School Capacity and Class Size

Admissions will be granted according to class size limits that ensure that standards of excellence will be maintained.

Academic Standards

Students will be considered for admission only when school records for their previous two and a half years and screening indicate a high likelihood of successfully completing grade level requirements for grades Kindergarten through eight, or requirements for the American High School Diploma, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, or the Austrian Matura Equivalency program for grades nine through twelve. Grades below a "C" on the American grading scale, or the equivalent thereof, could jeopardize admission. Placement in individual courses will be determined based on completed coursework, testing, and academic counseling.

English Proficiency

The school must maintain an environment where English is the predominant language. Accordingly, priority in admissions is given to fluent English-speaking students and the admission of non-English-speaking students is limited. The success of the English as an Additional Language (EAL) program in the Elementary School is largely dependent on a sufficient number of fluent English-speaking role models so the number of students in the EAL program is generally limited to a maximum of 20% of a given grade level. EAL classes are offered for students entering the Middle School: one program for beginning EAL and one for intermediate English speakers. EAL admission for Middle School is contingent upon the availability of places in the EAL program sequence. All entering High School students not having English as their native language must, at a minimum, complete the IB Subsidiary English B program by graduation. Students entering AIS in High School will be tested for fluency in writing, reading, and speaking English and will not be eligible for admission unless found to be sufficiently fluent or considered capable of meeting requirements.

Special Learning Needs

The American International School • Vienna accepts students who are able to work toward the successful completion of AIS academic requirements. AIS recognizes that some of its students will have special learning needs or differences that require learning support. The school is generally able to provide support for children who have MILD learning disabilities. Appropriate services and programs for these students will be provided within the limits and capacity of the school's resources and personnel. Students with mild specific learning difficulties are able to function in the regular classroom with minimal support and accommodations.  All students, even those in the Resource Program, are expected to meet all curricular requirements. Starting in Elementary School and progressing up through to HS, students are expected to take all required classes at each grade level. Students entering High School need to take the required amount of credits and courses to graduate. The curriculum and courses offered in each class or grade level are not modified for any student.  The Resource Program allows students to use accommodations such as extended time on tests, use of a speller, calculator and other minor accommodations, but not adaptations (such as waiving a class or changing assessment objectives).

Age and Living Arrangements

A child must be four years old by 1 September of the year entering Pre-Kindergarten, five years old by 1 September of the year entering Kindergarten, and six years old by 1 September of the year entering first grade. All students must live throughout their attendance at AIS with their parent(s) or with an AIS-approved guardian, who must furnish evidence of guardianship and power of attorney; otherwise, the student will be required to withdraw.