Prague is our classroom: Czech-international school educates ‘without limits’

Entrepreneur Věra Komárová – owner of the Czech cosmetics brand Dermacol – struggled to find a suitable school for her children during the pandemic. Her solution? To start her own.

Open since September 2021, Leonardo Da Vinci Academy was born of Komárová’s desire to stimulate a lifelong passion for learning in all students, encouraging them to become independent learners both in and out of the classroom.

Initially open to grades 7-9, the Leonardo da Vinci Academy will welcome all students from 5-16 years of age from Sept. 2022, offering a Czech and international curriculum and small class sizes in an effort to foster students’ full academic potential.

For those interested in exploring what this bilingual international school has to offer, the academy has begun hosting regular open-door days. Interested parents and students can tour the school facilities, talk to staff, and learn about the school’s unique curriculum.

That curriculum encompasses a learning experience that extends beyond the walls of the Leonardo da Vinci Academy on Národní Třída, embracing the entire city as a classroom: over the course of a week, students may travel to a professional kitchen to cook a burrito from raw ingredients, attend a performance at the National Theatre, create art in a professional atelier or participate in a variety of sports.

“As one of the oldest, most beautiful cities in the world, Prague serves as a source of never-ending learning experiences,” says founding Principal Justin Kilcullen-Nichols.

Under Kilcullen-Nichols’s leadership the school was recently awarded the Pearson EDEXCEL accreditation, allowing it to offer world-class qualifications that will support young people to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.

The new primary school program will focus on developing proficiency in the English language quickly through a comprehensive phonics program. The school will also utilize Pearson’s iPrimary curriculum, used in International Primary Schools for English, Mathematics, Science, Computing and Global Citizenship combined with the Czech National Curriculum.

Students entering the Secondary School in Grade 10 will prepare for their IGCSE exams in English as a First Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Science, and can choose from a range of other subjects including Humanities, Arts, and STEM subjects.

IGCSE’s are globally recognized qualifications offered by leading international schools and provide a solid foundation for later A-Level or International Baccalaureate studies. All Czech students will receive outstanding Czech Language, Literature, and History lessons from a team of dedicated professionals.  

As it strengthens its existing programs this year, the academy’s goal remains unchanged: to offer a Czech and international curriculum with small teacher-student ratio, a place where every child will be provided with the support and guidance they need to develop a strong core value system based not only on communication and cooperation, but also independence and responsibility.

“Our teaching staff brings to the classroom nurturing care and attention to help our students develop happy, healthy, inquisitive minds and embrace a ‘renaissance’ style of thinking,” says Kilcullen-Nichols.

Leonardo da Vinci Academy is currently inviting potential students and their parents to its trial days (upcoming open days take place Feb. 10 and 16, 2022). The school also offers a scholarship fund for gifted pupils.