Frequently Asked Questions

ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Can a child without any knowledge of English enroll?

Yes. Although the entire program at BASIS Prague is in English, children do not need to have knowledge of the English language to be admitted into Grade 0 and Grade 1.

Which grades are you accepting children into now?

For the school year 2024-2025, we are accepting children from 5 to 10 years old (Grades 0-4).

What is the tuition fee?

The price list can be found HERE.

BILINGUAL EDUCATION AND STARTING SCHOOL AT THE AGE OF 5

Why does the BASIS school start with Grade 0? Aren't the children too young for that?

There are several school systems that start with the "classic school education” earlier than what is standard practice in Czech state schools. It is very common in English speaking countries. Children should develop their potential. If a child remains in an environment that does not place reasonable demands on him/her (e.g., continuing the preschool regime), the child may become bored or even show behavioral problems that he/she did not have before.

Isn't school too demanding for 5-year-old children?

The Grade 0 program (for children 5 – 6 years old) is designed to help children adapt to the school environment. It is important to teach children to concentrate on one thing for a longer (but reasonable) period of time, to perceive and follow the teacher's instructions, and to practice communication with the teacher and other children. In Grade 0, these principles are adopted by the children gradually in smaller steps and are combined with a freer form of education.

If the entire program is in English, won't the children have a problem with their native language? Won't their languages get confused?

Some bilingual children temporally mix the languages, borrowing words. This may sound disturbing. At the same time, the results of numerous studies, as well as practical experience, prove that mixing languages is a normal phase in the development of speech in some bilingual children, from which they later move on to complete acquisition and the correct use of both languages.

STUDIES AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

How are the children graded?

There are 5 Grading Periods throughout the school year. Each Grading Period gives us the opportunity to review the student’s progress and ability. We assess students verbally as well as using grading scales.  For math, science, and the humanities subjects, we use the A/F grading scale: the scale represents the percentage (A ≥ 90% B ≥ 80% C ≥ 70% D ≥ 60% F < 60%) that the student has earned from the teacher for understanding the material. The rest of the subjects are rated according to the SPNU scale.  This is represented by the following scores: S (Superior) - the student has participated fully and excels in the class, P (Pass) - the student has met expectations satisfactorily, N (Needs Improvement) - the student sometimes meets expectations, U (Unsatisfactory); the student almost never meets expectations.

How is the Czech language taught?

At our school, we cover the full spectrum of the Framework Educational Program for the Czech Republic in teaching the Czech language. Thereby, the children will learn everything they would learn in a Czech primary school. Czech children and foreigners with permanent residence are regularly tested in the Czech language in their catchment school. Foreigners without this obligation learn Czech as a foreign language. Because of the parallel education in both the English and Czech languages, grammer is taught more intesively during the initial years compared to Czech schools. As a result, students develop a clear understanding of the differences and similarities between the two languages. Consequently, the total time allocated for language education surpasses the requirements of Czech schools.

What comprises the English program at BASIS Prague?

We have incorporated the Cambridge English Assessment program into our English Humanities curriculum. This integration offers our students the best opportunities for academic growth and global competitiveness. Our students completion of the Cambridge program at the end of high school will not only substitute for a final exam in the English language, but also serve as an asset during the university application process.

Do the children get homework?

In terms of home preparation, our general strategy is not to rely on parental support and to minimize the need for home preparation (homework). Too much home preparation creates an unequal field for children, as each parent has different qualifications and time availability and thus not all parents can dedicate an equal amount of time. Our school day is longer than in a traditional Czech school, so we assume that children will learn everything they need to in school. The program includes ample space to practice and experience the material being taught. Until approximately the 2nd grade, we do not contemplate assigning homework. We only consider optional homework for children who enjoy challenges. Beginning in 3rd grade, a certain amount of homework will be assigned. However, students will also have dedicated time during school hours to work on their homework with the support of their teachers. This is a common practice at BASIS schools in the US, resulting in a reduced necessity for homework preparation at home.

