Akademeia High School

About AHS

Akademeia High School is a private academically-selective high school, offering the British curriculum of iGCSE and A Level, and preparing students for the best universities in the world. The educational process begins with an individual academic potential assessment. We support talented students with scholarships. The school has a boarding house. We believe that a good university experience starts in school, which is why Akademeia looks, feels, and operates like a university.

Highlights

The educational process begins with an individual academic potential assessment
We offer the British curriculum - A Levels and iGCSEs
Our teachers are specialists in their fields and are passionate about their subjects
We are an accredited Cambridge International, Edexcel (Pearson) and AQA examination centre
We support talented students with academic and artistic scholarships

In the News:

Highlights of University Offers for the Class of 2024 in the UK (February 2, 2024)

3 Highest in the World Awards for Akademeia students! (January 31, 2024)

VII Edition of Scholarship Competition at AHS Now Open! (January 26, 2024)

Top Documentary Film from Top Film Festival in AHS (June 7, 2022)

AHS Students' Art Exhibition in Gallery Tlen, Warsaw- Wilanów district (June 7, 2022)

Assessment Weekend in Akademeia High School: 14-15 May (April 26, 2022)

Insider Interviews & Perspectives

Our Take

This is a private high school operating in a modern campus in the Miasteczko Wilanów district of Warsaw. The school fully affirms the British education system and the A-level program, recognizing that it gives young people a much better preparation for future studies than other international programs, and also a greater comfort with learning. Already at the first-level, students, along with compulsory subjects, such as Math, English, Polish, Modern Language, and Visual and Music Culture, choose one of the academic pathways: Biochemistry, Engineering, Social Sciences, Humanities, Architecture, and Creative Arts. In grade III, they select from the entire spectrum of academic and artistic subjects 3-4, which they will study and at the same time pass on their secondary school-leaving examination. This allows them to study in their own chosen direction, while developing their passions and interests.

In choosing the right educational path, students receive school support at the recruitment stage, which lasts several days: during meetings and activities with young people, experienced counsellors examine their predispositions and abilities and help them choose teaching subjects. Moreover, during the course of learning, each student has a mentor, who monitors their progress, suggests solutions, advises in the selection of subjects, and helps with mapping out a developmental path. In the teaching process, the school uses the project method, which is a holistic and multidimensional approach to education. Particular emphasis is put on training the skills of critical thinking, communication, creativity, team work, as well as searching for and gathering information. The school runs two high school programs - a two- and four-year program, which extend general education, and allow students to improve their English. The language of instruction at the school is English, and the school year is divided into three semesters. Another distinguishing feature of the school are the 'student' houses functioning in it and competing with each other - based on the British school model.

Our Kids' Insider Interviews

Alumni video interview

Akademeia High School:

Our Kids Insider Perspective: Students
Insider Interview with Mateusz Mazurczak

Brand Identity

Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?

Branksome Hall is a prestigious institution with a strong commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and global citizenship. However, it might not be the best fit for families who prefer a less rigorous academic program, a coeducational environment, or a traditional educational model. Families that recognize the value of an inquiry-based IB education in a diverse, urban setting will find alignment at Branksome Hall. Branksome is not a bubble and does not seek to shelter students from real-world events; rather, the school embraces connections to the global community as opportunities to broaden its world-view and engage with multiple perspectives, with an emphasis on critical thinking, collaboration and agency.

What aspect of your school is underappreciated?

The IB is not just about a comprehensive academic experience. The IB curriculum is adaptable and flexible, providing students the opportunity to personalize their educational experiences by selecting subjects that are a good fit for both their interests and their skill development. Grounded in the liberal arts tradition, IB teaches students – at every age – to become critical thinkers and effective communicators of their ideas and opinions. As a result, they develop habits that last a lifetime.

How will your school change in the next 5 years?

Branksome Hall has positioned itself as a leader in global education and technological innovation, and over the next five years will continue to inspire students to explore and realize ideas which have a positive societal impact. With the opening of the Innovation Centre and Studio Theatre (iCAST) in 2025, a brand-new 35,000 square-foot hub for innovation, design and performing arts, students will benefit from access to leading-edge tools and technologies and be inspired to think creatively, take risks and build confidence. A first-of-its-kind space in a Canadian high school, iCAST ensures that Branksome Hall continues to provide an exceptional educational experience, preparing our students for success in a rapidly changing world.

