Junior High Non-Fiction

Students in Ms. Cerone’s Junior High Nonfiction class made “How-To” instructional videos on something they want to teach their classmates. Below are a two of the assignments that were turned in.

Grade 9 Math

The screenshots below are progress updates from a project in Mr. Lichty’s 9th-grade math class, where students use graphing to re-create a photo they took from around their home. 

Online Math Help with Mr. Lichty

This video is a brief window into Mr. Lichty’s online schooling daily routine including his virtual setup and how he supports his student at home one-on-one.

We would like to recognize the following students for their outstanding academic achievements during the Fall Trimester of the 2020-2021 school year. 

High Honors

All A's and no more than one B

Dimana*
Nikol*
Adam*
Carolina*
Andi*
Claire*
Li-Yu
Gunnar
Valeriya
Helene*
Sonja*
Adel
Aleksandra*
Cristian*
Arina

* signifies high honors with all A’s

Honor Roll

All A's and B's

Barbara
Dany
Ian
Siana
Artur
Vico
Diana
Luisa

Missing: Anna Koz, Yuting X.

Honorable Mention

All A's and B's and no more than one C

My
Sofia
Georgijs
Clara

Distinguished Students

The following Non-Seniors, by successfully fulfilling the academic, community service, and disciplinary qualifications as outlined in the Parent/Student Handbook, are awarded Distinguished Student status:

Barbara
Emma
Dimana*
Nikol*
Dany
Adam*
Carolina*
Andi*
Claire*
Siana
Ustym
Li-Yu
Artur
Georgijs
Vico
Diana
Helene*
Sonja*
Adel
Aleksandra*
Cristian*
Luisa

Missing: Emil S., Yuting X.

* signifies high honors with all A’s

Senior Scholars

The following Seniors, by successfully fulfilling the academic, community service*, and disciplinary qualifications as outlined in the Parent/Student Handbook, are awarded Senior Scholar status:

Ian
Gunnar
Valeriya
Arina

Missing: Anna Koz.

 

In our first week since switching to online learning from home, students and teachers seemingly picked up right where they left off back in the spring, the last time we were forced to go online. 

Italian

The Italian class had to first translate this story titled ‘Una Stories di Mele’ and then read and record an assigned paragraph from the story. The video below was put together by Andi, one of the students in the class. 

Junior High Science

In Junior High Science, students were instructed to make a “Recipe Card” of Photosynthesis.

In Junior High Science, students were instructed to make a “Recipe Card” of Photosynthesis. Your recipe card had to include:

  • The “ingredients” or the items needed for photosynthesis to take place.
  • The “directions” or the process that occurs during photosynthesis
  • A picture that shows what is happening!
  • Creativity! Use ‘recipe’ words!

The photos below are a few of the submissions from students. 

World Geography

This video from Aleksandra on the ‘Three Civilizations of Mexico’ was submitted this week as a World Geography assignment. 

Physical Education

With students now homeschooling, physical education has become even more important due to the amount of time now spent on the computer.

To incentivize students, our instructors put together a P.E. Challenge system, where instructors and even teachers challenge students to complete various physical activities. Students can pick and choose which activities to complete in order to meet their weekly P.E. Challenge requirements. These activities range from strength and endurance training to developing skills in various sports disciplines. 

To view the list of various P.E. challenges go to: www.ais-salzburg.at/pe-challenge

The video below is of two instructors challenging students to an at-home workout and two students accepting and completing those challenges. 

When did you attend Salzburg International Preparatory School (SIPS)? (changed to AIS-Salzburg in the 1990’s)

My brother, Mark, and I attended SIPS beginning in January of 1978. I graduated in 1979.

 

Where did you go to school prior to SIPS?

I went to Parkdale Senior High in Riverdale, Maryland.

 

What made you decide to study in a private school in Austria? How did you find out about the school? 

My Dad took a position in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. There were several families we met through his work. The Aanestads were our first contact. Their daughter, Krysti, was attending SIPS and they recommended the school. There were several other students from Riyadh attending that year.

 

What did you enjoy about going to such a small, international high school? 

I had never been away from home and I was excited to explore the world. I felt a lot more secure doing so with a little supervision and a group of friends. I made friendships that have lasted a lifetime. It was my first exposure to people from other countries and the experience has made a huge difference in my life.

 

What was the student body nationality make-up back then?

While most students were American, there were quite a few from so many different places. There were students from Canada, Turkey, South Africa, Iraq, England, Germany, and Nigeria to name a few.

 

How many excursions did you go on in a year and to where? 

We had frequent skiing trips to places like Innsbruck, Kitzbuhel, and Tyrol. We took many trips to Berchtesgaden for movies and concerts. We toured several castles and sites around Austria and went to Munich several times. We travelled to Switzerland and visited Luzern and Zurich. My favorite excursion was a tour through Italy. We spent time in Verona, Florence, Venice, and Pisa. The bus rides were exceptional in that the views from the windows were spectacular and we enjoyed a playlist provided by our resident DJ, Tim Cusac.

Photo: Diana (bottom right, striped shirt) and SIPS classmates in Pisa, Italy in 1978

 

Was skiing and team sports a big part of the program?

Skiing was nearly a weekly event and was very popular. There were no organized or team sports when I attended unless you count mandatory jogging for breaking the rules. I confess to being a bit of a jogger in those days.

 

What did a typical weekend look like and were there mandatory activities? 

The aforementioned jogging was on the schedule from time to time. Other than that, we were free to do as we pleased. I usually went into town and did some window shopping and then stopped for a beer at the Augustiner Brau. There was probably a lot of pub crawling back then that isn’t allowed now. We often played volleyball in the area next to the school.

 

What are your fondest memories of attending SIPS? 

I have so many. I really enjoyed just being with my friends. They were a wonderful group of quirky people and I think of them often. There was a “Skip Day” which about a dozen of us took advantage of. It was not sanctioned by the school. I racked up a hefty jogging debt. I loved some of the smaller things like grabbing a Semmel and Ham sandwich with that delicious Zenf at the little store next door. The Christkindlmarkt was just fascinating to me. I had never seen such a thing. Of course, riding a gondola in Venice and seeing the statue of David in Florence has always stuck with me.

 

Do you have a particular teacher that impacted you the most or is strongest in your memory? 

I liked Mr. Rolnick’s current affairs class. He had a sarcastic sense of humor which speaks to me. Mr. Eubank’s art history course was very good. I still remember a great deal about art history.

 

What have you done academically and professionally since graduating from SIPS?

After graduating from SIPS, I went to a two-year college in Maryland and then moved to Colorado where I attended and graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Speech Communication. From there I went into Audio/Visual production. I worked in administration and moved onto writing scripts and editing audio. I moved back to Maryland where I was the administrator and production manager of a video production house. I started with analog editing then moved to digital.

I currently live in Colorado and am a bookkeeper for a property management company.

 

What aspects of your education at SIPS best assisted you in further academics, your professional life, and life in general? 

SIPS taught me to be self-reliant. I am definitely a more confident person now thanks to my experience there. That has helped me throughout my life. I don’t fear what’s coming next and have learned to roll with the punches.

 

Do you have any advice for current students at AIS-Salzburg (formerly SIPS)? 

Get your spiritual house in order and then integrate your experiences. SIPS/AIS is a fantastic place to look inside without distraction and figure out what kind of person you want to be. You have a clean slate. It is more important to be kind than smart. It is more important to be honorable than successful. Difficult times are more useful than good times and serve to refine you. Help each other along the way. Use this opportunity to create the best version of you.

Need help with English? AIS-Salzburg has got you covered.

Providing students with the extra help they need to succeed is a top priority at AIS-Salzburg. The school offers tutoring to students in all subject areas. AIS-Salzburg also has a student tutoring program. Students with high proficiency in different subject areas are recommended by their teachers. They are then paired with students who need help. It is a win-win situation. The student tutors get the satisfaction of helping other students (with the extra benefit of earning community service credits). The students who need help are often paired with a student who can explain the material in their native language. 

AIS-Salzburg also has a comprehensive daily English tutoring program during the academic day. In this program, students receive individual attention in addressing their specific problems with English and help in understanding the material of their other academic class. Students enrolled in this program have five hours of individual customized tutoring per week. 

Photo: Scheduled English tutoring during the academic day with Mrs. Fratianni

 

Need extra help in math? Science?

The general student population at AIS-Salzburg has the opportunity to meet with teachers after school during office hours –four hours per week– to ask questions and for extra help, however, some teachers often stick around for hours after the final bell to work with students. The prime example of this is Mr. Lichty, who spends up to 12 hours a week outside of academic hours helping students with their math struggles. Mr. Leicher is another teacher who spends countless hours with science students after school. With that being said, it is no secret that both teachers take full advantage of the free dinner that follows a long day at the office!

Photo: Mr. Lichty working with a student after school

 

Need help in the evening?

In the evening, students enjoy the benefit of having recent college graduates as big brothers and sisters in the form of Resident Assistants (RAs) to support them with their studies. Often RAs have a background in Education and are trained and even experienced in working with young students and their academics. For example, current RA Matt has a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education Social Studies and History and RA Kathy has a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience which was followed by a Bachelor of Education with a concentration at the intermediate/senior level, qualifying her to teach biology, science, and geography.

Photo: Resident Assistant Kathy (left), helping a student in study hall

 

Lacking dedication towards your schoolwork?

We have now established that there are plenty of opportunities to succeed at AIS-Salzburg for all students. However, students who decide not to take advantage of office hours will often find themselves on remediation, a program designed to help bring their grades up. Remediation can come in a number of forms, one being a mandatory, after-school, teacher or student-led tutorial. 

In summary, there are multiple ways for students to receive the help they need. Across the board at AIS-Salzburg teachers are willing to go that extra mile for their students, especially if their students are matching giving back that same effort in return. Therefore take note students and parents, that as we transition to online education once again as of November 16th, students will not be alone and teachers will once again make themselves available to go over and above for their students who are seeking that extra help and actively pursuing better academic results.

 

AIS-Salzburg student council were blessed with 20 degree weather on October 24th as they held a barbecue fundraiser to raise funds for student life projects around the school. Students, teachers and resident staff enjoyed a day of good food and fun in the sun.

