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Football players do not have to compromise their education in order to pursue their passion for football anymore.
The International Center of European Football is committed to providing the most comprehensive education program through a myriad of accredited options to prepare student-athletes for higher education and broaden their career and life opportunities.

 
From Middle School and High School to Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, ICEF partners with prestigious academic institutions such as Webster University Geneva and Geneva Business School, to welcome students coming from all over the world in an ideal setting for academic and personal development. At ICEF we:
  • Offer 100% accredited academic programs and NCAA approved courses;
  • Prepare students for the rigor of collegiate academics;
  • Provide individualized attention, through small class sizes and a low student to teacher ratio, to better meet the needs of each student;
  • Guide and assist all students to ensure they maintain a high GPA and are ready for the college application process, providing additional academic support and tutoring on-site when needed;
  • Adapt school schedules, permitting student-athletes to fully benefit from both football and academic programs;
  • Cultivate exchanges between students from different cultures and nationalities.
ICEF International Center of European Football - Boarding soccer academy in Europe

ICEF’s individualized academic programs

Grades 8th – 12th: Student-athletes enrolled at the International Center of European Football attend a private boarding school located near the center. Founded in 1948, Saintes Croix des Neiges is amongst the leaders in academic excellence in Europe, and offers an ideal setting for academic and personal development.
  • American Middle & High School
  • Cambridge IGCSE Educational Program
  • French Middle / High School Programs

College Preparation:

  • SAT & ACT preparation
  • TOEFL & DELF preparation
  • College Advisors
  • French & English language classes
  • NCAA-approved courses (View NCAA-approved courses on the NCAA Eligibility Center website. Use the code 440344 to find UTHS courses.)

College & University: 
Student-athletes enrolled at the International Center of European Football may pursue their higher education in Europe with an outstanding curriculum, campus and student life. The proximity of the center to the Swiss border enables easy access to Webster University Geneva and Geneva Business School’s campus in Geneva, Switzerland. A local train commutes directly between Evian-les-bains and the stations adjacent to each campus in Geneva.

ICEF International Center of European Football - Boarding soccer academy in Europe
ICEF International Center of European Football - Boarding soccer academy in Europe

Webster University Geneva:

Established in 1978, Webster University Geneva has served students from around the world in search of a first-class higher education and holds institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), one of the main regional accreditors and is recognized by both CHEA and the United States Department of Education. This institutional accreditation has allowed Webster students to be accepted after their graduation into top graduate programs in Switzerland and further afield to places like Kings College London, LSE and NYU and many more across Europe, the U.S. and worldwide. Thanks to these accreditations, the degrees delivered by Webster University Geneva are recognized Internationally, including in the U.S.

Career advice, Alumni support, and Internship placement
Webster University in Geneva provides the tools and guidance to get the best possible start in life as an undergraduate or boost student’s networks and strengthen skills further through graduate programs. The University’s highly skilled internship and alumni department’s efforts have resulted in obtaining more internship offers than students available to fill the vast number of positions.

Programs
In Geneva since 1978, Webster University’s American-style campus is located in a park-like, secure and tranquil setting, a brief walk from Lake Leman, offering spectacular views of Mont Blanc. On campus, students will discover well-equipped classrooms, a library, computer labs, a cafeteria, and various staff offices (student affairs, academic advising, career services).

Undergraduate and Graduate Programs are available in various fields, including: Business Administration, Computer Science, Finance, Psychology, International Relations, Management, Media Studies, and Photography.

Webster University Geneva can also help families of admitted students to activate the traditional federal student aid programs and/or the use of family 529 (tuition investment) plans, since it is a fully-recognized American institution (with a main campus in St. Louis, USA, est. in 1915).

Visit official website

ICEF International Center of European Football - Boarding soccer academy in Europe

Geneva Business School:

Geneva Business School is an international private educational institution. Its Geneva Campus is conveniently located nearby the International Center of European Football and offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, MBA programs and diverse education options taught 100% in English, using innovative learning methods and new technologies to fully prepare students for the tools and environment of the professional marketplace. The programs offer students a solid business foundation through the lens of their chosen sector specialization. Their educational mission is mostly driven by the objective of ensuring student success along with the European academic excellence.

ICEF student-athletes may combine their football passion with their academic objectives in the sports industry by pursuing a Bachelor of International Management with a Specialization in Sports Management.

