Education in Vienna and in Austria in general is compulsory for children. Essentially, compulsory education is divided into three parts.
In general kids in Austria start school at the age of 6. The first 4 years they attend primary school. Depending on their success during these first 4 years they continue their education for another four years in either a new secondary school (Neue Mittelschule), a secondary academic school or a special needs school.
After these four years, children in Austria need to complete a 9th school year. They can either continue at a secondary academic school, a special needs school or can complete a pre-vocational year. They might also continue a more technical education at a technical or vocational high school when they are interested in certain topics like chemistry or IT. With graduating from high school and the completion of the A-level, children are eligible to continue their education at an university.
Foreign Language Schools in Vienna
The main language in Austrian and Viennese school is German as German is the official language of Austria. In Vienna there are a few schools that teach in other languages (mostly English).
These schools include for English:
- Vienna International School: is located in the 22nd district close to the subway station U1 Kagran and teaches kids from the age of 3 to 18. The primary years programme is kids aged 3 to 12 and middle years programme for 11 to 16 with an additional 2 years in the Diploma Programme from 16 to 19. Children graduate with an International Baccalaureate.
- American International School: is located in the 19th district and teaches kids from the age of 4 to the 12th grade. Children either graduate with a US high school diploma or an International Baccalaureate.
- Danube International School: is located in the 2nd district close to the Donaukanal and the Prater. They offer Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes.
and for those interested in schools where the curricula is taught in French:
- Lycée Français: the Kindergarten and primary school (École Maternelle) are located in the 19th district is located. The École Élémentaire, Collège and Lycée are located in the 9th district in the Liechtensteinstrasse.
For all those schools, please consult their websites for further information about their admission and application process.