“I am really excited about the Barbecue event. I believe it will be an amazing time grilling hot dogs and burgers for the students and watching them all uniting and playing games together. In my opinion, it is the best way to spend a Sunday,” said student body representative Ioannis S. just prior to the event.

One of the more popular fundraising micro events was soaking Ms. Baehler (red shirt) with water balloons!!

This school year we had enough interest from several students to hold an actual election for the four positions: President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. As part of their campaigns, each candidate was asked to hold a 2-minute speech at one of our school’s hall meetings and then participate in a 5-minute Q&A. Some of the major questions from the student body dealt with day-to-day life, the student lounge and the various ways to counterbalance some restrictions in place due to CoVid19. All candidates did a tremendous job and should be proud of themselves for holding such great campaigns. 

In our first student council meeting post elections, students discussed the upcoming activities and fundraising events to help sponsor a school Halloween dance. Some of the proposed ideas were a bake sale as well as a gaming tournament with a buy-in of 5€. The student council also discussed the current community service opportunity ‘Operation Christmas Child’ as well as other opportunities available. On our agenda for next week, we will work on prioritizing a list of suggestions from students on ways to counterbalance this year’s changes due to CoVid19 as well as other weekend programming students can participate in. 

When did you attend Salzburg International Preparatory School (SIPS)? (changed to AIS-Salzburg in the 1990’s)

I went to SIPS from 1978-1980 along with my sister Janice Schiedel Koch

 

Where did you go to school prior to SIPS?

I went to Springbrook High School in Silver Spring, MD, USA.  I spent my entire childhood in Maryland and moving overseas and going to SIPS was my first time traveling and living internationally.  

 

What made you decide to study in a private school in Austria? How did you find out about the school? 

My father took a position at the Joint Economic Commission in Riyadh (through the U.S. State Department) and our entire family moved to Saudi Arabia.  At that time, there wasn’t an American school in Riyadh and one of my father’s colleagues, by the last name Deutsch, recommended SIPS to him. His son and daughter, Jayme, went to SIPS the previous year.

  

What did you enjoy about going to such a small, international high school? 

I really enjoyed getting to know my classmates. While most of the students were from the U.S. and Canada, many of the student’s parents also lived all over the world.   Therefore, it was interesting to learn of their experiences living in Iran, Malta, Jordan, Indonesia, Africa, Romaniaetc.   We also had students from Australia, Great Britain, Israel and Germany.   I learned so much about different cultures and experiences and it had a tremendous influence on my life.  

 

What was the student body nationality make-up back then?

Mostly American and Canadian students–about 50 to 60%.  

 

How many excursions did you go on in a year and to where? 

There were usually two to three big trips each year.  First year (1978-1979)  went to Vienna, Budapest, then Luzern & Zurich in the winter and Italy in the spring.   My second year (1979-1980), we went to Venice in October, Munich in November, Innsbruck in February and then Rome and Florence in April.  

 

Was skiing and team sports a big part of the program?

Yes, every Saturday, there were ski trips.   Team sports were not huge at that time, which I think was hard on some kids.  I took horseback riding lessons weekly and I absolutely loved it.   I could walk to the stables from school.   

What did a typical weekend look like and were there mandatory activities? 

We usually went skiing Saturday morning, and then we went to the pubs at night.  (this definitely doesn’t happen now!)

 

What are your fondest memories of attending SIPS? 

I enjoyed our international trips.   I especially enjoyed visiting Luzern, Switzerland as well as Italy (Venice, Florence and Rome).  I also very much loved Salzburg and having the freedom at a young age to hop on the bus and spend the day there.  I especially enjoyed going shopping along the Getreidegasse, visiting the cafes, bakeries and the Stiegel Keller.  

 

Do you have a particular teacher that impacted you the most or is strongest in your memory? 

Mr. Thomas Franklin was my favorite teacher.  I took his psychology class my senior year of high school.  He made the class fun and it didn’t seem like I was learning.  However, I learned so much, and I still remember some of the basics of psychology today.  

 

What have you done academically and professionally since graduating from SIPS?

My experience living in Salzburg and Riyadh changed my life.  In college at West Virginia University (WVU), I completed a double major International Studies and German.

During the summer of my junior year, I went back to Salzburg for a German class–it was a joint program with WVU and Southern Methodist University.  The classes were taken right next door to the Leopoldskron Palace and I stayed with an Austrian family that summer. 

Then I went to graduate school at The American University (AU) in Washington, DC and I completed an M.A. in International Affairs with concentrations in Western Europe and U.S. Foreign Policy.   While at AU, I took an internship at the Brookings Institution and enjoyed it very much.  I have worked at international and educational nonprofits ever since. 

My first full-time professional position was at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) a prestigious international think tank in Washington, DC. I worked there for 8 years and was promoted three times.   

I have since worked at a number of nonprofits, including the U.S. Institute of Peace.  I am currently working at the Global Good Fund as a senior director of business development and partnership.   The Global Good Fund provides leadership development for social entrepreneurs from around the world.  

 

What aspects of your education at SIPS best assisted you in further academics, your professional life, and life in general? 

I learned to be very independent while at SIPS, which helped me tremendously in college and graduate school.   Living in Salzburg with an international study body taught me to respect different cultures and all types of personalities.  This was incredibly helpful in my career and personal life.  

 

Are there any personal accomplishments since graduating that you want to share? 

My husband, Steve and I have a daughter, Sara, who is a Sophomore in college at Virginia Tech.  She has a tremendous passion for international travel.  Sara speaks French and is now learning Arabic.  

Do you have any advice for current students at AIS-Salzburg (formerly SIPS) or applicants to the school? 

My advice is to embrace the wonderful opportunity to live and learn in Salzburg.  It is truly a once in a lifetime experience and take every opportunity to travel, ski and just spend time in the beautiful city of Salzburg.

So far this season the school football team is looking like it is in good shape with the bulk of last year’s players returning and many new faces joining us. The squad is almost double the size of that of the previous year, and one of the largest the school has had in quite a few years.

With football being a contact sport, and with the squad made up of a mixture of day and boarding students of various ages, the new ‘corona guidelines’ have meant everyone involved has had to adapt. Luckily the students have been very understanding that health should always come first, even if that means changing the way we train together.

With any chance of competitive matches being played looking highly unlikely until at least the spring, we have been trying to make the most of this time by concentrating on individual skills and learning to create space by moving off the ball. We are all looking forward to putting this to good use come springtime.

The video below is from two separate soccer practices in early October. 

In this interview, American boarding student Gunnar S. discusses his decision to join AIS-Salzburg for his senior year, his experience thus far and what his University plans are after graduating in 2021. Gunnar is also asked about his recent recognition by the National Merit Scholarship Program.

In 9th grade literature class, students worked on placing story events on the plot diagram. They had to first work to have a clear understanding of the main conflict in the story that builds the tension and moves the plot along. Then they looked back at the story to see where that conflict first appeared and also formed their interpretation of which scene was the climax of that conflict. In the photo below, they are working with a practice story, solidifying their understanding of the terms and improving their teamwork skills simultaneously.

In biology class this week, our grade 9 students were learning how to use the microscope by looking for microorganisms in pond water.

In chemistry class, 11th grade students heated a hydrated copper sulfate to drive off the water of crystallization and use the mass differential to determine how many molecules of water are associated with each molecule of hydrated copper sulfate. In hydrated form, the copper sulfate forms brilliant blue crystals; in anhydrous form, copper sulfate is a white powder.

As anyone who has attended or worked in a boarding school knows, free time on the weekends is very precious to boarding students. In this new video series, we have asked current students to show prospective new students what they do in their free time and where their favorite hangouts are in Salzburg.

“There is a lot of work to do. However, I am excited about the progress we have made so far and the positive energy throughout the team,” said Coach Burns today after practice.

Given that volleyball is the only non-contact team sport in this pandemic school year, plans are currently in place to extend the season beyond the typical fall season. Normally the volleyball season wraps up at the end of trimester one with basketball starting up in trimester two.

Burns continued, “Since it is unlikely we will be able to play any basketball games in trimester two, I think this is a perfect year to focus on building our volleyball program by continuing with it through the winter trimester. We will of course continue to develop our basketball players in the winter in hopes for spring competitions, but perhaps on a reduced schedule in order to allow for continued volleyball development and competitions. We are still working out the details but are very excited about the possibility of playing in some competitions in the near future.”

What are some of the changes have you made to the weekend program this school year? 

Baehler: This year, we have changed our focus from offering various, shorter weekend activities that promoted a certain level of activeness to a weekend program that provides students with high-quality experiences and challenges. For example, we have increased our number of hikes as well as taken more advantage of the surrounding lakes and forests. With more high-quality activities being offered alongside other optional weekend programming, students’ participation and enthusiasm in the various weekend programming has increased tremendously. It has also provided students with the opportunity to experience different challenges each weekend and leaves them the feeling of accomplishment. After all, climbing the Untersberg or the Gaisberg is not an easy or small task. 

Students at the top of the Gaisberg

 

How is the participation level in weekend activities so far given the reduction to only one mandatory activity? 

Baehler: With the weekend activities requirement changing from three to one, we have seen an increase in student participation among the various, optional weekend programming offered. For example, more students are likely to sign up for activities based on pure interest rather than the simple fact that they have to in order to fulfill their course requirement. This leads to students spending more time with each other doing the things they like to do and allows for them to form friendships and bonds outside of the classroom.

Optional Weekend Activity Jam Session

 

Can you summarize the video tasks that the Dorm Houses will be competing in? 

Baehler: We recently introduced a biweekly video competition for our houses to compete in. Every 1st and 15th of each month, a task will be posted for the houses to complete. Our first task for October challenges our students to re-enact a scene from a well-known movie, adding a modern-day spin to the scene. The videos will be judged based on creativity, completion of the task at-hand, the number of house members involved, on-time submission of videos to our school’s Instagram page and the effort put into each video. The winning video will earn 100 points for its house property value, which can easily put a house in the lead. These video tasks are not limited to the houses, and faculty and staff are encouraged to participate as well. 

In this interview, Austrian day student Clara S. discusses her decision to join AIS-Salzburg as opposed to remaining the Austrian public school system. She also shares her experience at AIS-Salzburg thus far and her plans after graduating in the spring of 2021. 

