Life at StGIS
Safe, Supported, and Ready to Grow. At StGIS, student safety and well-being come first. We foster a secure, respectful environment where every student belongs and can strive for excellence.
A Path to Belonging. Guided by our pastoral network – Mentor tutors, Houseparents, nurses, and teachers – we offer personalised care supporting academic, social, and emotional growth. Students learn to be ready, respectful, and safe members of our diverse community.
"The commitment of school leadership, faculty and staff to students is an outstanding strength of the School "
Our students will
(I) Collaborate across cultures
(II) Build resilience, independence, and self-discipline through challenge
(III) Care for themselves, others, and the planet
(IV) Live our values of passion, integrity, and excellence
Safe, Supported, and Ready to Grow
As a day and boarding school, we create a structured, caring environment where students do hard things, embrace challenges, and build confidence.
The Pastoral Web. Mentor tutors, Houseparents, and staff work closely with families to foster belonging, respect, and responsibility.
Flourishing Together. Through our Summit programme, assemblies, and inquiry days, students explore real-world issues, develop emotional intelligence, and learn the value of resilience.
Embracing Technology for Learning. With our 1-2-1 laptop policy, StGIS embraces technology and integrates it meaningfully into learning. In a world of rapid AI advances and constant mobile access, young people must learn to navigate the digital world effectively.
Your children will be happy here, and cared for as if they were our own.
Medical Center
Nurturing Healthy, Happy Students. Our professional school nurses provide high-quality care in a safe, confidential setting—supporting each student’s physical, social, and mental wellbeing. The Medical Office is open Monday to Friday during school hours and forms a key link between health and education.
What Our Nurses Do:
- First Aid & illness monitoring
- Care for sick students
- Medication management
- Emergency care for chronic conditions
- Health guidance (nutrition, puberty, wellbeing)
- A listening ear for all students
- Doctor escorts & appointment management
Additional Services:
- Vaccinations & health checks
- First Aid courses
- Therapy & psychological support (visiting specialists twice monthly)
Our medical staff works closely with Boarding House Teams and the Student Support Team to ensure comprehensive care for every student.
Rudolfinerhaus Private Hospital
St. Gilgen International School is proud to partner with Rudolfinerhaus, a leading private hospital in Vienna. Known for cutting-edge diagnostics, expert care, and a nurturing environment, Rudolfinerhaus offers outstanding medical services across all specialties.
Exclusive Benefits for StGIS Students:
- Walk-in GP appointments (no prior booking needed)
- Fast-track access to specialist doctors
- No prepayment required
- Multilingual appointments available
- Interpreter service available (on request, additional cost)
- Bring your StGIS student ID to your appointment
Parents are responsible for arranging transport between St. Gilgen and Vienna and for assuming duty of care for their child while traveling and in Vienna.
Nutrition
Bon Appétit. StGIS students enjoy nutritious, seasonal meals in local village restaurants – strengthening community spirit and offering time to relax and connect. Boarders have breakfast and dinner in boarding houses, while all students receive healthy lunches from top village eateries.
Mentor Tutoring
Guide on the Journey. At StGIS, student care is a shared commitment. Led by Mentor Tutors, Houseparents, and the Head of Boarding and Student Life, we help every student feel they belong while growing academically, socially, and emotionally.
Setting Goals, Building Resilience. Daily tutor check-ins and small group sessions help students set goals and develop as globally minded, resilient learners ready to take on challenges.
Staying Connected. Mentor Tutors track each student’s progress and keep families informed through regular, growth focused communication.
“Everyone at StGIS is a learner - staff and students share different roles, but the same passion for growth.”
Discover Unique Stories
Activity Programme
Discover Your Passions. Learning at StGIS goes beyond the classroom through our outstanding extra-curricular Activities Programme, offered on weekday afternoons and Saturdays (for boarders and nearby day students). Activities are offered through clubs in the areas of Outdoor Education,Sports,Creative Arts, and Service, Cultural & Academics.
Grow with the Seasons. Activities are selected three times a year (Sept, Nov, Apr) to match the seasons. Choices are made via an online platform accessible to students and parents. Grade 5: optional; Grades 6–12: three activities/week
Follow a Guiding Light. Our staff, alongside external experts, lead all activities – creating meaningful connections beyond the classroom. Teachers are certified in areas including lifeguarding, rock climbing, skiing, mountain biking, and powerboating to ensure safe, high-quality experiences.
“Your child will embark on the journey of a lifetime - growing through every experience offered by our exceptional Activities Programme.”
Outdoor Education
Discover an Outdoor Paradise. Nestled between lake and mountain, StGIS offers unparalleled access to nature. Our Outdoor Education Programme, led by an International Mountain Guide and trained staff, ensures safe, high-quality adventures year-round.
On the Water. Students complete a swim test on arrival and enjoy water sports supervised by certified lifeguards and the Austrian Water Rescue team – supported by our fully equipped boathouse.
On the Land. Rock climbing, Klettersteigs, mountain biking, hiking, and trail running are part of everyday life. Students learn rope skills and mountaineering basics, applied during seasonal excursions. Additional off-site options include horse-riding and archery.
On the Snow. Winter brings ski touring, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and race training. Students can pursueAustrian ski instructor certificationand join ourindoor swim programme—a foundation for lifeguard training.
For All Levels. From first-timers to aspiring instructors, our programme grows with each student. Our annual summer adventure race, “The Dare,” invites European schools to test the physical and mental skills developed at StGIS.
Sport
Take the Field. At StGIS, students compete in football, volleyball, basketball, golf, tennis, and ski racing at both junior and senior levels through the Danube Valley Athletics Conference (DVAC). Regular training with experienced coaches, including a former NBA coach and professional golf instructors, helps students develop their skills, improve fitness, and build strong team spirit.
