Schloss Krumbach International School (Castle School in Austria)

• Location: Krumbach, Austria,
• Number of students: up to 100,
• Language of instruction: English, German,
• Type of education: blended.

Schloss Krumbach IB International School (SKIS) is an international boarding school specializing in preparing students from grades 7-12 in A-Level and International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB DP) curricula.

The institution boasts a long history and is the only school in Austria located in a 13th-century castle. SKIS has many advantages, including its small size, which allows the teaching staff to personally know each student, tailor academic plans individually, and provide the best support. Another unique feature of SKIS is bilingual education from grades 7 to 9, where students have the opportunity to improve their language skills in both English and German. Teachers are native speakers of the languages they teach, making the learning process highly effective.

By studying at SKIS, students gain numerous benefits and opportunities both on campus and after completing the program. High scores achieved in final exams enable students to pursue further education at top universities around the world.

SKIS educates its students to acquire knowledge, skills, and abilities through complex and sequential intellectual work, which is vital for brain development, cognitive connections, and neural networks. SKIS students are required to:

1. Write by hand to stimulate the appropriate hemisphere of the brain.
2. Memorize axioms and formulas to enhance logical thinking.
3. Learn poetry, dates, and definitions to develop short-term memory into long-term knowledge.
4. Read classical literature and watch quality films to nurture imaginative thinking, vocabulary, and articulate speech.
5. Practice mindful, prepared public speaking to gain oratory skills.
6. Study and practice receptivity to classical arts, music, and dance to stimulate conscious and sequential creativity.

Students are taught to maintain critical and ethical thinking in an era of fake news, clickbait mentality, and information overload. Through a rich academic program, SKIS provides them with access to high-quality scientific information, teaching them how to utilize, analyze, and extract answers to their questions.

The educational institution provides education for students from 7th to 12th grades, offering two academic pathways: IB DP and A-Level for the upper grades, and bilingual education for the middle grades.

Thanks to its no-gadget policy, SKIS protects its students from the information overload that can clutter their minds, promote scattered thinking, damage cognitive processes, and often hinder their ability to memorize and concentrate. Students have access to personal laptops and computers in a specialized room only for educational purposes, ensuring a balanced and focused learning environment.

SKIS accommodates its students in a comfortable five-star residence, which previously operated as a luxurious hotel on the school grounds. Students stay in spacious double or triple rooms ranging from 22 to 40 square meters, with separate accommodations for girls and boys. Bathrooms can be either private or shared. The living spaces are furnished with large beds featuring orthopedic mattresses, study areas, and storage zones for personal belongings.

Residents of the boarding house receive six meals a day, carefully crafted from a balanced, healthy menu. SKIS has a team of professional chefs who take into account the children's age-specific needs, their culinary preferences, and the principles of forming healthy eating habits. Meals are served in a large dining hall at specified times.

Joint and extracurricular activities serve as excellent complements to the rigorous academic curriculum. Schloss Krumbach International School offers a wide range of activities, from soccer and tennis to art exhibitions, chess clubs, and wilderness expeditions. With experienced instructors and leaders, students discover new interests and quickly realize that new challenges can be the most motivating.

Students also have free time for socializing on social networks and have internet access.

Extracurricular activities include:

- Tennis lessons and football training with a professional coach.
- An art club with a lecturer from Vienna's leading art history museum.
- Yoga and Pilates in the gym or on the castle lawn, daily walks along winding forest trails.
- Mobile filming with a TV producer and director.
- Business, digital, and social etiquette.
- Book club.
- Dance.
- Instrumental/choir group.
- Basics of religious culture – taught in the child's native language, taking their religion into account (for educational purposes only).
- Gourmet club.
- Entertainment programs.
- Excursion programs.
- Entertainment events.
- Tree planting on the Schloss Krumbach castle grounds.

• Accreditations granting the status of an IB World School and a Cambridge International Education School,
• Two program options for upper grades,
• The majority of teachers have over 30 years of experience,
• Bilingual education system in English and German for grades 7-9,
• No-gadget policy,
• Small classes with up to 16 students,
• Comfortable residence with six meals a day,
• A wide range of leisure activities, including European excursions.

The SKIS campus is situated within a castle dating back to the 13th century. Despite its historic exterior, the interior is equipped with modern facilities. The school residence underwent extensive renovation in 2020-2021, offering students the best living and learning conditions today:

- 18 classrooms
- Two science laboratories
- Three libraries
- Art studios
- An observatory
- Computer room
- Dining hall
- A large atrium for events
- Aerobics rooms
- A multi-purpose sports hall
- A chapel

The campus is just an hour's drive from Vienna, allowing students to enjoy Austria's natural beauty while having easy access to the vibrant city life. For educational trips, SKIS provides buses, ensuring mobility and flexibility in travel planning.

The academic year at SKIS begins at the end of August and lasts for several semesters until the start of the summer break. Classes are held on weekdays, and on weekends, students engage in sports training, events, creative performances, and excursions. Holidays are observed on national and international holidays, as well as during the summer.

The program cost includes:

- All subjects included in the curriculum.
- Educational materials, including stationery and dictionaries.
- Personal laptop for rent, access to school computers.
- Homework assistance.
- Graphic calculator for solving mathematical problems.
- Career orientation seminars.
- Participation in all campus events and workshops.

Additionally, the following fees may apply:

- Admission fee.
- Capital fee.
- Deposit to reserve a spot.
- Refundable deposit upon completion of studies.
- Additional language support.
- Extended trips.
- Visa support.
- Medical insurance.
- School and sports uniforms.
- Airport transfers.
- Some sports activities, such as skiing, swimming, and tennis.

The admission process at SKIS consists of several stages:

1. Submission of an application and required documents.
2. Payment of registration fees.
3. Upon receiving a positive response, making deposits and obtaining a visa.
4. Arriving at the campus for a personal interview and entrance exams. The tests are conducted in core school subjects, including English, mathematics, natural sciences, social studies, and German (for middle grades).
5. Attending orientation events, moving into the residence, and beginning the education.

SKIS is a very small institution, designed for a maximum of 100 students, which is why the selection of new students is quite rigorous. To gain admission, candidates must go through a selection process based on academic performance and a personal interview. The admissions committee pays attention to the motivation of the child and the goals of the family. Successful collaboration is possible only if the family shares the values and views of the educational institution.

After graduating from Schloss Krumbach, students can apply to universities around the world. The school has a team of university counselors who assist students in navigating the university application process, helping them make informed decisions about their higher education options.

Prospective students can submit their applications at any time throughout the year, although the preferred time to start the admission process is at the beginning of the academic year. Future students will be required to demonstrate academic performance ranging from 5 to 7 points in all subjects evaluated during the entrance exams, as well as a good level of English language proficiency. Foreign candidates will also need to provide personal documents, including a passport, medical insurance, visa, or residence permit.

SKIS offers a limited number of annual scholarships based on merit. These scholarships are designed for students who have demonstrated academic excellence, exceptional interpersonal qualities, and have shown a need for financial support.

Scholarships for accommodation can be partial or full, depending on the decision of the Scholarship Committee, made on a case-by-case basis. The selection of candidates is based on the following criteria:

- Excellent command of the English language.
- Demonstrated ability to learn and academic excellence.
- Outstanding writing and speaking skills.
- Creativity and critical thinking.
- Willingness to contribute to the school during extracurricular activities.
- Exceptional performance and current grades.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision