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Graz International Bilingual School

Austria, Graz

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, German
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 10 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 1991
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages English, German, French, Spanish, Latin, Russian
Strengths Languages, Academic Enrichment, Outdoor Education
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Middle School, High School
Introduction

Graz International Bilingual School (GIBS) is a state bilingual senior secondary school in Graz, Austria, offering a German‑English curriculum for students aged 10–18. The bilingual programme begins in Grade 5 and combines the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12) with the Austrian Matura, so graduates earn both qualifications. German (A, B or Ab Initio) is obligatory, and the language of instruction is English, supported by a dedicated GIBS Foundation that funds language assistants and trips. Since January 2024 the school has charitable status. Located at Georgigasse 85, 8020 Graz, GIBS has more than 600 students and 60+ staff, and an on‑site library with an online catalogue. IB facilities include an Office, a Physics Lab, and dedicated classrooms; a gym, motor‑skills playground, and inclusive wheelchair basketball support sport. After‑school care (ACE), activities such as Gardening, Choir and Adventure Gym, intercultural projects, exchanges, and a strong CAS program enrich the curriculum here.

Georgigasse 85, 8020 Graz, Austria

The Essentials

Graz International Bilingual School has instruction in English, German.

Location
Georgigasse 85, 8020 Graz, Austria

Stages
Eight-year program (Grades 5–12; Years 1–8)

Type
Bilingual senior secondary school (German-English)

Pupil Nationality Mix
20+ nationalities represented

Additional learning support
Additional learning assistance in core subjects with GIBS teachers

Country affiliation
Austria

School day structure
45-minute periods
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Group lunch is provided for students as part of after-school care and education. After-school care includes homework assistance and additional learning support.

Governance and Ownership
The school is Austrian state-funded and operates as a Gymnasium.
Fees
Application fees

- There is no general tuition application fee for regular entry to the state-funded GIBS.
- For applicants to the IB / pre-IB program: a written and oral assessment carries a fee of EUR 50 per candidate; this assessment fee is non-refundable. Students accepted into the IB/pre-IB program must also agree to pay the yearly contribution to the school support association and the IB examination and assessment fees.

Tuition fees by year group (per term / per year)

- GIBS is a state-funded Austrian Gymnasium and does not charge tuition fees for attendance. Tuition per term: EUR 0; tuition per school year: EUR 0, for all year groups.
- Separate from tuition, the GIBS Foundation (Verein zur Förderung der GIBS) collects a membership contribution that supports language assistants, trips, materials and other non-government-funded items. Membership fees were EUR 450 per child per school year (with a voluntary higher contribution of EUR 650) in the published fee information. This is presented as an annual charge per child (not as a termly tuition amount).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Foundation membership fees are collected annually and payment is taken by direct debit in November of each school year (parents are asked to authorise a direct-debit mandate to VF‑GIBS).
- The IB/pre-IB written and oral assessment fee (EUR 50) is payable at the time of assessment and is non-refundable. Enrollment into IB requires agreement to pay IB examination and assessment fees and the yearly support-association contribution. Parents of students who enter after Year 5 are required to pay a lump-sum contribution equal to the annual contributions from Year 1 up to the year the student begins at GIBS.

Boarding fees (if applicable)

- GIBS is a day senior secondary bilingual school for students aged 10–18 located in Graz; no boarding programme or boarding fees are published. Boarding fees: not applicable.

Other costs and fees (examples and typical items)

- IB examination and mentoring fees (Extended Essay/internal assessment-related fees) are charged to parents for IB candidates. IB textbooks required for the Diploma Programme are also a parental expense.
- Costs for school trips, student events, certain specialised learning materials, language assistants and library maintenance are identified as expenses not covered by public funding; these items are typically financed by the GIBS Foundation through membership contributions or billed separately for specific trips/activities.
- Parents' Association support may cover part of trip costs for families in financial need; separate application processes exist for such support.
- No compulsory uniform fee or uniform price list is published in the school's fee information for GIBS; uniform charges are not listed as a standard school fee in the published fee material.

Refund information

- The IB/pre-IB assessment fee of EUR 50 is explicitly non-refundable.
- No general refund policy for foundation membership contributions or other incidental charges is published in the school's fee information; specific refunds or reductions (for families in financial need) are handled via established financial-support procedures.

Fee payment options and banking details

- Foundation membership contributions are collected by direct debit (Einzugsermächtigung) in November; parents are asked to authorise direct-debit mandates to VF‑GIBS.
- The GIBS Foundation provides an IBAN for donations/payments: IBAN AT70 3800 0001 0246 6977 (BIC: RZSTAT2G). Other official e-billing identifiers (school number/UID) are published for administrative billing. Payments by bank transfer/SEPA and direct debit are the established methods shown; credit-card payment is not listed in the published fee information.

Brief summary of available figures and remaining items not explicitly published

- Published tuition: none (state school – no tuition charge). Foundation membership: published amount EUR 450 per child per school year (published figure relates to the school-year information available in the school's fee material). IB/pre-IB assessment fee: EUR 50 per candidate (non-refundable). IB examination, assessment and textbook costs are charged to parents but exact IB exam price components are not listed in the school's public fee statements.

- The school's published material does not contain a full term-by-term fee table labelled for the 2026/27 academic year; the membership figure above appears in the published information for earlier school-year material and the IB assessment fee is given in the IB-admission information. The school's published material does not list a boarding charge (no boarding programme), does not publish a compulsory uniform fee, and does not publish a universal refund schedule beyond the stated non-refundable assessment fee.
Academics

Graz International Bilingual School teaches IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 10 to 18.

Curriculum
GIBS provides a bilingual German-English senior secondary curriculum for students aged 10–18. The bilingual programme starts in Grade 5. It offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12, with preparation in Grade 10; graduates earn both the IBDP and the Austrian Standardisierte Reifeprüfung (Matura). German (A, B or Ab Initio) is an obligatory subject.

Higher Education Progression
The IB Diploma Programme is internationally recognized and opens doors to leading universities worldwide.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
GIBS supports social-emotional learning through Discovery Learning, which uses a wide range of approaches to help students develop social skills and gain academic knowledge for lifelong learning. Personal and Global Responsibility develops autonomy and teamwork that extend beyond the individual and immediate community. Language Proficiency is fostered through multilingual teaching, with International Mindedness promoting respect for cultural diversity. The school maintains a harmonious climate based on mutual understanding and respect, guided by a Code of Conduct to support a positive study environment. Social Learning is embedded in daily life, including Year 1 companions (older students who welcome and assist newcomers) and ongoing collaboration among staff, students and parents, reinforced by weekly staff meetings.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Language of instruction is English and GIBS provides bilingual German-English education throughout Years 1–8. Native Speaking Language Assistants support English, French, Spanish and Russian. German as a Second Language (DaZ) courses run year-round and are grouped by CEFR levels A1–C1, with new students placed via informal interviews. German tutoring groups for new students are offered and can be attended for up to two years. In Year 3, students choose between French or Spanish as a second language and in Year 5 Latin, French, Spanish or Russian is offered.

Mental Wellbeing
GIBS provides mental wellbeing support through two School Counselors (Eva Koegeler and Jana Staltner) and a School Psychologist (Mag.a Fabienne Konrad-Wieser). The counselors assist with exam anxiety, career guidance, conflicts in the social environment, integration, and personal crises, with designated office hours for accessibility. The school also connects to the Steiermark Schulpsychologische Beratungsstellen (School Psychological Counseling) for additional support.

Safeguarding
The Code of Conduct ensures the safe and efficient running of the school, the comfort and well-being of all students and staff, and the protection of the school premises. Safeguarding is supported by School Counselors and a School Psychologist, who provide guidance for students, parents and staff, and the school directs to regional safeguarding resources as needed.
Parent Experience

History
GIBS is a state bilingual senior secondary school in Graz, Austria. It has more than 600 students and over 60 teaching staff. The language of instruction is English in the form of flexible monolingualism, with an intensive language phase in Year 1. To support non government funded operating costs, GIBS operates the GIBS Foundation to fund language assistants and trips, financed by membership fees and sponsor support, and it gained charitable status retroactively from January 1, 2024. GIBS is the only public bilingual school in Styria.

Community
GIBS maintains an active and international community. Intercultural projects include Erasmus+ initiatives such as Future Food and UNESCO promoted exchanges with Lycée Idéal in Nabeul, Tunisia. A broad network of partner schools participates in Europe-wide intercultural work, including Our Cultural and Social Diversity in Europe with countries such as Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Iceland, Romania and Turkey. The school also organizes home-to-home exchanges and language trips abroad, and fosters a harmonious climate with regular staff meetings and close contact between staff and parents.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Parents Association is the contact partner for the school groups and has formed special interest groups where experienced parents share information. Every parent is invited to join a group to contribute to their children's education and strengthen home-school cooperation. The association focuses on deepening communication between students, teachers and parents to foster an open and constructive school environment. Parent representatives address concerns and arrange informal meetings, excursions and theatre visits to support families and students. It coordinates events such as the Summer party, the Christmas bazaar, the buffet at the Christmas party and exchange activities for years 5–7, plus the Jazz brunch in year 7 and support for the maturaball in year 8.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school is located at Georgigasse 85, 8020 Graz. The campus offers a Virtual Tour of the Building and a video overview. The library is available on site with an online catalogue. IB facilities include an Office, a Physics Lab, 7i Class Room and 8i Class Room. The language of instruction is English in the form of flexible monolingualism. The school has more than 600 students and over 60 teaching staff.

