School System

Primary school (Szkoła podstawowa) Years 1 to 6

The Primary School (Szkoła podstawowa) lasts 6 years (beginning at the age of 7 with the so-called zerówka – preparation at the age of 6, which is not compulsory), and is divided into the 1st and 2nd level.

1st level: Years 1 to 3: subjects are not taught individually; the curriculum is taught by means of integrated thematic units

2nd level: year 4 to 6.
Secondary education I. (Gymnasium) – Years 7 to 9.
Secondary education II. (Liceum) – Years 10 to 11, 12 or 13

The liceum lasts for 3 or 4 years, finishing with the school-leaving exam. Here are different possible forms of the liceum:

1        liceum ogólnokształcące (3 years) – grammar school

2        liceum profilowane (3 years) – specific education in particular subjects

3        technikum (4 years) - technical school / college

4        zasadnicza szkoła zawodowa - training institution (without the final exam, 2 or 3 years), followed by:  uzupełniające liceum ogólnokształcące, or - technikum uzupełniające (both finishing with the final exam that entitles university admission).