"ARD journalist astonished upon visiting "the world's priciest school," a remarkable institution of learning.
In the heart of Switzerland, nestled between the picturesque town of Rolle and the majestic mountains of Gstaad, lies Le Rosey - the most expensive school in the world. With a school year costing over 160,000 euros, this prestigious institution provides a bilingual academic program for students aged 8-18, split between two campuses.
The documentary "Y-Kollektiv: The Most Expensive School in the World" offers a glimpse into Le Rosey’s daily life and structure. It portrays the school as a highly structured, rigorously balanced boarding experience focused on both academic excellence and broad personal development. Students follow a well-organized routine with early wake-up, breakfast, and lectures throughout the day, underpinned by a unique blend of tradition and innovation.
Le Rosey is a 100% boarding school, with students hailing from 71 countries and a diverse community that includes film stars, politicians, entrepreneurs, and royals. The school's culture stresses values such as friendship, solidarity, self-respect, respect for others, discipline, courage, and resilience. These qualities are reinforced by regular intensive sports training and a comprehensive extracurricular program spanning sports, arts, technology, service learning, and culture.
Skiing is mandatory in winter, and in summer, students participate in various projects and activities, such as building a rover, playing in the school's own chamber orchestra, or sending a satellite into space. The school's small classes, with up to twelve students per class, ensure a personalised learning experience.
Despite the high cost, Le Rosey's students lead a relatively modest life. Designer handbags and expensive jewelry are rarely seen among the students. Instead, they focus on their studies and extracurricular activities, with mobile phones banned during the day to encourage real-world interactions.
Christophe Gaudin, the director and owner of Le Rosey, explains that they support other schools and ensure the Rosianers are aware that their education is a privilege. Felipe Laurent, a former student of the school, echoes this sentiment, stating that Le Rosey is the only normal place for these students.
Andras, a current student at Le Rosey, shares a sparsely furnished room with another student. He returns to his boarding house by 8 PM at the latest, and sees his parents only on weekends, with occasional exceptions during the school week. Teachers at Le Rosey check the presence of students upon their return to the boarding house.
In conclusion, Le Rosey offers an immersive environment combining strict academic scheduling, diverse extracurricular activities, disciplined routines, and a strong community ethos, designed to cultivate well-rounded, capable individuals prepared for a globalized world. Despite its high cost, the school fosters a sense of modesty and community among its students, providing a unique educational experience.
The documentary "Y-Kollektiv: The Most Expensive School in the World" highlights Le Rosey's focus on not just academic excellence but also broad personal development, effectively blending education-and-self-development with its bilingual academic program. The school's finance, as evidenced by the high cost per year, is geared towards providing a unique and immersive lifestyle for its diverse student body, emphasizing values such as friendships, solidarity, and self-respect.
