Vienna International School - Admissions Process 2020/2021 The Vienna International School is a fully authorised International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum school, providing a programme of international education designed to help our students from the age of 3 to 18 to develop the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and skills necessary to participate actively and responsibly in a changing world.

The Vienna International School has a rolling admissions process whereby places are offered throughout the year when they become available. However, for the beginning of the new academic year, 2020-2021, we are expecting to have additional capacity in our Early Learning Centre, Grade Primary, Grade 1, Grade 6 and Grade 9. We hope to accommodate qualified applicants in these grade levels, especially if you apply early. To increase chances of enrollment, please submit the online application for your child in a timely manner. In fact, we have already started to review wait listed candidates for admission in 2020-2021 in October 2019. Particularly in grades where we know that we will have a great number of places available - ELC, GP, G1, G6 and G9 - we will start with first offer of places already as early as in December 2019. The 2020-2021 Admissions Process for all other grades is connected to our current students’ Annual Re-enrolment process for 2020-21 which will be initiated in January 2020. At the end of February 2020, we will have received feedback from our current parents regarding their children’s re-enrolment intentions for 2020-2021. This is the time when we will also start with first offers to wait listed candidates in all other grades, Grades 2 to 5, Grades 7 and 8, Grades 10 and 11. Our school will continue to offer places all spring and summer long, also in July and August 2020, until all vacancies are filled.

The Grade 1 Curriculum has been developed to provide students with challenge, variety and enjoyment in their learning. The emphasis is on supported inquiry-based learning, which meets the wide-ranging needs of Grade 1 students. Although there is more structured learning time in Grade 1 than in our Early Years Programme, learning through play is valued in this grade as an important part of the Primary Years Programme (PYP). Grade 1 students learn in a relevant and engaging environment, which prepares them well for their continued learning journey.

In our Early Learning Centre, we emphasise learning through play. Each school day is planned to provide the children with stimulating activities, outside playtime and lessons with our specialist teachers. Our programme is inspired by the Reggio Emilio approach, which utilises experiential learning. The growth of children's inquiry, creativity and curiosity is supported by our English Language Acquisition team members, that make it easy for children with differing levels of English to access the curriculum.

Grade Primary provides vital experiences to build strong foundations for reading, writing and inquiry-based learning putting children on a path to success in the Primary School. Our hands-on and active learning programme, as well as the support from our English Language Acquisition (ELA) and other specialist team members, makes it easy for children with differing levels of English to access the curriculum. Through the organisation of the classroom and careful planning, our staff ensure that all students have the opportunity to become confident, skilled and independent learners.

The Admissions Team would be happy to show you around our well-appointed and attractive campus and answer any questions in person or by email. To receive more information on the online application process and/or schedule a tour, please contact our Admissions Team at admissions@vis.ac.at Information on our online application process is available on the VIS Admissions website under the following link, VIS Application Process. We wish you good luck with your child’s application!

Grade 9 students continue to experience a broad and balanced academic curriculum as part of the MYP. However, they are also able to choose particular courses from a number of options within the Arts and Design subjects. In the Middle Years Programme (MYP), students are provided with a broader curriculum including a range of optional course choices. The MYP consists of eight integrated subject groups that provide a basis for learning within and across the subjects. A service component is added that requires students to take action. In their last year of MYP, they also undertake a long-term project motivated by their own interests, known as the Personal Project.

Grade 6 is the first year of the Middle Years Programme (MYP). The curriculum (G6 to G10) comprises eight subject groups (Language acquisition, Language and literature, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical and health education, Design), providing a broad and balanced education for early adolescents. Projects involve students in a wide range of activities to extend their knowledge and understanding and to develop their skills and attitudes. Students will become involved in the self-initiated and self-directed learning process.

Grades 11 students start their experience in the IB Diploma (DP), rigorous pre-university courses of studies, leading to external examinations. The DP is designed to give students a balance of depth and breadth in subject material. Our students choose a course from within specific subject groups and decide, if they want to take a specific subject at HL (higher level) or SL (standard level), a differentiation based on the intensity and complexity of the subject. The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course is designed to develop critical thinking and a coherent approach to learning. The Extended Essay (EE), a research report, offers the opportunity to investigate a topic of special interest and acquaints students with the independent research and writing skills expected at university.