American International School–Salzburg, or AIS–Salzburg, is a co-educational day and boarding school at Moosstrasse 106. It serves Grades 7–12 and offers an optional 13th year after high school.
Teaching is in English. The school says it is designed for about 100 pupils at full capacity, so this is a deliberately small secondary setting rather than a large international campus.
Programme and qualifications
AIS–Salzburg awards an American high school diploma. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association; the accreditor does not award the diploma.
Pupils may also take Advanced Placement (AP) courses and examinations. AP subjects can strengthen a university application, but they do not form an International Baccalaureate Diploma or an Austrian Matura.
This route suits a pupil who wants an American secondary programme in English. Families should check the subject plan against the requirements of the universities and countries they are considering.
English requirements
The admissions FAQ publishes minimum English levels on the Common European Framework of Reference scale:
- Grades 7–8: A2–B1.
- Grade 9: B1.
- Grade 10: B2.
- Grades 11–12: C1.
Applicants who are not native English speakers submit a recent test result. The FAQ accepts TOEFL, Cambridge, IELTS or SLEP results from the previous three months. The school can also administer its own test during a visit.
These thresholds become demanding in the final grades. Ask whether the pupil needs language support and whether it is available before treating admission as academically workable.
Day, five-day or full boarding
Families choose among day attendance, five-day boarding and full boarding. The distinction affects both the weekly living arrangement and the annual fee.
The public fee material does not set out every supervision, travel or holiday arrangement. Ask when five-day boarders leave and return, who supervises travel, and when residences close.
Day pupils need a reliable daily journey to Moosstrasse. Boarders needing a visa should also confirm who holds responsibility for immigration documents and local guardianship arrangements.
How admission works
The FAQ says there is no general application deadline. For a September start that requires an Austrian visa, it advises completing the application before the end of June.
Admission during the school year may be possible. The school says boarding tuition is then calculated using the number of weeks remaining.
A complete application includes:
- the application form;
- recommendations from the pupil’s mathematics and English teachers;
- school transcripts;
- an English test, when required; and
- the €150 application fee.
The FAQ says a decision normally follows within one week after a complete application. It does not publish a waitlist or guaranteed response for every case.
Families can visit during term, speak with the headmaster and request a day in class. The school offers a video meeting when travel is not possible.
Fees for 2026/27
The published schedule covers a nine-month school year. Tuition depends on the grade and attendance model.
| Grades |
Full boarding |
Five-day boarding |
Day |
| 7–8 |
€48,000 |
€47,000 |
€24,000 |
| 9–10 |
€49,500 |
€48,500 |
€25,000 |
| 11–12 |
€51,000 |
€50,000 |
€26,000 |
New pupils also pay a €2,500 capital levy. It is one-time and non-refundable, and the school charges it once per family rather than for every sibling.
The levy is not charged again when a pupil leaves and returns within 24 months. This exception does not make the original payment refundable.
Returning pupils could receive a 5% reduction by submitting the agreement before 1 July 2026 and paying in full before 1 August 2026. Those dates have passed. Paying in four instalments adds 4%.
For boarders, the FAQ says tuition includes textbooks, two multi-day European excursions, ski trips and most weekend activities. Visa costs, laundry, a €100 athletics fee and some elective fees are additional.
The published material does not give every elective amount or complete withdrawal and refund terms. Request a personalised account and the contract before paying the capital levy or tuition.
Our view
It is not the right route when the family needs the IB Diploma or Austrian Matura. It also requires careful checking when the pupil needs substantial language or learning support.
Use the Salzburg guide for local context, the boarding guide for residential questions and the Austria guide for the wider school system.
Sources used for this portrait
Official pages and documents we read. If a figure matters to your budget or your application, open the link and confirm it is still current.
Friendly orientation, not an application. Dates, fees, and programme details move. Confirm everything with the school.