Location

Św. Urszuli Ledóchowskiej 2, Warszawa, 02-972

Gallery

Gallery showcasing school life and general photos of Akademeia High School.

School Facilities Gallery

Gallery showcasing specific locations and facilities found at Akademeia High School.

Athletics facilities

Arts facilities

Campus

Classrooms

Science facilities

Shared spaces

Promotional video for Akademeia High School.

Academics

Academics Summary: [Hide summary]

Curriculum: Liberal Arts/Cambridge, English National Curriculum
Curriculum Pace: Student-paced
Academic Culture: Supportive
Developmental priorities: Intellectual
Special needs support: Not provided
Gifted learner support: Enrichment

Curriculum

Central to your child's school experience is the underlying curriculum taught in the classroom. "Curriculum" refers to both what is taught and how it's taught. When considering the different curricula outlined in the next few pages, keep in mind that few schools fall neatly into one category or another. Most schools' curricula comprise a blend of best practices drawn from multiple curriculum types. Having said that, most schools do have a general overall curriculum type. These are identified for each school on OurKids.net.
Primary Curriculum: Liberal Arts
Such an approach to curriculum shares with traditional programs their emphasis on core knowledge-acquisition, but tends to borrow more best practices from the progressive approach. The goal isn't to prepare students for vocational life, but rather to encourage an appreciation of the benefits of education itself, including academic and personal development. There is an emphasis on knowledge acquisition as well as theoretical and academic learning, but the real focus is on cultivating the intellect.
Secondary Curriculum: Cambridge, English National Curriculum

What AHS says: Akademeia High School is a high school for young people with ambition. We operate under the philosophy that school should be a place where students can develop their academic interests, broaden their horizons and receive an education at the highest level to prepare themselves for admission to the top universities around the world. But that is not all. Those who demonstrate artistic or musical talent, dedicated athletes and aspiring young actors and filmmakers will find a space with us to pursue their passions. We have developed an educational program that will allow such students to develop themselves to a professional level in their chosen field.

Approach:

Focus Special needs

Academic Gifted

Focus	Special needs
Academic	Gifted

Curriculum Pace Student-paced

Curriculum Pace approach at AHS : Student-paced

AHS has a Student-paced approach to Curriculum Pace (as opposed to Standard, Accelerated approach).

[Show: About Student-paced?]

The main curriculum pace is non-standardized and is HIGHLY responsive to the pacing of individual students, (via differentiated instruction, differentiated assessment, etc). In theory, some students outpace the default/normalized curriculum, while others spend periods "behind schedule" if they need the extra time.

What AHS says: Our original diagnostic process starts already during recruitment to school. We check the abilities of each student, determine his / her strengths, identify learning styles, help him / her choose the best matriculation items for him / her, identify the desired study fields and future career path.

Flexible pacing style

Flexible pacing style	offered
Subject-streaming (tracking)
Multi-age classrooms as standard
Ability-grouping (in-class) as common
Frequent use of cyber-learning (at-their-own-pace)
Regular guided independent study opportunities
Differentiated assessment

What AHS says about flexible pacing: Mentoring system Each student has a mentor. Mentors, experienced teachers and pedagogues, look closely at the progress of their charges, identify potential difficulties and indicate optimal solutions. From the very beginning, the mentor advises in the selection of subjects, internships or apprenticeships.

Academic Culture Supportive

Academic Culture approach at AHS : Supportive
AHS has a Supportive approach to Academic Culture (as opposed to Rigorous approach).
[Show: About Supportive?]
A school with a "supportive" academic culture focuses more on process than short-term outcomes: academic performance is a welcomed side-benefit, but not the driving focus. This does not mean the school lacks standards, or has low expectations for its students: a school can have a supportive academic culture and still light the fire of ambition in its students. It does mean, however, that the school provides a less intensive culture than schools with a "rigorous" academic classification, and is focused more simply on instilling a love of learning and life-long curiosity.
What AHS says: Students, in addition to subject groups, also work in communities called "houses". "Homes" is an excellent and tried-and-tested way of building a spirit of healthy competition, stimulating creativity and strengthening relationships between students in many British schools. Students train in them communication in a group, making democratic choices, being an active and committed member of society.
Developmental priorities Intellectual

Primary Developmental Priority: Intellectual

Academically strong, creative, and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions.

Secondary Developmental Priority: Balanced

Equal attention is paid to a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social, and physical.

What AHS says: Akademeia High School is a high school for young people with ambition. We operate under the philosophy that school should be a place where students can develop their academic interests, broaden their horizons and receive an education at the highest level to prepare themselves for admission to the top universities around the world.

