Transforming curious minds into global citizens through life-changing experiential grade 12 and gap year studies; preparing students for university and for life.
Ella ’25 - Vancouver, BC.
McGill University
“NJC has broadened my perspective on the world and has allowed me to have the confidence to complete anything that I put my mind to. NJC has provided me with such amazing opportunities and experiences that will set me up for success.”
Neuchâtel Junior College ignites a lifelong sense of adventure, courage and purpose through an extraordinary, immersive education.
Aim high. Put in effort and dedication to achieve goals.
Discover more about yourself, the people you encounter and the world around you.
Respect, as our foundation and daily mindset means treating all people well and being genuinely open to different views, different paths and different choices.
Have courage to do the right thing. Always.
Be accountable for your words, actions and choices.
Be compassionate about mistakes.
Be open to new things and new opportunities. Embrace the word “try” and learn from failure.
Big or small, local or global, contribute to make a difference.
Neuchâtel Junior College offers the exceptional opportunity to study the Canadian curriculum in Switzerland. Students take Ontario grade 12 courses in their final year of high school or gap year with an international focus. They gain an authentic cultural and French language experience by living with Swiss, French-speaking hosts and travel extensively.
Founded in 1956, Neuchâtel Junior College combines rigorous academics with immersive international travel, giving students unparalleled opportunities to broaden their horizons and understand diverse cultures. The pre-university year is defined in two ways: a student’s last year of high school, grade 12 or a gap year of enrichment.
NJC students experience small class sizes and a supportive environment during their preuniversity program of study. Students earn Ontario grade 12 credits leading to the granting of an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and receive admission into universities in Canada, the United States and beyond.
The foundation of all courses is the Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum. NJC is audited by the Ontario Ministry of Education on an annual basis and is categorized as an independent Ontario secondary school located abroad. NJC is a member of the Swiss Group of International Schools (SGIS). Course descriptions are available upon request.
NJC curriculum features:
Graduates earn the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
Graduates strive to achieve the Neuchâtel Junior College International Diploma (optional). Students are able to take Advanced Placement (AP) examinations in May.
NJC is a testing centre and students are able to write College-Board SAT in the autumn.
Kate ’25 - Toronto, ON. Dalhousie University
“I felt like I could actually communicate well with my teachers, and make connections with them, that definitely reflected well in my work. I learned to push myself and challenge myself more, and got a new sense of motivation.”
The study of French is mandatory at NJC, however students are not required to have French language proficiency prior to their arrival. Students will expand their vocabulary and improve their ability to express themselves in French. Through French classes and an immersive experience, students develop their French language skills while living within the French-speaking town of Neuchâtel, Switzerland and environs.
The pre-university year for some students constitutes a gap year of enrichment. Due to an interest in furthering their studies while gaining an all-important year of personal maturation, approximately 20% of the student body at NJC is participating in our gap year program.
Students who have already graduated from high school may, once they obtain Grade 12 credits at NJC, use these credits to qualify for university entrance.
The result is graduates who are ready to navigate the complexities of the world, and a lifetime of ties to the people and places they met along the way.
Canadian students who attend school outside of Ontario, as well as students from outside of Canada, can study at Neuchâtel Junior College (NJC) in their final year of high school to obtain their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or following graduation from high school for a gap year or semester of enrichment.
Students who join NJC from outside of the province of Ontario and have completed a minimum standard 3-year high school program (Grade 9-11) will have their transcript reviewed for an equivalency assessment to determine the number of credits necessary (up to 7 credits) for them to graduate with the OSSD.
Samantha ’25 (Gap year) - Kitchener, ON. Queen’s University
“Balancing academics with travel has taught me how to prioritize tasks and hold myself accountable. I have found myself becoming more disciplined and proactive, often setting my own deadlines … important skills I know will benefit me while in university and life in the future.”
Students receive dedicated university placement counselling and support from NJC’s Guidance Department. With a 100% post-secondary acceptance rate, the program has a focus on research, program requirements, admission procedures and deadlines, and applications for scholarships. The Guidance Department provides careful, personalized attention to the needs of each individual student to ensure each student reaches their full potential and achieves their goals.
NJC offers a small class size ratio and accommodates students who may require additional support. Through academic support, peer support and tutoring, NJC students receive support beyond the classroom. Our dedicated faculty, supportive homestay families, and engaged alumni families offer encouragement and guidance every step of the way. Whether through academic mentoring or emotional support, we ensure every student feels cared for and supported throughout their NJC journey.
Neuchâtel Junior College Class of 2025 graduates received offers of admission into highly competitive programs and will be attending universities across Canada, the United States and Europe.
For more information on the universities our graduates attend, please contact admissions@neuchatel.org
“I applied to a European school, something I never would have done if I had been living in Toronto. Not only did NJC and its staff give me the support and encouragement to apply directly to a European medical school, but attending NJC and living on my own in Europe instilled the confidence and belief in myself that I could pursue my dream.”
Max ’25 - Toronto, ON. Vanderbilt University
“Once I arrived in Europe and at NJC, I was struck by how different and open people were… Even though many of these Canadians … it felt as if I was taking a breath of fresh air.. allowing me to focus on being my authentic self and understanding what I wanted.”
