You will find below a list of the most popular international and bilingual schools for expats in Austria with fee information. The list includes nursery schools, primary and secondary (high) schools for you to find the right school to prepare for the International Baccalaureate and other accreditation in Austria. Some schools may follow the American or British curriculums with English speaking programs while others are regulated under the French and German language and system.

International schools

International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in Austria. There may be some local population, but the schools are geared for an international student body. Schools usually follow a curriculum model from the US, UK, France, Canada or Australia/New Zealand. Primary instruction may be any language (and multiple languages are usually taught), but it is usually in English, French, Spanish, German, or Japanese. Many schools provide similar standards of schooling around the globe, providing for an easy transition between schools whether they are in France or Vietnam. Schools often provide internationally accepted accreditation such as the international baccalaureate.

Admission and enrollment procedures vary from school to school. Space is often limited and preference may be given to students based on nationality. Tuition tends to be expensive based on local standards, but offers high standards of learning, boast smaller class sizes, first-rate facilities, and extracurricular. Boarding facilities are available at some schools, but most only provide day classes.

Austria has a free and public school system with a compulsory nine years of education. Standard Austrian public schools are taught completely in German. Schools are usually co-educational and do not require their students to wear uniforms. Registration takes place in March, and most schools have an open house (Schnuppertag) in February. There are many private schools (especially those run by the Roman Catholic Church). Most privately-run, international schools are based in Vienna. The most popular schools are quite expensive and have limited space. It is common for schools to have a long wait list so apply as soon as possible.

Accreditation

The CoIS (Council of International Schools) is a non-profit association of international schools and post-secondary institutions which provides educational accreditation, teacher and leadership recruitment services, links to higher education, governance assistance and help with founding new schools. European Council of International Schools (ECIS) provides accreditation for schools in Europe. The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools provides additional accreditation for American schools abroad.

Vienna

American International School Vienna (AISV)
Address: Salmannsdorfer Strasse 47
1190, Vienna, Austria
Tel: (+43) 1 40132-0
Annual Tuition Rates: €9,714-17,767 [school year 2012/13]

Adjacent to the beautiful Vienna Woods, the campus is seven interconnected buildings housing Elementary, Middle, and High Schools. The school features extensive facilities and the latest in technology for children between the ages of 4-18. The curriculum is based on US and International with SAT and IB testing offered.

Danube International School (DANUBE)
Address: Josef Gall Gasse 2
Vienna, A-1020, Austria
Tel: (+43) 1 720 3110
Annual Tuition Rates: €9,600 - 17,300 [school year 2012/13]

Situated in the heart of Vienna, the school was founded in 1992. Provides a comprehensive international education for children from age 3 to age 19, with elementary school (Early Years Unit to Grade 5) and secondary school (Grade 6 to Grade 12.) In grades 6-10 the school is experienced in delivering the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP) and in Grades 11 and 12 the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The school is fully recognized by the Austrian Ministry of Education.

Vienna International School (VIS)
Address: Strasse der Menschenrechte 1
A-1220, Vienna, Austria
Tel: (+43) 1 203 5595
Annual Tuition Rates: €8,904 - 1,598 [school year 2012/13]

The campus is situated near the United Nations Headquarters at the Vienna International Centre with many students coming from parents working in the UN or who belong to the Diplomatic Community. The language of instruction is English and the school offers the three International Baccalaureate programmes: grades pre-K to grade 5 the inquiry-based Primary Years Programme (IBPYP); grades 6 to 10 the broad and multi-disciplinary Middle Years Programme (IBMYP); grades 11 and 12 the Diploma (IBDP). There is also an ESL programme providing in-class support and intensive tuition. Most Primary School students are encouraged to learn German once they become proficient in English; in Grades 6 through 10, students are required to learn German.

International Christian School of Vienna
Address: Wagramer Strasse 175 / Panethgasse 6a
A-1220 Wien, Austria
Tel: 43 1 25122 0
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

The International Christian School provides small class size and faith based learning. The school offers American curriculum from primary (age 5) to grade 12 and AP (advanced placement) courses in high school. Accredited by (ACSI) and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, as well as deemed Öffentlichkeitsrecht by the Viennese school authorities. Graduates of ICSV receive a US diploma, acknowledged by universities across the globe.

Vienna Elementary School (VES)
Address: Lacknergasse 75
A-1180 Wien
Tel: (01) 470-4600
Annual Tuition Rates: €6,830 [school year 2012/13]

The Vienna Elementary School offers a comprehensive elementary school program in English from Kindergarten through fourth grade. The school is a privately founded elementary school established under Austrian law and registered with the Ministry of Education and the Viennese Public School Office for Education. Curriculum is based on the Austrian school system.

French Schools in Vienna

Lycée Français de Vienne (LFV)
Classe Prépa - Lycée - Collège - Ecole Elémentaire Address: Liechtensteinstrasse 37 A
A-1090 Vienne Autriche
Tel: (43).1.317.22.41
Ecole de Grinzing (Maternelle et Elémentaire) Address: Grinzingerstrasse 95
A-1190 Vienne Autriche
Tel: (43).1.370.12.17
Annual Tuition Rates: €5,196 - 7,707 [school year 2012/13]

The school is one of the world's largest schools accredited by the Agency for French Teaching Abroad (AEFE) and has more than 2,000 students. French and bilingual instruction leads to students testing for the grandes écoles. German, English, Spanish, and Arabic are also offered. The private school shares its boarding school with Theresianum.

Salzburg

American International School Salzburg (SALZBU)
Address: Moosstrasse 106
Salzburg, 5020, Austria
Tel: (+43) 662 824 617
Annual Tuition Rates: Day only: €15,120 - 17,680; Boarding €26,525 - 30,500 [school year 2012/13]

This is a private, co-educational, non-sectarian boarding school for children aged 13-19. Founded in 1976, the school provides a college preparatory education. Emphasis is placed on Advanced Placement level course work in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades leading to an American High School diploma with AP credentials. The school year begins in early September and ends late in May, with a three-week winter break for Christmas and New Year.

Graz

Graz International Bilingual School (GIBS)
Address: Georgigasse 85
8020 Graz Austria
Tel: 43 316 771050
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

This is an Austrian bilingual (English/German) university preparatory school based on an Austrian school system. The language of instruction is English in the form of "flexible monolingualism". The first three months of Year 1 take the form of an intensive phase of language acquisition after which the students have reached a level of language competence which enables them to participate in lessons conducted in the target language. Following the intensive phase, linguistic back-up for other subjects is provided when required in the English class. Students from non-German speaking countries receive instruction in German as a foreign language.

Bilingual Primary School (BIPS)
Address: Münzgrabenstrasse 18
A-8010 Graz Austria
Tel: 43 316 872 6980
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Specializing in bilingual (English & German) education, this primary school helps children develop and succeed.

St Gilgen

St Gilgen International School (ISGILG)
Address: Ischlerstrasse 13
A-5340, St Gilgen, Austria
Tel: (+43) 6227 20259
Annual Tuition Rates: Day only: €25,000; Boarding €45,000 [school year 2012/13]

This is a co-educational, IB World School that offers boarding and prepares students for entry into colleges and universities. The school offers a day option to local residents. Students are prepared for IGCSE examinations and the International Baccalaureate Diploma (English or bilingual). Academic courses are taught in English and all students study German at the appropriate level. For Middle Years students whose native language is not English, intensive English instruction is provided. Mother-tongue maintenance in languages other than the main taught languages of English, German, French and Spanish is a priority. Accredited by the Austrian Ministry of Education, it is a Candidate School for Accreditation by the Council of International Schools.