Comparing 3 schools side by side in USD.
Located in Vienna's distinguished 18th district. The campus is a tram ride from the city centre and a 40-minute taxi ride from Vienna International Airport. The campus buildings were constructed between 1908 and 1910 as part of a historic pavilion ensemble formerly the Semmelweis Clinic.
IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme (EY3-G5), Middle Years Programme (Grades 6-10), Diploma Programme (Grades 11-12), and Career-related Programme (Grades 10-12).
Private day and boarding IB World School with an integrated Music and Arts Academy.
More than 60 countries represented.
Special Education Needs (SEN) support is provided for students with certain learning needs, evaluated on an individual basis during the application process and within the first term; English as a Language (EAL) support is also available as needed, including an intensive EAL option.
Austria
The school day starts at 8:00 and ends at 15:20; Additional School Activities (ASAs) run 15:40–17:00 on weekdays for Grades 1-12.
A shuttle transportation service is provided for students to and from the school (round trip) on school days, bookable yearly; boarding students have access to shuttle services as part of housing arrangements.
Boarding is provided in Pfeiffer House, with separate wings for boys and girls. It has three floors: Ground Floor for Juniors (Grades 6–10); First Floor for Seniors (Grade 11); Second Floor for Seniors (Grade 12), with six wings and a kitchen in each wing (the junior floor shares a kitchen). The Boarding House can accommodate up to 138 students; rooms typically sleep two students with private en-suite bathrooms, a study space, and Wi‑Fi. The Dining Hall serves three warm, nutritious meals per day; towels and bed linens are provided and laundered by the housekeeping team, with weekly washing of school uniforms. Boarding staff provide mentoring and support; students have responsibilities including kitchen duties and personal laundry, and there are weekend Opportunities Programme activities.
Every day the students must wear navy trousers, skirt, or shorts; a formal shirt or polo; plain navy or white socks or tights; and navy or black formal shoes. Hair and makeup should be neutral; clothes must be clean, neat and well fitted. Main uniform items are available at Der Walter shop with fittings by appointment, and the AMADEUS Community Uniform Shop (AVCA) sells new and second-hand uniforms.
The Dining Hall is run by in-house chefs and offers international cuisine with vegetarian, vegan and meat options; meals are prepared from locally sourced ingredients. Dietaries are accommodated, including religious considerations. Menus vary weekly and include a daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner for boarding students; fresh fruit and side dishes are provided daily.
AMADEUS has a four-house system. Jupiter Symphony: Theme named after Mozart's Jupiter Symphony; Mascot Phoenix; Colour Red; Element Fire. Globe Theatre: Theme inspired by Ascanio in Alba; Mascot Gryphon; Colour Yellow; Element Earth. Sports Hall: Theme inspired by Apollo and Hyacinthus; Mascot Pegasus; Colour Blue; Element Wind. Recital Hall: Theme inspired by Mozart's Idomeneo; Mascot Kraken; Colour Purple; Element Water.
Board of Trustees: Dr Wilson Goh (Chair); Mr Ho Swee Huat; Mr William D. Dearstyne; Mrs Karen Goh (Director of AMADEUS Music and Arts Academy). The AMADEUS Vienna Community Association (AVCA) is a legally established not-for-profit entity under Austrian law. AMADEUS Vienna is operated by Themes Vienna Limited & Co KG.
IB continuum for ages 3–18, including Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP), and Career-related Programme (CP); a High School Diploma option is available for Grades 9–12. AMADEUS Music and Arts Academy (AMAA) is integrated into the programme, with a co-curricular enrichment lineup. English is the language of instruction; German lessons are mandatory from Grade 1 to Grade 10, with a mother-tongue language option available. One-to-one technology integration includes iPads in Primary and MacBooks in Secondary. The school hosts a diverse campus with students from many nationalities and maintains small class sizes across programmes.
Maximum class sizes: Primary 22 students; Secondary 24 students.
Graduates commonly pursue higher education destinations in the UK, USA, Canada, and Austria, attending universities such as Berklee College of Music, Northeastern University, University of Bath, McGill University, Australian National University, University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, Music and Arts Private University Vienna, and Franz Schubert Institute.
High Performance Programme provides stretch and enrichment for learners ready to excel beyond the standard curriculum.
The School Counsellor is available Monday–Friday from 9:30 to 14:00 to assist students in emotional, social or developmental matters; the Physical, Social and Health Education (PSHE) programme provides age-appropriate topics to develop social skills and personal well-being.
Additional Educational Needs (AEN) programme supports students requiring extra resources; arrangements are agreed upon by parents and the school.
