ViennaList

6 Best Private Schools in Vienna

Choosing a private school in Vienna starts with the child’s stage and the kind of environment your family wants. Options range from bilingual primary education in Grinzing and faith-based preparation in Favoriten to continuous international pathways in Währing.

Compare teaching language, age coverage and the daily timetable before arranging a visit. Location matters too: a Burggasse primary school, a Rennweg gymnasium and middle schools near Augarten or Mariahilf create very different commutes.

How this guide is ordered

Schools are ordered by how closely their educational pathway, language offer, location, timetable and available activities match common family needs, with extra weight given to clear programme information and practical opportunities to visit or make contact. Some eligible businesses may purchase enhanced visibility, which can influence their placement.

Top 3 Ranking Map How to choose

Compare 6 private schools in Vienna

Private Volksschule Notre Dame de Sion #1

Private Volksschule Notre Dame de Sion

4.322 reviews
Burggasse 37, 1070 Wien, Austria
Best for
Families seeking a community-oriented elementary school

Private Volksschule Notre Dame de Sion is an elementary school on Burggasse in Vienna’s 7th district. Its educational outlook centres on learning from one another, growing together, feeling comfortable and discovering through play and experience.

School activities include varied shared programmes and practical outings, giving the setting a warm, community-focused character for primary-age children.

CIB Sprachschule #2

CIB Sprachschule

4.6705 reviews
Ottakringer Str. 42, 1170 Wien, Austria
Best for
Learners preparing for German examsresidence or citizenship requirements

CIB Sprachschule is a language school on Ottakringer Straße in Vienna’s 17th district, with a strong focus on German examination preparation. Courses cover ÖSD and ÖIF exams from A1 through C1, including preparation linked to residence permits, citizenship and study in Austria.

It is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm and Saturday until 1:30 pm, making it a practical choice for structured exam preparation.

Sprachschule Ikarus Wien | Mariahilfe #3

Sprachschule Ikarus Wien | Mariahilfe

587 reviews
Mariahilfer Str. 115/Top 43, 1060 Wien, Austria
Best for
Learners wanting personalised German instruction in small groups

Sprachschule Ikarus Wien in Mariahilf focuses on German courses with unusually small groups of up to four students, alongside one-to-one tuition. Its format is designed around personalised feedback, flexible scheduling and goals that determine course length, with options including an eight-week course.

The school is open Monday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and is closed Friday through Sunday.

Austro-American Institute of Education #4

Austro-American Institute of Education

4.953 reviews
Operngasse 4, 1010 Wien, Austria
Best for
Learners seeking Englishbusiness or exam-focused language training

Austro-American Institute of Education occupies a central position on Operngasse and specialises in English and language education. Its programme includes English courses, business training, children’s programmes and certified exam preparation, giving it a broader remit than a standard conversation school.

The institute is open Monday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Friday until noon, and is closed at weekends.

Lycée Francais de Vienne #5
What stands out
  • Welcome arrangements for new pupils and families

Lycée Francais de Vienne

4145 reviews
Liechtensteinstraße 37A, 1090 Wien, Austria
Best for
Families seeking a French-language education in Vienna

Lycée Français de Vienne is an educational institution on Liechtensteinstraße in Vienna’s 9th district, offering education from age three. Its French-language setting is supported by school news, summer reading activities, an events calendar and welcome arrangements for new pupils and families.

Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm, giving families a clear weekday contact window.

Harmonia Wien #6

Harmonia Wien

4.58 reviews
Alser Str. 28, 1090 Wien, Austria
Best for
Russian-speaking families seeking language and cultural education

Harmonia Wien is a Russian language and culture education centre on Alser Straße. Its programmes serve children from ages three to 17, combining Russian-language learning with developmental activities, creative teaching methods, reading, and a children’s musical theatre.

The centre also offers school preparation in Russian for ages five to six and enrolment for grades one to eight. It opens Monday to Friday, plus Saturday mornings.

