Pines Forest School vs Sapiens International Community School

	P Pines Forest School Warsaw, Poland	S Sapiens International Community School Warsaw, Poland
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year PLN 54,600	Fees / year PLN 45,000 - 55,000
Age range	Age range 4 - 15 years	Age range 12 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum	Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 12
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Polish
Opened	Opened 2019	Opened 2018
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Pines Learning HUBs are located in Zabia Wola and in the Powsin Forest area on the outskirts of Warsaw, Poland, within the Kabacki Forest. Just forty minutes from the centre of Warsaw.	Location The school is located in the heart of Warsaw. The address is ul. Grójecka 208. The school sits in a central urban setting that serves an international community.
Stages	Stages Lower primary years with emphasis on British learning goals, progressing to Year 6 (Polish Grade 5) with greater focus on the Polish curriculum while continuing to benefit from the breadth of the British approach.	Stages Ages 12–17
School type	School type Forest School blending the Polish and British curricula.	School type International, innovative community school
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix A growing international pupil community, with families from the UK, Canada, Germany, and Poland.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Inclusion-focused with attention to each child's needs, learning style, and interests.	Additional learning support Psychological and mentorship support provided by licensed professionals.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Poland	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure The school day runs from 9:00 to 15:30.	School day structure Flexible scheduling and individual learning paths; 75–100% in-person instruction with up to 25% online learning; no traditional homework; long-term interdisciplinary project work and real-life learning.
Bus service details	Bus service details Transport from Warsaw is available for 800 PLN.	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and registration fees - No separate application fee or one-off registration fee is published for Pines Primary; project bookings for short courses are charged per project. Tuition fees by year group / programme - Pines Primary (day programme, core primary provision): monthly tuition is PLN 3,300. This is stated as the monthly charge for the Pines Primary programme. - There is no separate published breakdown of tuition by individual year groups (Year 1, Year 2, etc.) or by academic-term amounts; a single monthly price is listed for Pines Primary. Per-term / per-year calculation guidance (stated figures only) - Monthly tuition: PLN 3,300 (Pines Primary). Use this monthly figure for any monthly billing calculations. The school does not publish per-term or per-academic-year figures broken down by year group on the public pages. Additional recurring charges and optional extras - Catered meals (optional): PLN 450 per month. - Transport (service from Warsaw): PLN 800 per month. Project and session fees (short courses / extracurricular projects) - Project fee (typical short project length): PLN 800 for a project that lasts six weeks with one session per week. - Weekend and single-session workshop rates (where offered): e.g., Saturday or Sunday Forest School sessions have been listed at PLN 100 per learner per session (PLN 90 for siblings) for shorter workshop-style sessions in past schedules; such sessions are invoiced and payment is required in advance. Billing schedule and payment terms - The Pines Primary fee is presented as a monthly charge (PLN 3,300), indicating monthly billing for the core primary programme. - Project and short-session bookings are invoiced and require payment in advance; advance payments for sessions have been stated as non-refundable for those sessions. Confirmation for bookings is issued in the form of an invoice. - Fees are the joint responsibility of all signatories on the registration/booking form. Standard terms reserve the right to terminate a place for serious breaches; in such circumstances no refund is given. If a parent withdraws a child immediately from a project they remain liable for the full project cost. Boarding fees - No boarding provision or boarding fees are published for Pines Forest School. The Pines Primary programme is a day school with hours given as 09:00–15:30. Other costs / required items - Suitable clothing and outdoor kit are required for Forest School activities (long sleeves, waterproof coat, walking boots, hat, gloves, etc.); parents are responsible for providing appropriate kit. No uniform fee or compulsory uniform charge is published. - Occasional workshop or weekend session fees (e.g., PLN 100 per session) and project fees (PLN 800) are additional costs where applicable. Refund information - Project/session payments taken in advance for short sessions have been described as non-refundable. The terms state that if a child's place is terminated for serious breach there is no refund. If parents withdraw a child immediately from a project they remain liable for the full project cost. In the event of session cancellation by Pines, sessions will be rescheduled; if sessions are cancelled due to severe weather and parents are asked to collect children, no refund is made for that event. Fee payment options - Bookings and confirmations are handled via invoicing; the public pages show that confirmation is provided by invoice and that payment is required in advance for sessions. Specific payment methods (for example bank transfer, credit/debit card, or other payment channels) are not listed on the public fee information. Brief note on available public information and gaps - The school publishes a single monthly tuition figure for the Pines Primary programme (PLN 3,300) plus explicit monthly charges for catered meals (PLN 450) and transport from Warsaw (PLN 800). Separate per-year-group tuition tables, per-term amounts, a stated application/registration fee for full-time primary places, a published academic-year total, and specific payment-method details are not provided in the publicly displayed fee information. Project and short-session fees and the policy that prepaid session payments are non-refundable are published.	