John F. Kennedy International School

JFK follows the English National Curriculum as its academic framework, delivered through the international programmes of Fieldwork Education. The Play School and Reception classes use the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC), a play- and enquiry-based approach for children aged 2½ to 5. From Year 1 to Year 5 pupils follow the thematic International Primary Curriculum (IPC), and the Middle School uses the concept-based International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC). Pupils can sit Cambridge English and French DELF language examinations, and in Years 8 and 9 the school guides families in choosing a senior school, with leavers going on to Swiss boarding schools, UK schools and international schools worldwide.

English is the language of instruction across the school. French is taught as a second language from an early age, and older pupils with sufficient level can sit the French DELF A1 and A2 diplomas. German is offered as the language of the host country. Pupils arriving from non-English education systems are assessed against the Common European Framework and supported by a dedicated EAL department of four specialist teachers. The school encourages children to maintain their mother tongue, and private lessons in German, French or English can be arranged after school.

JFK is organised in three sections. The Early Years cover the Play School, for children from about two and a half to four years old, and the Reception class, following the International Early Years Curriculum. The Primary School runs from Year 1 to Year 5 with the International Primary Curriculum, in mixed-ability classes of up to 16 children. The Middle School covers Years 6 to 9 (roughly ages 10 to 14) with the International Middle Years Curriculum, more specialist teachers and a focus on independent learning, and includes guidance for the move to senior school after Year 9.

JFK offers boarding for boys and girls from age 6, in a purpose-built boarding house opened in 2018 in the heart of Saanen, with separate accommodation for boys and girls. Boarding numbers are kept small so that the house keeps a family atmosphere, and pupils usually share rooms of two to four with children of a similar age. House parents look after the boarders' health, laundry and daily routine, and a full programme of evening and weekend activities includes outdoor games, nature walks, extra skiing, ice skating, sledging and termly excursions. Boarding fees for 2026-27 are CHF 96,400 for Years 2 to 5 and CHF 102,800 for Years 6 to 9, including tuition.

JFK presents itself as a small school with a big heart, offering a family-like environment in which each child is known individually. Its mission is to provide joyful, challenging and caring learning focused on excellence, and to develop compassionate, self-confident and internationally minded young people. The school aims to prepare pupils for demanding senior schools and for life in a global world. Its core values are adaptability, morality, resilience, enquiry, cooperation, communication, thoughtfulness and respect.

Sport and outdoor life are central at JFK. In winter, pupils spend two or three afternoons a week ski training with qualified instructors, and the PE programme also covers swimming, ice skating, hiking, football, basketball, volleyball, squash, badminton, athletics, climbing, mountain biking and kayaking. After-school clubs change with the seasons and include a swim club, a climbing club, tennis, horse riding, karate, gymnastics, ballet, yoga, Zumba, golf and dance. Music clubs include a choir, a rock band, drums, piano, guitar and electronic music production, alongside cooking, art and a supervised homework club.

The school occupies a group of traditional Swiss wooden buildings in the centre of Saanen, used for both teaching and boarding. A renovated Middle School building opened in 2013 with modern classrooms, a science laboratory, a new library and a large multipurpose hall for drama, music and assemblies. Since 2018 boarders have lived in a purpose-built boarding house in the village, with common rooms, study rooms, a kitchen, a library and a garden play area. For sport, JFK uses a local gym and football pitch and the Gstaad Sports Center, which has a 25-metre pool and tennis and volleyball courts, and the nearby ski slopes host its winter programme.

Meals are cooked on site each day by the school's own chefs using fresh, largely local ingredients, with menus adapted to allergies and dietary needs. A Learning Support team works with homeroom teachers to help pupils with particular needs, and the school partners with SENIA Switzerland on special educational needs. Pupils wear a school uniform. The school organises cultural and outdoor trips every year, and in summer it runs the JFK Swiss Outdoor Camp for children aged 6 to 14, with day and boarding options. Transfers to and from Geneva airport can be arranged for boarders at extra cost.