Originally hired as a Resident Assistant in 2017, Max Leicher soon found himself employed as a science teacher and today is the head of the Science Department.

At 27, Max is the youngest of our teaching faculty and brings a lot of enthusiasm and energy to the classroom. He is also a big part of the team at AIS-Salzburg responsible for the continued transition to online teaching and technology upgrades at the school.

Max’s age and experience as a Resident Assistant make him more relatable to his students and also make him a valuable asset in strengthening communications between resident staff and teaching faculty.

As much energy as Max brings to the classroom he also brings outside of the classroom, whether volunteering his time to lead a group on a weekend activity or helping out with scorekeeping a basketball game. Max is a consistent, positive presence at the school making him one of the most popular teachers with the students.

We are hopeful that Max continues to stay on at AIS-Salzburg as a science teacher for years to come!

Where are you from?

I am originally from Ontario, Canada, but I am also a Hungarian citizen, with family residing in both Hungary and Serbia. I consider Europe my second home!


What is your academic background?

I have two degrees from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. I completed my Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biopsychology/Neuroscience, followed by a Bachelor of Education with a concentration at the intermediate/senior level. I am qualified to teach biology, science, and geography!


Do you have any prior experience working with teenagers or in education?

My genuine drive for educating youth is a direct result of the experiences I have been privileged to be part of. I have had the opportunity to gain a variety of teaching experiences through my placements, where I independently taught subjects in Biology, Science, and Geography from grades 7-12.  Additionally, I worked as a residential youth counsellor for over two years. During this time, I was responsible for organizing and leading weekly programming activities, while facilitating therapeutic counselling that promoted a respectful and supportive team environment. Lastly, I have tutored and mentored high school students for numerous years from diverse populations.


Have you lived or travelled abroad before?

Due to my family roots in Europe, I have travelled to several countries throughout the continent. While in Canada, I moved to Alberta one summer and fell in love with the mountains and nature. After living in the Canadian Rocky Mountains for several months, I am now excited to explore the surroundings of Austria.


What attracted you to the job at AIS-Salzburg? 

What attracted me to AIS-Salzburg was the small size.  I knew I would feel welcomed into a community that I could grow with. Also, with the numerous learning opportunities that AIS-Salzburg offers (engaging classes, weekend activities, and excursions), I knew this school was the right fit for me. 

What are your first impressions of the small AIS-Salzburg community?

My first impressions of the small AIS-Salzburg was the immediate connection to my colleagues and students. It really does feel like home, with everyone offering their guidance and help as I navigate the next chapter in my life!


What are your longer-term professional goals?

My longer-term professional goal is to become a full-time teacher. My passion for teaching is what led me to this job and I know that AIS-Salzburg wil help mel build my skills as an educator. 

In this first week of the 2020-2021 school year, students were welcomed to the school as always, with open arms and a ton of information to start them on the right path for a successful school year. With many new safety policies and procedures introduced, we are very pleased that everyone has adapted quite well thus far.

After boarding students arrived on Monday and Tuesday with negative COVID-19 tests in hand, separate orientation meetings were held for day students and boarding students on Wednesday, where much information was exchanged about how the school year will function given that approximately 25% of our student body is non-resident. With countless hours spent by our Corona Crisis Team on creating this COVID-19 Strategy and Traffic Light System, we hit the ground running on Thursday with the first day of classes.  

In the video slideshow below, some of these new undertakings are visible such as regular ventilation in rooms, classrooms held outside when the weather is nice, staggered lunchtimes, day students at the front of the class, and desk dividers whenever needed.

Now that the boarding students have settled in and our first two days of classes are coming to an end, we are excited to report back on some positive numbers and an overall positive outlook, despite the challenges we have faced and will face for some time to come.  

For the first time, as far back as we can remember, there are more new students than returning students. This is most likely due to our dramatically-increased online presence which showcases many positive features of our wonderful school.

Additionally, during these unprecedented times, our small, caring, family-like community is quite appealing to any parent who is concerned for their child’s health but also realizes that –in the grand scheme of things– a pandemic is for the short-term and quality education is a life-long investment. Regardless of the reasons behind this increase, the new students to the school are already bringing a lot of positive energy and seem eager to join the community.

The increase in new students has undoubtedly led to an overall increase in our student population as well.  There are presently 10 more students enrolled than last year at this time and the number of applicants who wish to join in November or January has also seen a significant rise recently.  Whether these student applicants actually join us or not will be dependent, of course, upon the level of health threat here in Salzburg at that time.

Not only are the student body numbers up, but also are the number of nationalities represented. Currently, we have 27 nationalities represented at AIS-Salzburg for the 2020-2021 school year. Of these nationalities, there are no more than 8 of any one nationality, thus emphasizing the “international” in the American International School-Salzburg name.

Even with this increase in the student body numbers, our student:teacher ratio remains below 6:1; maintaining a critical aspect of our 44-year old academic program which has resulted in many success stories and a high number of graduates who were not only very well-prepared for university studies, but went on to achieve great things in their personal and professional lives.

There are other interesting facts about the 2020-2021 AIS-Salzburg student body:  The male-to-female ratio of almost 1:1; a large ‘bulge’ of students in grade 11; and, potentially, a very large graduating class in 2022. If this trend continues, it is possible we see a split senior class for the 2021-2022 school year in order to keep the classroom sizes small and the level of learning as high as possible.

