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BESST English-Slovak School

Slovakia, Trnava

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Slovak, English
Fees €4,680 - 5,880
Ages Not listed
Type Co-educational
Opened 2009
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages Slovak, English, German, Spanish
Typical class size 16
Strengths Languages, Academic Enrichment, Outdoor Education
Clubs Cultural and Language, Lifestyle and Wellbeing, Leadership and Professional
Stages Kindergarten, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

BESST English-Slovak School in Trnava is a private bilingual complex serving children from kindergarten to high school. It is a Cambridge International Centre and offers Cambridge Primary (Grades 1–6), Cambridge Secondary 1 (Grades 7–9), plus Cambridge IGCSE and AS/A Levels for the international programme. Lessons are conducted in Slovak and English, with native English-speaking teachers in many classes, and the curriculum blends the Slovak national programme with Cambridge standards. The school uses the Hejný method in mathematics and equips students with iPads and interactive boards to support learning. Class sizes are capped at 16 pupils. BESST provides more than 20 clubs and a broad range of after-school activities, weekly ski trips, a school bus, and quality meals. Its facilities include a gym, a modern library, a canteen, and the Future Classroom Lab Besst—a flexible learning space with technology for active teaching and learning. The Čítareň DVOJBODKA reading room expands Slovak and English titles for use in teaching and breaks. Summer camps are offered.

The Essentials

BESST English-Slovak School has typical class sizes of 16, instruction in Slovak, English.

Location

Trnava, Slovakia. The Private Bilingual High School BESST is located at Limbová 6051/3, Trnava. BESST is a complex of schools from kindergarten to high school in Trnava. The campus supports bilingual education and Cambridge international programming within the city context.

Stages

Kindergarten through high school.

Type

Private bilingual school (English–Slovak) with Cambridge International Programme.

Additional learning support

Gifted education with individualized learning programs for identified students.

Country affiliation

Cambridge International Centre (Cambridge International Examinations).

School day structure

Year 1–4 timetable: 8:30–9:15, 9:20–10:05, 10:20–11:05, 11:10–11:55, lunch 11:55–12:55, 12:55–13:40, 13:50–14:35. Year 5–9 timetable: 8:30–9:15, 9:20–10:05, 10:20–11:05, 11:10–11:55, 12:05–12:50 (lunch), 12:55–13:50, 13:50–14:35, 14:10–14:55.

Bus service

The school has its own bus for trips in Trnava.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement

There are two uniform types: a regular everyday uniform (polo shirt in four colors, a sweatshirt, and dark skirts or trousers) and a ceremonial uniform (white shirt and tie with a green vest for boys; white blouse, tie, green vest with dark trousers or a blue skirt for girls; an optional jacket from year 6 for boys). Uniforms are purchased at the school and must be worn during class and for representation at school events; in cold weather a white long-sleeve top may be worn under the polo; skirts require matching tights. It is mandatory to wear a complete uniform; sanctions apply for non-compliance, and a third breach prompts a parent to change the student; the uniform price list is published on besst.sk.

Food Options

Meals are served in the school canteen with a daily sequence: juice at 9:15, morning snack at 10:05, lunch at 12:00, and an afternoon snack at 14:35. Meal cancellations can be made in advance by 7:00 a.m. on the same day by calling 0917 953 282 or emailing strava@besst.sk; weekend cancellations are via SMS; if not canceled, lunch can be collected through the back entrance of the school canteen between 11:30 and 13:30.

Governance and Ownership

The BESST is a private primary school that has operated since the 2009/2010 school year. It began as a branch of a private school in Bratislava; in May 2011 it gained Cambridge International School status, and in June 2011 it was incorporated into the Slovak school network, thereby becoming independent from Bratislava and establishing the first private primary school in Trnava.
Fees

Annual tuition at BESST English-Slovak School ranges from EUR 4,680 to EUR 5,880 for 2026/27.

Application / registration fees
- Kindergarten (materská škola): Nenávratný registračný poplatok 150 € (platiť do 7 dní od podpisu zmluvy).
- Primary (1.–9. ročník) a Gymnázium: Nenávratný registračný poplatok 450 € (platiť do 7 dní od podpisu zmluvy). Pri neprerušovanom štúdiu v rámci škôl BESST sa registračný poplatok znižuje o 150 € (t. j. z 450 € na 300 €).

