Life at StGIS

Safe and Sound. At St. Gilgen International School, student safety and happiness are our priorities, fostering a secure environment for individual and communal growth, and nurturing a strong sense of belonging and pride in our school.

We Stick Together. Our ‘pastoral web’ offers personalized attention, focusing on each student’s physical and psychological well-being. With a network of tutors, mentors, nurses, and teachers, we empower students to reach their fullest potential.

Welcome home.
Our school, nestled in a safe, charming village, balances appropriate boundaries with the freedom for students to grow and explore. Our dedicated pastoral and boarding teams create a nurturing, structured environment, ensuring students feel at home. We embrace global diversity, fostering a balanced international student community.

"The commitment of school leadership, faculty and staff to students is an outstanding strength of the School "

CIS Evaluation, 2017

Our students will

(I) learn to cooperate and compromise with people from diverse backgrounds (II) develop independence, resilience and self-discipline (III) grow as conscientious and compassionate individuals, with a sense of responsibility both to those close to them and to the global community (IV) care for themselves and their fellow man and the planet, on their own path to excellence.

Care

Co-Educational Excellence at St. Gilgen International School: Our school, accommodating both boarding and day students, provides a safe, caring, and structured environment for personal development.

The Pastoral Web. Our interconnected network of mentor tutors, houseparents, nurses, and staff works closely with parents, promoting a supportive atmosphere. This system develops confidence, inclusiveness, respect, and responsibility among students.

Flourishing Together. We explore age-appropriate topics linked to local and global communities through our Movement and Wellbeing programme and assemblies. Employing positive psychology, we build resilience and emotional intelligence, enabling students to thrive.

Endorsed by Experts. The Council of International Schools (CIS) praises our school leadership, residential programme, care, IB Diploma Programme, and outdoor activities.

Mentorship Focus. Our ‘mentor tutors’ provide focused support to small student groups, ensuring personalized attention and holistic development.

Stronger Together. Mentor Tutor groups, limited to 7-8 students, ensure intimate support and regular interaction, with mentor tutors coordinating all support activities under houseparents’ guidance.

Healthy Body, Healthy Mind. We proactively foster physical, social, and emotional well-being, encouraging self-care in students.

Enjoy Peace of Mind. Our wellbeing class for Grades 4-10, based on positive psychology, helps students recognize their strengths and make positive life choices.

Your children will be happy here, and cared for as if they were our own.

School Nurse

Our professional school nurse, Birgit Aspöck and Alexandra Erber, provide high-quality care in a supportive, confidential environment. They ensure the physical, social, and mental wellbeing of every student with guidance and information. Our Nurses’ Office, operational Monday to Friday during school hours, forms a vital link between healthcare and education.

Nurturing Healthy, Happy Students. Our nurses are integral in helping students reach their full potential. Available for emergency treatment and immediate concerns, they also manage appointments for less urgent issues.

Primary Duties of the Nurses:
– Administering First Aid
– Monitoring illness symptoms
– Caring for sick students
– Managing medication
– Escorting students to the doctor
– Emergency care for chronic conditions
– Advising on health, nutrition, puberty, and general wellbeing
Providing a listening ear for students

Additional Medical Services:
– Arranging doctor’s and therapy appointments
– Organizing vaccinations and health checks
– Conducting First Aid courses
– Coordinating with a psychotherapist and clinical psychologist who visit bi-monthly

The nurses collaborate closely with our Boarding House Teams and Student Support Team for comprehensive care.

Partnership with the Rudolfinerhaus Private Hospital in Vienna

St Gilgen International School now has a preferred medical partner in Vienna; the RUDOLFINERHAUS private hospital.

Patients have access to highly qualified specialists from all fields of medicine and the hospital is at the vanguard of modern diagnostic techniques and treatments. All this, in conjunction with the very best of care, personal attention and a recuperative environment transforms the hospital into a centre for health and wellbeing.