An EAL (English as an additional language) programme is available for students who require extra help with English.
The School Counsellor provides one-on-one support for emotional and social well-being; a PSHE programme supports mental health and life skills across Primary and Secondary.
AMADEUS Vienna strives to make sure that the School is as secure and safe as possible; safeguarding regulations include boarding staff presence in boarding areas and visitor sign-in/sign-out, with ongoing safety and safeguarding procedures.
AMADEUS International School Vienna is a day and boarding IB World School with an English-speaking environment. Applications are accepted throughout the academic year, with early application increasing the chances of accommodation. For 2025-26 admissions are still open and applications for 2026-27 have recently opened. Boarding applicants who require a residence permit should apply at least four months prior to the start date. Admissions decisions are based on a composite of age, prior academic performance, references, and an interview with the relevant Head of Section (PYP/MYP/DP). Primary School assessments are conducted by the Head of Primary School or PYP Coordinator and involve observation in core subjects and social development; Secondary School assessments include a General Admissions Test, an interview with the Head of Section, and an optional assessment day. Placement is determined by age, development, and previous performance, with siblings given priority. If there is no space in the appropriate class, applicants may be placed on the waiting list. Enrolment is completed after countersigning the school contract and confirmation of the Enrolment fee payment. An EUR 400.00 Application Fee is charged; the Application Fee is non-refundable if a place is not held.
AMADEUS Scholarship & Award Opportunities for 2026-2027 include: Academic Scholarships (Grades 9–12) covering tuition for outstanding academic performance; Diversity Scholarships (internal & external applicants) for students from non-represented countries, awarded for one academic year; AMADEUS Music and Arts Academy (AMAA) Scholarships for exceptional talent in music or the arts with auditions or portfolio requirements. AMADEUS Awards include AMADEUS Awards, IBCP Awards, and the Academic Excellence & Distinction Award. External applicants apply via OpenApply for the main school application and a separate scholarship form via Jotform; AMADEUS students apply with required documents for scholarships. Deadlines for 2026/27: External applicants, February 22, 2026; AMADEUS students, January 2, 2026; applications received after the deadlines may be considered case-by-case, subject to availability.
Waiting Lists exist: If there is no space available in the appropriate class, you may have to be put on the waiting list. The Admissions team will reach out to your family as soon as there is availability again in the desired class and for the desired school year.
Moosstrasse 106, 5020 Salzburg, Austria. Situated near the base of the Untersberg in the green suburbs of Salzburg, the campus is about ten minutes from the center. The setting offers Alpine scenery and access to Salzburg's cultural attractions.
7-12
Independent private international boarding school; primarily a full boarding school with day students.
Around 25 nationalities represented.
English language assistance program for non-native English speakers with four levels; after testing, students are placed in a level and mainstreamed into the regular program.
Non-denominational / non-sectarian.
Three trimesters run from September to May. Students receive about 36.5 hours of classroom instruction per week. Day students may remain on campus until 17:00 and can be dropped off in the morning or collected in the afternoon.
No school bus service; day students travel by public transport or are dropped off/picked up by family.
Boarding is provided on campus in school dormitories for full and five-day boarders. About 85% of AIS-Salzburg students are full or five-day boarders, and boarders reside on campus for approximately nine months each year. The resident-care staff consists of dorm parents and resident assistants who supervise boarders, with the dean of students coordinating the boarding program. Boarding students have curfew and lights-out times, and all full- and five-day boarders participate in weekend activities and evening study halls as part of the program.
The dress code does not include a uniform; students wear academic day attire in accordance with AIS-Salzburg's dress guidelines.
Dormitories serve as the living units with house staff on each floor; there is no separate, named school-wide house system described, and dorm parents plus resident assistants oversee housing duties.
The school is an independent private, non-denominational boarding-and-day school. It is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and is a member of ECIS and The Association of Boarding Schools. The headmaster has overall authority over the academic and boarding programs, and the office manager sits on the governing body; the staff-to-student ratio is about 1:3.
AIS-Salzburg offers an American Curriculum for grades 1–12 with English as the language of instruction. In grades 11–12, the school also offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP). The school is Cognia-accredited and provides a broad Advanced Placement (AP) program, with full-credit and half-credit AP courses such as AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, AP European History, AP English Literature, AP German Language and Culture, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP French Language and Culture, AP Italian Language and Culture, AP Environmental Science, AP Psychology, and AP Human Geography. Gifted and Talented Enrichment is available, including national competitions. The curriculum includes Arabic Language and Identity Studies and Islamic Studies for Muslim students, along with Physical Education and Social-Emotional Learning; university and career readiness starts in Grade 10 with a college counselor and on-campus university placement support. Standardized testing on campus includes MAP assessments and AP and SAT examinations to support university admissions and credentialing.
