Looking for an international school? PBIS offers a family-focused, student-centered admissions process

Finding a school that’s the right fit for your child and family can feel overwhelming. Prague offers many educational options, and deciding where to begin your search can be hard. 

Prague British International School (PBIS)— the largest international school in the Czech capital—wants to make the admissions process less stressful by starting with a welcoming, positive, and inclusive experience.   

“We understand that finding the right school is a huge decision. We really want to make it as enjoyable as possible for any prospective family,” says Eva Svitáková, Admissions and Marketing Director at PBIS. 

This family-centered, individualized approach is embedded in every aspect of the PBIS experience, from the admissions process to the classroom and after-school clubs. The school’s active and vibrant community encourages participation and interaction between students, teachers, and parents.

“Our teachers are absolutely phenomenal, and we are so honored that we have such great, engaged parents. We all work as a team, and it really pays off,” says Svitáková. “At our school, it’s all about the right fit. We want to make sure the student is the right fit for us, and we are the right fit for that student. It’s very individualized.” 

While many Czech schools require that students sit for a battery of entrance exams, PBIS prioritizes core values of inclusion and individualized learning. In lieu of extensive academic testing, the PBIS admissions team asks questions that focus on personal experience. 

“We really want to find out as much as possible about every single child – what subjects they like, what are their passions, what are their hobbies, if there is anything they don’t like, why are they switching schools if they are already in Prague,” says Svitáková.

Families are also encouraged to ask the school anything. No question is too big or too small. In fact, PBIS invites families to visit the school for a firsthand experience of the educational facilities and community in action. Parents and students are offered a chance to chat with teachers, the senior leadership team, and other students to gain deeper insight into the school’s curriculum and teaching methods.  

PBIS, part of the Nord Anglia family of international schools, has three state-of-the-art campuses in Prague: Kamýk, Libuš, and Vlastina. For those who cannot visit in person, the admissions team arranges a virtual discovery meeting, allowing families to take a personalized tour of the school from the comfort of their own homes.

“Some families will say, ‘Yes, this is it! We love the school,’ and their child can start essentially in a few days, but some families need more time to decide,” says Svitáková. 

Following the initial admissions meeting and school tour, prospective students can participate in a trial day — or, as PBIS calls it, an “Experience Day” — to get hands-on experience of what it’s really like to be a PBIS student. 

New students are assigned a buddy to show them the ropes, introduce them to teachers and other students in their grade, and answer any questions they might have throughout the day.  

For parents, an Experience Day helps seal the deal, offering additional reassurance that they’ve chosen the right educational environment for their child. 

Once a decision has been made, the admissions process can move very fast. Moving from contract completion to a child’s official first day often takes less than a week, says Svitáková. PBIS has open enrollment, meaning that the school onboards new students year-round, provided there’s space available.     

“After the documents we need have been collected and the student is enrolled, we really want to make sure that the child receives what we promised to them, which is really a bespoke experience and bespoke care,” says Svitáková. 

“For example, if we know that a child is really passionate about ballet, we have an after-school ballet club, so we make sure there is a place for that child. If a student is really artsy, we inform the art teacher so that she can keep a special eye on that student. Our goal is that they feel welcomed from the second they enter our school.” 

At the start of your PBIS journey, your family will be paired with a member of the school’s multilingual admissions team. The team specializes in the appropriate age program (early years, primary or secondary education).

“If a student is looking to enroll in upper secondary, for instance, we need to make sure the students are an academic fit, because the program we offer in upper secondary is quite rigorous. We want to ensure we place that student in the course stream that’s best for them,” says Svitáková.

If there are any concerns, they should be addressed during the admissions process. The school is flexible in helping students find the right path to success. 

“Every family deserves premium care, so that’s what we deliver,” says Svitáková. “We really want to ensure the students make the most of their studies with us.” 

The school hosts Open Days monthly, though, as Svitáková mentions, “every day is essentially an Open Day at PBIS.” Families just have to contact the admissions department to arrange a time for a personalized tour.

“We actively invite every single family to visit,” says Svitáková. “Every single day, every classroom is a source of unbelievable stories. We try to capture it all.”