Benefits for StGIS students

Appointments without prior arrangement for GP examinations
Swift access to appointments with our specialist doctors
No prepayment required prior to your appointment
Appointments available in a variety of languages for all areas of medicine
Interpreters available (at an additional cost) if desired (please request upon registration)
Please ensure you bring proof that you are a student of StGIS with you to your appointment!

We are happy to answer any questions you might have relating to treatments or payments via health insurance schemes. Please simply contact us directly at the RUDOLFINERHAUS private hospital.

T + 43 (0)1 360 36-0
info@rudolfinerhaus.at

More Information (English)

Mehr Informationen (Deutsch)

Parents should make their own transport arrangements between St Gilgen and Vienna, and oversee duty of care once there.

Nutrition

Bon Appétit. Our students dine in local village restaurants, enhancing community spirit over nutritious, seasonal meals. Sourced locally whenever possible, these meals offer a chance for students to unwind and bond. Boarders enjoy breakfast and dinner in residence, with healthy lunches provided by the village’s finest restaurants. Attendance at school meals is mandatory for all students.

Cooking Up a Storm. Students have access to a variety of menu options from excellent local eateries, featuring both Austrian and international cuisine. Prepared with fresh ingredients, our meals include abundant salads, vegetables, and fruits. Vegetarian and special diets are also accommodated.

Mentor Tutoring

Everyone here is a learner: staff and students have different roles but a common interest.

Keeping an Eye Out. Quality care is a collective responsibility, with specific roles for the Head of Student Life, House Parents, and Mentor Tutors. Tutors closely monitor each tutee’s academic, extracurricular, social, emotional, and physical development.

Set Your Targets. Students meet daily with their tutors, who are also available weekly in the boarding houses. Tutor groups, comprising various grades, receive advice and support as needed, covering key topics like physical and mental health. Regular target setting ensures students fully engage with the school’s opportunities.

Stay Up-to-Date. The Mentor Tutor is the primary contact for student progress inquiries. Our staff maintains open communication with parents via email or phone, understanding the importance of staying connected and updated.

Discover unique stories from St. Gilgen International School

Play

Activity Programme

Discover Your Passions & Talents. At StGIS, learning extends beyond the classroom with our exceptional Activities programme. Available on weekday afternoons and enriched for boarders (and nearby day students) every Saturday, it encompasses Outdoor Education, Sports, Creative Arts, and Service.

Grow with the Seasons. Activities are chosen four times a year, aligning with the seasons: September, November, January, and April. Selections and attendance are tracked via an online platform, accessible to parents and students. While optional for Grades 4 and 5, students in Grades 6-10 choose three weekly activities, Grade 11 picks two, and seniors focus on one alongside exam preparations.

Follow a Guiding Light. Our experienced teachers, supplemented by external professionals, lead the Activity programme. This fosters a unique teacher-student dynamic, enriching our community and classroom interactions. Our staff undergoes professional development to maintain qualifications in lifeguarding, mountain biking, skiing, and powerboating.

Your children will be on the journey of a lifetime, and they will grow exponentially as they experience the outstanding range of activities available to them.

Outdoor Education

Discover an Outdoor Paradise. StGIS is ideally located at the foot of a mountain and by a lake, offering unmatched access to outdoor activities. Our International Mountain Guide, assisted by passionate, qualified staff, ensures the safety and quality of our Outdoor Education programme. Students undergo a swimming test upon arrival, leading to various water sports under the Austrian Water Rescue and our lifeguards, with equipment housed in our well-stocked boathouse.

Climb Higher. For land enthusiasts, nearby rock-climbing crags and Klettersteigs await, along with a large fleet of mountain bikes, and hiking and running trails. Our year-round mountaineering education includes winter basics and rope work, applied in summer excursions. Off-site, students can engage in horse riding, archery, and river surfing.

Earn Your Turns. Winter brings cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ski race team training, and mountain ski and snowboard touring. We offer the Austrian ski instructor qualification program and an indoor swimming program to prepare students for summer water activities and train senior students for lifeguard certification.

