Best public schools in Austria 2026

1. Primary school. A child can enroll from the age of 5–6. The school week lasts five days. In the first grade, the child is required to study only four subjects: mathematics, reading culture, health education, and writing.
2. Secondary school. Secondary schools are divided into several types: Hauptschule (HS) — general secondary, Allgemeinbildende höhere Schulen (AHS) — with an academic focus, Gymnasium — gymnasium, Neue Mittelschule — «new secondary school». Depending on the chosen school, the curriculum, workload level, compulsory subjects, and extracurricular activities will vary.
3. Upper school. After 9th grade, students have the opportunity to continue their education at school and prepare for university admission. Here they are offered an academic specialization: classical, humanities, arts, music, natural sciences, and entrepreneurship. After completing 13th grade, graduates take exams to receive a school-leaving certificate.

• Public schools in Austria teach a state-approved curriculum,
• Schools have well-developed infrastructure,
• The main emphasis in education is on practical skills and knowledge,
• There are specialized schools with in-depth study of languages, natural sciences, or, for example, computer technology.

Studying at the best public schools in Austria for foreign students is a paid service. Some schools have a minimum number of free places for foreign students. On average, studying at an Austrian school costs from €200 per month.

If a foreign student plans to enroll in a public school in Austria starting from middle school, Austrian schools will help improve language proficiency for those who wish to complete their schooling abroad. To prepare for enrollment in Austrian public schools, a set of documents must be collected — at a minimum:

• birth certificate,
• medical certificate,
• certificate of prior education (if available).

All documents must be translated into German with an apostille.

1. Amadeus International School Vienna — this is an exclusive day boarding school with a music focus. Here students study engineering, architecture, law, music, art, international business, mathematics, finance, psychology, physics, and English literature.
2. Schloss Krumbach International School — this is a boarding school for students in grades 7–12. It uses a modern approach to education. The maximum number of students is 120, which allows for an individual approach to each one.
3. Gymnasium Wasagasse — this is one of the most demanding schools in Austria. The gymnasium offers students a traditional humanistic education and places emphasis on foreign languages and natural sciences.
4. GRG 12 Erlgasse. The educational program focuses on natural sciences. The school is one of the oldest and has been operating in the country's capital since the 1950s.
5. BRG Klagenfurt-Viktring — the school offers two directions of student development: artistic and scientific. The school building is a former monastery surrounded by a park with ponds and trees. There is also a church on the grounds.