École Ardévaz is a private school in Sion, in Valais, preparing students for the Swiss federal maturité and the French baccalauréat. The programme runs over four years: a common first year, a maturité year, then two further years leading to the maturité or the baccalauréat. Students can also combine the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma with the maturité as a double diploma. Classes are small, and the school sets a mock examination before candidates register for the official federal sittings. Boarding is available, as are host families and studio accommodation. Ardévaz opened in 1979 and was among the first Valais schools to present candidates at the federal maturité examinations in Neuchâtel.