Visit official website

Humanities Teacher, History, Geography, American Government

Claire Watts

Claire joined the Academy in 2021 and currently serves as Head of the Humanities Department. Originally from North Carolina, she completed her studies at the University of Oregon, earning degrees in Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, and French, along with a SLAAT teaching certification.

Her academic journey was also the start of a great personal adventure: on her very first day at university, Claire met a French student who would later become her husband. They married just two days after graduation (where she graduated with honours) and moved abroad together two days later.

At the Academy, Claire is known for her compassion, her passion for the humanities, and her dedication to ensuring her boys have a wonderful experience. Outside the classroom, she enjoys dancing, organizing dinner parties, and traveling the world to visit historical and archaeological sites.

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English and Literature Teacher / Academic Advisor

Amy Bench

Amy joined the academy in 2021 and currently leads the English Department. Originally from the UK, she holds a degree in English Literature and a PGCE in Secondary Education from Lancaster University. With over a decade of international teaching experience, Amy has worked in the UK, Italy, and France, including at two of the UK’s top high schools and an international school in Turin. 

In 2016, she moved to the French Alps, inspired by her passion for the mountains. Outside the classroom, Amy is an avid hiker, climber, snowboarder, and traveler. She is also a certified yoga instructor and regularly organizes yoga, meditation, and art workshops at the academy offering a holistic approach to learning.

French Teacher

Héloïse Evans

Héloïse is a native French speaker, who studied French language and literature at University in France before moving to the UK. While living in the UK, Héloïse pursued a teaching qualification at Brighton University and went on to teach languages in a variety of schools in the south of England. Héloïse has 15 years of experience teaching students from a young age through to the end of high school as well as taking on pastoral roles. 

After living in the UK for nearly 10 years, she decided to return to the beautiful region where she was born, to raise her family amongst the foothills of the Alps. She loves spending time outdoors, hiking or skiing in the mountains with her family. Teaching has always been Héloïse’s passion and she delights in passing on her love of the French language. She is always looking for new and innovative ways to challenge and inspire her students to help set them on the path to a fulfilling and successful future.

Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Junior Science Teacher

Emma Newman

Emma is a British teacher with 20 years of teaching experience across all phases of education. Her background includes 10 years teaching high school and junior school in London, where she held Pastoral and Departmental Leadership roles. She then spent 9 years at a London university, training graduate and postgraduate students to become teachers themselves. 

Emma relocated to France in 2021 to follow her passion for outdoor activities and broaden the life experiences of her young daughter. Outside of teaching Emma enjoys the vast range of sports and activities that the nearby mountains and lakes offer. Having joined the PSG Academy Pro teaching team in 2023, Emma has been keen to create a positive learning environment, linking scientific topics to football as well as the previous knowledge and experiences of her students.

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Math, Physics & Chemistry Teacher

Hans Kolster

Hans is a Dutch mathematics educator with extensive experience in private international schools. Passionate about inspiring students, he believes in building strong relationships, setting high standards, and helping each individual realise their full potential.

Three years ago, Hans moved to the French Alps to embrace an active lifestyle in a stunning setting.

Now in his fourth year at PSG Academy Pro, he feels privileged to be part of a dedicated team, and is excited to support motivated athletes who are working hard to turn their dreams into reality. 

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ESL Teacher, Communications Coordinator

Barbara Hill

Barbara is a native British English speaker with 20 years of international teaching
experience. After earning her Bachelor of Education from Manchester Metropolitan
University in 2005, she taught in the UK, Australia, and France across public, private, and international schools.

Drawn by her love of mountains, she relocated with her young family to Thonon-les-Bains, where she enjoys the Alpine region of the mountains and lakes. She spends her free time skiing, cycling, swimming and having adventures with her family and friends.

At PSG, Barbara aims to inspire student-athletes to embrace new challenges and thrive, creating a supportive environment where they are motivated to achieve both their academic goals and personal passions.

Program Director

Leandro Cruz

Leandro, a native of Brazil, had a professional career as a football player before transitioning into education. With 15 years of experience in the French school system, he has dedicated his career to guiding student-athletes toward both academic and athletic excellence.

Beyond the classroom, he plays a crucial role in securing college placements for high school graduates, ensuring they successfully transition to higher education while balancing their sports commitments.