Schools and nurseries in Plzeň
Plzeň has schools of every level and founder. When nursery and first-year enrolment take place, how Plzeň's joint catchment areas work and which neighbourhoods have the most schools.
Overview
Plzeň has schools of every level and founder. Most primary schools and nurseries are run by the city or its districts, secondary schools mainly by the Plzeň Region; alongside them there are private and church schools. Plzeň has 59 nurseries, 47 primary and 30 secondary schools.
Joint catchment areas
Plzeň has no catchment streets like Prague or Brno. A city ordinance sets joint catchment areas for whole city districts: every primary school in the district must give priority to children with permanent residence in it. Some smaller districts without a school of their own belong to a neighbouring one, for example Černice to Plzeň 2, or Křimice, Radčice and Malesice to Plzeň 3. For a specific address we explain which joint area applies and show the nearest schools.
Where the schools are
Schools are spread unevenly across Plzeň. The large housing estates and the Předměstí have schools and nurseries within walking distance, while the smaller neighbourhoods on the edge often have no primary school and children travel. How many schools and nurseries there are per thousand residents of a neighbourhood:
Plzeň neighbourhoods with the most kindergartens and schools
- 1.3 per 1,000 res. Božkov Plzeň 2-Slovany
- 0.9 per 1,000 res. Doubravka Plzeň 4
- 0.9 per 1,000 res. Doudlevce Plzeň 3
- 0.8 per 1,000 res. Křimice Plzeň 5-Křimice
- 0.8 per 1,000 res. Skvrňany Plzeň 3
- 0.7 per 1,000 res. Újezd Plzeň 4
- 0.7 per 1,000 res. Východní Předměstí Plzeň 2-Slovany
- 0.7 per 1,000 res. Černice Plzeň 2-Slovany
- 0.7 per 1,000 res. Severní Předměstí Plzeň 1
- 0.6 per 1,000 res. Bolevec Plzeň 1
Primary schools by city district
Nursery
- Enrolment runs from 15. 3. 2027 to 15. 4. 2027. Each nursery sets its exact day.
- The catchment nursery must give priority to children from three years old with permanent residence in its catchment area, if it has room.
- The last year before school is compulsory and free in a public nursery.
How to choose a nursery and what to ask on a visit is in the guide how to choose a nursery.
Primary school
- Enrolment for the first year runs from 15. 1. 2027 to 15. 2. 2027. Schools hold open days before enrolment; it pays to visit several.
- Another school is possible. You can also apply to schools in another district; they admit by their own criteria if places are left after the catchment children.
- Deferring school entry is requested at enrolment and needs a recommendation from a counselling centre and a doctor; more in the guide deferring school attendance.
What to compare between schools is in the guide how to choose a primary school.
Secondary school
Most secondary schools in Plzeň are run by the Plzeň Region. Courses ending with the maturita exam have a common entrance exam. How to choose and how the entrance exams work is in the guide how to choose a secondary school.
Where it is good to live with children in Plzeň is in the guide where to live with children in Plzeň.
Frequently asked questions
How many schools and nurseries does Plzeň have?
Plzeň has 59 nurseries, 47 primary and 30 secondary schools. Most nurseries and primary schools are run by the city or its districts, secondary schools mainly by the Plzeň Region.
How does the catchment school work in Plzeň?
Plzeň has joint catchment areas for whole city districts (a city ordinance). Every school in the district must give priority to children with permanent residence in it, if it has room, so parents choose from several schools.
When is enrolment for the first year and for nursery?
First-year enrolment runs from 15. 1. 2027 to 15. 2. 2027, nursery enrolment from 15. 3. 2027 to 15. 4. 2027. Each school sets its exact days and publishes them on its website.