On this page:
- List of schools
- Increase in popularity of non-public education in Poland
- Private schools vs. “social” schools
- Types of non-public schools
- The education system in Poland
- Benefits of non-public schools in Poland
- What to consider when choosing a school?
Although high-quality education is the aim, more than grades and academic achievement are emphasized. Equal attention is given to the development of the whole child. Here is one of many similar statements given by the parent of a private school student, responding to the Our Kids survey on why parents choose non-public schools: "Non-public school is primarily a community of teachers, students, and parents, which not only teaches, but also shapes and develops young, open-minded people. It respects everyone, is open to discussions and ideas, supports and motivates."
Non-public schools in Poland operate at all levels of education—there are non-public preschools, primary schools, and secondary schools. Some of these are international schools that offer education in English which are aimed at both foreign and Polish students.
Non-public education in Poland is now a popular option for many families. There are excellent non-public schools not only in larger Polish cities such as Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk, Wrocław, Poznań, Łódź, Lublin, Bydgoszcz, and Rzeszów, but also in many small towns.
Increase in popularity of non-public education in Poland
In the Our Kids report, "The state of non-public education in Poland - 2019" (our second annual report on the state of non-public education in Poland, showing the characteristics of non-public schools and the reasons for choosing these schools by parents), we show the dynamic growth of the non-public education sector in Poland in recent years.
The number of non-public educational institutions increased by 17.15% from 2014 to 2018. In the same period, the number of students attending them increased by 29.73%.
When it comes to public education, the difference between the number of public institutions in 2014 and 2018 was 0.39%, and between the number of children and young people attending them -0.51% (i.e., it decreased by 0.51%).
It’s also worth emphasizing the increase in the percentage of non-public institutions among all educational institutions. In 2014, it was 17.8%, while in 2018 it was 20.17%, which is an increase of 13.32%.
Private schools vs. “social” schools
There are two main types of non-public schools: private schools and social schools. Although often treated as one group for statistical purposes, they’re very different.
"Social school" is not a statutory term (the Education Act does not define or use this term). However, it’s commonly used to denote a school run by a community organization, most often an association, that has no commercial purpose.
In the early days when non-public schools first appeared in Poland, those schools were most often established by the Social Educational Society (Społeczne Towarzystwo Oświatowe - STO), and many of these schools had and still have the adjective "social" in their names. Some of the most famous social schools in Warsaw were established prior to the 1991 Education Act, which introduced definitions of public and non-public schools.
The main difference between these two types of non-public schools is the founding body: in the case of private schools, they are usually natural or legal persons (companies), and in the case of social schools - associations, foundations, social organizations, or religious associations, usually operating as non-profit institutions.
Consequently, in private schools that function as private companies, the profit does not have to (although it can) be reinvested in the school, and the decision is left to the owner, while in social schools the profit is spent entirely on the school’s statutory purposes.
The social school is indirectly managed by the parents themselves and decisions are most often made by the parents, such as, for example, deciding on tuition fees for a given school year at the general meeting.
Types of non-public schools
There are many types of non-public schools in Poland - both private and social. Some of them are listed below.
International schools:
There are private international schools in Poland that are largely aimed at foreign students, but most of them also accept Polish students. The main language of instruction in these schools is English.
Language schools:
Many non-public schools in Poland offer various language programs. While English remains the language of instruction in most international schools, some schools also offer programs or courses in other languages, such as French, Italian, Spanish, or German. Some schools have bilingual programs, where some classes are in English and some in Polish.
IB schools:
The IB (International Baccalaureate) program is becoming increasingly popular and thus is offered by more and more schools. It functions at three levels. The two-year International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme begins after the first year of secondary school. IB is implemented entirely in English, French, or Spanish. It’s a particularly popular option for international students, but more and more Polish parents are sending their children to schools offering this program. The IB Diploma is highly valued in the world.
Boarding schools:
Some private schools in Poland are boarding schools offering accommodation and meals. Some schools offer accommodation in private homes (homestay) or help students find other forms of accommodation.
In addition to those schools mentioned above, there are many other types of non-public schools in Poland, such as Catholic schools or alternative educational institutions, like Waldorf or Montessori schools and preschools.
The education system in Poland
Recently, the education system reform has been carried out in Poland resulting in the following structure:
Kindergarten - Year Zero (zerówka) - a preparatory year at the age of 6, which children can attend at their preschool or a primary school
Primary school: starts at the age of 6/7 and lasts for 8 years. Primary school education is divided into two cycles. In the first, three-year cycle, one teacher teaches all subjects, often in an integrated manner. The second cycle is more subject-based and the teaching is done by subject teachers
Secondary school (liceum ogólnokształcące - LO): the four-year general secondary school aims to prepare students to continue their education at a university or college
Technical secondary school: this five-year school aims at preparing students for work or higher technical education
Level 1 vocational school: three years
Level 2 vocational school: two years, recruitment started in 2020.
Until June 2019, there were also junior high schools (or junior high school classes in primary schools).
