How to choose a primary school in Prague
At the catchment school your child has a guaranteed place; at other schools only if there is room and they meet the criteria. So it pays to know your catchment school first and then decide whether to look further.
1. The catchment school is the safe choice
Every address in Prague belongs to the catchment area of a primary school (základní škola), set by the district (městská část) in a bylaw. A child with permanent residence there has priority at that school.
2. What to compare
- The journey. A first-year pupil should be able to get to school safely, ideally without crossing busy roads. Soon they will be walking on their own.
- After-school club (družina). Its capacity, how late it stays open and whether it takes older children too.
- Size of the school and classes. A small school tends to feel more like a family; a large one offers more clubs and parallel classes.
- Specialisation. Extended teaching of languages, maths, sport or art; Montessori, Waldorf or other alternative classes.
- Czech School Inspectorate (ČŠI) reports and parents' experience are on every school's page on Městomat.
- The upper years. Thinking about a multi-year gymnázium (academic secondary school)? Ask how many children leave after years 5 and 7 and how the school prepares them.
3. Open days and trial enrolment
Most schools hold open days and sessions for pre-schoolers („předškoláčci“) before enrolment. Watch how teachers talk to children, what the after-school club and canteen look like and how the school communicates with parents (an app, consultations).
4. Enrolment
Enrolment (zápis) for year 1 runs from 15. 1. 2027 to 15. 2. 2027. Most Prague schools want online registration in advance; slots fill up fast.
Moving before enrolment?
The catchment school depends on permanent residence on the date of enrolment. Choosing a flat? Check the catchment school for the exact address before you sign the tenancy agreement: catchment boundaries can run down the middle of a street.
Frequently asked questions
When is enrolment for year 1?
The next enrolment (zápis) for the first year runs from 15. 1. 2027 to 15. 2. 2027. Each school and district publishes its exact days and registration.
Does the catchment school have to accept my child?
Children with permanent residence in the catchment area have priority up to the school's capacity. When there are more catchment children than places, the school's criteria decide, often by lottery.
How does a deferral of school attendance work?
The head teacher decides on a deferral (odklad školní docházky) at the parents' request. For the request you need a recommendation from a school counselling centre and from a medical specialist or clinical psychologist.
Is a catchment school or a selective school better?
It depends on the child. The catchment school is usually close and children have friends from the neighbourhood there; a selective school offers a specialisation, but often with aptitude tests and a longer journey.