How the School Year Works in Prague
The Czech academic year runs from September to June, with the first day of term typically falling in the first week of September. International schools in Prague broadly follow the same calendar, though there are some differences in term dates, holiday schedules, and the structure of the year.
At Prague British International School, the academic year is divided into terms, with assessment periods, parent evenings, and school reports at regular intervals throughout the year, with the first day of school 25th August. New families receive a full school calendar at the start of term, which covers key dates including holidays, examination periods, and co-curricular events.
What to Expect in the First Weeks
The first two weeks of the school year at an international school rarely begin at full academic intensity. Schools use this period to help students settle in, introduce new families to the community, and ensure that children who have joined mid-year or from another school system have the support they need.
For children who are new to PBIS, the school runs an orientation programme that helps them find their feet quickly. This includes a buddy system, where new students are paired with a current student who knows the school well, and introductory sessions designed to help children understand how the school works before the academic programme gets fully underway.
The first two weeks set the tone for the whole year. Schools that invest in a proper settling-in period tend to see children who are more confident and more engaged once the academic pace picks up.
Getting Your Child Ready
Sort the practicalities early
Uniform, stationery, a school bag, and any required equipment should be sorted well before the first day. Leaving these things until the last minute adds unnecessary stress. Most international schools in Prague publish a kit list and a uniform guide before the summer.
If your child has any specific learning needs, dietary requirements, or medical considerations, make sure the school has this information before term starts. Don’t assume it has been transferred from a previous school. Contact the admissions or pastoral team directly and confirm.
Talk to your child about what to expect
Children who know what is going to happen tend to cope with new starts better than those who are kept in the dark or given vague reassurances. Be honest about what the first few days will be like. There will be new faces, new routines, and some moments of uncertainty. That is normal, and it passes.
If your child is anxious about starting, acknowledge the feeling rather than dismissing it. Research consistently shows that children manage transitions better when adults validate their concerns rather than minimising them.
For Families New to Prague
If your family has arrived in Prague over the summer, the back to school period carries an additional layer of adjustment. Your child is not just starting a new school. They may also be navigating a new city, new friendships, and in some cases a new language, all at the same time.
The most important thing you can do as a parent in this situation is to create as much stability and routine as possible at home, so that school can be the place where the adventure happens. A calm home base makes an enormous difference to how children cope with external change.
Prague has a well-established international community, and the network of families connected to international schools like PBIS is inclusive and welcoming. Getting connected before September, through an open day, a summer visit, or even an informal parents' gathering, can help your family feel less like newcomers when the year begins.
Supporting Your Child Through the First Month
Most children need about four to six weeks to feel properly settled in a new school. The first week is the hardest. The second week is easier. By the end of the first month, most children have found their footing socially and academically.
During this period, keep communication with the school open. If you have concerns, contact the form tutor or pastoral team early rather than waiting to see if things improve. Good schools want to hear from parents, and early intervention is more effective than addressing problems after they have become more serious.
•Keep after-school time calm and low-pressure in the first few weeks.
•Make sure your child is getting enough sleep. New school environments are tiring.
•Ask open-ended rather than direct questions about how school is going.
•Stay in contact with other parents. Sharing observations helps you understand what is normal.
•Celebrate small wins. Making one new friend, finding the right classroom without help, getting through a lesson in a second language: each accomplishment matters.
How PBIS Supports Families at the Start of the Year
At Prague British International School, the start of the school year includes a structured welcome programme for new families on the 24th August. This covers everything from how the timetable works to how to access the school's parent communication platform, how pastoral support is organised, and what to do if your child needs additional help.
The PBIS admissions and pastoral teams are available throughout August and September to answer questions and support families who are finding the transition challenging. If you have not yet been in contact with the school about September, now is a good time to reach out.