What the numbers can’t tell you, is that the overall feeling and atmosphere within the school this September is positive and focused this first week.  It is quite apparent that everyone—both the staff members and students—are happy to be here and get on with their education next to friends and with their teacher

In the video below, we invite you to enjoy the beautiful drone footage that we shot this past February at the RIF Sportzentrum, the University & Olympic training facility that we use for Physical Education program, team training and competitions, and for some of our weekend activities.

Outside of mandatory Physical Education, there are many opportunities for students to get involved in sports throughout the school year. From numerous ski trips to various team and individual sports to connecting students with local instructors, we support and actively encourage our students to have a healthy balance of sports in their lives.

As a member of the Danube Valley Athletic Conference (DVAC), we annually participate in boys’ soccer, girls’ volleyball, and boys’ and girls’ basketball competitions. DVAC also holds events for individual sports such as cross-country running, swimming and tennis.

Founded in 2009, DVAC boasts 13 international schools from Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic and is adding more schools almost every year. Since our school is located furthest west, we tend to travel more to competitions than host them, and therefore schedule a cultural tour on the Friday before the event for our players.

We also take full advantage of having the Austrian Alps in our backyard by scheduling an annual 3-day ski excursion and 5+ ski days each winter, all of which are included in the tuition. Students are separated by skill level and enjoy professional instruction for all levels in the morning, and free time to ski with their friends in the afternoon.

In the spring we have two major sporting events, our ‘Boys and Girls Invitational Basketball Jamboree’ and ‘Sports Day’. We have been hosting our annual basketball tournament since 1990, featuring 6 boys and 6 girls teams from international schools in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

In 2016 we held our first ‘Sports Day’, an annual event where the entire student body, administration, faculty and resident staff are divided up into teams to participate in a full day of sporting and fun events. It is probably the highlight of the year and is a great way to celebrate the nice spring weather and a successful year together before final exams and summer departures.

Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich cities in Europe with its baroque architecture and beautiful skyline dominated by the Fortress of Hohensalzburg.

As our students claim in this video, for a city of just over 150,000, Salzburg has a big-city feel to it. Probably the biggest case in point is the sole fact that Salzburg is home to FC Red Bull Salzburg, which compete in the UEFA Champions League. Salzburg also has a professional hockey team, which also competes in the Champions League for hockey. The city has countless designer shops and restaurants predominantly on two famous shopping streets, the Getreidegasse and Linzergasse. Students also enjoy two shopping malls totalling over 150 shops featuring many retailer chains.

Surrounded by mountains, Salzburg provides a number of options for students with a flair for the outdoors. Whether it is a day hike with an overnight stay at the top of the Untersberg, a quick one hour drive to the Austrian postcard city of Hallstatt for a salt mine tour or a ski day at one of 60+ ski hills in the nearby Alps, there is plenty to do for the outdoor enthusiast. This video was taken in late February 2020 and only shows a glimpse of what Salzburg and the surrounding region have to offer. We hope you enjoy it.

Vida Long has been teaching since 2010 and on the AIS-Salzburg teaching faculty since 2014. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest of the United States, Vida is primarily an English teacher and is also utilized for her fluent German skills as a German 1 instructor. Vida is best known for her ability to teach our senior students the necessary skills to write a college-level paper.

With Austria as one of the world leaders in the fight to rid of the Coronavirus, AIS-Salzburg is in a great position to open it’s doors sooner than most boarding schools around the globe. The video footage below we took yesterday, April 16th, is of Salzburg residents enjoying the sun after the government eased restrictions. 

“We are very optimistic that our summer school will begin in July and that the 2020-2021 school year will commence in September.  There will likely continue to be some restrictions remaining in place, however, we are planning on adjusting our programs in light of these,” said Headmaster McLean from his office on Thursday.  

“We are very optimistic that our summer school will begin in July and that the 2020-2021 school year will commence in September.

Headmaster McLean

AIS-Salzburg acted very early, sending our boarders home as early as March 10th for an early Spring Break.  This provided a much-needed period for our teachers and administrators to prepare effectively for the start of online coursework on the 31st.

“Thankfully, the Austrian government also initiated restrictions and cautionary measures very early as well.  This is now beginning to bear fruit and we are very thankful that our students are safe and sound at home and that they are able to continue their learning online.  The numbers tell a positive tale:  the quick reaction of the government and the cooperation of the citizens has resulted in a significant decline in the number of daily coronavirus cases after a peak in late March that did not threaten the ability to provide full health care for those infected,” added McLean.

“..the quick reaction of the government and the cooperation of the citizens has resulted in a significant decline in the number of daily coronavirus cases..”

Headmaster McLean

In fact, Austria acted so quickly and swiftly, that after only one month of lockdown, the number of daily coronavirus cases dropped below 100 on April 13th for the first time since March 11th. These results have Austria being praised around the globe for it’s quick and efficient action. 

Source: Google.com

Provided the population here doesn’t get too impatient and the necessary social distancing and personal protection measures remain in effect, I think we can realistically begin planning for the summer and fall—provided we prudently and thoroughly consider any and all health implications given most-likely scenarios,” replied McLean when asked about the likelihood of doors opening on schedule.  

