The Foundations of the Austrian School System, or Where Should We Enroll Our Child?

The Austrian school system fundamentally differs from the structural setup that we are accustomed to within the framework of public education in Hungary. Many Hungarian parents are in trouble, as they cannot decide which school to visit after moving due to lack of information.

The topic of school enrollment, school selection, and assessing opportunities is also a recurring theme in our Facebook group. Since every parent wants the best for their child, there’s no question about how important it is to gather information on this matter. At the request of group members, we have compiled a knowledge base that we warmly recommend to every Hungarian family moving to Austria.

Principles of Austrian Education

Before delving into a detailed presentation of school types, we would like to illustrate in a few sentences what Austrians think about their own school system and its objectives. The position of the state on this matter is available in German on the Bundesministerium website.

According to this formulation, the primary goal of Austrian education is to ensure that young adults emerging from their studies are precisely aware of their own abilities and can acquire knowledge that supports their professional lives. Education is a crucial factor in providing citizens with the essential knowledge base for social, economic, and cultural life. Consideration of individual abilities and needs also plays a prominent role in Austria.

Austrian School Types

Children, like in Hungary, typically become school-ready around 6-7 years old, when they begin their studies. Important information: kindergarten is only mandatory in the year preceding the first school year, and parents can decide to raise their children at home until then. According to official regulations, every child who turns 5 years old by August 31st of that year is required to attend kindergarten for 20 hours per week, which means at least 4 days. The preparatory year aims to help future students integrate into school, with a strong emphasis on developing German language skills.

They achieve this within various playful activities. In some cases, exemption from kindergarten attendance is possible, such as disability, various health issues, or physical limitations of visiting the institution. The distance between the kindergarten and residence can also be a reason for the latter. Under certain circumstances, home education is also an option, but it must be proven that the child has adequately learned the German language within the family bond, and no separate education is needed before school. If any other questions arise, the local municipality (Gemeinde) can help.

The Elementary School

The Volksschule is the first educational institution where children arriving from kindergarten begin their education. School readiness is also assessed in Austria, with specific methods developed, but kindergarten feedback is also significantly relied upon. The results show what areas the child still needs development in. Children who are not school-ready do not remain in kindergarten but go through an additional preparatory year. This can happen in a separate class or in one of the 1st or 2nd-grade classes. Non-school-ready children learn according to their own curriculum. All of this is very useful, as children can get 1-2 more years to be well-prepared to start their studies.

Students typically attend Volksschule between the ages of 6 and 10. There are 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade levels, with A, B, C, and additional class designations used within these levels, similar to Hungary. Volksschule is equivalent to the lower grades of elementary schools. In larger cities, all four grades of Volksschule can be studied in one location, while villages often have to share resources, so it’s possible that a child might attend 1st and 2nd grades in one school and 3rd and 4th grades in another.

The task of teaching children is usually carried out by a class teacher, but it may happen that certain specialized subjects or religious education are taught by different instructors. In addition to teachers, there are also assistants who help students who are falling behind. Children who do not speak German well or do not know the language at all can learn German with the help of a special teacher in DAZ (German as a foreign language) classes. Foreign children take a MIKA-D test after enrolling in school, where their language skills are assessed. Depending on the result, they receive language support at school. Additionally, they are placed in a special status (Außerordentlicher), which can last up to two years. During this time, they do not receive grades, with the goal of helping them integrate into the educational system as quickly as possible and enabling them to participate in classes.

At Volksschule, classes end between 11:30 and 12:30, and children whose parents have requested after-school care (Ganztagsschule) can remain under supervision until 16:00-17:00. Our little boy is in the 4th grade of Volksschule and enjoys going to Ganztagsschule. Here he gets lunch and a snack, and they have plenty of indoor and outdoor play activities available. After the mandatory study hall, where they complete their homework, there are freely chosen programs.

A few thoughts about grading. In our son’s school, they rarely write Schularbeit, or written exams. The concept of pop quizzes is unknown here, and the teacher usually indicates in the used application when a Schularbeit is expected during the year. Before every exam, she separately informs parents about the topics that are worth reviewing. The best grade in Austria is 1, then comes 2, and so on up to 5. To this day, it’s still difficult for us to get used to when the child comes home saying they got a 1 on the Schularbeit. Symbolically only, as they are not officially graded yet. There are also parent meetings (Elternabend) and days when teachers talk individually with each parent about the child’s school performance. It’s worth for Hungarian parents to know German at least at a basic level, because not every teacher speaks English.

