How to apply for admission to a private school?

On this page:

1. Open Days
2. Registering Your Child as a Candidate
3. Submitting Required Documents
4. Admissions Meeting
5. Admission Decision and Contract Signing

Private School vs Public School – What’s the Difference?

Private schools are educational institutions that follow curricula in line with the guidelines of the Ministry of National Education (MEN). They implement teaching programs based on the same core curriculum as public schools and follow similar rules for student assessment, promotion, and examinations.

A major advantage of private schools is their flexibility and extended offerings. They often provide:

smaller class sizes,
a more individualized approach to students,
greater accessibility to teachers,
a wide range of extracurricular activities, projects, and programs.

Many private schools also offer proprietary curricula and international education pathways, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge International programs, the British Curriculum, or the American curriculum. These allow students to pursue a more global educational path.

Private schools are classified as non-public institutions. This category also includes alternative and community (social) schools, which are often informally referred to as private and are equally considered by parents when choosing education options.

What to Consider When Choosing a Private School

Private schools offer education at all levels—from preschool and primary school to secondary school and even higher education. Regardless of the available options, the most important selection criterion should be the child’s well-being and their actual needs.

While parents may be guided by their aspirations when choosing a private institution, it is essential to maintain a balanced, rational approach and carefully weigh all the pros and cons.

In practice, it’s worth paying attention to:

the school’s teaching philosophy,
the curriculum (standard, international, or proprietary),
the teaching staff and the opportunity to meet them,
the school atmosphere and approach to students,
the child’s personality, learning style, and academic abilities,
external exam results and the school’s ranking.

► Looking for a good private school for your child? Check our guide on how to choose a non-public school: How to choose private school for your child? 6 things to check when choosing a non-public school

Private schools not only focus on providing the knowledge and skills needed to complete each grade or graduate but also place strong emphasis on developing students’ talents and interests—cognitive, social, artistic, and athletic.

They offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, often extending the school day. This can save parents time otherwise spent transporting children to additional classes.

Communication is also a key aspect of private schools. Teachers stay in regular contact with parents through messaging platforms, providing ongoing updates on student progress. Schools increasingly develop their own communication channels—from newsletters to advanced websites and social media profiles—where they regularly share news and student achievements.

At the same time, modern educational tools are becoming more prominent. Students use interactive programs and digital platforms that often complement—and sometimes even replace—traditional textbooks, while supporting creativity and independent learning.

Private School Admissions – Step by Step

What are the rules, and what should parents be prepared for?

The admissions process for private schools is multi-stage and goes beyond simply submitting an application form.

1. Open Days

The best way to make initial contact with a school is by attending open days before making a decision. These events provide an opportunity to get answers to many important questions.

Parents considering private education are often looking for specific conditions tailored to their child’s needs. Open days allow them to explore the school, its offer, and its staff.

Increasingly, education fairs—such as Our Kids private school expo—serve as an alternative or complement, allowing parents to compare multiple schools in one place and speak directly with representatives.

2. Registering Your Child as a Candidate

Any school-age child can apply to a private school. Admission requirements are typically outlined in the school’s regulations and statutes, available on its website.

In many cases, the first formal step is adding the child to the candidate list. This usually involves completing a short online application form or contacting the school office. This initial registration allows the school to include the candidate in further stages and keep parents informed.

3. Submitting Required Documents

The next step is providing the required documents. Depending on the school, these may include:

information about the child’s previous education,
teacher references or opinions,
academic records or results.

Each school defines its own document requirements, typically listed on its website.

4. Admissions Meeting

Many schools organize meetings with candidates and their parents. These may take the form of:

individual interviews,
trial classes,
adaptation days.

Admission timelines vary depending on the school and education level. Some institutions begin the process as early as the end of the previous academic year, while others operate on a rolling basis for several months.

5. Admission Decision and Contract Signing

After successfully completing the admissions process, parents receive confirmation of acceptance.

The next step is signing an education contract. The terms and deadlines are set individually by each school.

Parents are usually required to pay a one-time, non-refundable enrollment fee. This fee is often equivalent to several months’ tuition, and its amount and conditions are specified in the contract.

Private school admissions process – key takeaways

By choosing a private school, parents often believe they are providing their child with a better education than in a public institution. Is this always the case? The popularity of private schools and their performance in rankings strongly influence the perception that investing in quality education is worthwhile.

The private school admissions process requires time, commitment, and a thoughtful approach. It’s worth preparing carefully for each stage, comparing available options, and—above all—choosing a school that will support the child’s long-term development.

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