Our Secondary School

The Secondary School in Engelberg offers a distinctive experience: students live and learn together in a warm, co-educational setting where academic growth is enriched by a spirit of community and a wealth of leisure opportunities. At weekends, some choose to remain on campus – whether to enjoy the Alpine snow or the companionship that naturally blossoms here.

Nurturing Potential with Purpose, Respect, and Inspiration

Apprenticeship or Gymnasium (High School): Choosing the Right Pathwayl
Around one fifth of our boarders attend Secondary School. Some choose to continue directly to the Gymnasium rather than follow a vocational route. What matters most is the willingness to try — and the great majority who do so go on to succeed.

Independent Learning Spaces and the Canton of Obwalden Curriculum
Our Secondary School is run by the Municipality of Engelberg. . This Integrative Orientation School (IOS) follows Year 6 of primary education and continues over a three-year course.

In the Integrative Orientation School (IOS), traditional frontal teaching is replaced by focused input sessions, followed by independent or group work in dynamic learning spaces that promote autonomy and collaboration.

Teaching is aligned with the Canton of Obwalden curriculum for Levels A and B.

What Our Students Value

  • A vibrant community of curious and engaged students and teachers at IOS Engelberg
  • The experience of living and learning alongside both boys and girls
  • A nurturing, supportive environment tailored for boarders
  • A well-balanced daily routine combining work, leisure, study, and relaxation
  • Classes with students of diverse academic levels
  • Opportunities for self-directed study in dedicated independent learning spaces
  • Participation in the Abbey Orchestra and Choir
  • A wealth of sporting and recreational activities set against Engelberg’s stunning mountain backdrop
  • Involvement in the School Theatre, whether on stage, behind the scenes, or in production
  • The Benedictine tradition, offering guidance and a strong sense of community
  • The option to board over weekends
  • Individualized support encouraging personal growth and independence
  • The opportunity to progress to Gymnasium (high school) level on site, contingent on academic achievement

Our Recommendation: Just Give It a Try
We advise children and their parents to begin gathering information during the sixth year of primary school. Admission to IOS Engelberg takes place at the start of the semester (August or February) following a successful visit to experience life at our school first-hand.

On the Grounds of the Monastery of Engelberg
The boarding school and classrooms are housed on the grounds of the Monastery. Our teaching staff are employed by the Municipality of Engelberg. Sharing the same campus as the Gymnasium encourages close interaction and mutual inspiration between staff and students. The boarding school is managed by lay boarding house educators, ensuring a nurturing and supportive boarding experience.

Beneficial for Learning
The Benedictine ethos imbues both our academic and boarding communities – not merely in religious and cultural dimensions, but in tangible, everyday practice. By integrating the Rule of Saint Benedict into our Daily Routine, we cultivate a structured environment that enriches learning and nurtures a spirit of communal living.

Further information about our academic programme may be found here at IOS Engelberg. Our contact details – whether for admission or to arrange a visit to experience life at our school first-hand – are available here. — Admission to IOS Engelberg follows the successful completion of a visit to experience life at our school first-hand and takes place at the beginning of the academic semester (August / February).

IOS Engelberg

We warmly welcome your enquiries and would be delighted to assist you. –

Contact us