Benefits of non-public schools in Poland
Private secondary schools have many advantages (see also why it is worth choosing a private school):
• High level of education: Non-public schools offer very good learning conditions, teaching in accordance with proven and demanding curricula. These institutions, apart from educating children in basic subjects, such as mathematics, computer science, physics, biology, geography, art, ethics, and more, use very advanced methods of teaching foreign languages and educate students in the so-called soft skills, including communication, argumentation, teamwork skills, as well as developing the kids’ academic, artistic, and sports interests. Many schools also offer individualized programs for gifted students or students with disabilities and disorders.
• Experienced and qualified teachers: Polish educational institutions are known for their high-quality teachers. In accordance with the requirements of the education authorities, teachers must have completed higher education and undergone preparation in three areas: content-related, teaching methodology, and psychological/pedagogical. They’re also required to complete regular professional development programs. In non-public schools, especially in high schools, there are teachers with the highest qualifications, who are highly involved in their work. This has a significant impact on the quality and effects of teaching—children reach their full potential faster and gaina love for learning.
• International education: Many private schools focus on developing students' language skills. Most of them follow the core curriculum set by the Polish education authorities, but also offer internationally recognized programs such as International Baccalaureate (IB), enabling the students to pursue further education in almost every corner of the world. An additional advantage is the fact that these schools are attended by students from various countries, which creates a perfect environment for the development of language and communication skills.
• Individualized education: private schools in Poland place particular emphasis on individualized learning. This is one of the main advantages of this type of school—a small number of students in class and more time the child spends at school allows teachers to individually approach the student and adapt teaching methods to the needs and skills of each student.
• Special educational needs: some non-public schools also specialize in special education, offering education for students with special educational needs, such as those with Asperger's, autism, or ADHD. Sometimes they also offer boarding. Non-public schools also create special or integrated classes for full-time or part-time special education. Such students are taught by teachers specializing in special education.
• High-quality equipment: a feature of non-public schools is the excellent equipment of classrooms with teaching aids and other educational equipment. Interactive boards, computers, as well as a WiFi allow the use of the latest information and communication techniques (ICT) in lessons. The schools also have well-equipped classrooms for language, art, music, and sports classes, as well as equipment that allows them to develop a wide range of non-academic interests.
• Small classes: non-public schools have classes with a low teacher-student ratio, unlike public schools, which allows them to create better learning conditions for students and, as a result, achieve better educational results. Small class sizes allow the teacher to devote more attention to each student and adapt teaching methods to their abilities. Such classes create better learning conditions and a closer relationship between the teacher and the student. They also lead to greater interaction between students.
• Parental involvement: Non-public schools, especially social schools, work closely with students' parents. For many of them, the priority is the involvement of parents in the school life or in raising funds for the school, as well as activities aimed at integrating the local community, or, e.g., the religious community. Such activities strengthen students' motivation to learn, as well as a sense of responsibility for the school and the entire school environment, and the willingness to work for it. They are a strong motivator.
• Integrated community: Non-public schools create a strong, mutually supportive school environment. They galvanize students, parents, teachers, and administrators around the common goal of educating children and youth. A strong support system also includes individual curricula, psychological and pedagogical support, academic or professional counseling, as well as motivating everybody to participate in school life and social events and to undertake charitable and pro-ecological initiatives.
What to consider when choosing a school?
There are several factors to consider when choosing the right school:
• School cost: Fees vary according to the type and level of school. The tuition fees are usually supplemented by fees for extracurricular activities, textbooks, and school uniforms. International schools or boarding schools are more expensive than regular private schools. Usually social schools are less expensive than private ones. For a foreign student, studying at a Polish school can be a relatively inexpensive option, compared to the financial burden it poses for a Polish student.
• Location: You need to find the right city/town considering its size, culture, demographics, community, and cost of living.
• School reputation: It’s important to look closely at the school—by reading reviews, as well as by visiting the school and having conversations with the school management, teaching faculty, and administrators. Many schools organize Open Days (or Open Door Days). You can also check if the school is accredited by recognized educational institutions. A lot of information can be found on our Our Kids platform.
• Cost of living: The cost of living in Poland is lower than in many western European and North American countries. Relatively low food and housing prices are one of the main reasons why many people choose to live or study in Poland.
• Living in Poland: Living and studying at a school in Poland will certainly be a deep and meaningful experience for a student from another country who will come into contact with a new country, culture, and people. Studying in a Polish school will result in gaining new knowledge and will provide an opportunity to learn Polish. It’s all part of the adventure and joy of attending a foreign school.
In conclusion, if you want to find a school that’s right for your child, it should be able to meet their educational, social, and emotional needs. It should offer good programs for students with special educational needs (e.g., children with learning disabilities) if such support is needed for your child. Other factors to consider when making a choice are the size of the school, its teaching philosophy, approach to curriculum, extracurricular activities, and student community. We encourage you to read the latest annual Our Kids report on the state of non-public education in Poland "The state of non-public education in Poland - 2019" (in Polish).
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