Private School in Switzerland
Leysin American School
All-inclusive: accommodation, meals,
and a bright future.
For students aged 12–17.
Private School in Switzerland
Leysin American School
Your English level doesn’t matter — we’ll teach you.
All-inclusive: accommodation, meals and a bright future.
For students aged 12–17.
Private School in Switzerland
Leysin American School
All-inclusive: accommodation, meals,
and a bright future.
For students aged 12–17.
The World’s Best Universities
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Lifelong Connections and Friendships
Your child will study alongside the children of top entrepreneurs and business owners from around the world.
A Home Away from Home
- 6 boarding houses separated by gender and age.
- 95% of teachers live on campus.
- One mentor for every four students.
- A “second family” of dedicated school staff members students can turn to for help with any issue.
- Flexible boarding options.
Independence and Character
Growth Beyond Limits and Conventions
- Hundreds of courses
- Thousands of possible combinations
- Individual timetables
- Personalised development plans
- Multiple diploma pathways
- Learning independent of age
- Freedom to choose subjects personally
Willpower and Discipline
- Mountain expeditions
- Challenge-based programmes
- Sports and physical activities
- Leadership programmes
- Communication skills development
A Healthy Relationship with Smartphones
Students can join at the beginning of the academic year or halfway through a semester.
Schedule a video call with the school’s Russian-speaking admissions coordinator.
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WHO WE ARE
Leysin American School S.A. (“LAS” or “the School”) is a Swiss limited company based in Leysin, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland. The School was founded in 1960 and is registered under the Swiss UID number CHE-107.024.781.
In 2005, majority ownership of the School was transferred to the Foundation for the Advancement of International Education, a charitable foundation registered in the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland, under identification number CHE-112.481.256.
INTRODUCTION
Leysin American School is committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of its students, parents and guardians, employees, applicants, alumni, visitors and other individuals with whom it interacts.
The School processes personal information in accordance with applicable data protection legislation, including the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP) and, where applicable, the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
We take appropriate measures to maintain the accuracy and security of personal information and retain it only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, subject to applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
This Privacy Notice explains what personal information we collect, why we process it, how we use and protect it, when we may disclose it, and what rights individuals have in relation to their data.
It applies to personal information obtained in paper or other physical formats, through written documents and forms, and by electronic means, including email, information systems, online services and other digital technologies.
Where a particular activity requires additional information about data processing, we may provide a separate privacy notice.
1. HOW WE USE PERSONAL INFORMATION
The School collects and processes personal information, including certain sensitive personal information, relating to students, parents and guardians, employees and, where necessary, other individuals.
We use this information to provide educational services, maintain a safe and supportive school environment, meet our legal obligations and manage the School's operations.
Depending on the circumstances, personal information may be processed for the following purposes:
- Managing admissions, student enrolment and summer programmes.
- Organising and administering approved school trips, excursions and other activities.
- Protecting children and fulfilling safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.
- Supporting students' academic development, personal growth and emotional and psychological wellbeing, including through pastoral care and counselling.
- Protecting the health and safety of students and employees, including by considering relevant information provided by healthcare professionals where appropriate.
- Supporting individual learning needs and making informed educational decisions.
- Facilitating students' continued education and transitions to other educational institutions.
- Planning, managing and allocating the School's workforce.
- Developing recruitment, employment and staff retention policies.
- Administering recruitment, employment reviews and performance appraisal processes.
- Managing payroll and other employment-related administrative activities.
- Supporting employee training, professional development and the performance of their duties.
- Reviewing and moderating student assessments.
- Providing guidance to students regarding their future education and career options after leaving the School.
- Maintaining relationships with alumni and other members of the School community, where appropriate.
- Supporting financial planning, budgeting and the allocation of institutional resources.
- Meeting statutory reporting obligations to the relevant educational authorities, including the Département de la formation, de la jeunesse et de la culture, and other competent authorities.
- Investigating concerns, requests and complaints.
Personal information will be processed only where an appropriate legal basis exists. Depending on the circumstances, this may include contractual necessity, compliance with legal obligations, consent, the protection of vital interests or legitimate interests recognised under applicable law.
Where sensitive personal information is involved, the School will ensure that the additional requirements applicable to such processing are satisfied.
2. WHY WE COLLECT DATA AND PERSONAL INFORMATION
The School collects and uses personal information where it is necessary to provide educational services, manage its activities, protect students and employees, and fulfil its legal responsibilities.
