Secondary schools in Brno: how to choose
Children from the whole South Moravian Region apply to secondary schools in Brno, and places at popular gymnázia are in high demand. Decide by what your child enjoys and where they will thrive, not just by the school's reputation. Brno has 64 secondary schools.
1. Which type of school
- Gymnázium (academic secondary school; four, six or eight years): general education and preparation for university.
- Technical school with the maturita (střední odborná škola): a field (business, IT, healthcare, construction, electrical engineering…) plus the maturita school-leaving exam.
- Apprenticeship with a vocational certificate (učební obor s výučním listem): a trade, hands-on practice, and the option of a follow-on course to the maturita.
Decide by what your child enjoys and is good at. A school where they would be among the weakest may not do them more good than one where they will be happy.
2. Entrance exams and applications
- In the first round, students apply to up to three schools or courses, ranked by preference.
- Courses ending with the maturita have a national entrance exam in Czech and maths.
- Schools add their own criteria to the test: primary school grades, competitions, sometimes their own exam or an interview.
- Applications are submitted in winter, earlier for courses with an aptitude test. Check each year's dates on the CERMAT and school websites.
3. What to compare
- The journey. Four years of travelling every day: an hour there and back daily adds up to almost 200 hours over a school year. On Městomat you can see exactly where each school is, and for every address how long the trip to the centre takes.
- Open days (autumn to winter): the atmosphere, teachers, languages, work placements.
- Czech School Inspectorate (ČŠI) reports and the experiences of students and parents for every school.
- Courses and specialisms: languages, programming, exchanges, placements with companies.
Secondary schools by city district
4. Commuting from the region
Many students commute to Brno from across the region by IDS JMK trains and buses. Secondary schools near the main railway station and the big interchanges are the easiest to commute to; on Městomat you can see the nearest stops for every school.
5. Living near the school
Moving to Brno to study, or looking for a flat with an easy commute? See where the centre is quickest to reach from, and check the specific address.
Brno neighbourhoods closest to the centre
- 4 min to the centre Brno-město Brno-střed
- 10 min to the centre Trnitá Brno-střed
- 10 min to the centre Veveří Brno-střed
- 13 min to the centre Staré Brno Brno-střed
- 13 min to the centre Zábrdovice Brno-střed
For university students there is the guide where to live in Brno as a student; for choosing a primary school for younger siblings, see primary schools in Brno.
Frequently asked questions
How many secondary schools are there in Brno?
Brno has 64 secondary schools: gymnázia, technical schools and vocational schools. On Městomat you will find each one's courses, inspection reports and reviews, listed by city district.
How many secondary schools can my child apply to?
In the first round of admissions you can apply to up to three schools or courses, ranked in order of preference.
What is the national entrance exam?
A nationwide test in Czech and maths for courses ending with the maturita school-leaving exam. Schools add their own criteria, such as grades or their own exam.
Gymnázium or a technical school?
A gymnázium mainly prepares students for university. A technical school gives both the maturita and a trade or field you can go straight into work with, or keep studying; Brno has a wide choice of technical courses.