With the early spring break imposed by AIS-Salzburg, this provided a two-week window for administration and teachers to prepare for online classes. 

One of the best decisions we made was to host all of our classes on the same platform.  This made the transition to online instruction much more manageable for our students, parents and the teachers themselves,” said McLean when asked about the of the school’s quick implementation virtual learning program.   “Being a small school with a very experienced teaching faculty, we were able to cooperatively set up the program and work out solutions to both potential and actual problems or frustrations.  The experience gained from this online instructional period will serve our staff and students in the future as well.”  

One of the best decisions we made was to host all of our classes on the same platform.  This made the transition to online instruction much more manageable for our students, parents and the teachers themselves.”

Headmaster Mclean

After three weeks of virtual teaching, feedback from teachers of AIS-Salzburg is that they now have significant amounts of instructional material that can be used in the future to supplement instruction, out-of-class assignments and homework, as well as support students who experience extended absentee periods or require tutorial assistance. 

Of course, we would rather be ‘live’ and interacting directly with our students—nothing can replace this aspect of a solid preparatory education—but until that time, we are witnessing very positive, ongoing resultsProbably the best decision we made was to host all of our classes on the same platform. This has made the transition to online learning easier for students, parents and teachers,” said McLean when asked about the of the school’s quick implementation virtual learning program.


The video below presents a few of the highlights from week 2 and 3 of AIS-Salzburg virtual learning via Google Classroom.

All of our teachers use the Google Classroom® platform so that students (and parents) have the advantage of familiarizing themselves with a single program for all courses in their academic schedules.  There will, of course, be some road bumps and frustrations along the way, but by working together and providing immediate feedback to questions, we can adapt well to this unusual situation and move forward full throttle!

What year or years did you attend AIS-Salzburg at what grade levels? 

I first attended AIS-Salzburg as a freshman in 9th grade in 2009 and graduated in 2013.

What is your fondest memory of attending AIS-Salzburg?

I like thinking back to school times, in terms of making international friendships all over the world. Classes with teachers who indeed live their profession and are successful in passing on their joy to their students. Finding out my ambitions for sports like volleyball, climbing and running.

Have you remained in contact with any former AIS-Salzburg classmates?

The first 2 1/2 years, yes, but keeping in touch is quite difficult, even when you are in the same city. However, we are equipped with Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms where we can socialize with each other.

What have you done academically since graduating from AIS-Salzburg? 

I studied Hotel Management in Klessheim, Salzburg. After receiving my diploma in 2015, I decided to take the business license at the WIFI in Salzburg.

How well were you prepared for university?

I was perfectly prepared for college.

What aspects of your education at AIS-Salzburg best assisted you in further academics and/or professionally?

I believe that practice inside-/and outside of class with friends really helped me to improve my level for languages in general. With that progress I felt quite confident in my studies at Klessheim. Since I get to travel a bit for work, I am able to use my knowledge for languages in Italy and France as well.

Are there any personal accomplishments since graduating that you want to share?

I have hobbies like photography, which I can contribute to my work life, that I count as an accomplishment.

Are there particular AIS-Salzburg moments or memories that have stayed with you over the years?

Volleyball tournaments, getting to know my friends for the first time and excursions.

Do you have any advice for students at AIS-Salzburg or applicants to the school?

Use your time for preparation efficiently, have fun with friends and do not stress about growing up, reaching adulthood will come by itself soon enough.

During the Fall Excursion each year, all juniors (those enrolled in the 11th grade) are required to participate in the Junior Community Service Trip which will engage them in service work under the auspices of the Habitat for Humanity Organization. In 2019 our Junior class traveled to Romania to build a house.

The 11th grade precalculus class has been working on a cumulative graphing assignment that tasks them with re-creating an image using the graphs of different types of functions. The 2-week long project allowed students to apply hard-earned knowledge of parent functions and their transformations in a creative and artistic manner. All of the graphs have been entered into the Desmos Math Art Contest

The photo gallery below shows the original images they were attempting to re-create with the graphs. The video at the bottom shows the final graphs without the image in the background.

Students reflected on the assignment afterwards:

It was hard for me to get started because I couldn’t really see which functions I had to use for certain lines, and I was overwhelmed with the volume of work that seemed necessary to create the image. In the end though, I overcame these problems, and learned that the more I did, the easier it got, to the point where I could pretty much do it automatically, without having to pay much attention.”

Anna K.

With this project, we were able to study functions in more detail, their transformations, subtleties, and movements along the coordinate plane, with varying values to make functions fit the picture. In order to use as few functions as possible, we had to carefully select the desired type of function and try to capture as much of the image as possible with it.

Valeriya S.

By a guest writer and AIS-Salzburg colleague of Mr. Burns

Standing an impressive 2m tall and hailing from the wild west coast of Canada, Mr. Burns is a fundamental part of AIS-Salzburg and a consummate sportsman. 

