About VIS

History

The Vienna International School was founded in September 1978 to serve the children of the United Nations and diplomatic community in Vienna. It is also open to children of the international business community and of Austrian families. Over 100 nationalities are represented among its 1,400 children.

Legal Status

The school is governed by a seven-member Board, four members being appointed by international agencies and three being elected by the parents. The school has a formal agreement with the Austrian Republic and with the City of Vienna under which it receives a subsidy and occupies the facilities constructed for it in 1984 near the UN International Centre in Vienna. The school is accredited by the European Council of International Schools; its curriculum is approved by the Austrian Ministry of Education.

Facilities

The school buildings include an Early Learning Centre, a Primary School wing and a Secondary School wing. In addition there are art studios and music rooms, a teaching kitchen, seven science laboratories, three computer laboratories, a well stocked central library and audio-visual media centre, a Primary School library, a theatre, a cafeteria, and five gymnasia. Outside there are a playing field and running track, two all-weather sports areas, three playgrounds, an outdoor theatre arena and a small ecology area.

Language

Since the language of instruction is English, there is an extensive English as a Second Language programme providing intensive tuition for those entering with little or no English. All fluent English-speakers are required to learn German, the language of the host country, and native German speakers study German at a level similar to that in Austrian schools. All students are encouraged to continue studies in their mother tongue.

Primary School

In the Early Learning Centre and Primary School there are some 600 children. Specialist teachers are employed to teach Computer Studies, English as a Second Language, German, Library Skills, Music, Physical Education and for the learning support programme. Classroom teachers are responsible for other core subjects. Co-operative learning, problem-solving and critical thinking are encouraged. Classroom practice utilizes whole class, group and individual instruction according to the subject matter in hand and the needs of the students. The school is an active participant in the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.

Secondary School

In the first five years of Secondary School, students follow the VIS Middle Years Curriculum whose common core includes English, German, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Physical Education, a creative subject and the opportunity to study French or Spanish.

In the final two years, students follow International Baccalaureate courses. The school offers a choice of three diplomas for its graduating class:

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE - with three Higher Level and three Subsidiary Level subjects, a Theory of Knowledge class, a research essay requirement and a creative, action and social service requirement. This diploma is accepted in most countries for university admission.

VIS ACADEMIC DIPLOMA - with at least five subjects from the IB range -giving a pre-university qualification for countries with a general matriculation requirement. If this diploma includes six IB subjects, with at least two Higher Levels, it is accepted as equivalent to Austrian University matriculation (Matura).

VIS GENERAL DIPLOMA - a broad education including IB courses suitable for entry to two-year colleges and similar intermediate courses.

It is our hope that the experience of happy and peaceful collaborative work which teachers and students enjoy here will contribute to the future peace and happiness of the world.