Compete Locally. StGIS hosts and participates in events such as golf tournaments, athletics competitions, international HYROX competitions, the Salzburg Marathon, and the Wolfgangsee Challenge, offering real-world opportunities for students to develop, compete, and excel.
Creative Arts
The World is Your Canvas. Our Creative Arts programme comes to life in unique spaces: Theatre in a former village cinema, still equipped with its original projector; Art studio in an industrial-style former auto workshop; Music concerts; Design innovation in the lake-facing Idea Alm, complete with a 3D printer
Get Dramatic. Drama productions bring the school together – actors, musicians, designers, and tech crew collaborate on performances such as Alice, Shak4speare, Deep Thought, and Women of Troy.
Step into the Spotlight. Students shine in choir, jazz, orchestra, guitar club, and solo acts—culminating in inspiring concerts that showcase their talent.
Get Experimental. From fashion design and multimedia art to creative writing and digital prototyping, our clubs foster bold ideas and hands-on creativity.
Culture and Service
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
Find Ways to Give Back. At StGIS, service is part of everyday life. During Community Day, students and staff work together in the village—cleaning boats, clearing hiking paths, and supporting local clubs and businesses.
Make Your Difference. Students lead fundraising efforts and awareness campaigns for causes like Amnesty International, Syrian refugees, Austrian Disabled Sports Association, and Open Arms Malawi. Locally, they support junior schools through sports and English clubs, act as safety monitors, and mentor younger peers as certified lifeguards and ski instructors.
Run for Those Who Can’t. Each year, our community joins the Wings for Life run for spinal-cord research. Students also help run charity football matches, volunteer at sports events, and organize collections for homeless shelters and animal rescues—especially during our Reverse Advent Calendar at Christmas.
Weekends
Make every weekend count. Boarding students—and day students too—enjoy a rich weekend programme filled with sports, outdoor adventures, and cultural outings.
- Summer: mountain biking, hiking, klettersteigs, and overnight hut stays
- Winter: skiing, snowboarding, and occasional multi-day ski tours
- Year-round: canoeing, camping, and even trips to places like Lake Garda
“The friendships I made are ones that will last a lifetime.”
Our specialist programmes
Become your very best. StGIS offers specialized support for students excelling in music, horse riding, and competitive sports. With national-level athletes in sailing, riding, and ice hockey, our Mentor Tutor system ensures they stay on track academically while pursuing their passions.
“We’ll help you discover your passion - and pursue it with purpose.”
“We’ll help you discover your passion - and pursue it with purpose.”
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
Weekday Activity. Riding is open to all skill levels. Advanced students may train on consecutive days and stay active year-round. Training includes horse care and equipment knowledge, led by experienced coaches.
Weekend Activity. Weekend sessions offer relaxed beginner experiences and advanced instruction, including jumping.
EWOT Academy Partnership. In partnership with EWOT Academy, our primary riding provider, students progress from basic training to competition-level readiness. EWOT manages everything – from stabling private horses to weekly lessons on retired professional showjumpers. Students can earn riding badges and join tournaments.
Elite Opportunities. With partners likeStud Farm Frech, students can improve indressageandshowjumping, train with high-quality horses, and even arrangehorse rental or purchase. Tailored coaching plans are available for both private and rented horses.
Private Lessons. One-on-one training is offered outside the regular schedule for those seeking focused development.
Interested? Contact info@ewot-academy.com for more details or to enroll.
“Our vision is to support passionate and talented riders of all ages through personalised, high-quality training.”
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. StGIS offers a range of optional, curriculum-based trips each year – giving students real-world insight and global awareness through local, regional, and international experiences. Recent examples include language trips to Berlin and Valencia, sustainability focused visits to Iceland, as well as scientific research expeditions to Croatia, and coming in 2026, South Africa.
Learning Locally. Importantly, trips and visits means ‘thinking globally but living and learning locally’. Whether it is a trip to the theatre in Bad Ischl or Salzburg, or a mountain study of the Dachstein, we are always looking for opportunities to take our learning into the local area. This approach culminates in the end-of-year inquiry days, where the whole school takes to the road in and around Austria, bringing learning to life in real-world contexts.
Welcoming New Voices. We regularly host guest speakers – from human rights advocates to business experts—to broaden student perspectives and connect classroom learning with the world.
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
Our Boarding Goals:
- Promoting self-management skills, ensuring we are ready for boarding life.
- Encouraging open minded communication and respectful conversations to increase our awareness of international mindedness.
- Collaborating as a whole boarding community to create a safe environment where we can all feel at home and flourish.
“Our boarding houses offer a safe, relaxed, and family-like atmosphere where students feel at home.”
School Uniform
Dress to belong. At StGIS our distinctive uniform reflects the high standards we value. It fosters pride, purpose, and a strong sense of identity. All students are expected to wear the uniform smartly and formally – always upholding the school’s ethos.
“The friendships I made at StGIS will last a lifetime.”
Community
Join an International Community. At StGIS, students thrive in a diverse, inclusive environment – engaging with peers from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. We welcome everyone, regardless of race, religion, gender, or ethnicity.
You belong here. Our IB Programmes fosters global citizenship by developing inquiring, ethical, and caring young people – ready to build a better, more respectful world.
Student Leadership 2024/25
Dima Iorgachov
Grade: 12
Alena Chekaeva
Grade: 11
Elisabeth Grimm
Grade: 11
Evie Stirrat
Grade: 12
Toby La Rondie
Grade: 10
Lorenz Buben
Grade: 11
Virtual Tour