Tuition fees by year group (monthly & annual basis)
- Kindergarten (od 1. 9. 2026, platené počas 12 mesiacov):
- Starostlivosť o dieťa do 3 rokov: 490 € mesačne (platené 12 mesiacov). Ročne: 5 880 €.
- Starostlivosť o dieťa od 3 rokov: 390 € mesačne (platené 12 mesiacov). Ročne: 4 680 €.
- Primary school (Školné na školský rok od 1. 9. 2026, platené počas 12 mesiacov):
- 1.–4. ročník: 390 € mesačne (platené 12 mesiacov). Ročne: 4 680 €.
- 5.–9. ročník: 410 € mesačne (platené 12 mesiacov). Ročne: 4 920 €.
- Gymnázium (Školné na školský rok od 1. 9. 2026, platené počas 12 mesiacov):
- Všetky ročníky gymnázia: 490 € mesačne (platené 12 mesiacov). Ročne: 5 880 €.
- Sibling discounts (platné v rámci škôl BESST): 25 % zľava na druhé dieťa; 50 % zľava na tretie a každé ďalšie dieťa (z ceny dieťaťa s nižším školným).

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Školné (tuition) je fakturované na základe Zmluvy o poskytovaní vzdelávania a je platené podľa týchto splátkových období každého školského roka:
- 1. obdobie (september–december): splatnosť do 15.08.
- 2. obdobie (január–apríl): splatnosť do 15.12.
- 3. obdobie (máj–august): splatnosť do 15.04.
- Mesačné školné je stanovené ako suma mesačných platieb rozdelená na 12 mesiacov (údaj o mesačnom školnom a poznámka, že sa platí počas 12 mesiacov sú súčasťou cenníka).
- Školský klub detí (po vyučovaní) – spôsob a termíny platieb:
- Poplatky mesačne podľa počtu dní (príklady pre ZŠ): celý týždeň 115 €/mesiac, 4 dni 100 €/mesiac, 3 dni 75 €/mesiac, 2 dni 50 €/mesiac, 1 deň 25 €/mesiac. Hodinové poplatky po 17:00 sú uvedené samostatne (5 €/hod., 18:00–20:00 20 €/hod.). Platba za ŠKD sa rozúčtuje do troch splátok; splatnosti jednotlivých období sú uvedené v cenníku (napr. 15.10., 15.01., 15.05. pre ZŠ).
- Stravovanie (školská jedáleň): ceny sú účtované podľa počtu dní a sú splatné mesačne po skončení mesiaca – splatnosť od 15. dňa nasledujúceho mesiaca a platbu vykonať najneskôr posledný deň nasledujúceho mesiaca. Registrácia stravovania sa vykonáva cez aplikáciu (Edupage) a vyúčtovanie sa realizuje podľa prihlásených jedál. (Ceny jednotlivých položiek stravy sú uvedené samostatne pre materskú školu, prvý stupeň, druhý stupeň a gymnázium.)

Boarding (internát)
- BESST neposkytuje internátne / boardingové ubytovanie pre žiakov na uvedených úrovniach v cenníkoch; žiadne položky za internát alebo boarding nie sú zahrnuté v cenníku. Náklady na ubytovanie nie sú súčasťou zverejnených poplatkov.

Other costs and mandatory additional fees
- Zahraničné a nadštandardné učebnice a pomôcky: paušálny poplatok 95 € na školský rok (uvedené pre ZŠ a Gymnázium; splatnosť do 15.09.). Poplatok zahŕňa učebnice a pracovné zošity podľa Cambridge curriculum, extra učebnice, príspevok na iPad (poskytovaný 1× počas štúdia) a iné pomôcky.
- Uniformy: ceny jednotlivých položiek uniformy sú špecifikované (príklady): polokošeľa krátky rukáv 11 € (ZŠ) / polokošeľa G 17 € (gymnázium); mikiny, pulóvre, kravaty a doplnky sú uvedené jednotlivo. Predaj uniforiem prebieha na recepcii školy; platba saatke (hotovosť) alebo platobnou kartou.
- Medzinárodné skúšky (Gymnázium): poplatky za Cambridge skúšky sú uvedené samostatne:
- Cambridge IGCSE®: 136,40 € za predmet.
- Cambridge International AS/A2: 160,20 € za predmet (AS/A2/A Level kategórie podľa ročníka). Poplatky zahŕňajú samotnú skúšku a vydanie certifikátu; nezahŕňajú late fee ani vydanie duplikátu. Pre externých kandidátov alebo uchádzačov, ktorí nie sú registrovaní ako interní študenti, sa suma za medzinárodné skúšky zvyšuje o administratívny poplatok (uvedený % navýšenia v cenníku).
- Školský autobus: vo vyobrazenom prehľade platieb je položka „Školský autobus“ zahrnutá medzi druhy platieb (s uvedením účtov a termínov splatnosti); konkrétna suma autobusovej prepravy sa v cenníku uvádza samostatne alebo podľa prihlášky (pre gymnázium je uvedená v prehľade platieb).
- Krúžky / mimoškolské aktivity: v rámci ŠKD a mimoškolských krúžkov sú niektoré krúžky spoplatnené samostatne; sumy sa menia podľa konkrétnej aktivity a sú uvedené v príslušnej sekcii informácií o krúžkoch.