Teacher-to-student ratio is about 1:3.
Graduates matriculate to universities in North America, the United Kingdom, continental Europe, and elsewhere worldwide, with about one-third each going to North American universities, UK institutions, and European universities, respectively.
Gifted and Talented Enrichment is offered, including participation in national competitions.
AIS-Salzburg focuses on intellectual development as well as emotional, physical, and ethical development. The Mission and Beliefs describe Balance and Wholeness and emphasize a safe, respectful environment, individual guidance, and the development of character to prepare students for responsible citizenship.
The language of instruction is English. The school requires English proficiency for non-native speakers, with accepted tests including TOEFL, TOEFL Junior, Cambridge, IELTS and SLEP; AIS-Salzburg also offers its own English proficiency examination during a campus visit.
AIS-Salzburg prioritizes emotional development as part of its educational program. The Mission & Beliefs highlight Balance and Wholeness, including emotional development, while safeguarding provisions focus on health and well-being and providing support when needed. Staff training and a safe environment support students' mental wellbeing.
AIS-Salzburg has a Child Protection Policy and Procedures. Safeguarding is a daily duty implemented by all staff, with regular training and ongoing updates. The policy defines safeguarding, protection, and support and includes reporting procedures, investigations, and coordination with authorities as required. It applies to day students and boarders, including students aged 18 and older, on campus and during school activities. Parents and guardians are provided access to the full Child Protection Handbook; the policy aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Austrian laws.
Step 1: Download the Student Application Form and return it to AIS-Salzburg with an appropriate photo of the applicant. The Application Form can be filled out using the provided link. This initiates the admissions process in an orderly manner. Step 2: Submit up-to-date copies of transcripts from the present school with translation if necessary; for grades 7–9 only the previous year's transcripts are required, while grades 11–12 require records from all high school grades completed or currently enrolled. Step 3: Submit a copy of the applicant's passport photo page along with any currently-held visas for Austria or another Schengen nation. Step 4: Request that the applicant's current English and mathematics teachers submit a confidential recommendation to AIS-Salzburg. The teacher recommendations can be forwarded or downloaded. This helps inform the admission decision. Step 5: Pay the application fee (€150.00) by bank or online transfer to the AIS-Salzburg account. Upon reception, AIS-Salzburg will make a decision concerning enrollment or determine that further testing (English proficiency) and/or a personal or online interview with the applicant is required. If the applicant is accepted, a copy of the Enrollment Agreement and invoices for tuition and fees, the Capital Levy, and mandatory fees will be sent; parents of applicants have 30 days to consider the offer before it is revoked. AIS-Salzburg does not publish a hard application deadline, but visa-required enrollment may necessitate timely action (visa processing can take up to 90 days), and enrollment should be secured before the end of May for the following school year.
Scholarships and Financial Aid at AIS-Salzburg. The administration provides support for Ukrainian families displaced by the conflict. Further scholarship considerations are suspended until the conflict ends.
St. Gilgen International School is located in St. Gilgen, Austria, in the Salzkammergut Alpine region. The campus sits in an alpine village with year‑round outdoor opportunities and access to Salzburg, Vienna, and Munich cultural experiences. It is about 35 minutes from Salzburg Airport, with easy connections via Salzburg, Munich, and Vienna airports, and a dedicated school bus from Salzburg. The area features an UNESCO World Heritage region with 50 peaks, 67 lakes, and 300 km of ski slopes.
Primary Phase; Middle Phase; Senior Phase.
IB World School.
Nationalities represented: over 35.
Pastoral network provides personalised care through mentor tutors, houseparents, nurses and teachers. The Medical Center offers care with nurses and visiting therapists, including therapy and psychological support. Mentor Tutoring provides daily check‑ins and small group sessions to help students grow academically and personally.
Austria.
Dedicated school bus from Salzburg.
Boarding houses Bachwirt, Traube, and Kendler are minutes from campus. They offer en-suite, shared double rooms arranged by age and gender to provide comfort and community. A dedicated boarding team supports a safe, structured environment and the overall wellbeing of boarders.
All students are expected to wear the distinctive school uniform smartly and formally, upholding the school's ethos. The uniform reflects the high standards valued by StGIS.
Boarders have breakfast and dinner in boarding houses, while all students receive healthy lunches from local village eateries. Menus feature fresh, locally sourced Austrian and international dishes, with plenty of salads, vegetables, and fruit. Vegetarian and special dietary needs are fully accommodated.