What might be interesting for us Hungarians are the eating habits at school. At our son’s school, sugary drinks and sweets are not allowed; they prefer when the packed lunch (Jause) brought from home is rich in vegetables and fruits. Lunch consists of two courses, and salad and pickles are always placed alongside the soup and main course. Occasionally, a small dessert is also allowed, and there are sometimes hamburger and pizza days. Water is served with meals, but on Mondays and Thursdays, they can also choose from soft drinks. They can serve themselves the soup and pickles, and they receive a little help with the main course.

The Mittelschule

Students aged 10 to 14 attend the Mittelschule, immediately after completing the 4th grade of Volksschule. The MS places great emphasis on a classification system tailored to students’ abilities. Performance-based categorization begins from the second year of MS. This has two main pillars: the Standard AHS and the Standard level. These cover three mandatory subjects: mathematics, German language, and one first foreign language.

The Standard AHS practically corresponds to the educational system of lower secondary schools, representing a higher level within the Mittelschule. If a child is placed in this level in the second year but cannot follow it for some reason later, they are transferred to the Standard group, where they receive a new evaluation accordingly. To understand the difference between the two, the best performance in the Standard group is only equivalent to an average performance within the Standard AHS. In any case, students are evaluated on a five-point scale at both levels. By the end of the fourth year, upon completing MS, every child can be aware of their abilities and can orient themselves towards higher schools or the world of work accordingly.

Similar to the Volksschule, there are also parent-teacher conferences in MS, where teachers verbally discuss how the child is performing within the institution. In case of observations, they inform parents about any potential changes that may be needed. After-school care is generally also available in Mittelschule, so if we do not want to keep the child at home in the afternoons, we can use the full-day school option.

The Polytechnic

Politechnikum is a school for students who, after completing Mittelschule, have not yet definitively decided which profession they would like to pursue. During the one-year training period, students can gain insight into the various professions offered by the particular politechnikum. Professional basic training usually begins in the second semester. The first phase of the school year serves the purpose of allowing students to decide which profession or professions would be suitable for them by the second semester.

Students can generally choose from seven main areas of study according to their interests. In addition, the schedule also includes mathematics, German language, foreign language skills, and economics. There is also an opportunity to expand the list of available study areas if a sufficient number of students are interested and the school can launch the training requested by the students. Upon completion of their studies, students can enter a vocational school without a separate admission process.

The Berufschule – Vocational School in Austria

Berufschule is part of a dual training system in Austria. This educational model combines workplace practice and school education. Students can begin learning here after completing Mittelschule, around the age of 15. Practice-oriented training usually lasts 2-4 years, with three years being sufficient for most professions.

Students can choose from nearly 200 learnable professions when taking their skilled worker exam at the end of their studies. The theoretical exam part does not need to be completed if the student successfully completed the final year, in which case they only need to take a practical exam. Since students already work during their studies, they can also earn income. In addition, they can embark on life with valuable work experience.

A Brief Overview of Secondary and Higher Vocational Schools

Students arrive at Vocational Secondary Schools (BMS – Berufsbildende mittlere Schulen) after completing Mittelschule or Polytechnic. Students coming from Mittelschule generally have to take an entrance exam. There are some training programs where an exam is mandatory even with a polytechnic certificate.

Vocational secondary schools last from 1 to 4 years, depending on the field of study. 1-2 year BMS programs provide only a basic vocational training without a high school diploma. At the end of longer training programs, students also take a professional exam. Main training areas include technical, commercial, economic, fashion, hospitality, and social professions. Pedagogical assistants and nurses are also trained in BMS. There is an option to take a professional high school exam and then apply to university. This is not mandatory, as there are professions for which this training is already sufficient.

The BHS (Berufsbildende höhere Schulen), or Higher Vocational School, is a five-year program where students arrive after lower secondary school (AHS) or Mittelschule or polytechnic. It is possible that admission may require an entrance exam. The basic training for future teachers, educators, business professionals, and engineers also takes place at this level, from where they can proceed to university or college. The knowledge acquired here is recognized by all Austrian higher education institutions. Students take a professional matriculation exam and prepare a diploma thesis. The diploma thesis must be structured around a professional problem.

