evenings filled with training instead of homework. The dream of competing at the highest level feels close enough to touch, yet the fear of falling behind in class is never far away.
At Haut-Lac International Bilingual School in Switzerland, we believe no child should have to choose between chasing medals and earning their IB diploma.
That is where our IB Sport & Study programme comes in. It is a lifeline for student-athletes, who want both a future in sport and the academic foundation to get into universities in Switzerland and worldwide.
Flexible IB programmes
Thanks to our partnership with the World Academy of Sport (WAoS), our timetables can flex to fit the training and competition calendar of each student-athlete. Elite competitors can also spread their IB Diploma Programme or IB Career-related Programme over three years instead of two, which helps ease the pressure without lowering expectations.
Victoria, an alpine ski racer in IB2, trains and competes across Europe. Her week is a mix of intense slope sessions and carefully planned study time. “It means I can be fully focused on skiing when I am on the mountain, and fully focused on school when I am here,” she says.
Personalised training and study support
Student-athletes do not just get timetable flexibility. They gain access to our fitness facilities, strength and conditioning sessions, and workshops on nutrition, injury prevention and sports psychology.
And, when it comes to academics, our Student-Athlete Coordinator works closely with each athlete and their teachers to make sure deadlines and exams fit around key competitions.
Take swimmer Sam, who made the Swiss top 16 in summer 2024. His competition schedule is gruelling, but having teachers who adapt lessons and assessments means he never feels like he is playing catch-up.
Different levels, one shared commitment
Whether a pupil is just starting out, competing at a regional level, or representing their country, there is a place for them here.
Younger school athletes can train regularly with local clubs whilst participating in school sports clubs and competitions to build their skills and confidence. Emerging athletes get help balancing studies with heavier training loads. And elite athletes like chess master Or or golfer Anahie receive tailored support and timetable adaptations to meet the demands of national and international competition.
It is about recognising where each student is today, and helping them grow into who they want to be tomorrow.
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Life skills for the long run
Not every athlete will make it to the Olympics, or the Paralympics like Class of 2021 Alumna Sofia. But they will all leave with something just as valuable: resilience, discipline and the ability to adapt.
Our Sport & Study graduates go on to universities around the world, many with sports scholarships in hand like footballer Karl.
Others turn their skills to coaching, business or entirely new fields. The point is, they are ready for whatever comes next.
For families who want both dreams intact
If you are a parent, you have likely wondered: will pursuing sport cost my child their academic future? Or will prioritising school mean shelving their sporting ambitions? At Haut-Lac School, you do not have to pick a side.
Here, we help student-athletes train harder, study smarter, and step confidently into a future where every door stays open.
EMMA DOWOU
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