Fee details Application fees - No one-time application or registration fee is published in the school's publicly listed fee information for the 2026/27 academic year. The school's publicly available fee summary does not list a separate admissions/registration deposit or non-refundable application charge. Tuition fees by year group (day school) - Grades 5–8 (Primary / Juniors): PLN 45,000 per year. - Grades 9–12 (High School / Liceum): PLN 55,000 per year. - Per-term breakdown (when using the school's payment options): - If paid twice per year (semi‑annual): half of the annual fee — Grades 5–8: PLN 22,500 per semester; Grades 9–12: PLN 27,500 per semester. - If paid in 10 instalments: the annual fee divided into 10 equal monthly instalments — Grades 5–8: PLN 4,500 per instalment; Grades 9–12: PLN 5,500 per instalment. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition covers a full academic year. The school publishes that tuition may be paid as a single annual payment, in two (semi‑annual) payments, or in 10 instalments. Specific due dates and any penalties for late payment are not published in the publicly available fee summary. Boarding fees - The school is a day school; boarding is not available and therefore no boarding fees apply. Other costs and fees - Early-bird tuition (time-limited promotional price) is published for the current recruitment period: Early Bird to 28 February 2026 — Primary (SP): PLN 40,000; High School (Liceum): PLN 50,000. - The school publishes at least one merit scholarship: an annual scholarship (one award) of 50% of tuition for one student in Grades 9–12 for outstanding performance and community contribution. - No separate, itemised public listing for uniform costs, daily lunch, school transport, exam fees, extracurricular charges, learning‑support fees, or other ancillary charges is published in the school's public fee summary. Refund information - No formal refund policy for paid tuition or deposits is published in the available fee summary. Details on refunds, withdrawal deadlines or partial‑year adjustments are not listed in the public fee information. Fee payment options (methods) - The school's public fee information specifies permitted payment frequencies (annual, semi‑annual, 10 instalments) but does not publish the exact accepted payment methods (for example, whether credit card payments, bank transfers, or direct debits are accepted). No public list of accepted payment channels is provided in the published fee summary. Summary of what is and is not published - Published and confirmed in public fee listings: annual tuition by grade band (PLN 45,000 for Grades 5–8; PLN 55,000 for Grades 9–12), available payment frequencies (annual, semi‑annual, 10 instalments), Early Bird tuition amounts for the current recruitment window, absence of boarding, and a published merit scholarship. - Not published in the school's publicly available fee information: a one‑time application/registration fee amount; itemised ancillary costs (uniform, lunches, transport, exam or materials fees); a formal refund policy or specific withdrawal/credit rules; and the exact payment methods (bank transfer, card, etc.). For those details, the school's admissions or finance office is the authority for contract and payment‑method specifics, since they are not listed in the public fee summary.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements Full board accommodation and meals for Polish for Beginners: Teen Starter Course.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options Catered meals are provided on site (450 PLN).	Food options Full board accommodation and meals are included for the Polish for Beginners: Teen Starter Course.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The Pines Foundation is an offshoot of PINES. It governs projects connected with Pines Forest School and runs a range of educational and community initiatives in Warsaw, including forest school activities and refugee-support programs.	Governance and ownership Governance is democratic and participatory with school councils and shared decision-making. It is part of the Sapiens Schools group.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Pines Primary blends the Polish and British curricula, with the early years emphasizing British learning goals and a progressive shift to stronger Polish study by Year 6 / Polish Grade 5. The core curriculum draws on EYFS, British curriculum learning goals, and Polish curriculum learning goals. It is delivered in small groups inside Learning HUBs and outdoors in the forest. The curriculum includes literacy, mathematics, history, geography, science, and phonics, with enrichment activities such as art and design, woodwork, music, sport, cooking, and photography. The school emphasises learning through play and aims to raise learners who are brave, resilient, confident, creative, adaptable, and happy.	Curriculum details The curriculum is built on OECD Learning Compass 2030 and focuses on six transformative competencies. It blends the Sapiens Competency Map for personal growth, the Cambridge IGCSE & A-Level Framework for academic depth, the Polish National Curriculum for civic grounding, and Ivy League Pedagogy for innovation and project-based learning. Six core competencies are Self-Regulation, Communication, Critical Thinking, Creativity, Adaptability & Flexibility, and Cooperation. Five A-Level Programs are designed as coherent subject combinations aligned with university pathways and future careers: Creative Industries & Strategic Thinking; Biomedical & Psychological Sciences; Behavioural Economics & Management; Engineering, Technology & Data Sciences; International Business & Economics Pathway. International classes follow the core British curriculum in Maths, Science, and English to meet global educational standards, with 80% of instruction in English.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression Five A-Level Programs are designed as coherent subject combinations aligned with university pathways and future careers.