Level Up, No Matter Your Level. Our activities cater to all skill levels, from beginners to those aiming to become qualified ski instructors. The summer adventure race, “The Dare”, invites European schools to compete in physical and mental challenges, showcasing the skills developed in our programme.

Sport

Take the Field at StGIS. We field competitive male and female teams in football, basketball, golf, cross-country running, and ski racing, across junior and senior levels. As part of the Danube Valley Athletics Conference (DVAC), students represent StGIS in regional competitions. Our dedicated sports staff conduct multiple training sessions, enhancing team skills and physical fitness. These sports instill teamwork, victory’s thrill, and humility in defeat. Expert coaching includes a former NBA basketball coach and professional trainers from the nearby golf club.

Keep Your Eye on the Ball. Beyond core sports, opportunities in volleyball, tennis, badminton, handball, and squash await. Regular yoga, meditation, and fitness sessions complement these activities. Our Mentor Tutor system supports students balancing high-level training and academics, even accommodating those competing nationally in sports like showjumping or ice hockey. Our prime location hosts races and competitions, with StGIS actively participating in and supporting events like the Salzburg Marathon and Wolfgangsee Challenge triathlon.

Creative Arts

The World is Your Canvas. Our Creative Arts programme unfolds in unique spaces. The theatre, a former village cinema, still boasts the original projector. Art sessions are held in a repurposed automotive workshop, offering an expansive, industrial setting. Music highlights include concerts in the roof of the ‘Mozart House’, Mozart’s mother’s former residence. Design creativity is sparked in the ‘Idea Alm’, with workshops overlooking the lake.

Get Dramatic. Drama rehearsals culminate in end-of-term performances, often collaborating with the Music Department for musicals. Our productions engage the entire school community, offering roles for actors, musicians, set builders, costume makers, and technical crew. Recent productions range from ‘Shak4speare’, a fusion of Shakespeare’s plays, to modern pieces like ‘Deep Thought’ and the classic ‘Women of Troy’.

Step into the Spotlight. Students showcase musical talents through choir, jazz ensemble, guitar club, orchestra, and solo performances, culminating in mesmerizing concerts. We provide diverse opportunities for all to shine.

Get Experimental. Art and design clubs encourage experimentation with various mediums. Fashion club lets students design clothes, while the Idea Alm’s 3D printer sparks innovation. Creative writing workshops guide budding authors in character development, plotting, and structuring novels.

Service

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

Winston Churchill

Find Ways to Give Back. At StGIS, students learn the value of contributing to our host village and the wider world. Our biannual Community Day involves staff and students in village activities, from boat cleaning at the rowing club to path clearing for the Alpine Association, and supporting local businesses and organizations.

Make Your Difference. Students engage in bake sales and fundraising events for charitable causes, including letter-writing campaigns with Amnesty International’s student branch. Projects like a fashion initiative for Open Arms Malawi and fundraising for Syrian refugees showcase our commitment to global issues. Students also contribute locally, assisting in junior schools with sports, English clubs, and safety roles. Senior students can qualify as lifeguards and ski instructors, mentoring younger peers. We encourage student-led initiatives, like the “Arabic for beginners” course.

Run for Those Who Can’t. Annually, our community participates in the “Wings for Life” run, supporting spinal-cord research. Students volunteer at local sporting events, including organizing a charity football match. Regular collections support local homeless shelters and animal rescues, with a special focus during our Reverse Advent Calendar at Christmas.

Weekends

Soak Up the Weekend. We offer an extensive enrichment programme for boarding students during weekends, with day students also welcome. Options include sports, outdoor education, and cultural activities. Summer weekends allow for long mountain bike rides, mountaineering education, hikes, and klettersteigs. Winter weekends feature alpine skiing, snowboarding, and occasionally multi-day ski-tours. We also explore our local environment with biking, canoeing, camping trips, and overnight stays in mountain huts, and occasionally venture further, like to Lake Garda in Italy.

