Graz International Bilingual School

GIBS is a state bilingual senior secondary school in Graz, Austria. It has more than 600 students and over 60 teaching staff. The language of instruction is English in the form of flexible monolingualism, with an intensive language phase in Year 1. To support non government funded operating costs, GIBS operates the GIBS Foundation to fund language assistants and trips, financed by membership fees and sponsor support, and it gained charitable status retroactively from January 1, 2024. GIBS is the only public bilingual school in Styria.

GIBS maintains an active and international community. Intercultural projects include Erasmus+ initiatives such as Future Food and UNESCO promoted exchanges with Lycée Idéal in Nabeul, Tunisia. A broad network of partner schools participates in Europe-wide intercultural work, including Our Cultural and Social Diversity in Europe with countries such as Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Iceland, Romania and Turkey. The school also organizes home-to-home exchanges and language trips abroad, and fosters a harmonious climate with regular staff meetings and close contact between staff and parents.

The Parents Association is the contact partner for the school groups and has formed special interest groups where experienced parents share information. Every parent is invited to join a group to contribute to their children's education and strengthen home-school cooperation. The association focuses on deepening communication between students, teachers and parents to foster an open and constructive school environment. Parent representatives address concerns and arrange informal meetings, excursions and theatre visits to support families and students. It coordinates events such as the Summer party, the Christmas bazaar, the buffet at the Christmas party and exchange activities for years 5–7, plus the Jazz brunch in year 7 and support for the maturaball in year 8.