Education system in the Czech Republic

This article contains essential information about the Czech education system.

Levels of the education system

The Czech education system is divided into different levels: preschool, elementary, secondary, tertiary. Education is compulsory for children aged 5 to 16 and requires completion of elementary education (lower secondary education – ISCED 2, 9 grades of elementary school). A successful completion of elementary education (in the Czech Republic or abroad) is a prerequisite for pursuing secondary studies. In order to continue tertiary education, it is also necessary to have successfully completed secondary education with the maturita school leaving exam (or an international equivalent recognized in the Czech Republic).

Education in public schools in the Czech language is provided free of charge. At each level, there are also private schools that charge a fee and may offer alternative education programs. The status of being a private school does not automatically translate into a higher quality of education or other services.

The chart below provides an overview of the levels of education and information on their duration, obligations, and possible ways of continuing education.

Below you can also find more detailed information and resources for each level and topic.

Compulsory education

Compulsory education is regulated by the Compulsory Education Act, which applies to children aged 5 to 16. This act is meant to protect a child’s right of access to education. Violation of this act by a parent may be considered as parental neglect.

This applies to all children staying in the Czech Republic for more than 90 days.
The obligation applies to children aged 5 years or older. The relevant criterion is the age of the child before the start of the new school year (i.e., how old they are on August 31).
The obligation ceases upon reaching the age of 16 or upon a successful completion of lower secondary education in the Czech Republic (9 grades of elementary school) or abroad.
Parents of a child of compulsory education age are obliged to do everything within their power to ensure the child’s access to education in the Czech Republic.
On the part of the government, it is the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic that is bound by this obligation. Represented by local authorities – the education departments of regions, municipalities, or municipal districts – the Ministry must ensure a place in school for every child of compulsory education age.
You can read more about what this means in practical terms in our article — Compulsory education.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten is intended for children aged 3 to 6 years. Younger children, usually starting from the age of 2, might be admitted as well. Attendance at kindergarten is compulsory for all children who have reached the age of 5 as of September 1.

Duration: 3–4 years (from age of 2–3 to 6)
Aims: Development of basic social skills, motor skills, preschool education, adaptation.
Choosing a kindergarten — according to your place of residence. Unless the kindergarten is a private one, the highest priority will be assigned to children who:
- have reached the age of compulsory education,
- live within the catchment area of the kindergarten,
- already have a sibling in the kindergarten.
Visit your municipality’s (city or district) website for more information on catchment areas.
Compulsory education: In kindergarten, only the preschool year is compulsory for children who have reached the age of 5.
- The relevant criterion is the age of the child before the start of the new school year (i.e., how old they are on August 31).
- For example, if a child reaches the age of 5 during the school year (September 2024 – August 2025), they must enroll in the compulsory preschool year for the following school year (starting September 2026).

Elementary school

Elementary school is compulsory and takes 9 years. It is divided into two stages: the first stage (grades 1 to 5) and the second stage (grades 6 to 9). Elementary education begins at the age of 6.

Duration: 9 years (from age of 6 to 15)
First stage: 5 years (grades 1 to 5)
- Aims: Basics of reading, writing, mathematics, natural history and geography, music and art education.
Second stage: 4 years (grades 6 to 9)
- Aims: Extending knowledge acquired in the first grade, new subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology, history, geography, civics.
Choosing an elementary school: any school might be chosen, but in public schools the highest priority will be assigned to children who:
- have reached the age of compulsory education,
- live within the catchment area of the school,
- already have a sibling in the school.
Visit your municipality’s (city or district) website for more information on catchment areas.
Compulsory education: In elementary school, compulsory education applies to children who have reached the age of 6.
- The relevant criterion is the age of the child before the start of the new school year. In other words, if the child has reached the age of 6 as of August 31, they must enroll in the first grade of elementary school starting from September 1.
- The compulsory education criterion is met upon a successful completion of lower secondary education (ISCED 2) in the Czech Republic or abroad.

High school

After completing elementary school, education is no longer compulsory. Students may pursue further studies at different types of high schools. They are divided into grammar schools (4 years), secondary technical schools (4 years), and vocational schools (3 years). Depending on the type of school, studies either prepare students for university (after completing a 4-year program, graduates receive a school-leaving maturita certificate) or provide them with skills for an occupation (after completing a 3-year program, graduates receive an apprenticeship certificate).

Applicants are admitted to high schools based on admission procedure, within which applicants’ learning achievements over the last two years of study, their aptitude for the selected field of study, and their score on the entrance exams are assessed. The dates and content of entrance exams vary according to the field of study. For example, talent exams for art and sports schools may be held as early as December–February. Four-year programs always have the unified entrance exam in April, while three-year programs have interviews and school entrance exams during April and May.

Admission procedure is organized in several rounds. A new round of admissions is announced for programs with remaining free places. The 2nd and subsequent rounds of admissions are open to applicants who did not participate in the previous round, were not admitted or renounced their admission. Most places are taken up in the 1st and 2nd rounds during May and June.

Grammar schools:

4 years (after grade 9 of elementary school), 6 or 8 years (after grades 7 or 5 of elementary school, respectively)
Aims: Preparation for university studies, comprehensive education
School leaving certificate: maturita certificate

Secondary technical schools (SOŠ):

4 years
Aims: Specialized education concluded by the maturita exam, preparation for future occupation and/or university
School leaving certificate: maturita certificate

Vocational schools (SOU):