Most expat families who want English-language teaching choose a private or international school, and most of these are in Prague. This guide explains the main types, what to compare and how admissions usually work. Fees, curricula and availability change every year, so confirm everything with the school before you commit.
Your Options
- Czech state schools. Free, taught in Czech, and open to children living in the country. This is the best route for full integration, though language support varies. See public vs private schools.
- International schools. Teach mainly in English and follow a foreign or international curriculum. Several well-known schools operate in Prague, for example the International School of Prague, the British International School Prague and Park Lane International School. Check each school’s own site for its current programme and accreditation.
- Bilingual private schools. Combine Czech and English teaching, often following the Czech national curriculum with extra English. Open Gate in Prague is one example.
- Outside Prague. Choice is much smaller. Brno and a few other cities have bilingual or English-language options, so search locally and ask other parents.
The schools named here are examples, not a ranking or an endorsement. Quality, waiting lists and fees differ by year and grade.
Curricula You Will See
- International Baccalaureate (IB). A broad programme, widely recognised by universities.
- British curriculum. Structured stages leading to IGCSE and A-Level exams.
- American-style programmes. A flexible high-school diploma, often with Advanced Placement courses.
- Czech national curriculum. Used by state schools and many bilingual private schools, leading to the Czech school-leaving exam (maturita).
If your child may return to another country, choose a curriculum that fits the school system there. If you plan to stay long term, consider how a Czech or bilingual route supports Czech university entry.
Costs
International school tuition in Prague is substantial and rises with the child’s age. Expect a registration fee, a possible capital or enrolment fee, and extras such as lunches, transport, uniforms, trips and exam fees. Bilingual and smaller private schools cost less than the large international schools. Ask each school for the full fee schedule for the year your child would start, and ask what is refundable. Some schools offer sibling discounts, and a few offer limited scholarships, but do not count on them.
Admissions
- Shortlist two or three schools and read their latest inspection or accreditation information.
- Ask about places in your child’s year, since popular schools can have waiting lists.
- Prepare previous school reports, a passport or ID copy and proof of address if requested. Many schools also hold an assessment or interview.
- Apply early, often many months before the school year starts. Dates vary by school.
- Visit in person if you can, and ask about language support, class sizes and how the school handles children who join mid-year.
What to Compare
- Commute from where you plan to live, because Prague traffic and school-bus routes matter.
- Language support for children who do not speak the teaching language yet.
- Class size, teacher turnover and pastoral care.
- Exam results and university destinations, as published by the school.
- Whether the school can continue to the final year you will need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are international schools in Prague expensive?
Compared with Czech state schools, yes. Fees can reach well into the thousands of euros a year, and the biggest schools cost the most. Ask for the current fee list.
Is university education free for international students?
Public universities generally do not charge tuition for programmes taught in Czech, but they do for most programmes taught in English. Check each university’s current terms.
Does my child need a visa or permit to enrol?
Schools usually ask for proof of your child’s legal stay in the country. See our long-term visa guide and ask the school what it needs.
Sources
Use each school’s own website and the Czech Ministry of Education for current rules. This article is general information, not an endorsement of any school.
I’m Jan, a Czech writer, hiker and travel guide born in Bohemia and based in Prague. I’ve been writing about my home country for 9 years, and I know it the way you only do when you’ve grown up here: the trail signs that locals actually follow, the pubs that aren’t in any guidebook, the castles that get overlooked because they’re not on a tour bus route.
Over 9 years I’ve covered every corner of the Czech Republic, from the Krkonoše ridges and Šumava forests to the wine cellars of South Moravia and the spa towns of West Bohemia. I’ve taken 40+ solo trips across Czechia, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and Austria and I write in Czech and English, which means I can read the local hiking forums, regional news and municipal information that never gets translated.
My writing covers three areas: practical solo travel in Czechia (getting around by train and bus, hiking safely, visiting castles and landmarks without the crowds), expat and long-term living (the cultural surprises, the bureaucracy, what it actually costs, how the healthcare and transport systems work), and off-the-radar Czech Republic, the places most visitors never reach because they spend all their time in Prague.
Prague is extraordinary, but it’s maybe 10% of what this country has to offer. The rest is what I’m here to write about.