British International School of Cracow vs Embassy International School

	B British International School of Cracow Krakow, Poland	E Embassy International School Krakow, Poland
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year PLN 40,000 - 62,500	Fees / year PLN 3,000 - 60,000
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)	Curriculum British Curriculum, IPC (International Primary Curriculum)
Pupils	Pupils 210	Pupils 215
Typical class size	Typical class size 16	Typical class size 16
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Polish
Opened	Opened 1995	Opened 2015
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Cracow (Kraków), Poland. Located in historic Cracow, the city is rich in history, culture, and innovation.	Location Ul. Edmunda Biernackiego 10, 30-043 Kraków, Poland. Located in a pleasant Kraków residential neighbourhood, just minutes from the historic Old Town. The campus is in customised, extensive city-centre facilities with its own outdoor soft-surface sports field and a playground for younger children.
Stages	Stages Foundation; Primary; Secondary; IB	Stages Ages 3 to 19, from Nursery (Kindergarten) to A levels (end of high school).
School type	School type International school offering an English-based curriculum from early years to the IB Diploma.	School type International School in Kraków with a British international school model.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix More than 30 nationalities represented. It is a multicultural community.	Pupil nationality mix 25+ nationalities represented.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support The school addresses individual learning needs; small class sizes support personalised learning.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation British	Country affiliation United Kingdom (British international school) affiliation; located in Poland.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Academic year covered: These figures are published for the 2025/2026 academic year (no 2026/2027 fee schedule was available at the time of checking). Application / registration fee - PLN 3,000 one-time, non-refundable. Tuition fees (by year group) — published as monthly amounts payable from September to June (10 months) - Foundation 1 & 2 (Early Years): Monthly PLN 4,000 — Annual total (10 months) PLN 40,000. - Years 1–6 (Primary): Monthly PLN 6,000 — Annual total (10 months) PLN 60,000. - Years 7–11 (Lower and Upper Secondary up to IGCSE): Monthly PLN 6,000 — Annual total (10 months) PLN 60,000. - IB Diploma Years (IB1 & IB2 / Years 12–13): Monthly PLN 6,250 — Annual total (10 months) PLN 62,500. - Example first-year total for a new entrant in Kindergarten 1: PLN 40,000 tuition + PLN 3,000 registration = PLN 43,000. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is billed across the school year and is payable from September to June (the published figures are given as monthly instalments for those months). - Payments can be made by bank transfer directly into the school's bank account; bank transfer fees are payable by the payer. - School fees do not include public examination entry fees (IGCSE, IB), school camps, field trips or the cost of school lunches; these are charged separately. Boarding fees - The British International School of Cracow operates as a day school; boarding is not applicable. Other costs and additional charges - Examination fees for external public exams (IGCSE and IB) are additional and charged separately. - School trips, school camps, and school lunches are not included in the published tuition and are charged in addition. - There is no daily compulsory uniform. The school encourages purchase of house-colour polo shirts and hoodies (optional) sold through an external school shop; those branded items are an additional cost and are not sold directly by the school office. Refund information - The registration fee is non-refundable. Fee payment options (accepted methods) - The published information specifies payment by bank transfer into the school account; bank transfer charges must be borne by the payer. No other specific card or online-payment methods are published in the available fee notes. Brief note on published details and gaps found - The school's published materials give the one-time registration fee, monthly tuition amounts (Sep–Jun) and confirm that bank transfer is used for payments, and that exam entries, trips and lunches are charged separately. However, a detailed published policy on tuition refunds, notice periods for withdrawal, and a full list of accepted payment methods (e.g., whether credit card or online payment is accepted) was not found in the fee information available. The registration fee is explicitly stated as non-refundable.	Fee details Registration fee - Registration fee: PLN 3,000 per child, payable on acceptance and non-refundable. Tuition fees by year group (annual, per semester and per 10-month instalment) - Kindergarten (Kindg. 1 / age 3) — Annual tuition: PLN 40,000. Per semester (2 semesters): PLN 20,000. Ten monthly instalments (September–June): PLN 4,000 per month. - Kindergarten (Kindg. 2 / age 4) — Annual tuition: PLN 40,000. Per semester: PLN 20,000. Ten monthly instalments: PLN 4,000 per month. - Kindergarten (Kindg. 