Welcome to the Linz International School Auhof (LISA)
The LISA is a warm, inclusive and diverse school community, bringing together around 450 students aged 10 to 18. Pupils come from Linz, Austria, and from all over the world, with more than 30 languages spoken on campus. Mutual respect and tolerance, combined with high academic standards, form the foundation of the school culture.
The main language of instruction is English. In the first two years, a bilingual approach is taken to support students with little or no prior knowledge of English, helping them to transition smoothly. Throughout their school journey, students receive strong academic and interpersonal support to ensure they gain the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing global society.
Founded in 1992, the LISA is one of three branches of the Europagymnasium Auhof in Linz. The school is located in the northern part of the city, close to Johannes Kepler University, and surrounded by green countryside. As an IB World School, LISA offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, which promotes intellectual, emotional, and ethical growth while fostering intercultural understanding. The IB Diploma is recognized by universities worldwide and opens global opportunities for graduates.
In addition, most students complete the Austrian national final exams, the Österreichische Reifeprüfung, which provides further access to universities in Austria and abroad. Small group sizes in IB subject areas, highly qualified national and international teachers, and a supportive learning environment contribute to an average IB pass rate of over 90%.
At the core of the school are the people who shape its unique character. The energy, enthusiasm, and creativity of both students and teachers create an inspiring and rewarding academic atmosphere. Pupils, parents, and staff work together to foster continuous growth and improvement.
In this way, LISA combines an international focus with high academic standards.
A welcome from the IB Diploma Coordinator
The history of LISA is closely tied to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP), which the school has been offering since 1997, in addition to the Austrian school-leaving examination. The first graduates received their IB diplomas in 2000, and since then, over 900 students have successfully completed this programme at our school. LISA is one of the few schools in Austria that can offer both diplomas as a public school, giving students access to this programme regardless of their parents’ financial situation.
Since the introduction of the IB programme, we have been able to expand it considerably. Up to 2008, only one class participated each year, but since 2009, two classes have taken the IB DP each year. As a result, we were able to increase the number of IB courses offered and give the students an even wider choice. Our students appreciate this wide range of items and choices, as it enables them to take their personal interests and future plans into account. The IB Diploma Programme at LISA is taken by both Austrian and international students. The IB Diploma is recognized worldwide as a university entrance qualification, and our graduates therefore have a variety of opportunities to pursue their future university careers abroad. The high language competence of our students facilitates a seamless transition to English-speaking universities and colleges.
In recent years, I have spoken to many graduates, and I have asked them about the extent to which their education at LISA helped them in their tertiary education. The graduates appreciate not only the general education but also the way in which this education was imparted at LISA as part of the IB Diploma programme. The ability to write longer treatises and essays, as well as the need to work with authentic English-language specialist literature, has made their university education much easier, even here in Austria.