The legal basis for processing depends on the nature of the information and the purpose for which it is used. These bases may include:
- Performing a contract or taking steps related to a contractual relationship.
- Complying with applicable legal or regulatory obligations.
- Obtaining consent where consent is required.
- Protecting the vital interests of an individual.
- Pursuing legitimate interests, provided that the applicable legal requirements are met.
In certain circumstances, the School may be required or legally permitted to disclose personal information to third parties or public authorities.
Where required by applicable law, individuals will be informed about such disclosures and the relevant processing activities.
3. CATEGORIES OF PERSONAL DATA PROCESSED BY LAS
The types of personal information processed by the School may include the following categories:
Identification and contact information
Names, dates of birth, identification numbers, email addresses, postal addresses and other information needed to identify or contact an individual.
Health and other sensitive information
Health records, medical information and, where relevant and lawfully processed, information concerning religion, criminal records or other categories of sensitive personal data.
Educational and student support information
Academic assessments, educational records, information about special educational needs, behavioural matters, disciplinary measures, exclusions and relevant psychological assessments or reports.
Attendance information
Records of classes or sessions attended, absences and the reasons for absences where these are provided or required.
Information systems and digital activity
Technical logs, audit records and information relating to the use of the School's information technology systems, educational applications and cloud-based services.
Photographs and video recordings
Photographs and videos created by students or staff during the school year to document School activities and everyday life. These materials may identify individual students. The School may also take photographs for identification purposes, including student or employee identification cards.
Admissions, academic and employment records
Application materials, enrolment records, academic and disciplinary files, employment-related documentation and other records required for the School's activities.
References and academic results
Personal references, examination results, grades and related educational information.
Financial information
Information necessary for financial aid assessments, fundraising activities and other legitimate financial or administrative purposes.
Participation and engagement information
Records of courses, meetings, school activities and events attended by an individual.
The specific information collected will depend on the individual's relationship with the School and the services or activities concerned.
4. COLLECTING STUDENT INFORMATION
The School collects student information to administer educational services, support students' development and wellbeing, and meet its legal and contractual responsibilities.
Some information is necessary to fulfil a contract, comply with legal obligations or provide the relevant services. Other information may be supplied voluntarily.
Where consent is required for a particular processing activity, the School will explain this requirement and obtain consent as appropriate.
Where processing is based on consent, the student or their parent or legal guardian, as applicable, may withdraw that consent at any time, subject to the rules governing the validity and exercise of such rights.
A request to withdraw consent may be submitted to the School's Data Protection Officer using the contact details provided in Section 16.
Withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before the withdrawal. The School may also retain or process information where another lawful basis applies.
5. RETENTION AND STORING OF PERSONAL DATA
The School manages its records to meet its legal and regulatory obligations, support the effective administration of the institution and maintain evidence of its decisions, activities and accountability.
Student and employee records are stored securely using appropriate safeguards for both physical documents and electronic records.
Access to personal information is restricted to individuals who are authorised to access it for legitimate educational, administrative, legal or other approved purposes.
Personal information is retained for the period necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, taking into account applicable retention requirements, legal obligations and the need to establish or protect legal rights.
When records are no longer required, they are securely disposed of in accordance with applicable procedures. Records identified as having historical significance may be preserved in an archive where appropriate and lawful.
6. SECURITY
The School implements appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised or unlawful processing, accidental loss, destruction, alteration or damage.
These measures are intended to provide a level of security appropriate to the nature of the information and the risks associated with its processing.
The School reviews and maintains its security arrangements as necessary to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of personal information.
Where a personal data breach occurs, the School will notify affected individuals and the competent supervisory authority when required by applicable data protection legislation.
7. WHO WE SHARE INFORMATION WITH
The School may disclose personal information to third parties when necessary for educational, operational, safeguarding, administrative or legal purposes, provided that an appropriate legal basis exists.
Depending on the circumstances, recipients may include:
- Schools, colleges and universities to which students transfer or apply after leaving LAS.
- Healthcare professionals, including nurses and doctors, where disclosure is appropriate and lawful, particularly when necessary to protect an individual's vital interests or wellbeing.
- The Département de la formation, de la jeunesse et de la culture and other competent educational or public authorities.
- Providers of information systems and technology services required to administer admissions, teaching, learning, student support and other School operations.