Mr. Burns started at AIS-Salzburg in 2004 as a math teacher and coach and is now in his 16th year at the school. Currently, he is the Athletic Director, the much-loved coach and mentor to the Lady Lions basketball and volleyball teams and the AIS social media and marketing master, responsible for content and our growing social media presence. Mr. Burns has coached the Lady Lions to several award-winning seasons, most notably three-straight DVAC varsity girls volleyball championships in 2013, 2014 and 2015.  

Whether he is playing on the local baseball team with his son, the local hockey team with his daughter, or coaching the Lady Lions volleyball or basketball teams, he brings enthusiasm, expertise and fun to every sport he engages in.

Mr. Burns presents himself an award

Highlights from our first week of the transition to online classes during the Coronavirus quarantine.

During which years did you teach at AIS-Salzburg?

I taught full time from 1986 on, with a break of several years in the late 80’s & early 90’s while I had my two daughters. I returned in 1992 and stayed until I retired in June 2017.

What was your role at the school?

My role was that of a German language and literature teacher and also English assistance, mainly grammar and reading.

Where are you from originally?  

I am originally from Austria. I grew up in Linz and studied at the university in Salzburg.

What did you enjoy most about teaching?

I always enjoyed the connection with students from all over the world and their curiosity about learning a foreign language. I also enjoyed teaching small groups. This way I got to know them really well and could do a lot of individual teaching.

Are there any students who you continue to stay in touch with?

I am in touch with many students from many years ago and also some that will graduate this year, e.g. Nici, Maddie, and Helen among several others.

Why would you recommend AIS-Salzburg to prospective students?

I would recommend AIS to all students that want to study in small groups with very dedicated teachers in a wonderful environment.

What do you miss the most about working at AIS-Salzburg?

I miss the close contact with all my students, I miss the literature and language discussions, and I definitely miss my colleagues who have become friends along the way.  

What is your fondest memory from your days at AIS-Salzburg?

My fondest memories are getting all the wonderful remarks and notes from the students at the end of each school year, expressing their appreciation and love.

Ms. Reiter, you made a difference in many students’ lives and are truly missed by all!

Not only is this video super 😎, but it is endearing to hear how excited Mr. Lichty gets about his math! Of all the great things going on with the first day of online classes, this is our favorite!

This past weekend was a painful for AIS-Salzburg Lions Basketball as it was the weekend our 30th Annual Basketball Jamboree was scheduled to take place. However, due to the Coronavirus Pandemic and subsequent school losing, the tournament was cancelled.

We had 12 teams that signed up for the event, 6 on the girls’ side and 6 on the boys’ side. Unfortunately, we will have to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the tournament in 2021. Until then, here are some clips from last year’s tournament.

Student Spotlight: Nici C.

Nici is currently a senior at our school and will be graduating in 2020. She has attended AIS-Salzburg since 2014 beginning in the 7th grade.

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate Archimedes’ Principle for an object that is denser than water. Archimedes’ Principle states that an object floating or fully immersed in a fluid is buoyed up by a force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object. The buoyant force on an object immersed in a liquid can also be determined by weighing an object in air and then in water. The apparent loss of weight of the object is equal to the buoyant force of the water. With this information, the students were able to determine the mass density of the different objects and of the fluids.

What year or years did you attend AIS-Salzburg and at what grade levels? 

My father enrolled me in the Summer English Language program of 2002. I was still too young to attend even Junior High. In 2003, I did another summer language course and consequently began my studies in AIS-Salzburg as a boarding student. In May 2009, I graduated after six years at the Moosstrasse 106.

What is your fondest memory of attending AIS-Salzburg?

The people. All the memories I have at the school are associated first and foremost with the many people I met and made friends with. The diversity that AIS-Salzburg provides, is a rare opportunity to expand your horizons, from a young age, and be able to learn many other values from the different cultures.

Boris in the middle, orange jacket

Have you remained in contact with any former AIS-Salzburg classmates?

Yes, I have done so. Although distances are great, we can be thankful we live in the Information Age, and communicating has never been easier.

What have you done academically since graduating from AIS-Salzburg? 

After AIS, I attended the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. That did not go as planned, but I am glad I learned how to live up north. Next up, Vienna. In the Hauptuni, I did my Bachelors in Politics. After I ended my time in Vienna, I returned to Bulgaria to do my Masters, in Political Security. Through 2018-2019, I managed to complete my Masters, and now I am doing a doctor’s degree, again in Politics – Astropolitics.

What aspects of your education at AIS-Salzburg best assisted you in further academics and/or professionally?

The well-rounded curriculum, the study organization (study hall and etc.) are just a few simple aspects that one never suspects how much, later in life, it prepares him to deal with other institution such as a university.

Are there any personal accomplishments since graduating that you want to share?

I do not know how much of an accomplishment it is, but I have been published twice by different publishing houses, for my work about Astropolitics (link).

Are there particular AIS-Salzburg moments or memories that have stayed with you over the years?

This is a very hard question. Too many memories indeed for the time spent. But, the football tournaments abroad, the ski trips, the yearly trips to different locations in Europe. Those are just some of the many that really stick out in my head. 

Do you have any advice for students at AIS-Salzburg or applicants to the school?

Enjoy your time. Enjoy your time at the school with your schoolmates. Do not hurry to grow up and get out. There are too many things that enter life once you graduate. So enjoy your youth, enjoy your friends, and enjoy life.