Education and Schools in Warsaw

Expat children are allowed to attend Polish public schools for free. Given that Polish is the language of instruction, and most parents prefer their children to continue their home country’s curriculum, international schools are the go-to choice for most expat families in Warsaw.

Public schools in Warsaw

Although public education in Warsaw has seen positive reforms recently, public schools remain an uncommon choice for expat families due to language barriers. While tuition in Warsaw’s public schools is free for all, this does not include the additional costs of textbooks, school uniforms, lunches or general stationery and school supplies, which you will have to pay for.

Your child’s attendance at a public school is determined by where you live, and schools are required to accept all children residing in their catchment areas. The enrolment process typically begins in late February or early March each year through an electronic system.

Polish School System

Useful links

• Warsaw Education Portal

Private and international schools in Warsaw

Private primary and secondary education was only introduced in the late 1980s after the end of communism in Poland, which is much later in other European countries. Private or non-state schools are partly funded by the government and donations from parents and other organisations, such as religious orders. As a result, many private schools in Warsaw are run by religious or social organisations.

The language of instruction at private schools in Warsaw is generally Polish or a minority language. They are independent of the government and are not restricted to following the national curriculum.

There are also several international schools in Warsaw, and most of these schools offer an excellent education and world-class facilities. International schools in Warsaw offer various curricula, including the American, British, German, French and Japanese curricula, with many of these schools also offering the International Baccalaureate programme.

Places at private and international schools in Warsaw may be limited, and you should plan well in advance when making arrangements for your child’s education in Poland. Most popular schools recommend applying 6 to 12 months before your intended start date. You should also consider the cost of education at international schools, which can be quite steep.

Best International Schools in Warsaw

Special educational needs in Warsaw

Special educational needs may refer to long-term illnesses, adaptive problems, specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dysgraphia or dyscalculia, speech impairment, trauma-induced emotional and behavioural difficulties, or learning difficulties.

Parents of children with special educational needs or whose opportunities for education, development and learning are limited to such an extent that they can’t meet the educational requirements at mainstream schools, will receive special assistance, both throughout the entire educational process or during a certain period of education (a child showing signs of emotional problems resulting from trauma, for instance).

Getting your child assessed for special needs typically involves visiting Psychological-Pedagogical Counselling Centers (Poradnia Psychologiczno-Pedagogiczna), which issue formal statements outlining specific needs and recommended support. For expat families, several international schools in Warsaw offer support for children with mild to moderate learning differences, including the American School of Warsaw and the British School of Warsaw. Private therapy centres like Pineapple Therapy provide English-speaking specialists to support a wide range of neurotypical and -atypical conditions.

Useful links

• Pineapple Therapy
• Dialog Therapy Centre
• CDT-Spektrum (Center for Diagnosis and Therapy of Autism)

Tutors in Warsaw

Education is highly valued in Poland, and tutoring is a useful tool to assist your children in their learning. It is also invaluable for your children when adapting to a new environment, language and curriculum. Even for children in international schools, tutoring is useful for gaining confidence or for assistance in particular subjects such as maths, science or Polish.

Good companies in Warsaw include Apprentus, TeacherOn, Preply and Superprof, which offer a range of tutors who can support your child’s education journey.

Useful links

• Apprentus
• TeacherOn
• Preply
• Superprof