Imagine teaching in the picturesque French-speaking canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland, home to Neuchâtel Junior College (NJC). Founded in 1956, this small day school serves approximately 60 high school students and is nestled by the stunning Lac Neuchâtel, offering views of the Pre-Alps and the Alps on clear days.
The charming town of Neuchâtel, where the school is located, is home to both a university and a college, all within walking distance of NJC. Most residents live in apartment buildings, and the town’s public transportation system makes getting around easy. With its prime location just across from the main train station, the school community enjoys unparalleled access to travel, with Milan and Paris only four hours away by train!
One of NJC’s defining traditions is its pension program, where students live with French-speaking Swiss families. This experience has been central to NJC since its founding in 1956 and continues to be an essential part of student life. As the school describes on its website:
Living truly as Europeans, students become integrated with Swiss culture and daily life, while gradually learning French and becoming more independent. The head of household maintains close contact with the College via NJC's Pension Coordinator, so there is an abundant support system working in concert at home and at school. Accommodations vary from flats in the engaging heart of the town to country homes in picturesque villages on the outskirts of Neuchâtel. [Students] live solo in a Pension or with a fellow NJC classmate, and travel to school by Swiss train, tram or bus, as a mark of [their] new, more independent life.
Accredited by the Canada’s Ontario Ministry of Education, NJC provides its mostly Canadian students with the opportunity to study Ontario’s Grade 12 curriculum. Approximately 17% of the teaching staff is from Switzerland, contributing to the school’s unique international atmosphere.
After classes, NJC students have a wide array of options to explore their passions. Creatives take part in film, dance, drama, photography, and yearbook clubs, and may even take classes at the nearby Royal Conservatory of Music or the Académie de Ballet. The availability of sports teams fluctuates, but typically includes hockey, soccer, rugby, running, basketball, volleyball, and swimming. Students can also develop leadership skills by participating in the Foyer Executive Committee and the Leaders Program, both of which help them build confidence, make new friends, and contribute to maintaining a tight-knit NJC community.
Living near Lake Neuchâtel and the Alps inspires year-round outdoor activities, including rowing, sailing, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and hiking. Equestrians can benefit from nearby horse farms and trails in this beautiful setting.
Students and teachers have the chance to explore Europe in a safe, educational, and immersive context during curriculum-based travel. Past trips have included visits to the battlefields of World Wars I and II, concentration camps, and memorials, bringing history to life in powerful ways. Students have also explored the French Revolution and the lifestyle of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette at the palace of Versailles. They have also toured the world-renowned CERN facility in Geneva, where physicists are solving the mysteries of the universe!
NJC is seeking experienced, certified teachers with diverse profiles, including couples with non-teaching partners. They are also open to considering interns. While teachers do not need to hold an academic degree in the subject they will be teaching, they must meet certification requirements. There is no age limit for obtaining a work visa in Switzerland, making NJC an excellent opportunity for educators at various stages of their careers.
The overseas teaching benefits package includes a competitive salary, moving and furniture allowances, and annual airfare. The school provides full tuition for teachers’ children, although the school currently only offers courses in Grade 12. Local health insurance is fully covered, and NJC also offers ample opportunities for professional development to help teachers grow in their careers.
To access Neuchâtel Junior College’s full profile on the Search Associates database and view current vacancies, candidates can apply for membership by clicking here. Registered candidates can easily access the school profile directly through their dashboards.
Please note: The information presented about this school was valid on the date published. This information may change, and the most up-to-date information can be found on the school profile.