3 / age 5) and Years 1 through 13 — Annual tuition: PLN 60,000. Per semester: PLN 30,000. Ten monthly instalments: PLN 6,000 per month. (This applies to Grade 1 up to Grade 13 / Y1–Y13 as listed.) Billing schedule and payment terms - Fees may be paid in a single annual payment or in ten equal monthly instalments, payable from September through June. - The school year is organised in two academic semesters (Winter and Summer). Per-semester equivalents above are half of the annual tuition. Boarding fees - Boarding: the school operates as a day school; no boarding provision or boarding fees are published. Other costs and additional fees - Textbooks and exercise books: included in the published school fees; lost or damaged books must be replaced by parents. - Examination fees (Key Stages 4 and 5 / GCSE and A-level examinations): not included in the tuition and are charged separately. - Camps and trips: Ski Camp and Green Camp are subject to additional charges; most trips are not included in the published tuition. - Meals: school-provided meals are not included in tuition. The school works with external catering providers. - Uniforms and school clothing: not included in tuition; official school clothing and accessories are available from the school shop. Wearing official clothing is encouraged for Primary and Secondary pupils but is not strictly mandatory. ʻNavy blue and whiteʼ are the official colours. Refund information - The registration fee (PLN 3,000) is explicitly stated as non-refundable. No separate, detailed published tuition refund schedule for withdrawals is provided in the school's publicly posted admissions and handbook materials. Fee payment options - Bank transfer is accepted; the school publishes its bank account details including bank name, IBAN and SWIFT/BIC for international transfers. Example account information published: BNP Paribas Bank S.A.; IBAN: PL33175010480000000041108673; SWIFT/BIC: PPABPLPKXXX. Payments by instalment are offered as described above. - The school lists an accounting contact for billing and payment enquiries (accounting@embassyschool.org). Short practical summary - One-off registration: PLN 3,000 (non-refundable). Annual tuition generally shown as PLN 40,000 for younger kindergarten years and PLN 60,000 for Kindg. 3 and Years 1–13. Fees may be paid annually or in ten monthly instalments; textbooks are included, while exams, camps, trips, meals and uniforms are additional costs. Bank transfer details (IBAN/SWIFT) are published for payment.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement The school does not have a school uniform.	Uniform requirement Dress Code: pupils wear a white shirt/blouse or polo top with a school logo badge on the upper left, paired with dark trousers or knee-length or longer skirts; polo shirts with the logo are available from the school office. On special occasions a formal uniform is required: white shirts/blouses with the logo, a dark blue tie for boys, a dark blue neck scarf or tie for girls, and black or very dark shoes. The Head of School informs pupils of the days when uniform is required; logo clothing such as sweaters, t‑shirts, caps, cardigans and fleeces are also available.
Food options	Food options BISC Lunches are provided; a weekly lunch menu includes soups, main dishes and desserts.	Food options Three catering companies deliver lunches daily, with teachers regularly checking the quality to ensure meals are healthy. Since meals come from external caterers, there is an additional charge for school meals; pupils may also bring food from home to be reheated in the microwave.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership Independent school founded in 1995; co-owned; Monika Wnęk joined the group of co-owners in 2024 as President of the School7s Management Board; supervised by the Polish Ministry of Education and the Ma42opolska Board of Education; Parent60–Teacher Association (PTA) and the Advisory Board involve parents in governance.	Governance and ownership Embassy International School is privately owned by three shareholders and established in 2015. It is governed by a two-member board consisting of the school directors, ensuring educational interests are represented at the highest financial decision-making level. The school maintains a range of policies and aspires to join international educational organisations, adopting the Council of International Schools' code of ethics.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details English-based curriculum from early years to the IB Diploma. Foundation Level follows the British Early Years Foundation Stage, and all stages are centred on the English National Curriculum. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is offered across secondary, and Cambridge and Edexcel examinations are used in senior years. The school is accredited by the International Baccalaureate Organisation and by Cambridge International, and teaches an English-based curriculum across the school.	Curriculum details The Embassy International School serves students from Nursery (3 years) to A levels (up to 19). The learning path starts in Early Years, continues through Primary (focus on the International Primary Curriculum) and Secondary with a broad and balanced curriculum leading to A-levels. Primary includes specialist lessons in art, music, physical education and ICT. A-levels are taught in small groups of up to five students in AQA courses led by experienced subject teachers. The school uses English as the working language for learning and instruction, with Polish language lessons available for native Polish speakers as required by the Polish authorities. The British international school model supports university admissions worldwide via A-level qualifications.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio Small class sizes.	Student teacher ratio Teacher to student ratio is 1:8.