- Standardised testing organisations, the College Board and the International Baccalaureate Organisation.
- Child protection and safeguarding services.
- Third-party organisations providing services for school trips, excursions and other activities.
- Law enforcement agencies and other public authorities where disclosure is required or permitted by applicable law, including in connection with immigration, permits or visa procedures.
- Contracted service providers, such as photographers, travel providers and other suppliers supporting the School's activities.
The School will take appropriate steps to ensure that disclosures are lawful and that relevant safeguards are applied to personal information handled by service providers and other recipients.
Where required, individuals will be informed about relevant disclosures.
8. WHO WE SHARE WORKFORCE INFORMATION WITH
The School treats employee and workforce information as confidential and does not routinely disclose it to third parties without an appropriate legal basis.
Disclosure may take place where required by law or permitted under applicable legal requirements and the School's relevant policies.
For example, certain employee information must be provided to the appropriate authorities and institutions for payroll, social security and occupational pension administration.
These recipients may include:
- The relevant Swiss federal tax authority for payroll and tax-related purposes.
- The competent AVS/AHV social security authority.
- BCV's second-pillar occupational pension arrangements, where applicable.
Only information necessary for the relevant administrative or legal purpose should be disclosed.
9. CCTV
The School operates closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems to support the safety and security of students, employees, visitors and other individuals, and to protect buildings, equipment and personal property.
CCTV may also be used to prevent or investigate suspected criminal activity and to support the enforcement of relevant School rules, including disciplinary procedures, where lawful.
Camera locations and operation
Cameras may be installed in selected indoor and outdoor locations where their use is appropriate to the purposes described above.
Cameras are not installed in areas where individuals have a heightened expectation of privacy, such as changing rooms and toilets.
Appropriate signs are displayed to inform individuals that CCTV is in operation. Camera locations may be adjusted when necessary to meet legitimate security requirements. Except for limited coverage of public-facing entrances, the system is not intended to monitor members of the public.
The cameras are fixed and do not record audio. The system may record continuously.
Access to recordings
Access to CCTV systems and recordings is restricted to authorised personnel. System monitoring may take place at any time where required for security purposes.
Recordings may be viewed only for legitimate purposes consistent with this policy. Access should be restricted to an appropriate private environment, and the purpose and details of authorised viewing should be recorded.
The School applies technical and organisational safeguards to protect CCTV recordings against unauthorised access, disclosure or misuse.
Retention of CCTV recordings
CCTV recordings are retained only for as long as necessary for the relevant security purposes and are deleted in accordance with the applicable retention schedule, unless they need to be preserved for an investigation, legal proceedings or another lawful purpose.
Individuals may request access to recordings containing their personal information, subject to applicable law and the rights and privacy of other individuals.
Disclosure and transfer of recordings
The School maintains appropriate records of the viewing, downloading, transfer and disclosure of CCTV images.
Where recordings are disclosed, the relevant records should identify the purpose and legal basis for disclosure, the individuals involved and the date, time and safeguards associated with the transfer.
The School may receive CCTV images from third parties, including transport or accommodation providers and public bodies such as local authorities or police, where this is necessary and lawful.
Individual rights and enquiries
Individuals may have rights under applicable data protection legislation concerning CCTV recordings and other personal information.
Requests and questions about CCTV should be directed to the School's Data Protection Officer using the contact details in Section 16.
10. PROCESSING AND TRANSFERS TO THIRD COUNTRIES
Certain educational and administrative activities may require personal information to be transferred to organisations located outside Switzerland, the European Union or the European Economic Area.
For example, information may be shared with colleges or universities as part of student application processes. The School may also use teaching, learning and information technology applications operated by providers based outside these regions.
Where personal information is transferred internationally, the School will apply the safeguards required by applicable law. Depending on the circumstances, these may include an adequacy decision, appropriate contractual safeguards or another legally recognised transfer mechanism.
Individuals may contact the Data Protection Officer to request further information about relevant international transfers, the recipients involved and the safeguards applied.
11. AUTOMATED PROFILING
The School's information technology systems may record and analyse user activity, including system access and the content viewed, for safeguarding and child protection purposes.
Such processing may help the School identify potential risks or concerns relating to student safety and wellbeing.
Access to information generated through these activities is restricted to individuals with the appropriate training, responsibilities and authorisation.