Game On. Weekends are prime for sports competitions, with students traveling to play against schools in cities like Bratislava and Budapest. We balance physical activities with cultural excursions to local attractions, such as Salzburg’s castle or nearby salt mines, ensuring students gain a deep understanding of Austria’s rich history and culture.

The friendships I made are friendships that will last a lifetime.

Our specialist programmes

Become your very best.
We offer specialized programs for students excelling in music and horse riding, with ambitions to extend this to more disciplines soon. Our students, including national-level competitors in sailing, horse riding, and ice hockey, benefit from our dedicated Mentor Tutor system. This support ensures they maintain academic progress while training and competing at high levels.

We will help you discover your passion at St. Gilgen International School.

Professional Golf Pathway

Tee up your golfing career.
StGIS boasts a team of pre-elite golf players who combine studying at the school with a rigourous training regime. The excellent facilities of Mondsee Golf Club are nearby and students train after school four times a week in the summer season. During the winter, they train at a nearby indoor driving range using the latest simulation and assessment facilities.

The first international school professional golf pathway programme in Austria.

Horse Riding Programme

We provide an exceptional horseback riding activity program, available up to three times a week, with additional options for weekend activities and private lessons.

Weekday Activity. As part of our weekday activities, horseriding caters to all skill levels. Advanced riders have the chance to train for two consecutive days and are encouraged to stay engaged throughout the school year. Our training covers horse and equipment familiarization, under the guidance of experienced coaches.

Weekend Activity. Horseriding is a regular part of our weekend program. These sessions accommodate beginners with introductory experiences and offer advanced learners more specialized training like jumping.

EWOT Academy Partnership. StGIS collaborates with the EWOT Academy, our primary partner for delivering the EWOT Academy programme. They manage all aspects, from stabling private horses to organizing weekly training sessions. EWOT experts lead our students from initial induction to earning their first riding badges and tournament experiences. Training is conducted on professional showjumping horses that have retired, ensuring students learn with reliable and trusted equine partners.

Our vision is to promote talented riders and passionate riders of all ages the best way through tailored training

Students at StGIS can enhance their dressage and showjumping skills and participate in tournaments. We offer exclusive training plans and comprehensive support for both rented and privately-owned horses. In collaboration with Stud Farm Frech and other partners, we ensure constant access to elite-level horses, with options for rental and purchase.

For personalized attention, private riding lessons outside the regular activity programme are available.

Interested in joining? Please contact the EWOT Academy directly at info@ewot-academy.com for enrollment details.

The Mozarteum Programme

Follow in Mozart’s footsteps.
Globally renowned for its musical heritage, the Salzburg region is one of the world’s top destinations for musical education. At the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, exceptional talents mature into world-class acts ready for the global stage. Just 30 kilometres from the city of Salzburg where Mozart was born, our lakeside town of St. Gilgen was the birthplace of Mozart’s mother, Anna Maria.

The Pre-College of the Mozarteum University
The Mozarteum Programme at St. Gilgen International School ranges from Grade 5 up to Grade 12 and combines the virtues of the prestigious Pre-College Programme of the Mozarteum University with our excellent international secondary education.

The artistic curriculum of the Mozarteum Programme

Get taken under the wing.
The Mozarteum University Pre-College Programme includes a thorough practical and theoretical training for one of twenty instruments, singing or composition at a very superior level. It consists of a weekly ninety-minute lessons, amounting to some 30 sessions per academic year, taught by Mozarteum University professors and teachers in one-to-one tuition. Young students also receive lessons in chamber music (from the age of 12), music theory (from the age of 15) and compulsory piano (from the age of 16, except for piano majors).

Practice makes perfect.
In addition, the curriculum allows for ample time and space during the week for individual practice. Public performance plays a key role in musical development and there are numerous opportunities to perform in public throughout the year.