Students have many opportunities to become involved in a variety of leadership initiatives throughout their time at NJC.
This group of student leaders organizes a number of studentled events such as: Canadian Thanksgiving and Holiday banquet and the end-of year barbecue. This is similar to student council at other schools.
This group works to foster mental well-being as it pertains to personal, academic and social success through raising awareness about mental health issues and providing outlets for students to release stress.
NJC competes in international conferences semi-annually in cities such as Leiden in the Netherlands and in the United Kingdom. This club meets weekly at the school in order to prepare for these conferences.
By living ‘en pension, our students become integrated with Swiss culture and daily life. Our students live as Europeans. Most pension families have welcomed students into their homes for many years. Pension families typically take one or two NJC students. Our dedicated Pension Coordinator takes great care in matching students with pension families.
Mehanne ’25 - Montreal, QC.
Concordia University
“My pension was incredibly welcoming and allowed me to flourish in Neuchâtel, a city I previously knew nothing about but now feel like I’ve lived in my whole life. This living experience benefited me in so many ways, but it mostly helped for my self-reliance and independence.”
Neuchâtel Junior College provides a wide range of extracurricular activities organized by the school and involving other international schools. Extracurricular activities include: rafting and ski day. Athletics may be offered such as cross country, basketball and volleyball as NJC is a member of the Swiss Group of International Schools (SGIS). Teams may also compete in tournaments in the local community.
Students are encouraged to get involved in NJC’s International Program. Neuchâtel Junior College offers a variety of internationally-focused opportunities, including: International Competitions
Model United Nations minimum once each semester.
Visiting the Canadian Embassy in Bern, the United Nations in Geneva, the Red Cross, CERN, or being addressed by a member of the United Nations’ High Commission for Refugees, gives students a better understanding of how their careers might one day have an impact as leaders beyond Canada’s borders, within the global arena.
NJC is fortunate to have connections to a range of community resources including sports teams, music and language interests. Students are able to take Italian and German non-credit language classes for language development at a local language school for an additional cost.
University of Toronto
“Outside the classroom, the experiences at NJC have taught me priceless cultural lessons, allowing me to truly become a global citizen. Whether it’s debating at MUN in a foreign country or playing weekly tennis with my Swiss friend, the personal and intellectual growth NJC has given me will be instrumental in the future.”
NJC offers structured, school-organized travel to expose students to a variety of cultural, scientific, environmental and historical sites across Europe. These trips are often integrated into the curriculum, enriching the academic program, the learning process and students’ understanding of the world in which they live and will lead. The travel is divided into four areas; défis et découvertes (challenges and discoveries), mandatory travel, optional travel and independent travel.
Local Excursions: “Les Dé s et Découvertes”
•Swiss Transportation Museum in Lucerne
•European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva
•International Olympic Museum in Lausanne
•United Nations Headquarters in Geneva
Optional School Trips
•Munich, Germany or Krakow, Poland
•Model UN
•Hike in the Pre-Alps
•Winter break: Morocco service trip
•Semester Break: Zermatt, Switzerland
•Florence, Italy or Wengen, Switzerland
Mandatory Travel
•September orientation trip in Switzerland
•World War I Battlegrounds: November trip to Belgium and France for Remembrance Day
•Spring Break: Ancient Civilization -Greece & Italy or service-based trip
•World War II Battlegrounds: Late spring Normandy trip
Independent Travel
Independent travel inspires confidence, personal discovery, strong friendships and maturity. Following the first report card, students are permitted to organize a trip and travel independently in small groups for a maximum of three weekends per semester.
Cameron ’25 - Mississauga, ON. Western University.
“Walking through World War One battlefields, exploring the busy streets of Amsterdam, or standing in the sombre silence of Auschwitz-Birkenau. These experiences have made history come alive while also highlighting the importance of remembering and learning from the past.”
Neuchâtel Junior College selects students on the basis of their academic performance, character, interests, talents and potential. Successful applicants are those who seek to challenge and advance themselves through a transformational experience of intense personal and intellectual growth. The school favours applicants who respond positively to new challenges and who express sufficient maturity, international curiosity, and personal responsibility to embrace this experience.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and admission decisions are made throughout the academic year.
A complete application for the 2026-27 academic year can be initiated on the school website www.neuchatel.org on the admission page by clicking apply now.
A COMPLETE APPLICATION INCLUDES:
• Complete online application and application fee
• High school transcript to date
• Report card for the 2025-26 academic year ( interim mid-term acceptable)
• Admission essay
• Character reference (optional)
• Student interview to follow application submission
The application deadline for the 2026-27 academic year is January 15, 2026.
Applications will be considered after the admission deadline if space remains available. Please contact admissions@neuchatel.org for more information.
Application fees are non-refundable. Applicants from outside of Canada and the United States are required to contact the admissions office regarding tuition fees.
QUESTIONS? WE ARE HERE TO HELP. CONTACT ADMISSIONS@NEUCHATEL.ORG AND CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR STUDENT RECRUITING EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
Nicole ’25 - Toronto, ON. McGill University, Montreal.
“In my future career and studies, I will always look back on the experiences I had this year with fondness and use them to guide me through life. My time in Neuchâtel has inspired me to bring the spirit of NJC with me for the rest of my life, and continue to “Step Outside.”
