Choosing an international school in Krakow is a smaller decision than in Warsaw, and that is both the advantage and the constraint. Krakow's expatriate community is concentrated in technology, shared services and academia rather than diplomacy and finance, the international sector is compact, and the schools know each other well. With fewer options the choice is simpler, but it also means the wrong fit is harder to fix locally. This 2026 guide covers the curricula available, realistic tuition in zloty, where families actually live, and how to approach admissions.
Which Curricula Are Available in Krakow
The International Baccalaureate anchors the sector. Krakow has IB provision at Diploma level and, at some schools, the Primary Years and Middle Years Programmes. It is the most portable option and universally recognised by Polish and international universities.
British and Cambridge pathways take pupils through IGCSE at 16 and then A Levels or the IB Diploma. The easiest transition for families arriving from the UK, Ireland or British-curriculum schools elsewhere.
American programmes. A smaller presence than in Warsaw, but available, offering a US high school diploma with Advanced Placement options.
Polish private and bilingual schools. A substantial group of Polish private schools teach with extensive English provision, some offering IGCSE or the IB Diploma alongside the Polish matura. Fees are considerably lower and outcomes are frequently strong, since Krakow is a university city with a competitive local education market. Worth serious consideration if you expect to stay several years.
One point specific to Poland: children who are Polish citizens are subject to compulsory education requirements, and families in that position should confirm with each school how it satisfies the obligation. Non-Polish children have full freedom of choice.
International Schools in Krakow to Shortlist
Each school below holds a verified profile on International School Advisor with curriculum, age range and reviews from families.
International School of Krakow
The longest established international school in the city, offering an English medium programme with the IB Diploma in the senior years on a campus north of the centre in Lusina. It has the deepest international community, the most experience with mid-year arrivals and the broadest co-curricular offer. Usually the first school families investigate, and reasonably so. See the full profile and reviews.
British International School of Cracow
An English National Curriculum school taking pupils through IGCSE, with a familiar year group structure and assessment calendar for families arriving from the UK. Smaller and more personal than the largest campuses. Check curriculum, ages and fees.
Open Future International School
An English medium school with an international curriculum and a strong emphasis on individualised learning and languages, appealing to families who want closer academic monitoring during a transition year. View the school profile.
Cracow International School
A smaller international provider offering English medium teaching with Polish taught throughout, well suited to families who want their children to develop real Polish alongside an international programme. Read more on ISA.
Da Vinci's International Schools
A bilingual option combining English medium teaching with the Polish curriculum, positioned well below international school fee levels while still offering substantial English provision. See ages, fees and reviews.
What International School Fees Look Like in Krakow
Krakow is one of the better value international markets in the European Union, and noticeably cheaper than Warsaw. Annual tuition for the 2025 to 2026 cycle:
- International schools, secondary and IB Diploma: roughly PLN 55,000 to PLN 95,000.
- International schools, primary: roughly PLN 40,000 to PLN 70,000.
- Bilingual Polish-English private schools: roughly PLN 20,000 to PLN 45,000.
- International and bilingual preschool: roughly PLN 20,000 to PLN 45,000, often billed monthly.
- Polish public schools: free, with Polish language support available for newly arrived pupils.
Add a one-off registration or entry fee of PLN 1,500 to PLN 8,000, sometimes a refundable deposit, plus meals at PLN 3,000 to PLN 7,000 a year, transport at PLN 4,000 to PLN 10,000, uniform where required, devices in the secondary years, and IGCSE or IB examination entry fees. A realistic planning figure is published tuition plus 15 to 20 per cent.
Choosing by District
Krakow is compact, tram and bus coverage is good, and traffic is manageable outside a few pinch points, which makes the commute far less decisive than in Warsaw or Manila. Still, school location shapes where you should look for housing.
Zwierzyniec, Wola Justowska and Salwator to the west form the traditional expatriate belt, with houses, gardens, green space along the Vistula and short trips to the international schools on the southern and western edges of the city. Debniki and Ruczaj to the south suit families working in the technology parks and offer newer apartment stock at good value. Stare Miasto and Kazimierz put you in the historic centre with unmatched walkability and restaurants, but family-sized flats are scarce and tourist volume is high. Bronowice and Krowodrza offer solid value with good tram links.
A practical note that matters more here than in most cities: Krakow has significant winter air quality problems from regional heating, and it is a genuine consideration for children with asthma. Several schools have installed air filtration and have indoor policies on high pollution days. Ask specifically, and ask what triggers the policy.
Admissions: How It Actually Works
The Polish academic year runs from early September to late June, with a two-week winter break and a regional ski holiday in January or February. International schools in Krakow generally operate rolling admissions, accepting applications year-round and assessing candidates as they apply, with the main round running from January to May. Because the sector is small, popular year groups do fill, but mid-year entry is more feasible than in larger markets.
Prepare two years of school reports, a transfer or leaving certificate, immunisation records, passports, and proof of address. Reports issued in languages other than English or Polish usually need translation. Expect an English and mathematics assessment from around Year 2 upward and an informal observation session for early years places. English as an Additional Language support is available at most Krakow international schools but capacity is limited, so ask how many pupils are currently in the programme and how many hours a week are delivered.
For Polish language, ask whether it is offered as a foreign language, as a native stream, or both. Families who intend to stay several years generally find that a serious Polish strand makes an enormous difference to how quickly children build friendships outside school.
Compare Krakow Schools Side by Side
Browse the best international schools in Krakow and Lesser Poland on International School Advisor to filter by curriculum, age range and language of instruction, and read reviews from families already in the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an international school in Krakow cost per year?
Annual tuition typically runs PLN 40,000 to PLN 70,000 at primary level and PLN 55,000 to PLN 95,000 for secondary and IB Diploma years. Bilingual Polish-English private schools charge considerably less, roughly PLN 20,000 to PLN 45,000. Add 15 to 20 per cent for meals, transport, devices and examination fees.
Is Krakow or Warsaw better for international schooling?
Warsaw has more schools, more curriculum choice and larger cohorts, which matters for specialist subjects and competitive sport. Krakow is cheaper, more compact, easier to commute in and has a strong university-city academic culture. For most families the deciding factor is where the job is.
Can my children attend a Polish public school in Krakow?
Yes. Polish public schools are free and provide additional Polish language lessons for newly arrived pupils. The route works best for younger children and for families expecting to stay several years, since instruction is entirely in Polish.