Few schools can claim a setting quite like St. Gilgen International School (StGIS). Nestled between mountains and lake shores in one of Austria’s most picturesque regions, StGIS has quietly built a reputation for offering a highly personalised International Baccalaureate education where academic ambition sits alongside strong pastoral care, student voice and a boarding experience designed around community rather than scale.
Founded in 2008, the English-speaking school educates around 225 students representing more than 35 nationalities. Whilst relatively small by international school standards, the school’s size is very much an asset. Throughout conversations with the school’s leaders, a recurring theme emerges: StGIS is not trying to be the biggest school. Instead, it aims to create a close-knit community where students are known individually and supported both academically and personally.
As the Head of School, Martina Mötz puts it: “the school feels like a big family, a community rather than a pure educational institution.”
A location that shapes school life
StGIS is located in St. Gilgen, a town of around 4,000 residents on the shores of Lake Wolfgangsee. Just 35 minutes from Salzburg and within reach of Munich and Vienna airports, the school combines accessibility with a setting that feels far removed from the distractions of city life.
The location is not simply a backdrop. The stunning scenery has a huge impact on student life and wellbeing. Students themselves are deeply proud of the place in which they live and learn. The Alpine landscape becomes part of the educational experience. During the warmer months, students can take advantage of a plethora of activities on the lake, including sailing, rowing and water sports. In winter, attention shifts to the mountains, with skiing becoming a regular feature of school life. The programme changes with the seasons, giving students experiences that few schools can replicate.
The International Baccalaureate
Academically, StGIS has taken a focused approach. It offers only the International Baccalaureate curriculum, rather than combining multiple education curriculums under one roof. Students enter the school in Grade 5 before progressing into the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) from Grades 6 to 10 and the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11 and 12.
The school’s leadership are passionate about the strengths of the IB model. The emphasis is not simply on mastering content, but on developing critical thinking, communication skills and intellectual curiosity. Inquiry-based learning sits at the heart of the curriculum, encouraging students to ask questions, explore concepts and work collaboratively to solve problems. The aim is to develop independent learners who are confident navigating complex challenges, rather than students who simply perform well in examinations.
Growth Over Grades
Although StGIS regularly produces strong IB Diploma results, the school is careful not to define success solely through exam scores. Students frequently achieve diploma scores in the 40s out of a maximum 45 points, placing them among highest-performing IB candidates globally. Yet the Headteacher is clear that academic outcomes are only part of the picture.
“We value growth over grades,” she explains.
This philosophy runs through much of the school’s approach. Admissions assessments in English and mathematics are used not as selective barriers but as a way of determining whether students can access the curriculum and what support they may need. The focus is less on identifying the highest achievers and more on helping each student make meaningful progress throughout their time at the school.
Student voice and development
One of the more distinctive aspects of the school’s culture is the importance placed on student advocacy. Student representatives have a voice across many operational aspects of school life – encouraged to contribute ideas, make suggestions and participate in decision-making processes. The commitment to student agency reflects the wider school belief that young people should be active participants in their education rather than passive recipients of it.
Personal development is also supported through a strong pastoral structure. The school refers to its network of tutors, counsellors, nurses and boarding staff as a “pastoral web”, designed to ensure that students receive consistent support throughout their time at StGIS. The school is keen that every student should be “known, supported and guided” – a commitment made more achievable by the school’s small size and low student-teacher ratio of approximately 5:1.
Boarding community
Boarding is a significant part of school life, with roughly half of students choosing a residential option. The boarding population includes both weekly and full-time boarders, creating a diverse community that remains active throughout the week and at weekends.
Students live in double rooms with en-suite facilities, while house parents reside within the boarding houses themselves. Boarding accommodation is organised across three houses within walking distance of the main campus.
Importantly, boarding does not feel separate from the academic side of school life. Teachers rotate between classroom responsibilities and boarding duties, allowing them to build relationships with students in multiple settings. This integrated model strengthens pastoral care and contributes to the family atmosphere frequently referenced by staff.
Weekend life is equally important. Around 60 to 70 boarders typically remain on campus over weekends and take part in organised activities that make use of the surrounding region and Alpine environment.
Beyond graduation
University preparation begins well before the final years of school. From Grades 9 and 10, students meet regularly with university guidance counsellors to discuss subject choices, future ambitions and higher education pathways.
Graduates go on to universities across the United Kingdom, the United States and continental Europe. Leaders noted that Spain and the Netherlands have become particularly popular destinations in recent years, reflecting the growing appeal of European universities among internationally minded students. The diversity of destinations mirrors the international nature of the school itself, and the flexibility offered by the IB Diploma.
Beyond academics
Whether through student leadership, outdoor education, music opportunities linked to Salzburg’s renowned Mozarteum network, or the emphasis placed on wellbeing and community, StGIS is committed to helping young people develop confidence, independence and a sense of responsibility.
For families seeking a highly personalised international education in a safe and distinctive setting, St. Gilgen International School offers a compelling alternative to some of the larger boarding schools more commonly associated with European international education. For more information and supported applications to IB schools across Europe, please do contact us.