Special needs support Not provided

Academic Support:

Subject type	offered
Learning strategy and study counselling; habit formation
Extra support and minor accommodations for children experiencing subclinical difficulties

Mild but clinically diagnosed ADHD:

Subject type	offered
Accommodations
Modifications
Extra support

Support for moderate-to-severe special needs:

Special needs	Accomodations Formal adjustments are made to the delivery of lessons to help mitigate the learning difficulty or exceptionality. The underlying content and expectations remain unchanged with accommodations, however. (Example: allowing a student to write tests in a quieter room).	Modifications The underlying content and expectations are modified and/or simplified for the sake of the student. (Examples: allowing student to use a calculator on a test when other students can’t; allowing students to bring word-banks or “cheat sheets” into certain tests, etc)	Remediation Research-based therapeutic measures that target and ameliorate the underlying weakness.
Learning disabilities
ADHD (moderate to severe)
Dyslexia (Language-Based Learning Disability)
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
Dyscalculia
Dysgraphia
Language Processing Disorder
Nonverbal Learning Disorders (NLD)
Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficit
Developmental
Autism
Asperger's Syndrome
Down syndrome
Intellectual disability
Behavioral and Emotional
Troubled behaviour / troubled teens
Clinical Depression
Suicidal thoughts
Drug and alcohol abuse
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Physical
Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder)
Blindness
Deafness
Cystic Fibrosis
Multiple physical

Gifted learner support Enrichment

Dedicated gifted programs:

Program	offered
Full-time gifted program (parallel to rest of school)
Part-time gifted program (pull-out; parallel to rest of class)

Curriculum delivery: Enrichment (The main focus is on enrichment. This means that while students may work at a marginally quicker pace than public school peers, the primary aim is to study subject in broader and deeper ways.)

In-class adaptations:

Program	offered
Custom subject enrichment (special arrangement)
Custom curriculum compacting (special arrangement)
Guided independent study (custom gifted arrangement)
Cyber-learning opportunities (custom gifted arrangement)
Formalized peer coaching opportunities (specifically for gifted learners to coach others)
Custom subject acceleration (special arrangement)
Career exploration (custom gifted arrangement)
Project-based learning (custom gifted arrangement)
Mentorships (custom gifted arrangement)

What AHS says: Our Foundation supports extremely gifted students through, among others awarding scholarships that take into account comprehensive or partial financing of education at the High School Academy, organization of charity projects aimed at engaging young people in pro-social initiatives and activities. The tasks of the Foundation take into account the initiation and participation in all forms of modern, national and international exchange and educational cooperation serving the development of pupils, students and teaching staff.

Extracurriculars

What the school says:
This information is not currently available.

Sports Offered	CompetitiveComp	RecreationalRec
Basketball
Football
Soccer
Tennis
Gymnastics
Running
Volleyball

Clubs Offered
Foreign Language Club
Habitat for Humanity
Math Club
Musical theatre/Opera
Online Magazine
Outdoor Club
Outdoor Education
Photography
Poetry/Literature club
Robotics club
School newspaper
Science Club
Student Council
Yearbook
Yoga
Animation
Art Club
Audiovisual Club
Band
Chess Club
Community Service
Computer Club
Dance Club
Debate Club
Drama Club

Tuition & Financial Aid

Grade	9	10	11	12
Day	zł125,500		zł135,500	zł148,500

What AHS says about their tuition: Tuition includes: access to the awarded, well-equipped campus facilities books workshops & school trips included in the academic curriculum School Clubs prep classes for external competitions (e.g. Science Olympiads) equipment & materials required for Arts classes sport programme Wellbeing Team services Centre for Higher Education & Career Advice services Learning Support Insurance

Merit based Scholarships

Academic Scholarship Amount: 100%	Academic Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility Details: Students grade 9 to 12— We invite all self-motivated, hardworking young scholars with ambition as well as students, achieving outstanding learning results to apply Scholarships at Akademeia High School include: The provision of total or partial funds to study at our school; Support with the application process towards studying abroad; Support with tuition and maintenance while studying abroad (depending on academic performance during the high school years); The fee for boarding house.
For more details, visit: https://akademeia.edu.pl/en/scholarship-programme-2020-21/

