If you’re wondering whether an international school is right for your child, you’re not alone. Whether your child has been in the Czech public system for a while or you simply feel it is time for a different approach to learning, this is a question that many families ask.
Transferring your child from a Czech public school to an international school in Prague does not have to be complicated. However, by understanding a few important factors, you can help make the move much smoother.
You may be considering this change for different reasons. Perhaps you feel that your child would benefit from more English-language learning, a different teaching style, or a greater focus on communication, creativity, and independent thinking.
You may also be thinking ahead to future opportunities, whether that means studying abroad later, keeping international options open, or helping your child feel more confident in English from an earlier age. For many families, these are convincing reasons to make the switch to an international school.
For Czech citizens, compulsory education does not simply disappear when moving to an international school.
Some international schools in Prague work closely with accredited Czech schools or offer integrated Czech programmes designed specifically for Czech families. These
programmes support children in continuing Czech language learning and other parts of the Czech curriculum alongside an international education.
Every child in Czechia has a “Spádová škola”, which is the local state school connected to the family’s home address. This school is responsible for ensuring compulsory education requirements are fulfilled unless parents choose another recognised educational pathway.
At Prague British International School, you can choose between the Czech-British Primary School (ČBZŠ), a bilingual programme combining the Czech national curriculum with a British international education framework, or the fully international PBIS pathway, which follows the English National Curriculum.
If you choose the fully international PBIS pathway, the school also offers a Czech programme designed to help your child continue meeting Czech educational requirements while learning primarily in English.
There is no formal restriction on moving your child from a Czech public school to an international school in Prague. International schools set their own admissions criteria, and most accept applications at any point during the academic year.
Here is what the process typically looks like at Prague British International School.
Contact the school directly to register your interest. The PBIS admissions team will talk you through available places, the right year group for your child, and the documents you will need to provide.
Before you commit, you are encouraged to visit the school with your child. Meeting the team and seeing the campus helps your child feel more comfortable and prepared for the transition.
You will need to provide your child’s most recent school reports, proof of identity, and proof of address. For some year groups, an assessment or informal meeting with the Head of Year may also take place to ensure the placement is right.
For Czech citizens, this is often one of the most important conversations.
At Prague British International School, families can choose between the Czech-British Primary School (ČBZŠ), which follows both the Czech national curriculum and a British international education framework as a bilingual option, or the international PBIS pathway, which is structured on the English National Curriculum.
For families choosing the fully international pathway, PBIS also offers a Czech programme that helps students continue fulfilling Czech educational requirements while learning mainly in English.
If your child has been learning primarily in Czech, moving to a full English-language school is a significant step. PBIS offers English as an Additional Language (EAL) support to help students build confidence in English while continuing to learn across all subjects.
Children typically adapt more quickly than parents expect, especially at younger ages.
At PBIS, the school follows the British National Curriculum in the primary years and moves into IGCSEs and the IB Diploma Programme at secondary level.
When your child joins, the team will assess where they are academically and ensure they are placed in the right year group with the appropriate level of support.
Children who transfer mid-year often settle in more quickly than their parents expect. The smaller class sizes and focus on individual student progress at PBIS mean that any gaps in knowledge are identified and addressed quickly.
PBIS teachers are experienced in working with students from a wide range of educational backgrounds, including the Czech national curriculum.
This is a real concern for families who value the Czech language, particularly those with children born in the Czech Republic or who plan to stay in the country long-term.
We know that for many Czech families, language is just one part of the concern. The Czech-British Primary School operates on the same campuses as PBIS and follows both the
Czech national curriculum and a British international education framework. If you have younger children who are not yet ready for a fully English-medium environment, or if you want to maintain a stronger connection to the Czech curriculum, ČBZŠ is worth considering.
Children who come through ČBZŠ often arrive at PBIS with strong English skills and a solid academic grounding in Czech. Contact us to learn more about the Czech-British Primary School.
Earlier is generally easier, particularly for younger children, who adapt quickly to new environments and languages. However, transfers at secondary level are also possible.
If your child is approaching IGCSE age (14 to 16), it is worth considering the timing carefully so they can complete a full two-year IGCSE programme at PBIS. The admissions team can advise you on this directly.
If you are seriously considering making the switch, the best next step is to contact the PBIS admissions team. They work with families at every stage of the process, from the first conversation to the first day of school, and can help you decide if PBIS is right for your child.
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