How many international primaries in Warsaw
Around 20 English medium primary schools operate in the Warsaw area in 2026. The market is anchored by three full continuum providers: the American School of Warsaw in Konstancin Jeziorna, the British School Warsaw in Wilanow and the Canadian School of Warsaw. These three deliver structured primary stages from age 5 through age 11, with clear pedagogical anchoring (US Common Core aligned, UK National Curriculum and Cambridge Primary, and North American framework respectively) and a direct progression into the senior school. Together they account for roughly 60 per cent of the international primary roll in the city.
The remaining primary roll spreads across the primary stages of mid tier IB and English medium providers, including International European School Warsaw, Meridian International School, Willowbrook International School and Akademeia Junior School. A smaller group of standalone international primaries operates without a senior school continuation, requiring families to plan a transition into either the major continuum providers or the Polish bilingual liceum system at age 11. The IB Primary Years Programme is run as the framework at International European School Warsaw, ASW (in parallel with US framework) and BSW (alongside the UK framework), giving families a clear PYP route through to lower secondary.
Fees and the Warsaw tiers
International primary fees in Warsaw range from PLN 28,000 to PLN 90,000 per year, broadly broken into three tiers. The premium tier sits at PLN 60,000 to PLN 90,000 per year, covering the American School of Warsaw, the British School Warsaw and Akademeia Junior at the upper end of the market. These fees reflect specialist teaching from age 7, structured music, art and PE faculties, full IT and STEM provision and outdoor learning programmes. The mid tier runs PLN 35,000 to PLN 55,000 per year, covering International European School Warsaw, the Canadian School of Warsaw, Meridian and Willowbrook.
The entry tier runs PLN 28,000 to PLN 35,000 per year, mostly covering standalone English medium primaries and the bilingual private primaries delivering structured English instruction across most subjects. Most providers charge a one off enrolment fee of PLN 1,500 to PLN 4,000. Lunch is typically extra at PLN 5,500 to PLN 9,000 a year. Transport at PLN 8,000 to PLN 14,000 a year is standard for families outside the immediate school catchment. For the full picture see our Warsaw international school fees explainer.
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Illustrative example schools
The schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each has at least ten years of operating history in Warsaw or a credible international primary cohort over the past three years.
American School of Warsaw Primary in Konstancin Jeziorna runs a structured US Common Core aligned primary from age 5 through age 11, with the IB PYP framework in parallel. Single form entry of roughly 60 to 80 pupils per year group, specialist teachers from age 7 across music, art, PE, Polish and Spanish. The benchmark international primary in the city.
British School Warsaw Primary in Wilanow runs the UK National Curriculum plus Cambridge Primary framework from reception through Year 6. Two form entry with around 40 to 50 pupils per year group, qualified UK teachers, structured house system and a strong PE and music programme. Premium tier fees.
Canadian School of Warsaw Primary runs the North American framework through to Grade 6, with a strong fit for Canadian, American and IB leaning families looking for the mid tier alternative to ASW. Mid tier fees with a structured continuation into the school’s middle and senior phases.
International European School Warsaw Primary in Konstancin runs the IB PYP from age 5 through age 11 with structured English instruction across all subjects and Polish as a daily language. Mid tier fees and a strong fit for European Union expatriate families looking for an IB primary outside the premium tier.
Where primary families live
Primary school families in Warsaw cluster in three areas, shaped by the location of the major continuum providers. Konstancin Jeziorna, the southern villa belt 18 kilometres from central Warsaw, hosts the largest primary family cluster, attached to the American School of Warsaw, International European School Warsaw and several mid tier providers. The Konstancin villa belt offers detached family houses with gardens, calm streets and direct access to ASW. The trade off is a 35 to 50 minute commute into the central business district during peak hours, partially offset by ASW’s structured bus network across the southern suburbs.
Wilanow, in the south of central Warsaw, hosts the second largest primary family cluster, attached to the British School Warsaw, Akademeia Junior and several mid tier and standalone providers. The Miasteczko Wilanow residential development is the single most popular area for primary families, offering modern apartment and townhouse stock close to several schools and the metro extension that has shortened the commute into the central business district. Mokotow and Sluzewiec, north of Wilanow, host the largest concentration of primary families attending the mid tier and standalone providers, with strong connections to the city’s financial district. Smaller primary clusters sit in Saska Kepa on the right bank and Zoliborz in the north.
Admissions calendar
Polish primary schools start the academic year on the first working day of September. International primary schools follow the same broad calendar, with most school years running from late August through late June. The American School of Warsaw runs a slightly earlier August start aligned to the US academic calendar. Applications for primary entry typically open in October and November for the following September start, with priority allocations confirmed by February at the major continuum providers and rolling admissions running through the spring at the mid and entry tier providers.
Mid year entry is common because of expatriate movement, with placements typically confirmed within four to six weeks at the major international schools. The most common mid year entry points are the December and Easter break points, with a smaller number of January and post spring half term placements. The most over subscribed entry points are reception (UK schools) and PreKindergarten or kindergarten (US schools), followed by Year 3 and Year 5 transitions. Mid year entry into Year 7 onwards is less common because many families align the senior school transition with the academic year. For relocation context see our moving to Warsaw with children guide and the broader Warsaw international schools overview.
Frequently asked questions
How many international primary schools are there in Warsaw?
Around 20 English medium primary schools operate in the Warsaw area in 2026. The full continuum providers (ASW, BSW, the Canadian School) anchor the market, alongside the primary stages of mid tier providers such as International European School Warsaw, Akademeia Junior, Meridian and Willowbrook, plus several standalone international primaries.
What curriculum do international primary schools in Warsaw follow?
Most international primary schools in Warsaw deliver one of three frameworks: the UK National Curriculum or IPC at British schools, the US Common Core aligned framework at the American School of Warsaw and the IB Primary Years Programme at full IB continuum schools. A subset of bilingual schools combine the Polish national framework with structured English instruction.
How much do international primary schools in Warsaw cost?
International primary fees in Warsaw range from PLN 28,000 to PLN 90,000 per year. ASW, BSW and Akademeia Junior sit at the premium end at PLN 60,000 to PLN 90,000. Mid tier providers (International European School Warsaw, the Canadian School, Meridian, Willowbrook) charge PLN 35,000 to PLN 55,000. Bilingual private primaries with English instruction start from PLN 28,000.
When does the primary school year start in Warsaw?
Polish primary schools start the academic year on the first working day of September. International primary schools follow the same broad calendar, with most school years running from late August through late June. The American School of Warsaw runs a slightly earlier August start aligned to the US academic calendar.
Can my child join an international primary mid year?
Yes. Mid year entry into international primary schools in Warsaw is common because of expatriate movement, with placements typically confirmed within four to six weeks at the major international schools. The most common mid year entry points are the December and Easter break points, with a smaller number of January and post-spring half term placements.