Certain educational applications may also analyse students' behaviour, use of the application or learning outcomes.
When evaluating these applications, the School considers their educational benefits alongside potential risks to students, including the impact of profiling on their privacy and wellbeing.
Where automated profiling or related processing is used, the School will apply appropriate safeguards and comply with applicable legal requirements.
12. IT SYSTEMS
The School uses information technology systems to support teaching, learning, administration, communication and other institutional activities.
Personal information may be stored on servers located at the School or on hosted infrastructure operated by service providers.
Access to personal information is restricted and managed through appropriate technical and organisational safeguards.
The School does not permit third-party access to personal information except where access is authorised or otherwise permitted by applicable law and the relevant arrangements.
Where information is shared with service providers or other third parties, the School takes appropriate steps to ensure that the information receives a level of protection consistent with applicable requirements.
Processing personal information is necessary for many of the School's educational and administrative services. The School maintains proportionate security measures intended to protect the information it collects, stores and uses.
Further information about the School's information security measures may be requested from the Data Protection Officer, subject to security and confidentiality considerations.
13. COOKIES
The School may use cookies and similar technologies on its website.
Cookies may support website functionality and, depending on the technologies used, help the School understand how visitors interact with its online services.
Information about the cookies used, their purposes and the available choices for managing them is provided in the School's separate Cookie Policy.
Please consult the Cookie Policy for further details about cookie settings and applicable consent options.
14. FUNDRAISING AND KEEPING IN TOUCH
Fundraising supports the School's strategic objectives and educational mission. The School may seek support from individuals, companies and charitable foundations that wish to contribute to its work.
For fundraising purposes, the School may analyse publicly available information about potential donors to understand their interests and preferences and to identify appropriate opportunities for engagement.
The School's existing policy states that it does not use third-party profiling companies for this purpose.
The School also maintains relationships with alumni, current and former parents, and other members of its community.
Where an individual has provided the necessary consent, the School may use their contact details to share news about School activities and invite them to relevant events. Communications may be sent by email, digital messaging or post.
Individuals may update their communication preferences or request changes to how they receive such communications by contacting alumni@las.ch.
Any personal information used for fundraising, profiling or communications will be processed in accordance with applicable data protection requirements.
15. REQUESTING ACCESS TO YOUR PERSONAL DATA
Individuals may exercise the rights available to them under applicable data protection legislation in relation to personal information held by the School.
Depending on the circumstances and the applicable legal requirements, these rights may include:
Right to information
The right to receive information about how personal data is collected and processed.
Right of access
The right to request confirmation of whether the School processes personal information about an individual and, where applicable, to obtain access to that information.
Right to rectification
The right to request the correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
Right to erasure
The right to request deletion of personal information in circumstances where applicable law provides for this, including certain cases where the information is no longer necessary or consent has been withdrawn and no other lawful basis for processing applies.
Right to restriction
The right to request a restriction on processing in circumstances recognised by applicable law, for example while the accuracy of disputed information is being verified.
Right to object
The right to object to certain processing activities, including direct marketing and other processing where the applicable legal requirements for objection are met.
Rights relating to automated decision-making
Where applicable, individuals may have rights concerning decisions based solely on automated processing, including rights to request human intervention or review.
Right to compensation
Individuals may be entitled to seek compensation where damage has been caused by a breach of applicable data protection law.
The availability and scope of these rights depend on the relevant legal provisions and the circumstances of the request. Certain exceptions or limitations may apply.
To exercise a right or ask a question about the handling of personal information, please contact the Data Protection Officer using the details in Section 16.
If you have concerns about how the School collects or uses your personal information, we encourage you to contact us first so that we can review the matter.
You may also contact the competent Swiss supervisory authority:
Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC)
Feldeggweg 1
3003 Bern
Switzerland
Telephone: +41 58 462 43 95
Fax: +41 58 465 99 96
Website: https://www.edoeb.admin.ch/
16. CONTACT
For questions about this Privacy Notice, the processing of personal information or the exercise of data protection rights, please contact the School's Data Protection Officer.
Data Protection Officer
Leysin American School
Email: dataprotection@las.ch
Telephone: +41 24 493 4888
Postal address:
GDPR
Leysin American School
1854 Leysin
Switzerland
For alumni communication preferences, please contact alumni@las.ch.
This Privacy Notice should be read together with any additional privacy notices or policies that apply to specific School activities or services.