SCHOOL CHOICE IN AUSTRIA: A GUIDE FOR VILLACH

In Villach, parents have a diverse range of schools to choose from to promote their children's education and meet their individual interests and needs. After taking a closer look at the Austrian education system in the last blog post, this guide provides a detailed overview of the various types of schools in Villach and the educational offerings for students.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS (VOLKSSCHULEN, VS)

Primary schools, attended by children aged six to ten years (1st to 4th grade), lay the foundation for their school education. In Villach, there are twelve public and two private primary schools with public rights:

• VS 1 Khevenhüller (Bilingual English)
• VS 2 Friedensschule
• VS 3 Lind (Bilingual Italian)
• VS 4 Völkendorf
• VS 5 St. Martin
• VS 6 Auen
• VS 7 Landskron (Everyday English)
• VS 8 St. Andrä (Montessori)
• VS 9 Fellach
• VS 10 Vassach
• VS 11 Maria Gail (Slovenian)
• VS 12 Pogöriach
• VS 13 St. Magdalen
• Waldorfschule Villach
• Trinity Christian Private School - Primary Level

SECONDARY SCHOOLS (MITTELSCHULEN, MS)

Secondary schools (5th to 8th grade) prepare students for further education (e.g., upper secondary schools, technical schools, or vocational schools) and the workforce after primary school. Students are individually supported and guided based on their strengths and interests. In Villach, there are four secondary schools, including Auen Middle School with a focus on music and Lind Middle School with a sports emphasis for talented students:

• MS 1 - Mittelschule Auen (Music & Informatics)
• MS 2 - Mittelschule Lind (Sports)
• MS 3 - Mittelschule Völkendorf (IT)
• MS 4 - Mittelschule Landskron (Arts & Creativity)

ACADEMIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS (ALLGEMEINBILDENDE HÖHERE SCHULEN, AHS)

General secondary schools (5th to 12th grade), also known as Gymnasium, are divided into lower (5th to 8th grade) and upper secondary levels (8th to 12th grade). They offer a wide range of subjects and emphasize comprehensive general education. With the completion of the school end exam (Matura), they are the ideal path for students who want to pursue an academic career:

• BG | BRG Perau
• BG | BRG St. Martin

POLYTECHNICAL SCHOOLS (POLYTECHNISCHE SCHULEN, PTS)

Polytechnical schools (9th grade) provide general education, career orientation, and basic vocational training in selected fields. They follow the 8th grade and allow students to receive specialized training in their chosen field to facilitate the transition to an apprenticeship or further education:

• PTS Villach

VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS (FACHBERUFSSCHULEN)

Vocational schools allow students to receive dual education after the nine years of compulsory schooling. This involves practical skills training through an apprenticeship and preparation for specific professions. The training takes place both at the vocational school and in a company and typically lasts for three years. It is also possible to complete the education with a school end exam (Matura), extending the training by one year. In addition to vocational training, this pathway provides access to higher education:

• Fachberufsschule 1
• Fachberufsschule 2
• Fachberufschule für Tourismus Warmbad Villach

COLLEGES FOR HIGHER VOCATIONAL EDUCATION (BERUFSBILDENDE HÖHERE SCHULEN, BHS)

Five-year colleges for higher vocational education (9th to 13th grade) offer specialized education and diploma exams in various legally regulated fields, in addition to a school leaving exam (Matura). In Villach, these fields range from technology to economics to health sciences:

• Bundesakademie und Bundeshandelsschule (HAK) | Federal Academy and Federal Business School
• Höhere Technische Bundes-Lehr und Versuchsanstalt (HTL) | Higher Technical Federal Institute and Research Institute
• Centrum Humanberuflicher Schulen (CHS) | Center for Human Vocational Schools
• Kärntner Tourismusschulen (KTS) | Carinthian Tourism Schools
• Höhere Lehranstalt für Sozialbetreuung und Pflege (HLSP) | Higher Institute for Social Care and Nursing

SPECIAL SCHOOLS (SONDERSCHULEN)

For children with special needs, Villach offers the following specialized schools providing tailored support:

• Sonderschule für Kinder mit erhöhtem Förderbedarf (SeF)

In Villach und im gesamten österreichischen Schulsystem stehen eine breite Palette von Bildungsmöglichkeiten zur Verfügung, die individuelle Entwicklung und akademisches Wachstum fördern. Die Vielfalt der Schulen, von Volksschulen bis zu berufsbildenden höheren Schulen, ermöglicht es Eltern, gemeinsam mit ihren Kindern den Bildungsweg zu wählen, der am besten zu ihren Interessen und Zielen passt. Diese Auswahl bietet nicht nur eine solide Grundlage für eine umfassende Bildung, sondern trägt auch dazu bei, die einzigartigen Talente und Fähigkeiten jedes Kindes zu entfalten.