Education and Schools in Poland

The Polish education system has undergone many positive reforms in recent years, marking an overall improvement in the standard of education in Poland. Your children can attend Poland’s public schools free of charge. However, owing to the language barrier and a general preference among expat families for their children to continue their home country's curriculum, most foreigners choose to enrol their children in international schools, of which there are plenty to choose from.

Compulsory education in Poland begins at age six with a mandatory preschool year and continues for 12 years up to age 18. Students write standardised tests at 16, and these help determine the type of school they will attend at the next level of their education. Students can choose between a general, technical or vocational high school.

The Polish school year runs from September to June. The three major holiday periods are over Christmas and Easter, as well as a winter break in late January or early February.

Public schools in Poland

Public schools in Poland provide education to the majority of children in the country. Tuition is free for all children attending these schools, including expat children. This does not include the additional costs of textbooks, school uniforms, lunches, general stationery, and school supplies. Despite the high standard of education and free tuition, most expat families in Poland don't send their children to public schools due to the language barrier.

If you decide to use a public school in Poland, keep in mind that attendance is determined by where your family lives, and schools are required to accept all children residing in their catchment area. Children are not obligated to attend their nearest school, however, and you can request that your child be allowed to attend another school outside your residential area. In such cases, it is up to the school's director to determine whether your child will be accepted.

When enrolling your child, you'll need to provide their personal details, identity document information, and a declaration of your domicile. If your child doesn't have previous Polish education records, the school will conduct an interview to determine the appropriate grade level. For non-Polish-speaking children, this interview can be conducted in a language they understand.

Many public schools now offer support systems for foreign children, including preparatory classes, additional Polish language lessons (up to 5 hours per week), and intercultural assistants who speak the native language of international students. These resources aim to help your child overcome the language barrier, although support is typically limited to 12 months.

Useful links

• Ministry of Education – Education for Foreigners

Private schools in Poland

Private schools in Poland have grown in popularity since their introduction in the late 1980s. These schools are partly funded by the government and also by fees and donations from parents and other organisations. Many private schools are affiliated with religious orders, with Catholic institutions operating about 50 schools in Warsaw alone.

The language of instruction at these schools is generally Polish or one of the country's minority languages. These schools are independent of the government and are not restricted to following the national curriculum. Fees at private schools in Poland can be quite steep but are typically lower than equivalent institutions in Western Europe.

Alternative education is gaining significant traction in Poland's private sector, with Montessori, Waldorf, and democratic schools opening across major cities. These institutions offer distinct pedagogical approaches that may suit children who thrive in non-traditional learning environments. Bilingual private schools have also become increasingly popular among both local families and expats, offering programmes in Polish combined with English, French, German, or other languages.

International schools in Poland

International schools in Poland cater to numerous nationalities, including American, British, German, French and Japanese expat families. Most international schools in Poland are based in Warsaw or Kraków, but there are also a handful in Poznan, Wrocław, and Gdańsk.

The curriculum offerings at international schools have expanded beyond traditional country-specific programmes. While most schools follow the curriculum of their home country, many now offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme at multiple levels. English remains the predominant language of instruction, although many schools offer bilingual or even trilingual programmes.

Places at international schools in Poland may be limited, so you should plan in advance when making arrangements for your child's education. Most selective schools recommend applying 6 to 12 months before the intended start date. Consideration should also be given to the cost of education at international schools, which is often an expat parent’s biggest expense.

Special educational needs education in Poland

Special educational needs education in Poland has significantly improved in recent years as part of the country's broader push toward inclusive education. If you have children with disabilities, you can rest assured that in Poland, special assistance is available throughout the entire educational process. The Polish government has been working with the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education to improve quality and access. Recent statistics show approximately 10 percent of students with special needs are in integration settings and 20 percent in full inclusion programmes.

The process for obtaining an official diagnosis for learning difficulties in Poland typically begins at Psychological and Educational Centres. These public centres, run by district-level local governments, provide comprehensive assessments for conditions like ADHD, dyslexia, and autism spectrum disorders. School heads assist their institutions in performing psychological and educational support tasks, including planning and implementing measures aimed at improving the quality of support provided.

Several international schools in Poland offer support for children with special educational needs. While not all international schools offer comprehensive services equivalent to those in countries with long-established special education systems, many are working to create more inclusive environments for diverse learners.

Useful links

• European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education – Poland
• International School of Kraków – Special Needs Profile
• Special Needs Schools in Poland

Tutors in Poland

The availability of tutors in Poland has evolved into a sophisticated educational support system. It provides indispensable support for expat children who are adjusting to a new environment, language, or curriculum.

There’s been substantial growth in the availability of tutors who can teach in English and other foreign languages, particularly in the major cities like Warsaw and Kraków. It's particularly easy to connect with tutors on online platforms like Preply, italki, and LingRoom. These platforms report hundreds of Polish language tutors available for personalised instruction, with many offering specialised programmes for non-native speakers.

The tutoring scene in Poland has been transformed by online learning platforms, which have seen explosive growth since the pandemic. This shift has particularly benefited expat families, who now have access to a wider range of tutors regardless of their physical location.

Useful links

• Preply – Polish Tutors Online
• italki – Language Learning Platform
• e-polish.eu – Polish Language Teachers
• LingRoom – Tutoring Marketplace in Poland