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Austria, Salzburg
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St. Gilgen International School was founded in 2008 by Austrian architect Alexander Serda. The historic lakeside campus was once home to writer Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach. The school is governed by a parent-established foundation; ownership transferred on May 17, 2016 to the St. Gilgen International School Privatstiftung, with day-to-day operations managed by St. Gilgen International School GmbH, a non-profit limited company that reinvests surplus into school development. The Foundation provides strategic oversight, guiding governance, long-term planning, head-of-school appointments, and financing; it began with nine founding members in 2016, with additional founders and donors since. A €100,000 endowment secures a lifelong seat on the Advisory Council.
Over 35 nationalities make up the StGIS community in the lakeside town of St. Gilgen, Austria, in a UNESCO World Heritage region. Instruction is in English, with German, Spanish, French and self-taught IB mother tongue options. The program includes sports, arts, and outdoor activities, with weekend trips and cultural visits described for students. Student Life features events such as golf tournaments, HYROX competitions, the Salzburg Marathon, and the Wolfgangsee Challenge, plus trips to Vienna and Munich to engage with Austria's history and culture.
The Advisory Council includes Founders, Parent Association reps, and Betriebsrat (staff council) reps, along with representatives from the St. Gilgen municipality and Salzburg county. The Foundation provides strategic oversight, while day-to-day operations are handled by St. Gilgen International School GmbH. Ownership transitioned to the St. Gilgen International School Privatstiftung on May 17, 2016; the Foundation finances governance and planning. The Executive Board is led by Chair Gert Fahrnberger, Deputy Chair Christian Dreyer, and Tanja Scherb. The Foundation began with nine founding members in 2016 and welcomes new philanthropic members, including a €100,000 endowment securing a lifelong seat on the Advisory Council.
St. Gilgen International School (StGIS) is an IB World School in Austria offering phased curriculum for ages 9 to 18: Primary, Middle (IB MYP) and Senior (IBDP) alongside StGIS Diploma. The Primary Phase emphasizes English and German development with interdisciplinary study and culminates in a UN SDG–linked Primary Exhibition. The Middle Phase uses enquiry-led learning within the IB MYP and includes a Grade 10 Personal Project across eight subject groups. In the Senior Phase, students study six IBDP subjects, complete the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and CAS, and graduate with StGIS Diploma alongside CIS and WASC accreditation. Instruction is in English, with German, Spanish and French offered and IB mother tongue options. The lakeside campus sits in UNESCO World Heritage region with mountains and lakes. Facilities include theatre, an art studio, lake-facing Idea Alm with a 3D printer, and boathouse. Mozarteum Pre-College Salzburg provides music lessons and university guidance.
