The Collège Sismondi, is one of 11 public secondary schools in Geneva offering a 'Certificat de maturité gymnasiale', which provides access to all Swiss universities.
Founded in 1975, it was named in tribute to Jean-Charles-Léonard Simonde, also known as Jean-Charles-Léonard Simonde de Sismondi.
Admission & dropout rate
Admission to the Collège is selective, only students with good grades in German & Mathematics at the end of the 9th year of obligatory schooling (around 15 years old) can be admitted. Only a maximum of 25% of students in this age group enter the Collèges in Geneva. Approximately 60% of those admitted will not successfully finish their studies, and a large amount will do it in 5 or 6 years.[1]
Postobligatory Secondary Education Schools in Geneva have an average dropout rate of: 50% in the first year, 15% in the second year, 35% in the third year and 20% in the fourth year.[2]
System
Students who want to pursue an education past the (obligatory) Cycle d'Orientation enter the four-year college from approximately 15-19.[3][4]
The school has a cafeteria that is accessible to all students who want to eat there. Dishes are offered around noon, but students can go freely at any time.
There is also a library which opens during the week from 07:30 to 17:30, except from Wednesday which opens from 07:30 to 16:30. Students can go there to borrow books or documents with their student card. There is also a computer room with computers available for the students.
Curriculum
College Sismondi is one of four high schools in Geneva, offering a Bilingual Maturity (either French-English or French-German)
The Formation Gymnasiale consists of:
11 Fundamental subjects : French, second national language (German or Italian), third national language or English or Latin, mathematics (2 levels), physics, chemistry, biology, history, geography, philosophy, visual arts or music.
1 Specific option : Latin, Greek, third national language - German ou Italian - English, Spanish, physics & applied math, biology and chemistry, economics & Law, visual arts or music.