From the second half of 2027, Austria may introduce special classes for gifted pupils in academic secondary schools. The new model would let these students complete four years of schooling in just three.
The proposal, presented by Minister for Education Christoph Wiederkehr, seeks to make existing pilot schemes for highly gifted pupils a permanent part of the Austrian education system.
According to the Ministry of Education's draft bill, the new model would be called Allgemeinbildende höhere Schule für Hochbegabte, or academic secondary school for gifted pupils.
The government wants four schools to offer the programme by 2030, but the changes still need approval.
How would the new classes work?
The model would be implemented within the Allgemeinbildende höhere Schulen (AHS), Austrian academically oriented secondary schools, commonly known as Gymnasium.
Under the current system, the students spend four years in the first stage of secondary education (the Unterstufe), before progressing to the next stage.
In classes for gifted pupils, they would complete this first stage in three years instead.
Schools could also tailor teaching to pupils' abilities, offering more advanced content, in-depth study in certain subjects, and individual support such as guidance and mentoring.
The programme would continue to prepare students for the Austrian secondary school leaving examination, the Matura, which provides a university entrance qualification.
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Who would be eligible to take part?
Admission wouldn't be automatic, even for children with excellent academic results.
Candidates would undergo a standardised assessment process designed to identify exceptional abilities and determine whether they could benefit from a more demanding programme.
This process would include tests of intellectual ability, an initial interview and group activities.
It isn't yet clear whether the assessments would be available in languages other than German, or how multilingual pupils would be assessed.
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What would happen if a pupil struggled?
Special classes would be allowed only within existing AHS schools, not as completely separate institutions. This way, children unable to keep up with the more demanding pace, or who didn't want to continue in the programme, could transfer to a “mainstream” class at the same school.
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When would the new classes begin?
If approved, the legislation would take effect on 1 September 2027.
The government’s impact assessment sets a target for four AHS schools to offer the special programme by 2030.
The proposal is currently open for public consultation, and comments may be submitted until 4 November 2026 via the Austrian Parliament’s website.
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Useful vocabulary
Hochbegabte – gifted individuals or pupils with exceptional abilities
Allgemeinbildende höhere Schule (AHS) – academic secondary school, commonly known as a Gymnasium
Unterstufe – the first stage of Austrian secondary education
Aufnahmeverfahren – admission or selection process
Matura – the Austrian secondary school leaving examination, which provides a university entrance qualification
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