Secondary Education in Austria

We already have some personal experience with secondary school education. Since our little boy is finishing 4th grade in Volksschule, next year he should attend a gymnasium or Mittelschule. We decided that he should repeat this year, so he can continue his studies with more secure language foundations. We also visited the local gymnasium’s principal, who did not want to accept our son due to his “Außerordentlicher” status. The basic requirement for entering the gymnasium is a “good” or “very good” grade in German. However, our son did not receive grades this year due to his status. Many foreign students thus end up in Mittelschule, where they must take care of their further education.

There are also high schools that announce separate entrance exams. Austrian high schools are divided into two parts, lower (AHS) and upper gymnasium (ORG) classes. Both are four-year programs, and students take their final exams at the end of the upper level, then usually go on to university. In addition to general high schools, there are also specialized real gymnasiums that place greater emphasis on scientific knowledge. In economic real gymnasiums, students can delve deeper into economic topics within the framework of practice-oriented education.

School Obligation in Austria

As mentioned earlier, children must attend community settings from the last year of kindergarten, with a few exceptions. Compulsory education begins at 6 years old, but this does not mean that every six-year-old is considered school-ready.

Compulsory education lasts until the age of 15, which can pose challenges for Hungarian families arriving in Austria with children of this age. While we don’t have personal experience, we’ve heard many stories about 15-year-old or older Hungarian children not being admitted to their chosen school because they are past the compulsory education age. If you’re planning to move with a child of this age, be sure to explore the options in advance, visit schools, and inquire with school administrations!

Our Story – How We Enrolled Our Son in School in Austria

An important piece of information to keep in mind: Since January 1st, 2020, the Hungarian Educational Authority must be notified about every preschool or school-age child taken abroad. If we have an Ügyfélkapu (Client Gateway), this process is relatively simple and can be completed entirely electronically. In the case that we do not have an Ügyfélkapu, the form can also be filled out electronically, but afterwards we must print it out, sign it, and send it by mail to the address specified by the authority on the form.

In early 2022, amid much uncertainty, we decided to finally commit to moving. Since there was no urgent factor, we were entrepreneurs in Hungary, so we definitely wanted to wait until the end of the school year. In May, we started searching for rental apartments online and took the first steps towards establishing a company in Austria.

When mid-June arrived in Hungary and it was the end-of-year and report card day at elementary school, our little son Oliver said goodbye to his class and teachers, and about a week later we had already moved to Austria. Our home became eastern Styria, still within close reach of the Hungarian border. At that time, with little language skills, we contacted the local Volksschule principal via email. In mid-to-late June, the school year was still ongoing in Austria, so we received a response the same day. The principal wrote that Oliver would be placed in a class appropriate for his age in September. Since the child is not a native German speaker, he would need to take a MIKA-D test, and the results would determine what language support he would need to catch up. She attached the forms (Einschreibeunterlagen) we needed to fill out for enrollment and the documents we needed to submit.

Among the forms was also the registration for daycare, included in a detailed information supplement. For the forms, you needed the Meldezet (proof of residence) and a copy of the child’s birth certificate. A good tip: you can request multilingual copies from the registrar’s office, which include German as well. A child’s social security number (Sozialversicherungsnummer) was also required, but it arrived relatively late, so we asked for a little patience.

Oliver’s Hungarian school requested a confirmation from the Austrian school that the child would indeed be studying with them from September. The Volksschule quickly issued this for us and sent it via email. The Volksschule also sent a letter during the summer with a list of necessary school supplies. In August, we finally learned which class the child would be in. Students are greeted every day in the changing room by the Schulwart or Schulwartin, a kind of caretaker who helps children when they arrive at the institution and supervises order. We asked for help from them on the first day. Oliver’s name was already posted on the inner entrance door, along with the exact location of his classroom. It was difficult to leave him in a completely foreign language environment, but fortunately, he managed well and within weeks understood so much that he navigated the new environment without problems. He also made friends, not just with Austrians, but with Hungarians and other nationalities as well.