Exam results	Exam results IB Diploma results are well above the global average. IB Diploma candidates achieve excellent results, with annual average scores above global figures, and graduates progress to leading universities around the world.	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates progress to top universities around the world, including University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University College London and University of Bath.	Higher education progression Graduates typically progress to higher education at universities worldwide, with A-level qualifications recognised for admission at universities globally.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning The IB Diploma Programme develops students intellectually, socially, and emotionally. There is active partnership with parents, with regular parent–teacher meetings and four detailed school reports each year to support student well-being and progress.	Social & emotional learning Embassy International School serves the international and local community aged 3 to 19, from Nursery (Kindergarten) to the end of high school exams (A levels). The school emphasizes building an internationally minded community and aims to develop skills such as collaboration, empathy, and responsible leadership through its programmes and activities.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language English is the language of instruction.	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school places a high priority on safeguarding of students and staff, including child protection, and the safe recruitment of appropriately qualified and experienced staff.	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview Dedicated facilities support creative, athletic, and technological talents. The school educates 220 students from over 35 countries. It offers a complete educational pathway from Preschool (age 3) to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, with English as the language of instruction. The IB Diploma Programme is available from primary through secondary. Located in historic Cracow.	Facilities overview The school is located in a complex of bright city-centre buildings adapted in 2016 for our needs. For younger pupils there is a playground with swings, a slide, and a climbing frame on a shaded soft-surface area. Older children use a soft-surface playing field surrounded by netting for football and basketball, with ample grassy space. The library is growing and stocked with popular youth literature and carefully selected educational books; pick-up and drop-off are organized via two gates and a one-way system with limited guest parking.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Gym is available for Physical Education.	Sports facilities An outdoor soft-surface sports field is surrounded by netting for football and basketball. There is ample grassy space for a range of outdoor activities. The grounds are secure behind two manned gates on a quiet street.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities ICT & Library facilities are available for learning. Science facilities support Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/ESS.	Academic facilities The working, teaching and learning language is English; classes are conducted in English, with Polish for Polish citizens. Inside, 1500m2 of bright, modern classrooms are equipped with whiteboards, a computer, a projector and an interactive whiteboard, plus display space and learning-support materials. Specialist rooms were fully equipped in 2016 with computers and subject-specific software. The library is growing and stocked with popular youth literature and carefully selected educational books.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Extra Curricular Activities are offered beyond the classroom. A timetable shows the current range of activities for the 2023/2024 academic year and prices vary; some activities may be provided free of charge. Information is available via the Schoology platform.	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History British International School of Cracow has 30 years of experience delivering British education. The school blends traditional British educational practices with innovative teaching methods and serves students from more than 30 nationalities. It offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, which has been delivered since 2006, and operates as an IB World School. The school is accredited by the IB, Cambridge International, COBIS, and AQA.	History Founded in 2015. Embassy International School Kraków is the newest international school in Kraków. The campus is located in one of Kraków's most pleasant residential neighbourhoods, minutes from the historic Old Town. The learning path starts with Nursery and leads to A-levels, with Early Years, Primary School (International Primary Curriculum), Secondary School, and A-levels.
Community	Community BISC Kraków hosts a multicultural community in the heart of Cracow, with families from diverse cultural backgrounds. The school emphasizes care and belonging, recognizing each child as an individual and supporting both academic and personal growth. It maintains active channels for family engagement, including a newsletter that shares university destinations, curriculum highlights, student achievements, and community events. Beyond the classroom, the school offers activities such as a ski camp, a green camp, and concerts that bring the community together.	Community Embassy International School attracts a diverse community of pupils from various cultural backgrounds, promoting global awareness and intercultural understanding. The curriculum emphasises critical thinking, creativity, and global perspectives and offers extracurricular activities across sports, arts, music, and clubs. The school hosts more than 20 community events and fosters a global network of peers and connections among students.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is a platform for families to share views with the Governors (in this case the Zarząd) and Educational Leaders. The PTA gathers viewpoints from parents about the school's work, informs the educational and business leaders of concerns, asks questions, and provides an opportunity for leaders to explain important decisions. The Chair will be a parent, and one parent per class is nominated and, in the event of multiple nominations, elected by a simple majority of parents from each class. The PTA also organizes social events to integrate and support the growth of our community. The Chair leads these activities and is provided with secretarial support by the school. A senior member of staff, or a nominated representative, attends all PTA activity organization meetings on behalf of the school.