Internationally focused education is becoming increasingly prominent in Prague. Victoria High School is among the institutions expanding its focus on bilingual learning and the International Baccalaureate system.
A growing number of schools in Prague are turning to the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme as parents increasingly seek an alternative to traditional Czech education. Among them is Victoria High School, which is currently expanding its portfolio with a strong focus on bilingual education, academic depth and critical thinking.
The Prague-based school combines Czech and English-language teaching during the first years of study before gradually transitioning students towards predominantly English-language academic instruction. Speaking with Prague Daily News Rupert Marks, the school’s Executive Director explains, the goal is not simply to teach English, but to prepare students to study complex subjects academically in English.
Foto: Rupert Marks | Victoria School Prague
“In the IB, students are no longer learning English itself. They are learning through English,” Marks explained, describing the school’s educational model.
During the first year, 70 percent of subjects are taught in Czech and 30 percent in English. In the second year, the ratio becomes evenly balanced, while by the third and fourth years students study 80 percent of their subjects in English.
The International Baccalaureate programme was founded in the early 1970s and has since expanded from only a handful of schools worldwide to nearly 7,000 institutions globally. Today, around 1.5 million students participate in IB examinations or courses each year.
The Czech Republic has also seen rapid growth in the number of IB schools. While only a few institutions offered the programme in the early 2000s, nearly 20 schools across the country are now involved in IB education or accreditation processes.
According to the school, the growing interest is driven largely by families looking for an internationally recognised education while still maintaining strong ties to the Czech educational environment.
Foto: Victoria School Prague
Unlike some international schools that operate fully in English, Victoria High School combines Czech and international curricula. Students therefore continue to study Czech-language subjects alongside internationally recognised IB courses.
School representatives say one of the key strengths of the IB system lies in its broader educational philosophy. Rather than encouraging early specialisation, students are required to combine sciences, languages, mathematics, humanities, critical thinking and research skills.
The full IB Diploma Programme includes six academic subjects alongside three core components: Theory of Knowledge (critical thinking), the Extended Essay and a community-focused, skills-based programme known as Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS).
The extended essay requires students to complete a university-style research paper of 4,000 words, while the CAS component encourages participation in social, creative and community activities outside the classroom.
Marks also highlighted the strong international reputation of the IB Diploma among universities, particularly in Britain, Europe, the United States and countries with international programmes. Many universities reportedly view IB students as particularly well prepared for higher education due to their experience with research, analytical writing and interdisciplinary study.
Alongside the IB programme, the school also offers an interdisciplinary science programme known as Science360, where subjects such as biology, chemistry and physics are taught in a more interconnected way rather than as entirely separate disciplines.
Foto: Victoria School Prague
Victoria High School says its admissions process combines Czech entrance examinations with interviews and portfolio assessments conducted in both Czech and English. The school states that it primarily seeks motivated students interested in bilingual and internationally oriented education.
“We want students to think critically, become lifelong learners and understand that education is not only about exams, but also about how they contribute to the world around them,” Marks added.
For more information on the schools IB education, please visit www.victoria-school.cz
