BACK TO SCHOOL

Back to School 2025-2026 - Update: Semester 2 starts on Monday, 12th January, 2026

For new families

1. Welcome letter to Primary Parents from Mr. Mathieu Hartmann, Primary Principal
2. Practical information
3. List of school supplies

📚🛒 Don't forget to visit our Bookstore to find uniforms. Information in the first section above ⬆️
🎭🏀 You will find more information on our Extracurricular programme in the last section below ⬇️

Back to School 2025-2026 - Update : Semester 2 starts on Monday, 12th January, 2026

For new students and parents:

1. Welcome letter to Middle School Secondaire Parents from Dr Betsy Harvey, Middle School Secondaire Principal
2. Student Welcome Pack
3. Middle School Secondaire Music Programme, a letter from Dr Betsy Harvey and Mrs Hannah Picasso, Head of Performing Arts

📚🛒 Don't forget to visit our Bookstore to find CDL sports kits, school books etc. Information in the first section above ⬆️
🎭🏀 You will find more information on our Extracurricular programme in the last section below ⬇️

Back to School 2025-2026 - Update: Semester 2 starts on Monday, 12th January 2026

For new families:

Anglophone section (High School):

1. Welcome letter to High School Parents from Mr. Mark Hatherell, High School Principal
2. Student Welcome Guide

📚🛒 Don't forget to visit our Bookstore. Information in the first section above ⬆️
🎭🏀 You will find more information on our Extracurricular programme in the last section below ⬇️

Important Update for Semester 2 Back to School 2025–2026:

Semester 2 will begin on Monday, 12th January 2026.

Registration for extracurricular activities for Semester 2 opens on 5th January 2026 at 1:00 pm (Swiss time)  on our SchoolsBuddy platform, and closes on 23rd January 2026.

Please visit our dedicated Extracurricular webpage at cdl.ch/extracurricular to find updated schedules per section, price information, and details about all activities offered in the second semester, as well as guidance on the cancellation and registration process for extracurricular activities.

Back to School 2025-2026: Semester 1 starts on Monday, 25th August, 2025

1. Welcome letter from Romolo Calvini, Extracurricular Senior Manager.
2. Extracurricular Programme brochure, including information on Group activities and Private lessons.
3. Registrations start on 11th August, at 1:00 pm (Swiss time) on our SchoolsBuddy platform.
4. Please visit our dedicated Extracurricular webpage at cdl.ch/extracurricular to find schedules per section, price information, and learn about all the activities we have on offer.

At CDL, we are committed to being eco-responsible, and as members of the CDL community, we all play a part in making our school more sustainable.

In this spirit, we ask that everyone bring their own reusable containers and cups with lids to the Panthers' Cafeteria. If you forget to bring one, you can borrow a reusable container or cup from the cafeteria. Simply return your clean container, and you will receive your deposit back.

✅ Please watch this short video to understand how this works: https://youtu.be/8SmVIpPQXoU

MONDAY 24TH AUGUST 2026: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

To ensure a smooth and gentle transition, PS0, PS1 and PS2 students will follow a staggered start and reduced timetable. The schedule is as follows:

• PS0: Arrival: 9:00 am – 9:45 am / End of day: 11:15 am
• PS1: Arrival: 9:00 am – 9:30 am / End of day: 11:15 am
• PS2: Arrival: 8:15 am – 9:00 am / End of day: 11:45 am (after lunch)
• PS3: Arrival: 8:15 am – 8:45 am / End of day: 3:10 pm.
  Optional: Childcare available for PS3 students from 3:10 pm to 6:45 pm, and extracurricular activities available for registered students.

BUS INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE SERVICE

• Please note that on the first day of school, the bus will operate only in the afternoon.
• Starting the following day, both morning and afternoon services will be available.

FROM TUESDAY 25TH AUGUST TO THURSDAY 27TH AUGUST 

To ensure a smooth and gentle transition, PS0, PS1 and PS2 students will follow a staggered start and reduced timetable during the first days. Please consult carefully the attached timetable for the first days so you can plan your logistics accordingly. 

FROM FRIDAY 28TH AUGUST

School hours, bus, childcare and extracurricular activities will operate on their regular timetables.

For details specific to the Pre-school section, please consult the PS Practical Information. These resources contain valuable information to help students and families prepare for the school year.

UNIFORMS & SPORTS KITS - ORDER AND COLLECTION

• Pre-order online:
  To ensure a smooth start to the school year, please click here for detailed information on how to purchase uniforms and sports kits in advance.

• Collection of orders:
  From Wednesday, 19th August to Friday, 21st August, pre-ordered items can be collected on campus at our back-to-school distribution centre located in the Dance Studio, Cervin building.
  From Monday 24th August, all orders can be collected from their usual collection point, the Bookstore in the Léman building.

• On campus purchases:
  Uniforms and sports kits may also be purchased directly on campus during the dates and at the locations indicated above.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Click here to explore our comprehensive extracurricular programme for your child and access important information about registration deadline.

As we prepare for the start of the new school year, we encourage all Pre-school families to take note of the important dates below and add them to their calendars. Additional details will be shared closer to each event where applicable.

19 August – Orientation Day for new and returning Pre-school and Primary families

24 August – First day of school for all students (please refer to the schedule above for your child’s specific start time)

1–9 September – Information meetings with teachers, held at 5:00 pm in the respective classrooms:

• 1 September: PS0
• 4 September: PS1
• 8 September: PS2
• 9 September: PS3

4 September, 8:30 am – 9:30 am – Welcome Coffee for new Pre-school and Primary families with the Principals and the PFA (Mandela Building)

11 September – Jeûne Genevois (bank holiday, no classes)

23 September – Welcome Back Barbecue for all families (details to follow)

2026–2027 SCHOOL CALENDAR

For a complete overview of the academic year, please download the full 2026–2027 School Calendar.