Pupils are assigned to boarding houses Bachwirt, Traube, and Kendler, arranged by age and gender and located near campus. Mentor Tutors and Houseparents provide ongoing support within the house structure. The school offers an Activities Programme with events such as The Dare Adventure Race.
The school is owned by a parent-established foundation, St. Gilgen International School Privatstiftung, since May 17, 2016. Day-to-day operations are managed by St. Gilgen International School GmbH, a non-profit company. The Foundation provides strategic oversight, including governance, long-term planning, and Head of School appointments, with a Board Policy Manual detailing operations.
Curriculum is delivered in three phases: Primary Phase (Grade 5) focuses on English development with interdisciplinary study in English, German, World Studies, Science, Mathematics, The Arts, and Movement & Wellbeing; Primary culminates in a UN SDG–linked Primary Exhibition. Middle Phase (Grades 6–10) follows the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), with enquiry-led learning and a Personal Project in Grade 10, based on a balanced eight-subject framework: Language & Literature (English and German), Language Acquisition (English, German, French, Spanish), Individuals & Societies, Science, Mathematics, Arts, Design, and Movement & Well-being. Senior Phase (Grades 11–12) offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) alongside the StGIS Diploma, with CIS and WASC accreditation; the IBDP core includes the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and CAS, and students choose six subjects from the subject groups. Graduates have access to top universities worldwide, with destinations such as Harvard, Oxford, IE University, Paracelsus University Medical School, Bocconi, Groningen, LSE, King's College London, St Andrews, Imperial College, Stanford, and the University of Vienna, supported by university and careers guidance.
The IB Diploma Programme is scored out of 45 points. Our students consistently perform above the world average and gain entry to top universities.
Graduates go on to universities worldwide, with recent destinations including Harvard University (USA), University of Oxford (UK), IE University (Spain), Paracelsus University Medical School (Austria), Bocconi University (Italy), University of Groningen (Netherlands), LSE, King's College London, University of St Andrews, Imperial College London, Stanford University, and the University of Vienna; university and careers guidance supports each student's path, including help with entrance tests and applications.
The school supports social and emotional learning through a dedicated pastoral network of mentor tutors, houseparents, nurses, and teachers, providing personalised care supporting academic, social, and emotional growth. The Pastoral Web fosters belonging, respect, and responsibility. Flourishing Together, through the Summit programme, assemblies, and inquiry days, helps students develop emotional intelligence and resilience.
Beginner English language learners receive support in Primary and Middle Phases; from Grade 10 upward, strong English proficiency is expected.
The Medical Center provides high-quality care for physical, social, and mental wellbeing, with therapy and psychological support available from visiting specialists twice monthly. Our medical staff works closely with Boarding House Teams and the Student Support Team to ensure comprehensive care for every student.
The school has a safeguarding framework and a Child Protection Policy; a dedicated pastoral team—Mentor Tutors, Residential staff, Nurses, and the School Counsellor—provides care and protection to students and fosters a safe environment.
Stage 1: Written application. Submit a completed application form, school reports from the last three years translated into English and certified if required, a copy of the student's passport, a motivation letter, a recommendation from the current school, and copies of relevant certificates, along with the €290 application fee. All application documents must be submitted in English; rolling admissions are available and placement is typically age-based with flexibility when appropriate. Beginner English language learners receive support in Primary and Middle Phases; from Grade 10 upward, strong English proficiency is expected.
Stage 2: Arrange a visit. The Trial Day lets you explore a typical day at StGIS and includes an interview with the Head of School, a guided campus tour, placement tests in English and Mathematics, and attendance in regular classes; boarding applicants may overnight in the boarding house. Primary Trial Days can be arranged on most days, with a dedicated Primary Open Day recommended.
Stage 3: Contractual documents. Tuition invoices are issued in line with the agreed start date and must be paid in full before the student begins. To complete enrollment provide a signed school contract and Power of Attorney; proof of tuition payment; a valid health insurance policy in Austria; a copy of the passport; birth certificate translated into English or German; photographs in accordance with EU passport photo guidelines. A full copy of the Admissions and Fee Policy is available upon request or after submitting a completed application.
Show us your best. St Gilgen International School offers a generous scholarship program for exceptional students. Most scholarships granted are partial; full scholarships are extremely rare and awarded only for truly exceptional applicants. Scholarships are reviewed annually by the Head of School; Applications must be submitted no later than mid-March; Scholarships can only be awarded upon first entry to the school, or in cases of an extreme change in circumstances.