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 —	Social & emotional learning Six key competencies essential for success: self-regulation, communication, critical thinking, creativity, adaptability, and cooperation. Self-Regulation develops emotional intelligence, self-discipline, and resilience; students learn to set personal goals, manage time, and handle stress. These skills enhance mental well-being and academic performance. Communication and Cooperation are cultivated through collaboration on projects and cross-cultural settings. The school fosters an intercultural and inclusive environment that promotes empathy and global citizenship. Engagement opportunities include collaborative school projects, democratic student governance, and vibrant community events.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language 80% of instruction is in English. This fosters bilingualism and prepares students for international academic and professional paths. International Classes follow the core British curriculum in Maths, Science, and English to meet global educational standards. The environment is multicultural, embracing diversity and promoting empathy, cross-cultural communication, and global citizenship. English-language instruction supports multilingual proficiency and helps students access international opportunities.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing Psychological and mentorship support is provided by licensed professionals to help students and families navigate educational and personal challenges. Self-regulation, emotional intelligence, and resilience are core competencies that support mental well-being. The six competencies include self-regulation, communication, critical thinking, creativity, adaptability, and cooperation, all contributing to well-being through structured learning. The intercultural and inclusive environment promotes a sense of safety, belonging, and global citizenship. Engagement opportunities and ongoing support accompany regular reviews of progress to understand student well-being alongside academic growth.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview Learning HUBs open out onto the surrounding forest, providing a space to learn, explore, and grow. The HUBs are modern, fully equipped learning spaces that function as bright and welcoming classrooms. Each HUB includes kitchenettes, toilets, and showers, ensuring comfort and practicality throughout the day. The Pines Learning HUBs are located forty minutes from the centre of Warsaw, set within a beautiful historic forest. Beyond the HUBs, learners have access to a tool-use area, wildlife habitats, a pond and a stream, and a garden with raised beds for plants and herbs.	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Learning occurs in modern Learning HUBs designed as bright classrooms and connected to the forest environment. The core curriculum blends the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning goals with British curriculum learning goals and Polish curriculum learning goals. Lessons are taught in small peer groups, with session lengths tailored to the needs of each activity and learner. Learning takes place both inside the bespoke Learning HUBs and outdoors in the forest, where practical, hands-on experiences bring subjects to life. The forest setting and enrichment activities support a holistic approach to education and preparation for future educational pathways. Enrichment activities include art and design, woodwork, music, sport, cooking, and photography.	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Enrichment activities include art and design, woodwork, music, sport, cooking, and photography. These activities nurture creativity, independence, and a sense of discovery. Learning happens in both the Learning HUBs and outdoors in the forest, providing real-life contexts for skills and knowledge. The programme integrates with the core curriculum to support a balanced, practical approach to learning.	Extra curricular facilities Extracurricular activities include IT Course, Arts and Design Course, Theater, Chess, Guitar, Mafia, Cashflow, Mix Dance, IELTS, Piano, and Art and Talk. The IT Course introduces coding, web development, foundational programming languages, and cybersecurity through hands-on projects. The Arts and Design Course covers drawing, painting, digital design, and mixed media to strengthen visual communication. The Theater Course teaches acting, voice, and movement, while Chess strengthens strategic thinking. Other options include Mafia, Cashflow, Mix Dance, IELTS, Piano, and Art and Talk, offering development in teamwork, creativity, financial literacy, and language skills.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Pines Forest School began in August 2019 with three children, one Forest Leader, and a backpack. It is a British Forest School based on the Scandinavian all-weather model and was pioneered by British OCN-certified Forest School practitioners. Pines is organized into three areas—Pines Forest School, Pines Primary, and Pines Foundation—sharing the same core principles of inclusivity, wellbeing, independence, and positive educational experiences.	History Sapiens was founded in 2018 by Olena Tkachova. In September 2023, Sapiens Up Democratic School for Teens opened in Warsaw and, after two years of steady growth and increasing international engagement, evolved into Sapiens International Innovative Community School, grounded in three core values: Internationalism, Innovation, and Community. All students are welcomed regardless of nationality and are contributors to a vibrant, inclusive global school community.