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Map of private schools in Vienna

Vienna’s districts can turn a short straight-line distance into a demanding school run. Use the map to compare Burggasse and Liniengasse with homes west of the centre, Rennweg from the southeast, and Himmelstraße or Jüptnergasse for families based farther north or east.

Test the route at arrival and collection time, including the final walk or public-transport change.

School pathways and programmes

  • Community-led elementary schoolingA Burggasse elementary option centres shared learning, play, experience, outings and a welcoming school community.
  • German-English primary educationIn Grinzing, German and English begin from the first school day, with weekday hours extending from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.
  • International stage continuityA Paulinengasse pathway spans kindergarten and preschool through elementary, junior high and senior high education.
  • Faith-based preparationChristian international preparation, Adventist education in Donaustadt and Catholic school settings serve families seeking a defined religious ethos.
  • Project-based middle schoolProject weeks, practical visits and excursions give middle-school pupils learning experiences beyond the classroom.
  • Academic and extracurricular breadthStudent exchanges, Cambridge writing, Spanish competitions and team sports support pupils who want a varied gymnasium experience.
  • German language preparationLearners can compare exam-focused German support with personalised instruction in small groups, including guidance connected to residence or citizenship requirements.

How to choose a Vienna private school

  1. Start with the school stage: Separate elementary, middle-school, gymnasium and all-through pathways. If continuity matters, ask whether progression between stages requires a new application.
  2. Verify language delivery: Confirm which subjects are taught in German or English, how language support works and whether the bilingual approach begins immediately or develops gradually.
  3. Clarify the school ethos: For Christian, Adventist or Catholic schools, ask how the religious identity shapes lessons, celebrations, pastoral care and expectations for family participation.
  4. Match the daily timetable: Compare arrival, lesson and collection times carefully. Check Friday schedules separately and establish whether extended hours include teaching, supervision or office access.
  5. Compare the full annual cost: Request a written breakdown covering tuition, registration, meals, excursions and optional activities so that value can be judged on comparable terms.
  6. Contact the school before visiting: Confirm availability for the relevant year group, open-day arrangements, admission documents, language checks and application deadlines before crossing Vienna for an appointment.

Frequently asked questions

Which parts of Vienna are most practical for the school run?

Location should follow the family’s real weekday route. Burggasse in the 7th district and Liniengasse in the 6th are relatively central, while Himmelstraße in Grinzing and Jüptnergasse in the 22nd district can be more convenient for northern or eastern households.

Test the trip at school-run time.

Are bilingual and international private schools the same?

No. A bilingual primary setting may introduce German and English from the first school day, as at MERIDIAN in Grinzing.

A continuous international pathway, such as Vienna European School, covers several stages. Ask which curriculum applies, how languages divide across subjects and where pupils progress next.

What should families confirm before an open day?

Before travelling, confirm that the relevant year group is accepting enquiries, whether an assessment or language check is required, which documents and deadlines apply, and what the stated fees include. Also ask whether advertised hours cover lessons, supervised care or only office availability.

Does Vienna have faith-based private education?

Vienna includes Christian, Adventist and Catholic private education. Mayflower Christian Academy offers an international Christian preparatory context, while Arche Noah is an Adventist school in the 22nd district.

Sacré Coeur and other Catholic settings provide further choices. Ask how belief informs daily teaching and participation.

How can families compare extracurricular programmes?

Look beyond a long activity list and ask how often pupils actually participate. Sacré Coeur highlights exchanges, Cambridge writing, Spanish competitions and team sports, while the Augarten middle school features project weeks and practical excursions.

Request a current calendar and check whether activities are included, optional or limited by year group.

Do private-school hours cover a full working day?

Hours vary substantially. MERIDIAN in Grinzing runs Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm; Arche Noah runs from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Thursday and finishes earlier on Friday; Sacré Coeur closes at 3:30 pm.

Confirm whether supervision covers the full period.

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