Education and schools in Prague

Education in the Czech Republic is excellent, and this is reflected by the standard of education and schools in Prague. Even better news for expat parents is that their children can attend public school at no cost, provided they are EU nationals or legal residents. 

This is the case from pre-primary school up to and including university. But, seeing as the language of instruction in public schools is Czech, most expat parents choose to enrol their children in private or international schools instead.

Public schools in Prague

Classes in public schools are taught entirely in Czech, with either English or German taught as a second language. Some expat parents are discouraged by this, but there are advantages to expat children being taught in Czech, the biggest of which is that it's a good way for them to learn the language and subsequently assimilate into the culture and make local friends.

Some schools take difficulties with the language into account when assessing students in subjects such as the Czech language and literature. There are also a few public schools in Prague that have programmes for bilingual or foreign language students, which assist them when first starting out in school.

It is always a good idea for parents to visit schools of interest before enrolling their children. This can be done on official open days or may be arranged by request. Conditions in public schools may vary widely, and some are more amenable to and equipped for having international students than others.

Read more about Education and Schools in the Czech Republic. 

Private schools in Prague

Private schools in Prague are partly funded by the state and partly by tuition, and they teach the Czech Republic's national curriculum. Some of these schools are bilingual, teaching in both Czech and English or sometimes Czech and German. Expat parents who can't quite fit international school fees into their budget but are still concerned about their children having difficulties with the Czech language may find these schools to be an ideal solution.

International schools in Prague

Most international schools teach in English and are perhaps most useful for expats planning to reside in the city for a relatively short period of time, as the continuity in curriculum minimises disruption in the child's education. Common curricula offered by international schools include the International Baccalaureate (IB), the American Curriculum and the British National Curriculum. Prague, in particular, has a high concentration of international schools.

International schools can be expensive, so if moving to Prague as part of an international relocation package, it is worth negotiating for school fees to be included as part of the relocation contract.

International schools can vary widely in ethos, curriculum, quality and size. Although there are a number of schools to choose from, space may be limited, and parents are advised to start the application process as soon as possible.

Special-needs education in Prague

The Czech government implemented a system of inclusion for children with special needs. This means that all children can be educated in mainstream schools, no matter the level of their learning difficulties. This is the case unless a parent specifically wants their child to be educated at a special-needs school. In some mainstream schools, there are also classes for special needs children if they would like to be taught separately.

All schools have the necessary facilities, staff and support provisions available to assist children with disabilities, and a counselling system has been developed to help with the integration process into mainstream schools. The different needs of all children have also been regarded, and individualised forms of education have been designed to meet these needs.

Useful links

• Jedlička Institute and Schools (JÚŠ) is a special needs education school in Prague for differently abled children living in the city. 
• The Pedagogic Psychology Advisory Centre evaluates children's preparedness for school attendance and makes recommendations while also providing free counselling for students and teachers. 

Tutors in Prague

Tutors are extremely helpful in assisting expat children to adjust to their new school and curriculum, as well as the language of instruction, if different from home. Both Czech and English tutors are widely available, as well as those for other subjects, such as maths, and can provide school support where needed.

There are websites and tutor companies that advertise at-home or online private tutoring services, which include companies such as Apprentus and Tutoroo. There are also many language schools in Prague that assist expats and expat children to learn Czech.

Useful links

• Parents can visit My Tutor to find a tutor for various subjects in Prague. 
• Apprentus offers highly qualified tutors across the city. 
• Tutoroo has a plethora of trusted private language teachers.