What kind of extracurricular activities does the school offer?

At BASIS schools, clubs are typically tailored to match the interests of the children. During the summer, we send out a questionnaire to parents and children and based on the answers we propose several types of clubs. Currently the school, along with cooperation from professional partners, provides a Football Club, Tennis Club, Dance Club, Book Club, Czech Club, and Art Club.

TEACHERS AND CLASS ORGANIZATION

Why are some classes so long?

The length of a lesson is adapted to the content of the lesson, some lessons are shorter, and some are longer. This is because in math and science, for example, besides just teaching theory, we also want to be able to implement a concrete presentation into practice (an educational game, experiment, project, etc.).

How many children are there in one class?

Optimally, there are 16 students in a class, with a maximum number of 18 students in a class.

Why are there 2 teachers in the class?

There are 2 teachers in the classroom for key subjects (a Subject Expert and a Pedagogical Specialist). The Subject Expert specializes in one of the disciplines (mathematics, science, English humanities, Czech humanities, etc.).  The role of the Pedagogical Specialist is to ensure that students understand the material and that each student is working to the best of his or her ability. The Pedagogical Specialist focuses on pedagogy and travels with the students from class to class as they rotate from subject to subject.

ORGANIZATIONAL QUESTIONS

Is it possible to follow a special diet in the school canteen?

Lunch is provided by an external catering company, Fresh and Tasty. There is a choice between 5 main dishes which include a meat menu, a vegetarian menu, a gluten/ lactose/ eggs free menu, a salad, and a sandwich. To ensure the safety of all students, allergens are listed for each meal. In instances where specific dietary requirements cannot be met by our provided options, we highly recommend that the child brings their own lunch to accommodate their needs fully. The meals (lunch + 2 snacks) are paid on top of the tuition fees retroactively according to actual attendance. Furthermore, we understand that plans may change, which is why we offer the convenience of canceling or modifying lunch choices up until 10 a.m. of the previous day of service.

Do you operate a school bus?

Yes, we operate a school bus between the BASIS Beginners Prague campus in Prague 6 - Břevnov and the BASIS International School Prague campus in Prague 4 - Podolí. Currently, there is one boarding stop and one exit stop. The bus operates in the morning and afternoon. Further details may depend on parental interest.

Is there a reception at school? How is the safety of children ensured?

Access to the school is secured by a sophisticated chip system. The pickup of children is pre-arranged and the children are handed over only to the persons listed in the enrollment application. The school reception is located by the main entrance door.

CZECH LAW AND THE REGISTRATION

Is BASIS School registered in the register of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports?

The BASIS school is operated on the basis of a permit from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, which allows for the fulfillment of school attendance in a foreign school in the Czech Republic according to the foreign education plan. The permission of the Ministry of Education also guarantees that the educational program of the school (curriculum) is in accordance with the Framework Educational Program of the Czech Republic.

Does the child have to be enrolled in another state school?

Children with Czech citizenship and foreigners with permanent residence in the Czech Republic must also be enrolled in a catchment school, which examines these students at least once every two years in compulsory subjects (the Czech Language; from the 3rd Grade - Man and the Surrounding World; from the 2nd Stage of elementary school – Czech Realities: Geography and History). The compulsory subjects mentioned above are an integral part of our curriculum and students will learn everything while attending BASIS Prague. Currently, we are actively pursuing the establishment of BASIS Prague as its own catchment school, thereby eliminating the need for children to enroll at other schools. This ongoing process has already been initiated and is progressing steadily. 

ENROLLMENT DETAILS

2024-2025 School Year: opening Grades 0–4
Enrollment: any time

AGE REQUIREMENTS 

Grade 0: 5-6 years old
Grade 1: 6-7 years old
Grade 2: 7-8 years old

Grade 3: 8-9 years old

  Grade 4: 9-10 years old

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