Art & Design Scholarship Amount: 100%	Other Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility Details: Students grade 9 to 12— The competition is open to all students, aged 14-16 years old, who would like to develop their artistic skills and consider studying artistic majors in the future. Scholarships at Akademeia High School include: The provision of total or partial funds to study at our school; Support with the application process towards studying abroad; Support with tuition and maintenance while studying abroad (depending on academic performance during the high school years); The fee for boarding house.
For more details, visit: https://akademeia.edu.pl/en/scholarship-programme-2020-21/

Music Scholarship Amount: 100%	Other Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility Details: — The 7th Edition of the Akademeia Scholarship Competition is underway! This year, for the first time, we have introduced a music scholarship, so we warmly invite all exceptional and diligent music enthusiasts to apply. Opportunities are available for students entering Year 10 (for a four-year high school programme) or Year 12 (two-year A Level programme). \r\n \r\nOur Head of Music, Ms Aleksandra Wittchen, explained the entry requirements: ‘As a general prerequisite for GSCE Music, a candidate should play a musical instrument, have some basic aural skills and be able to read standard musical notation. For entry at A Level, a grasp of music theory at GCSE (or ABRSM Grade 5) standard is highly desirable. No prior experience in composition is necessary.’ She added: ‘What is most important, though, is a genuine passion for music and a desire to explore it further.’ \r\n \r\nYou will also have the opportunity to join excursions to fantastic concerts, engage in co-curricular activities such as the school band or the musical, and participate in exciting outreach projects, performing for the elderly at the Alzheimer’s Centre in Warsaw or workshopping with primary school children. \r\n \r\nWe are proud that our alumni continue their education at prestigious institutions, pursuing diverse paths, such as classical violin performance at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, sound engineering at Berklee College of Music or a double major in Neuroscience and Music at Dartmouth College. \r\n \r\nScholarship Competition Application Deadline: 15th March 2024. \r\n \r\nDon't let this amazing opportunity pass by! \r\n \r\nApply now and embark on a musical journey at Akademeia High School or share this info with talented musicians around you!
For more details, visit: https://www.akademeia.edu.pl/admissions/scholarships/apply-for-scholarship

Enrollment

Enrollment Details:

Grades	Gender	Living Arrangement	Enrollment
Gr. 9 to Gr. 12	Coed	Day School	340
Gr. 9 to Gr. 12	Coed	Boarding School	Varies

Additional Statistics:

Total enrollment	340
Average enrollment per grade	85
Average class size	12
Gender	Coed
Grades	Gr. 9 to Gr. 12
Boarding offered	Gr. 9 to Gr. 12
% in boarding (total enrollment)	N/A
% of foreign students	N/A
# of nationalities attending school	25

Student distribution:

This information is not currently available.

University Placement

Services	Offered
Career planning
Internships
Mentorship Program
University counseling

Key Numbers
Average graduating class size	25

Graduates from Akademeia High School most often attend the following universities:

University of Cambridge
University of Oxford
London School of Economics (LSE)
University College London (UCL)
SOAS
New York University
Parsons
Harvard Univeristy
Stanford University
Berkeley
Brown University

Principal's Message

Dr Karolina Watras, Headmaster

Dr Karolina Watras has been an integral part of Akademeia High School since its inception in 2015, playing a pivotal role in shaping its academic landscape. As the Deputy Head Academic, she spearheaded the foundation and development of the school's curricula, assembling a dynamic team of faculty members who share her passion for teaching and learning.

In addition to her role in curriculum development, Dr Watras took on the crucial responsibility of overseeing the university and professional guidance centre, a testament to her dedication to preparing students for quality higher education. She assumed the position of Headmaster in September 2020.

As the recipient of many academic scholarships throughout her academic journey, she is a strong advocate of academic scholarship programmes and has made it one of the core features of our institution.

In 1998, she embarked an educational journey in the UK, studying for A Levels at the Cheltenham Ladies’ College in the UK, followed by an undergraduate degree in History of Art from Christ’s College, Cambridge. Dr Watras further honed her expertise in Gothic Architecture with a Master's degree from the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. She then returned to Cambridge, to pursue her MPhil and doctoral research at Jesus College.

Throughout her career, Dr Watras has held various academic roles, including serving as a supervisor and Affiliated Lecturer at the University of Cambridge Department of History of Art. She also served as the Acting Director of Studies at Jesus and Trinity Colleges, as well as a course leader at the Institute of Continuing Education. In 2014, Dr Watras returned to Poland and joined Akademeia Group, where her passion for teaching and direct engagement with students remains a source of great joy.

In the News