Social primary schools in Poland

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What is a social primary school?
What are the benefits of social primary schools?
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social primary

What is a social primary school?

A social primary school is a type of non-public (and non-profit) school in Poland for students aged 7 to 13. What makes these schools different from other non-public primary schools are several features. Keep in mind, not all social primary schools have all these features. Many, though, do.

Created by social organizations

Most social primary schools (and social schools in general) in Poland are established by a social organization or association. The most common one is the Social Education Association (Społeczne Towarzystwo Oświatowe - STO).

The STO, also known as the “Civic Educational Association,” is a non-governmental organization (NGO) focused on promoting modern education in Poland. The mission of the STO is, in part, to “... set up and run schools where pupils receive comprehensive, thorough education and are taught how to learn throughout their lives.”

It also defines its purpose in the following way:

“The STO, founded by parents and teachers rebelling against unified communist education, was born of a strong desire for freedom, in which new generations should grow. Thanks to this desire a system of education was created, which didn’t exist before.” Otherwise, social primary schools can have a number of different focuses. This includes, but isn’t limited to, Montessori, Waldorf, special needs, learning disabilities, language, and gifted education."

Parent involvement in education

Another main feature of social primary schools, and social schools in general, is that they aim for lots of parent involvement. Parents are involved at the administrative level and help make decisions about finances and school programs. They also work closely with teachers and staff on curricular matters and in the classroom.

Overall, students, parents, and teachers decide on school matters together.

Development of social skills

Social schools in Poland don’t just teach students core academics, such as math, science, and history. They aim to educate students in a broader sense to help them become more well-rounded.

There’s a special focus, in these schools, on the development of social skills (as the name “social schools” implies). Social schools focus a lot on building the social and emotional skills of their students. They try to teach students to work together, cooperate, and be more independent, creative, and make better decisions.

This goal is reflected in the STO’s view of education:

“It’s about shaping a student as a person: in a mental, social, cultural, and physical sense. We should remember that knowledge is absorbed not only at school. The school should provide sound basics and efficient methods to enable the pupils to learn by themselves in the future, to be team-workers and creative thinkers.”

What are the benefits of social primary schools?

Social primary schools are a great option for many kids. In addition to Polish residents, they’re often a nice fit for international students from North America, Europe, and other continents. Below, we list many of their appealing features. If you want to learn about the benefits of private and non-public Poland schools in general, read our comprehensive guide.

Small class sizes: Many Polish social primary schools have small classes (15 to 17 students). This makes for an intimate and interactive learning environment. It also helps kids become engaged in the learning process. And it allows teachers to tailor instruction to meet the learning needs of each child.
Great academics: Social schools, like many private schools in Poland, have high-level academics. Starting in primary school, social schools offer a wide range of challenging courses, in subjects such as math, science, art, history, geography, ethics, and culture. Many social schools also offer foreign-language courses. In addition to English and Polish, kids can learn French, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, and many other languages.
Great teachers: Social primary schools tend to have skilled and dedicated teachers. Teachers allow students to build confidence and curiosity, and inspire a love of learning. They also often use innovative approaches, such as experiential and hands-on learning, interdisciplinary work, group projects, and individualized learning.
Cost: Social schools tend to be reasonably priced, compared to other non-public schools in Poland. This includes boarding, international, and many types of day schools. Tuition ranges from $5,000 to $25,000 a year. This varies based on school size, location, level, and other factors.
Parental involvement: As mentioned, most social schools promote lots of parent involvement. These schools have an ongoing dialogue between parents, teachers, students, and administrators. Parents are also encouraged to get involved in the school community. This is true not just for primary schools, but for high schools as well.
Focus on the whole child: Education doesn’t just focus on core academics. The aim is to educate the whole person. Kids learn social, emotional, and interpersonal skills. They also engage in practical and physical activities, and learn about different cultures (including Polish culture). They help kids become more well-rounded.
Lots of extracurricular activities: Social schools, like some other types of schools, often have a rich variety of extracurriculars. In particular, many have extra hours for foreign language studies and sports. This can help stimulate students in their studies: it can make them more motivated to learn. Extracurricular activities can also provide a much-needed break from the stress of academics, allowing kids to develop skills and take part in valuable social situations.

Our Kids recommends:

In order to get more insight into the unique character of Polish social schools, you are encouraged to read the following article on our website:

Social schools in Poland

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