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school offers Beyond the Classroom programs such as Summer School, Ski Week, Green Camp, and Mini Camp, along with theatre performances and concerts. These experiences foster curiosity, creativity, teamwork, and leadership while linking learning with real-world adventures. They develop confidence and collaborative skills through hands-on activities beyond regular lessons.	Academic & intellectual CHESS CLUB sharpens strategic thinking through friendly competitions and problem-solving challenges. MATHS CLUB (Secondary) strengthens mathematical skills through targeted practice for Key Stage 3 and Key Stages 4–5. MODEL UNITED NATIONS (MUN) & DEBATE CLUB offers opportunities to participate in simulated conferences, developing diplomacy and public speaking. BOOK & JOURNALISM CLUB has secondary students producing the school newsletter and engaging in discussions about books, poetry, and media, fostering creative writing and critical thinking.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Theatre performances and concerts are part of Beyond the Classroom, enabling students to express themselves and collaborate in drama and music settings. These activities foster creativity and confidence in front of audiences and provide opportunities to explore drama and musical performance beyond standard lessons.	Arts & creative ART CLUB explores painting, drawing, sculpture, and crafts, with opportunities to exhibit work in school exhibitions. BALLET CLUB provides a gentle introduction to ballet through music and movement for younger students. DRAMA CLUB fosters acting and stage production, while MUSIC CLUB and related offerings (SINGING HUB, PIANO CLASSES, GUITAR CLASSES) support musical expression, and LEGO CLUB encourages creativity through building.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language FRENCH CLUB enhances language skills and cultural understanding through activities such as food tastings and film screenings. JAPANESE CLUB (for Beginners) introduces basics of the language and culture. POLISH CLUB provides engaging Polish language learning with speaking and listening practice, plus cultural activities. SPANISH CLUB immerses students in language and culture through games, cooking, and music.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies COOKING CLUB offers hands-on culinary exploration of cuisines from around the world and teamwork through shared meals. DETECTIVE CLUB invites students to solve mysteries, building critical thinking and collaboration. CHESS CLUB and LEGO CLUB provide strategic thinking and collaborative play. FOOTBALL CLUB (Primary) and VOLLEYBALL CLUB (Secondary) promote teamwork, fitness, and sport.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Participants gain social and leadership skills through involvement in camp programs and performances. These experiences encourage teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, while providing opportunities to plan and participate in events. They build confidence and collaborative abilities useful for further studies and future careers.	Leadership & professional MODEL UNITED NATIONS (MUN) & DEBATE CLUB provides opportunities to practice diplomacy and public speaking, preparing students for leadership roles and global engagement.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Ski Camp offers a week of adventure in the mountains where students develop skiing or snowboarding skills while building confidence and teamwork. Green Camp connects students with nature through outdoor exploration and activities that promote respect for the environment and personal growth. Mini Camp provides an early overnight experience that supports independence and social development. Theatre performances and concerts also support emotional well-being through creative expression.	Lifestyle & wellbeing FOOTBALL CLUB (Primary) and VOLLEYBALL CLUB (Secondary) promote fitness through regular training and matches. JUDO CLUB and FENCING CLUB develop physical skills, discipline, and focus through structured practice and competition.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The language of instruction is English, with an English-based curriculum from early years through the IB Diploma. In Group 1 Studies in Language & Literature, students may study English A Literature or Polish A Literature, or pursue a self-study language option. In Group 2 Language Acquisition, courses include English B, French B, German B and Spanish B.	Language provision English is the language of instruction for most classes. Polish is taught to Polish citizens under the Polish Curriculum; Polish curriculum studies run in parallel. German, French and Spanish are offered as language lessons. EAL (English as an Additional Language) support is available to help students access the curriculum.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The working language is English. Polish is taught to Polish citizens under the Polish Curriculum. German, French and Spanish are taught as language lessons. A Polish Curriculum runs in parallel with the English curriculum.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards null
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations null
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions The school welcomes children of all nationalities and operates an ongoing enrolment throughout the school year. English is the language of instruction in all stages, and English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available for students new to English; a language assessment may be required prior to enrolment with an EAL teacher. For enrolment, the following documents are required: the child's passport; previous school reports; any previous qualifications achieved; any previous certificates of English language proficiency; a visa or Resident's Card for non-EU students stating the right to remain in Poland during enrolment; a letter of support from the employer if they will be liable for the payment of tuition fees; and a non-refundable registration fee of PLN 3,000.	Admissions 1. Complete the application form and submit it with the requested supporting documentation. When the form is received, you will be contacted to arrange a personal meeting. 2. 3. An interview is conducted and a review of previous school reports is carried out; for some year groups there are English tests (years 7–9) and tests in English and Maths (years 10–11); year 12 requires tests in all subjects for the A-levels plus an English proficiency assessment. 4. If your child is accepted, pay a non-returnable registration fee of PLN 3,000 and sign a contract for the provision of educational services. 5. The school is located at Ul. 6. You may join at any time during the year following the admissions procedure, and a trial day can be arranged when possible.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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