Underrepresentation of women in management positions is the big issue of our time. Gender equality and obsolete social structures are debated heatedly. But where do the differences in gender distinction begin? Women belong in the kitchen, and men bring home the bacon. Fortunately, this way of thinking has long been outdated. And yet, traditional gender roles persist in our society.
But where is the groundwork laid to give girls the same power and self-confidence as boys? And how do you teach students that a diverse and multicultural community helps to benefit our society?
Goodbye Stereotypes – Every Child Is Unique.
Parents and schools are to nurture the strengths that lie deep within a child, regardless of gender, and encourage each girl and boy to follow their unique learning path. The student community at this boarding school embodies this philosophy and is very committed to this cause. Schools are not a place to feel ashamed for not fitting into the traditional gender role. No girl should be teased because she chooses design and technology over crafts. No boy should be ridiculed for choosing pottery over chess. All students should be free to develop in the direction they have chosen and be given the support to succeed in any academic field they wish to pursue.
Female students at Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz do not have to follow traditional stereotypes and are encouraged to develop the confidence to pursue their interests. They enjoy participating in baking and gardening, as much as partaking in scientific research projects. And they have proven how successful they can be. At this year’s LGT Awards, they beat out many boys’ teams and showed a great deal of enthusiasm.
Swiss Education’s Path to Equality – We Helped Pave the Way.
As diverse and individual as one’s personality may be, our boarding school offers the same opportunities to everyone. Regardless f gender, everyone has the chance to discover, explore and develop their strengths and interests to prepare them for the next step on their educational journey. But what was the first step toward greater equality?
Education used to be completely different. In the past, there were different kinds of schools in Switzerland after primary school. These included the Realschule, the so-called “Fachschulen” for female students and a “Gymnasium” as well as private schools. In the “Fachschule”, subjects were taught which mainly prepared female students for their future roles as housewives and mothers. Elitist school institutions, such as a Gymnasium and Colleges, as well as academic education in general, were often only available to boys. The Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz, on the other hand, put the individual strengths of each student first, making no distinction between boys and girls. Even in the early years, girls and boys attended the same classes. They were free to flourish according to their talents and interests. But the foundation of equal opportunity for female boarding school students was laid in the 1990s.
Breaking New Ground – A Girl’s House is Built
What had already been planned by the Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz for a long time became reality in 1991. After an extensive construction project, a new house was built, which functioned as a girls’ dormitory or better: as a boarding school for female students. This marked the moment of equal conditions and opportunities for both boys and girls. The Lyceum Alpinum became a co-educational boarding school and offered space for 27 new female students. Already in the first year, there were 20 enrolments. From this point, the classes, communal life as well as leisure activities have all been co-educational.
The New Houses – Ladies First!
The Chesa Arpiglia is, as in an all-girls boarding school, the exclusive residential house designed for the younger girls between the ages of 12 and 16. The female teens and pre-teens live in single or double rooms with integrated bathrooms, enjoying a diverse mix of nationalities. The care-taking staff at Chesa Arpiglia places great emphasis on fostering each girl’s talents and personalities. Respect and fairness are essential pedagogical cornerstones of social competence, which form the basis for equal opportunity education.
Two years ago, another modern residential accommodation was built for female boarding students. Chesa Urezza was named after the adjacent Val Urezza and is the international boarding house for older teenage girls (11th and 12th grade). Chesa Urezza offers ample comfort and space with large single and double rooms and integrated bathrooms. The new house has modern furnishings and a team of five looking after the wellbeing of these young women, seven days a week around the clock. The caregivers are particularly concerned about the girls’ self-reliance – the path to more personal responsibility and well-developed social skills. The caregivers maintain close relationships to the boarding school residents and always have an open ear for personal issues and worries. Through education and close supervision, the students learn to excel in school on their own initiative. Being together and living in the Chesa Urezza is a preparatory experience for their time after the Lyceum Alpinum, whatever career, college, or academy they choose.
Although girls and boys are housed separately, they mix during the day in classes and public areas located around campus. Boys and girls can visit each other in the common areas on campus, but the sleeping quarters are private and access is restricted.
Is it a boys or girls boarding school? We show no partiality. For all students, girls and boys alike, our boarding school provides a home away from home, a supportive environment, and a safe place for young people to blossom.
Impressions - Chesa Urezza
Yağmur, Chesa Urezza Resident
Do you like Chesa Urezza? If so, what do you like in particular?
I like Chesa Urezza very much. I like that my room is very spacious, and I have my own bathroom. Also, we have everything we need in our house (common rooms, laundry room and our own gym).
How would you describe the community at Chesa Urezza? What do you find particularly special about it?
In Chesa Urezza, we are like a family. We respect and always help each other. This is the key to a peaceful life at a boarding school.
What do you like about boarding school life in general?
It is great to spend time with my friends outside of school and live a life together. Boarding school life also shows me how to be more independent, which is very important for me.
How would you describe the friendships that develop at a boarding school?
My friends are one of the reasons why I am enjoying my high school years so much. I spend my whole day with them. I feel that these friendships will last a lifetime because we already know each other very well, and I am grateful for that.
Ellen, Chesa Urezza Resident
Do you like Chesa Urezza? If so, what do you like in particular?
I like life here at Chesa Urezza very much. The best are our spacious and modern rooms. The common rooms are also great because we can meet there to cook or watch TV- shows together.
How would you describe the community at Chesa Urezza? What do you find particularly special about it?
I have found living together at the boarding school to be always very respectful. We are almost 40 young women living in one house, so it can get noisy sometimes. But we always try to treat each other with respect and respond to others’ requests, so that living together works well.
What do you like about boarding school life in general?
I think it’s great that I live under one roof with my friends. If we want to study together or watch a movie in the evening, I just have to visit the next room. I also think it’s great that we now have more freedom at Chesa Urezza than we did at Chesa Arpiglia. This shows that the rules are adapted according to age.
How would you describe the friendships that develop at a boarding school?
I have made great friendships in the last four years, which I hope will last for a long time. I think our friendships are very strong since we spend a lot of time together. Because of boarding school life, these friendships can be very international. If you live in the same boarding school house, it is easier to make friends with people from other classes (for example, from other programs like the IB program).
Máxima, Chesa Urezza Resident
Do you like Chesa Urezza? If so, what do you like in particular?
The house is an absolute dream. Especially since our rooms are very spacious and have a lot of light. Our two common rooms provide the possibility to cook, study and eat together. There is always someone in the office, and sometimes we are even treated to delicious cookies by Ms Petza.
How would you describe the community at Chesa Urezza? What do you find particularly special about it?
Living together is incredibly exciting because there is always something going on. We also have two common rooms where we can eat, study and cook together. It’s great that we can live together with friends at such a young age. Our house moms are there for us 24/7 and support us whenever we are in need of, or troubled about, something.
How would you describe the friendships that develop at a boarding school?
Because we live together with 40 other female students, friendships develop that could be compared to a family. We are incredibly close because you experience everything together. I think that the friendships I have made at the Lyceum will last a lifetime, even if we won’t see each other that often once we leave.
Further Information and Assistance:
If you would like to find out more about boarding school life in the Swiss Alps, our educational approach, teachers, programmes, etc., please feel free to inquire or get help from our boarding school admissions team. You can also search our website for information about other school activities such as student exchanges, curriculum, and current news.