Community	Community Community is at the heart of Pines; relationships between children, educators, families, and the natural world are nurtured. Parents are invited to join for coffee in the mornings to observe the work, and regular free courses are available for those who wish to learn more and participate in the forest community. Our growing community includes forest leaders, park rangers, parents, enthusiasts, specialists, practitioners and pupils.	Community Sapiens has a multicultural community that embraces diversity, cross-cultural communication, and global citizenship. 80% of instruction is in English, and parents are active participants in the school. A democratic, participatory culture ensures students, parents, and educators co-create the learning environment, with engagement opportunities through collaborative school projects and vibrant community events.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Pines Primary blends the Polish and British curricula into a hybrid core of learning. The core British curriculum covers literacy, mathematics, history, geography, science, and phonics alongside the Polish curriculum. Lessons are delivered in small groups and take place both in Learning HUBs and outdoors in the forest, with hands-on, real-life experiences. The approach emphasises risk-taking, independence, and child-led exploration to foster curiosity and confidence.	Academic & intellectual IT Course offers a hands-on introduction to coding, web development, foundational programming languages, and cybersecurity. It develops critical thinking and problem-solving through projects and real-world applications.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Enrichment activities include art and design, woodwork, music, sport, cooking, and photography. These experiences nurture creativity, independence, and a sense of joy in discovery. Learning happens in both forest settings and inside the hubs, supported by practical, hands-on experiences.	Arts & creative Arts and Design Course explores drawing, painting, digital design, and mixed media, teaching composition and color theory. Theater, guitar, and Art & Talk foster performance, musical expression, and thoughtful dialogue.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language The curriculum blends Polish and British learning goals, creating a bilingual/multilingual learning context. Staff support English language learners and employ CLIL (Content & Language Integrated Learning) approaches through CLIL training. The team includes multilingual experience, supporting international perspectives in the classroom.	Cultural & language English Intensive Course focuses on academic and conversational English through creative writing, storytelling, and interactive projects. Polish for Beginners helps teens start speaking Polish with games and real-life practice; IELTS preparation strengthens listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Animations and workshops for children are led by Pines staff, enriching the social fabric of the school. Outdoor learning and Forest School activities underpin play-based, experiential learning in the forest and hub settings. The school emphasises community through collaboration between staff, families, and pupils.	Social & hobbies Chess strengthens focus, logic, and strategic thinking through lessons and matches. Mafia and Mix Dance develop teamwork, social interaction, creativity, and fitness.
Community & service	Community & service The Pines Foundation supports the social and emotional wellbeing of children, teenagers and adults facing illness, social barriers, restricting conditions and disability. Projects include sign language workshops to bridge communication gaps, Forest School projects for diverse groups, and a Forest School for all initiative. Family weekend events and support for Ukrainian families relocating to Warsaw are part of the Foundation's work, and Erasmus+ STEAM in Nature connects Pines with international partners.	Community & service Extracurricular Activities include clubs, workshops, and community service opportunities designed to enhance student engagement and leadership. More information coming soon.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional CashFlow Course uses an interactive game to teach financial literacy, money management, and strategic thinking. It helps students develop teamwork, analytical thinking, and practical money-management skills.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Education takes place outdoors in the forest, with Learning HUBs opening onto natural environments near Warsaw. The school day runs from 9:00 to 15:30, and lessons are delivered in small groups with a strong emphasis on hands-on, real-world learning. Outdoor learning promotes physical activity, resilience, creativity, and wellbeing as core elements of development.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Mix Dance blends hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, and freestyle to boost creativity, confidence, and fitness. Each session combines choreography with improvisation and rhythm training.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision The main teaching language is English. Polish is taught as part of the national curriculum. Additional languages offered include Spanish, German, and Ukrainian. Core communication languages are English, Polish, and Ukrainian; English proficiency is required for admission (junior years: A2-B1; high school: B1-B2). Language support courses and tutoring are available.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching English is the main language of instruction. Polish is maintained and developed as part of the national curriculum. Additional languages include Spanish, German, and Ukrainian.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Register interest for Pines Primary enrolment.	Admissions Step 1: Short application form and interview with the student. Step 2: Participation in a trial week, where the student experiences the learning environment. Step 3: A parent meeting to align on expectations and values. Step 4: For older students (14+), a conversation about learning goals and previous academic background. Step 5: Entrance exams are not required; motivation, readiness for independent learning, and English proficiency at least B1 are assessed.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships We occasionally offer sibling discounts and annual payment options; current options are available by contacting us directly.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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