Refund information
- Registračný poplatok pre ZŠ a gymnázium je označený ako nenávratný (nenávratný registračný poplatok 450 €). Registračný poplatok pre materskú školu je tiež nenávratný (150 €). Zľava na registračný poplatok pri neprerušenom štúdiu je uvedená ako zníženie sumy, nie ako vrátenie. Ďalšie podrobnosti o vrátení poplatkov pri výnimočných okolnostiach sú riešené zmluvou, pričom registrácia je explicitne popísaná ako nenávratná v cenníkoch.

Fee payment options and practical payment details
- Bank transfer (IBAN) je primárny spôsob úhrady školného a ďalších poplatkov; cenníky obsahujú čísla účtov (IBAN) použité pre jednotlivé druhy platieb. Pre správnu identifikáciu platieb je potrebné uviesť vo variabilnom symbole ID žiaka (priradené v zmluve) a v poznámke účel platby a meno žiaka. Príklad: VS: 1111 (ID žiaka); Poznámka: školné, Meno Priezvisko.
- Materská škola (príklad IBANy uvedené v cenníku): ČSOB SK16 7500 0000 0040 1384 5596; FIO SK79 8330 0000 0024 0272 5046 (používať podľa druhu platby uvedeného v prehľade).
- Základná škola (príklad IBAN uvedený v cenníku): FIO SK42 8330 0000 0021 0273 5170 (účet pre školné).
- Gymnázium (príklady IBANov uvedené v cenníku): ČSOB SK52 7500 0000 0040 1984 3428; FIO SK10 8330 0000 0022 0272 5092 (používať podľa druhu platby uvedeného v prehľade).
- Platba uniforiem: hotovosť alebo platobná karta na recepcii školy (predaj uniforiem prebieha na recepcii v uvedených hodinách).

(Obsah poplatkov zodpovedá cenníkom platným pre školský rok s účinnosťou od 1. 9. 2026; uvedené položky sú sumár poplatkov, splatností a spôsobov úhrady publikovaných v cenníkoch pre materskú školu, základnú školu a gymnázium BESST.)
Academics

BESST English-Slovak School teaches Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels.

Curriculum

English-Slovak BESST is a bilingual complex of schools from kindergarten to high school. It is a Cambridge International School and offers Cambridge International Examinations in its curriculum. Lessons are conducted in Slovak and English, with native-English-speaking teachers in many classes. Cambridge Primary is taught for 1–6 and Cambridge Secondary 1 for 7–9; the Private Bilingual High School offers Cambridge IGCSE and, for students in the international programme, AS and A Levels. Hejný method is used in mathematics, and the school employs modern technology such as iPads and interactive boards. Class sizes are limited to 16 students, and BESST provides over 20 clubs, a wide range of extracurricular activities, weekly ski trips, a school bus, and quality meals.

Student Teacher Ratio

Maximum class size is 16 students.

Exam Results

In Testing 9, Year 9 pupils rank first in Maths and Slovak in the Trnava region for four consecutive years. BESST ranked second nationwide in Slovakia on Testing 9 for 2014–2016. In 2017, 1,437 schools participated; 36,454 Year 9 pupils were tested in mathematics with BESST achieving 80.6%, and 34,202 pupils were tested in Slovak language and literature with an average of 61.2%; BESST's Year 9 overall score was 79.5%.

Higher Education Progression

Studying abroad is a very attractive option for BESST students. Cambridge International Examinations are integrated into the curriculum, and BESST High School offers Cambridge IGCSE, AS Levels and A Levels to prepare students for university study. The course uses the UCAS tariff system to assess Cambridge results, and the school provides admissions guidance to help students enter foreign universities. The program is designed to enable transfer to universities worldwide.

Gifted and Talented

There are scholarships for gifted children.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

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Special Educational Needs (SEN)

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English as an Additional Language (EAL)

The BESST English–Slovak School is a private bilingual complex offering education from kindergarten through high school in Trnava, Slovakia. Lessons are conducted in two languages, Slovak and English, with a native English teacher assigned to some lessons from Year 1. English is taught to children from preschool onward, integrating language development across the curriculum.

Mental Wellbeing

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Safeguarding

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Parent Experience

History

Our history began in 2009. BESST holds Cambridge International School status, enabling education that is internationally recognized. The school provides a modern, well-equipped environment within a harmonious and friendly atmosphere.

