The Basics of the Austrian School System: Which School Should Your Child Attend?

Austria’s school system is structured differently from those in many other countries. Families moving to Austria may need to understand the available school types, enrolment stages and language-support options before deciding where their child should continue their education.

Key principles of education in Austria

The Bundesministerium describes the main purpose of Austrian education as helping young people understand their abilities and acquire knowledge that supports their future professional lives. Education also aims to provide the knowledge needed for participation in social, economic and cultural life.

Individual abilities and needs play an important role. Schools therefore use different forms of support and, in some cases, different learning levels to help children develop according to their abilities.

Kindergarten and the school-entry year

Children generally become ready for school at around 6 to 7 years of age. Kindergarten is compulsory only during the school year immediately before the child starts school. Parents may decide to care for their children at home before this point.

Under the official rules, every child who turns 5 by 31 August of the relevant year must attend kindergarten for 20 hours per week, or at least 4 days per week. This preparatory year is intended to help children settle into school. Developing German language skills is an important part of the programme, which is delivered through playful activities.

In certain cases, an exemption from compulsory kindergarten attendance may be requested. Examples include a disability, health problems or physical barriers that make attendance difficult. The distance between the kindergarten and the child’s home may also be relevant.

Home education may be possible in certain circumstances, but it must be demonstrated that the child has acquired German adequately within the family and does not need additional instruction before starting school. For questions about these arrangements, the local municipality, known as the Gemeinde, can provide information.

The main school types

Volksschule

The Volksschule is the first school children normally attend after kindergarten. School readiness is assessed using specific methods, while feedback from kindergarten is also taken into account. The assessment helps identify areas in which a child may need further development.

Children who are not yet considered ready for school do not simply remain in kindergarten. Instead, they complete an additional preparatory year. This may take place in a separate class or in a class belonging to the first or second year. Children follow their own curriculum during this period, giving them an additional 1–2 years to prepare for school.

Children usually attend Volksschule between the ages of 6 and 10. It has 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year groups, with classes identified by letters such as A, B and C. It broadly corresponds to the lower years of primary school.

In larger towns and cities, all four years may be taught at one location. In villages, schools may share the different year groups, so a child may attend a different school for the 1st and 2nd years than for the 3rd and 4th years.

One class teacher usually teaches most subjects, although specialist subjects and religious education may be taught by other teachers. Support staff can help children who are falling behind.

German-language support at school

Children who do not speak German well, or who do not yet know the language, may attend DAZ lessons, meaning German as a foreign language. A separate teacher provides this support.

After enrolling at school, foreign children take a MIKA-D test to assess their German-language skills. The result determines what language support they receive at school. Depending on their level, they may also receive Außerordentlicher status for a maximum of two years. During this period, they do not receive grades. The aim is to help them integrate into the education system and participate in lessons as quickly as possible.

School hours, childcare and daily routines

At Volksschule, lessons usually finish between 11:30 and 12:30. Children whose parents request after-school care can remain supervised until 16:00–17:00 at a Ganztagsschule.

The programme may include lunch, an afternoon snack, indoor and outdoor games, and a compulsory study period for homework. Optional activities are available afterwards.

Parents’ meetings, known as Elternabend, are held at school. Teachers may also meet parents individually to discuss a child’s progress. Basic German can be useful when communicating with teachers, as not every teacher speaks English.

Grading and schoolwork

In Austria, 1 is the best grade, followed by 2 and so on up to 5. At Volksschule, formal grading may not yet be used in the same way as at later stages, although children may still receive indicative results for a Schularbeit.

Short surprise tests are not a standard feature in every school. Teachers may announce Schularbeit dates in the school’s app and provide parents with the topics that should be reviewed beforehand.

Food at school

School food policies may restrict sugary drinks and sweets. Children may be encouraged to bring a Jause, or morning snack, containing vegetables and fruit.

A school lunch may consist of two courses, such as soup and a main dish, with salad or pickles also available. Occasionally, a small dessert may be served, and some schools have hamburger or pizza days. Water is served with meals, while drinks may also be available on Mondays and Thursdays.

Mittelschule

Children aged 10 to 14 generally attend Mittelschule after completing the 4th year of Volksschule.

Mittelschule places particular emphasis on assigning students to levels that reflect their abilities. From the second year, performance-based categorisation uses two levels: Standard AHS and Standard. These apply to three compulsory subjects: mathematics, German and one first foreign language.

Standard AHS broadly corresponds to the level of lower secondary academic schools and represents the higher level within Mittelschule. If a child is placed in Standard AHS in the second year but later cannot keep up, they can move to the Standard group and receive assessment according to that level.

Both levels use a five-point grading scale. By the end of the fourth year, students can use their performance and abilities to help them decide whether to continue into a higher school or move towards working life.

Mittelschule may also offer after-school care. Teachers meet with parents to discuss the child’s performance and indicate where changes or additional support may be needed.

Politechnikum

Politechnikum is intended for students who have completed Mittelschule but have not yet fully decided which profession they would like to pursue.

The programme lasts one year and gives students an introduction to the different professional fields offered by the school. Practical vocational orientation usually begins in the second half of the school year. The first part of the year helps students decide which profession or professions may suit them.

Students can generally choose from seven main professional fields according to their interests. The timetable also includes mathematics, German, foreign-language studies and economics. Additional fields may be offered if enough students are interested and the school can organise the requested programme.

After completing their studies, students may enter a vocational school without a separate admission procedure.

Practical steps for families

1. Contact your local Gemeinde to ask about kindergarten arrangements, exemptions and the schools serving your area.
2. Check whether your child must attend the compulsory preparatory kindergarten year: the relevant condition is turning 5 by 31 August and attending 20 hours per week, or at least 4 days per week.
3. Ask the chosen school how it assesses school readiness and what documents are required for enrolment.
4. If your child is not yet confident in German, ask about DAZ lessons, the MIKA-D assessment and possible Außerordentlicher status.
5. Ask about school hours, Ganztagsschule places, meals, homework supervision and afternoon activities.
6. Attend Elternabend meetings and parent-teacher discussions so you can follow your child’s progress and understand any recommended support.