Sports Facilities
The gym is available for sports and physical activities. A new motor skills playground is in the school yard. Wheelchair basketball has been integrated into Year 6 PE courses. GIBS participates in organized sports events such as hockey tournaments and ski championships.

Academic Facilities
IB Facilities include an Office, a Physics Lab, 7i Class Room and 8i Class Room. CAS Projects form part of the Diploma Programme and embody Creativity, Activity and Service. The IB Diploma Programme is offered in grades 11 and 12, with preparation courses in grade 10. The Diploma Programme is integrated with the school's curriculum and facilities to support these subjects.

Extra Curricular Facilities
ACE provides after-school care and education in English, with lunch in the ACE Buffet Area. A variety of free time activities such as board games, sports in the gym or crafts. A new motor skills playground is in the school yard. Optional Classes include Gardening, Choir and Adventure Gym. Intercultural projects and international exchanges are part of GIBS' activities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Course System uses core and elective courses to allow students to pursue personal interests and prepare for higher education. The IB Diploma Programme is offered in grades 11–12, with preparation in grade 10; the bilingual programme starts in grade 5 and graduates may obtain both the Austrian Matura and the IB Diploma. Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) is a core component of the IB programme, and students undertake CAS projects.

Arts & Creative
CAS and Choir are integrated into the IB Diploma Programme. GIBS runs a Junior Choir and presents CAS projects such as Culture Day @ GIBS. Students produce creative works, including music and other creative outputs (e.g., Faces in the Clouds).

Cultural & Language
GIBS hosts a range of language events including Graz Language Festival 2025, EUROLINGUA 25, SWITCH 2025, Lisez la Langue de l'Amitié!, and European Day of Languages @ GIBS. These events illustrate the school's emphasis on multilingual culture and language learning.

Social & Hobbies
The GIBS Debate Club participates in events such as meetings with the US Ambassador to Austria. GIBS also operates a Student Newspaper. There are Student Representatives and Class Representatives who provide student leadership.

Community & Service
The Ukraine relief initiative Eggenberg hilft der Ukraine was organized by GIBS students. A 'Fight Ocean Pollution' fundraiser demonstrates student community service. The GIBS Climate Action Group engages in sustainability and community initiatives.

Leadership & Professional
Student leadership is organized through Student Representatives and Class Representatives. The Student Representative Team coordinates student input and leadership. The list of Class Representatives for 2025/26 is published by the school.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Students have access to a School Doctor and a School Psychologist. Culture Day supports inclusive and communal well-being, and activities such as the Debate Club contribute to social well-being.
Languages

Language Provision
GIBS teaches in English and German as a bilingual program across all eight years of schooling; native-speaking language assistants support English, French, Spanish, and Russian.

Bilingual Teaching
The school is bilingual in German and English.
Admissions

Admissions
Year 1/Grade 5 enrolment: Applications for 2026/27 begin with an early online admissions window from December 1 to December 20, 2025. Interviews for new Year 1 classes (three classes of 25 students each) are held January 9–10, 2026; bilingual interviews are conducted in English and German. Applicants should upload 2024/25 report cards (Schulnachricht and Jahreszeugnis) or the last two report cards if not in Austria, with file names in the format SURNAME-FIRSTNAME-REPORTCARD. Following the interview, acceptance or non-acceptance is communicated by February 22, 2026. Schul- und Berufsinformationsmesse (Wohin nach der Volksschule?) occurs on 17–18 October 2025; due to limited capacity, not all applicants can be accepted. An online application form is available from December 1 to December 20, 2025.

Admission Years 2-6/Grades 6-10: To be considered for year 2 and above, the majority of classes are currently full and there are waiting lists for all year groups; priority will be given to applicants who perform well in academic assessments and to those relocating to Styria for employment purposes. 1. Complete the GIBS international admissions form. 2. 3. Attend an assessment and interview (assessment days organized throughout the school year; can be online in exceptional circumstances). 4. Decision: once the steps are completed, a decision is given; if suitable but no space is available in the requested class, the applicant is placed on a waiting list. For transfers within Austria, language requirements apply and students begin language study in Year 3.

Admission IBDP (Grades 11-12): Application process for international students for the IB and pre-IB programs. Placements are based on availability, residency and fluency in either English or German, and due to limited places, placements for the upcoming school year are offered at the end of each academic year. Step 1: General enquiry via the international admissions form. Step 2: Provide copies of educational history and proof of residency. Step 3: School visit and appointment with the admissions officer. Step 4: Assessment in Math and English (and German when applicable). The written and oral assessment carries a 50 euro fee per candidate. Step 5: Formal registration with required documents and enrollment; being a state-funded Gymnasium, the Austrian Ministry covers the majority of costs; your contributions include IB examination and mentoring fees, textbooks, and proof of residency.

Waitlist
There are waiting lists for all year groups; priority is given to applicants who perform well in academic assessments and to those relocating to Styria for employment.
School Events
The school has not added events
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