Vienna International Schools

Danube International School

Faced a very challenging situation with the administration of this school trying to enroll my son who had in the past some speech delay issues. I have reports showing the outstanding progress that my son has made over the past three years. Yet the administration of this school refuses to offer us a place despite many attempts over several months. Totally uncooperative management.

Well, international schools in Vienna have a waiting lists in place. They are suppose to accept children of diplomats in Vienna and they are the only ones with priority enrolling - which makes sense since this is why those schools were established in a first place. They also don't have appropriate personnel for any kind of special needs so I would not be so upset if I would be you, since they are in a way doing you a favour buy not making you pay enormous scholarships and not being able to offer your child a support that he needs. as far as I know for VIS, there is quite long waiting time as well and they also don't have any special programmes of personnel. You have to know that those schools offer only IB and matura degrees and that is only for really excellent students. I know of several kind in VIS who were asked to change school because they would not get place in matura of IB because they results were to low.
Vienna is full of very good schools, so rather find one that will be able to take care of your son.

VesnaV

your post is a proof that Vienna is not ready to accommodate expatriates.

Apart from the diplomatic missions, there are international companies and Austrian Corporates doing business internationally. These companies need to move their staff around and at times assign them to office in Vienna on Temporary basis for three or two years. If Vienna only offers schools to families of diplomats then Vienna is intentionally hurting the business of Austrian companies with headquarters in Vienna.

Since the international staff are only relocating to Vienna on temporary basis, The international schools are the only option. Vienna German schools are absolutely not an option based on the fact that it will only last for two year or so.

In my case, I was offered the alternative of using German school for my kid with the condition that he has to go back to Grade one losing two years of his life in the process. What kind of logic is this.

Vienna is trying to project it self as an international city, but unfortunately it is not. The situation with the education of expatriate families children is the biggest proof.