Community

Lessons are conducted in two languages—Slovak and English—and from grade 1 pupils have some lessons with a native English teacher. BESST obtained Cambridge International School status in May 2011, enabling internationally recognized education and Cambridge assessments. The school is part of the Green Schools network and has held the Green School certificate since 2023, focusing on sustainability. The school offers more than 20 after-school activities, summer camps and outdoor trips.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

The school has a canteen that is a shared space for children and adults. Daily activities take place in classrooms, in the library, in the gym, or on the school grounds. It features a Future Classroom Lab Besst with flexible learning spaces and technology to support active learning. Čítareň DVOJBODKA Reading Room is a self-service library; the Slovak section has expanded with 350 new titles of modern children's literature, and more English titles will be added soon. The library spaces are used not only during breaks and after school but also as an inspiring space in teaching.

Sports Facilities

There is a gym used for physical education and activities, and daily activities also take place on the school grounds including the schoolyard.

Academic Facilities

The Future Classroom Lab Besst provides flexible spaces and technology to support active learning. Čítareň DVOJBODKA is a self-service library integrated into teaching and breaks, with the Slovak collection expanded by 350 titles and additional English titles coming soon. The library spaces are used as part of the teaching process.

Extra Curricular Facilities

The School Club detí (ŠKD) provides after‑school care and activities for pupils attending BESST, focusing on recreational, interest-based activities and outdoor movement. There are more than 25 clubs in total, including seven clubs this school year: ŠKD 1–5 and Teens Club 1–2. Morning School Club runs from 7:00 to 8:00 in 4.A, 1.A and the Reading Room Dvojbodka. Daily activities occur in classrooms, in the library, in the gym, or on the school grounds.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

BESST is a private school complex serving children from age 3 to high school and operates as a Cambridge International School with worldwide recognition. The curriculum combines Cambridge standards with the Slovak national programme and is delivered bilingually in Slovak and English, with native English-speaking teachers from Grade 1. Classes are small, with a maximum of 16 pupils, and scholarships are available for gifted students. Summer Camps are offered.

Arts & Creative

General Cultural Awareness is promoted through music, literature and visual arts. Creative expression is encouraged both in lessons and in the children's school club. The school offers a wide range of after-school creative and music activities.

Cultural & Language

Bilingual education is provided, with lessons taught in Slovak and English. From Grade 1, some lessons are taught by native English-speaking teachers, and English is used in other subjects such as Mathematics, Science, IT, Art and Physical Education.

Social & Hobbies

The after-school club offers more than 20 activities, with a School Club featuring Activities and Adventures that broaden student experiences beyond the classroom.

Leadership & Professional

Pupils are encouraged to develop business and initiative, with guidance to plan, organize, present and evaluate ideas. They learn independence in learning, teamwork and mutual respect, and develop interpersonal competences through regular collaborative activities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Interpersonal and physical development are supported through regular group activities and physical education. The program includes week-long outdoor school and ski courses, quality meals, and access to modern technology (iPads and interactive boards) to support safe, engaged learning.
Languages

Language Provision

The languages of instruction are English and Slovak. The school provides English–Slovak bilingual education and offers a Cambridge International program. It is compatible with the Slovak national education program.

Bilingual Teaching

The BESST English–Slovak School offers bilingual education in English and Slovak across kindergarten through gymnasium, making it a bilingual institution. It operates as a Cambridge International School, enabling education that is recognized globally. Bilingual education is a core feature of the school.
Admissions

Admissions

Admission to BESST encompasses two parallel tracks: admission to the private bilingual primary and secondary school BESST and admission to its bilingual high school program. For high school admissions, the guardian submits an application to the school director by February 20, 2026 (by post, in person, or via EduPage) or via the student's guidance counselor, and the applicant must meet the stated admission criteria. By July 15, 2026, the applicant must provide proof of completion of the eighth grade and primary education or the ninth grade and lower secondary education, as applicable; failure to provide the documentation may affect eligibility. A motivational letter (minimum 120 words) must accompany the application and may be written in Slovak or English; the letter is considered in the appeal procedure. Points are awarded for academic achievement, competition results, and the motivational letter; applicants are ranked in a single list and admitted within the number of places the school plans to fill. In a tie, higher points from the written tests take precedence; if there is still a tie, the admissions committee decides. Three founder places are reserved. The results of admissions are published on the school's entrance doors and on BESST's site in accordance with the Ministry's instructions. Admission tests cover English language (for bilingual study), mathematics, and Slovak language and literature. Sample tests are downloadable (English language test and answer key; practice tasks for general academic prerequisites in mathematics and Slovak; and other Besst tests with/without keys). For 2026/2027 the school plans to admit 42 pupils. First admission test term for 2026/27: March 23, 2026; second term: March 30, 2026. If a candidate misses tests for serious reasons, a doctor's note no older than three days must be provided; make-up tests are offered and the results are added to the pool for ranking. Enrollment is formalized after a positive admission decision within the period set by the school; if not enrolled, the admitted place may be filled by another pupil. Notes on talent tests and the structure of admissions for different grade levels (8th grade, 9th grade, and 5th grade) apply as described in the school's high school admissions section." ,
School Events
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