More information about Pre-College Salzburg can be found here.

Admissions Process.
In addition to the StGIS admissions process, applicants to the Pre-College Salzburg will be required to prove their musical talent by taking an additional admission test at the Mozarteum University.

As the Pre-College Salzburg is taught in German, it is also necessary to obtain a working knowledge of the German language at the level of A1 (12-14 years) respectively A2 (from 15 years). While StGIS offers an English curriculum, German as a foreign language and German for native speakers is also a strong focus.

Costs.
A course fee and the ÖH contribution are payable directly to the Mozarteum University each semester for participation in the University Pre-College Salzburg course. The course fees for the academic year 2023/24 are € 700 per semester.

Trips and Visits

The World is Your Classroom. We offer a variety of optional curriculum-based trips annually, allowing students to immerse themselves in the world’s beauty and complexities firsthand. These trips are crucial for experiential learning, fostering local, regional, and international perspectives, cultural and environmental awareness, and challenging students to understand their role as global citizens.

Watch This Space. As the Middle Years Programme (MYP) evolves, we’re introducing more interdisciplinary trips and project-based learning opportunities. These experiences contribute to students’ CAS portfolios in their International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) years, nurturing a lifelong love of learning.

Become a Global Citizen. Embracing the principle of ‘living and learning locally – thinking globally’, we leverage Austria’s rich cultural, historical, scientific, and geographical diversity. Our travel experiences, both regional and international, focus on sustainability. From studying the Aurora Borealis in Norway to exploring Sarajevo and visiting significant sites like Auschwitz, our trips offer invaluable global insights.

Welcoming New Voices. We regularly host guest speakers, leading experts in various fields, to enrich our students’ understanding of diverse topics, from human rights to marketing strategies.

Oh, the places that you'll go!

Language trip to Spain
MUN trip to Oxford
Mountaineering trip at the Mont Blanc
Historical and literature trip to Sarajevo
Sustainability Summit Berlin
Theatre trip to Prague
CAS trip to Krakow and many more…

Boarding Life

Welcome Home. Our boarding team is dedicated to creating a nurturing, high-quality boarding experience. We ensure the welfare of each student in a safe, caring, and joyful environment.

Every Family Member Contributes. We focus on developing each student’s character and confidence, offering a balanced lifestyle with guidance and support. This environment helps boarders reach their full potential.

Our Goals:
– Provide a comfortable, safe, home-away-from-home experience.
– Foster teamwork and communal responsibility within each boarding house.
– Support boarders’ academic, social, moral, and cultural development in a positive and trusting atmosphere.
– Encourage open, positive communication between boarders and parents.
– Lay a strong foundation for understanding and embracing our School Vision and Values.

Accommodation Worth Writing Home About. Our boarding houses, ‘Bachwirt’ for girls, ‘Traube’ for boys, and ‘Kendler’ for Grade 12 students, are close to the main campus. Originally hotels, they’ve been charmingly converted into high-standard, en-suite accommodations with shared double or triple rooms. Arranged by gender and age, our houses offer a cozy and supportive living environment.

Our boarding houses create a family atmosphere that is safe and relaxing.

School Uniform

Wear it with pride.
In StGIS, we are proud of our distinctive and attractive uniform. We believe in the importance of high standards and the school uniform acts as a means of encouraging students to feel a sense of pride and purpose. High standards of uniform contribute to the ethos of the school and it is the responsibility of all students and members of staff to ensure that students are always correctly dressed and look smart and formal.

The friendships I made at StGIS are friendships that will last a lifetime.

International Community

Join an International Community.
At StGIS, our diverse international community provides all students with an excellent opportunity to engage with other students with different cultural and language backgrounds. We welcome all students irrespective of race, religion, gender, cultural, ethnic or religious background.

You belong here.
A sense of global belonging is the result of a quality international education. The IB Programme aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, ethical and caring young people who will help build a better future through intercultural understanding and respect.