Curriculum Overview
Three Phases of Academic Excellence.
- Primary (Grade 5): A hands-on introduction to international learning, focused on interdisciplinary projects and English development.
- Middle (Grades 6–10): The IB Middle Years Programme, built on enquiry-driven learning and deep understanding.
- Senior (Grades 11–12): The IB Diploma Programme – globally recognized and externally assessed, preparing students for top universities.
"To develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding
and respect."
Primary Phase
Ready to Grow. Our Primary Phase offers a warm welcome to international learning—fostering curiosity, building confidence, and nurturing each young person in a caring and supportive environment.
The personal Touch. In our Primary Phase, small class sizes mean every young person receives personalised care and attention. Our teachers nurture confident, curious learners in a warm, inclusive environment that supports growth at every step.
Learning to Fly. In our Primary Phase we build strong foundations and a love of learning. We focus on:
- Authentic tasks that mirror real-world challenges
- Big ideas that connect across subjects
- Interdisciplinary learning that helps students apply skills in meaningful ways
Focus on the big ideas. In our Primary Phase, students explore subjects through big ideas, inquiry questions, and interdisciplinary themes – deepening understanding and making meaningful connections:
- English
- German
- World Studies
- Science
- Mathematics
- The Arts
- Movement & Wellbeing
The Primary Phase culminates in the independent, inquiry focused Primary Exhibition linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“Being a Primary student at StGIS has transformed my world - I see learning in a completely new way and can’t wait to come to school each day!”
Middle Phase
Middle Phase: Grades 6–10. In the Middle Phase, students gain knowledge while developing creative, critical, and reflective thinking. They learn to apply these skills in real-world contexts, building a foundation for lifelong learning and global citizenship.
Becoming You. These years mark significant personal growth. Our curriculum supports students as they explore who they are – intellectually, emotionally, physically, and ethically – helping them find their place in a complex world.
Why the MYP? The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) offers a flexible, five-year framework tailored to individual needs. It prepares students for the rigour of the IB Diploma Programme, whilst nurturing curiosity and independence.
Get Up Close and Personal. The MYP culminates in the Personal Project – an in-depth, student-driven inquiry in Grade 10. It encourages independent thinking, self-management, and meaningful reflection.
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"Reach your potential and discover a life-long love of learning."
Focusing on the Big Picture. The MYP is designed to build deeper understanding and real-world readiness through:
- Learning to Learn– Developing key Approaches to Learning skills
- Concepts– Exploring big ideas across subjects
- Global Context– Connecting classroom learning to real-world issues
- Service Learning– Taking meaningful action in and beyond school
- Authentic Assessment– Tackling real-life challenges
- Connecting Subjects– Transferring knowledge through interdisciplinary learning
Powered by a Balanced Curriculum. Students follow a broad curriculum across eight subject groups, plus an interdisciplinary unit:
- Language & Literature(English and German)
- Language Acquisition(e.g. English, German, Spanish)
- Individuals & Societies
- Science
- Mathematics
- Arts(Music, Art, Theatre)
- Design(Product & Digital)
- Movement & Well-being(Physical and Health Education)
"The Middle Phase made me a confident, independent learner. I now feel ready for the IB Diploma—it's no longer scary thanks to the skills I've gained!"
© International Baccalaureate Organization, 2019
Senior Phase
The IB Diploma Programme at StGIS. St. Gilgen International School proudly offers the globally respected IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) for Grades 11 and 12—a rigorous, two-year curriculum leading to the full IB Diploma or individual course certificates. Concurrently, students also complete the StGIS Diploma, a Council of International Schools (CIS) and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredited high school diploma allowing access to certain universities.
Live Up to Your Reputation. IBDP students are known for their academic strength and personal growth. They:
- Gain deep, well-rounded knowledge
- Study at least two languages
- Excel in academic and research skills (Extended Essay)
- Reflect critically (Theory of Knowledge)
- Engage in Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS)
- Grow physically, emotionally, and ethically
Open Every Door. The IBDP prepares students for top global universities and a wide range of career paths—offering a broad course selection and a truly holistic education.
“To develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help build a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.”
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)
Go all in. The IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) includes:
- Six subjects– 3 at Higher Level (HL), 3 at Standard Level (SL)
- Extended Essay (EE)– a 4,000-word independent research project
- Theory of Knowledge (ToK)– practical, reflective philosophy
- CAS(Creativity, Activity, Service) – sports, arts, and volunteering
The Choice is Yours. Students select one subject from each of the first five groups, and a sixth subject from Group 6 (The Arts) or another from Groups 1–4. Most subjects are offered at SL and HL.
Subject Groups at StGIS
- Group 1: Language & Literature– English A, German A, or Self-Taught (e.g. Italian, Russian, Mandarin)
- Group 2: Language Acquisition– English, German, French, or Spanish (beginner to advanced)
- Group 3: Individuals & Societies– Economics, Geography, History, Global Politics, Psychology
- Group 4: Sciences– Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Design Technology
- Group 5: Mathematics– Applications & Interpretation or Analysis & Approaches
- Group 6: The Arts / Optional– Music, Theatre, Visual Arts or another subject from Groups 1–4
The IBDP Core
Discover Your Inner Core. What sets the IB Diploma apart is its Core: Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), Theory of Knowledge (ToK), and the Extended Essay (EE). At StGIS, our Core programme fosters self-awareness, resilience, and personal growth.
How do we know? ToK sharpens critical thinking – encouraging students to challenge assumptions and explore different perspectives. The EE builds academic discipline through an in-depth research paper. CAS promotes balance and purpose—supporting healthy lifestyles, creativity, and community engagement. Together, the Core helps students flourish – both as learners and as global citizens.
“The IB Diploma is challenging, but with the support at StGIS, I’m confident I’ll succeed—and be ready to make a difference.”
Beyond StGIS
Dream Big, Dream Bold. Every StGIS graduate is equipped to live a meaningful life—wherever their path leads. Be it in medicine, law, design, journalism, or science—our students leave not just qualified, but truly prepared to make an impact in today’s world.
Grow Your Own Way. Our graduates go global, with recent university destinations including:
- Harvard University, USA
- University of Oxford, UK
- IE University, Spain
- Paracelsus University Medical School, Austria
- Bocconi University, Italy
- University of Groningen, Netherlands
- LSE, King’s College, St. Andrews, Imperial College, Stanford, Parsons School of Design, University of Vienna,
- and more
Ready for the Next Step. With personalised guidance from our University and Careers Guidance Counsellor, students receive expert support for every stage—from choosing the right path to preparing for entrance tests (SAT, ACT, LNAT, BMAT), interviews, and application essays.
“StGIS prepared me for university and my career—not just through academics, but through the many incredible opportunities I had along the way.”
