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Open Gate School

Instructs in Czech, English

Fees CZK 215,000 - 620,000

Pupils 405

Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)

Open Gate is a day and boarding school in Babice, Prague, offering a Cambridge Primary program with a Czech IB pathway. Instruction is in Czech and English, preparing Grammar School for both Czech leaving examinations and International Baccalaureate exams. The campus includes on‑site boarding houses, a sports hall, outdoor courts, an indoor pool, a theatre, a ceramics workshop, and an art studio. Library houses 40,000 volumes and serves as printing and copying centre. Open Gate opened in 2002; boarding began in 2005, and the school earned IB Diploma Programme accreditation in 2009, with the Primary School starting in 2010/2011. Upgrades occurred in 2012, with later renovations to the grammar building and outdoor facilities. Dozens of on‑site clubs cover sport, arts, languages, and service. The Kellner Family Foundation supports talented students from foster homes or low‑income backgrounds. The Duke of Edinburgh Award program is offered, along with author talks and workshops.

Location

Open Gate – gymnázium a základní škola, s.r.o. is located at Na Návsi 5, Babice, 251 01, Czech Republic. Babice is a village in the Central Bohemian Region just outside Prague. The school welcomes students from Prague and the Central Bohemian Region and has bus connections for commuting from Dejvice, Smíchov, Roztyly, and Čestlice.

Stages

Primary School; Grammar School

Type

Day and boarding school with on-site boarding houses

Additional learning support

Open Gate provides counselling services for pupils with special educational needs. The School Counselling Centre includes a psychologist, educational counsellors, and special educators; all services are provided free of charge.

Bus service

Open Gate operates bus services with direct connections to Dejvice, Smíchov, Roztyly and Čestlice. Morning pick-ups: Dejvice 7:00 (meeting) / 7:10 (departure); Smíchov 7:05 / 7:10; Roztyly 7:15 / 7:25; Čestlice 7:25 / 7:35. Afternoon routes (Mon–Thu) at 15:20 and 17:30 (between Primary and Grammar School buildings); Friday at 13:45. Contact: Markéta Lepičová, +420 606 022 546, lep icova@opengate.cz. Price: CZK 5,500 per month.

Application fee

- No separate, publicly published application or registration fee is charged for admissions to Open Gate's Primary School or Grammar School (applications are submitted via the school's admission systems).

Tuition fees — annual and per-semester (by school level / programme)

- Primary School (annual): CZK 215,000. This tuition is usually invoiced in two equal instalments; the per‑semester amount is CZK 107,500 (tuition is normally paid in two instalments).

- Grammar School — Day students (annual): CZK 282,000. Per‑semester instalment (half of annual): CZK 141,000. The annual tuition for day students covers textbooks and other learning materials available in the school library, the formal school uniform, consultations with the school psychologist and selected counselling services, and on-site basic health treatment.

- Grammar School — Boarding students (annual): CZK 620,000 (published for the 2025/2026 school year). Per‑semester instalment (half of annual): CZK 310,000. Boarding tuition includes accommodation in student dormitories, full board (meals), textbooks and learning materials available in the school library, participation in most extracurricular activities and school events, elements of the uniform, counselling services, and on‑site medical care.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Standard tuition billing schedule: tuition is normally collected in two instalments. The first instalment for the first semester is due by 15 July prior to the start of the school year; the second instalment for the second semester is due by 15 December during the running school year.

- School canteen (meals) billing: meals are billed and settled by semester based on actual consumption. Monthly advance deposits or monthly payments are used for canteen charges; meal prices and monthly deposit amounts are published for each school year (example: meal price and deposit figures are shown for the 2026/2027 year). Meal payments are due on the 15th of each month or may be paid in advance for the semester.

- Invoicing and billing contacts: invoices are handled by the school's accounting/billing office (invoices may be sent by email to the school's invoicing address). Bank payment details and invoice contact are provided by the school for transfers.

Boarding fees and what they include

- Boarding tuition (annual) is listed as CZK 620,000 (see note above). The boarding fee covers on‑campus accommodation in student dormitories, full boarding in the school canteen (multiple daily meals), full‑time pastoral care and supervision, textbooks and library materials, participation in most extracurricular activities and many school events, formal uniform items and certain optional uniform elements, access to counselling services, and on‑site medical treatment.

Other costs and recurring fees

- School uniform:
- Primary School: purchase of the uniform is not included in Primary School tuition; parents purchase primary uniform items separately from the school e‑shop or catalogue.
- Grammar School: a formal school uniform item is included in grammar school tuition for day students; boarding tuition includes the formal uniform and some optional uniform elements.

- School meals (day students): meal prices are published per academic year and are billed by semester; published meal price examples appear in the school's parent information for each year (example figures for recent years are shown in parent information pages). Meal payments are settled by semester based on actual consumption.

- School bus: published routing and fees include a monthly bus fee; an example published rate is CZK 6,000 per month for school bus service.

- Extracurricular trips, special courses, and certain optional activities: many pupil trips, camps, specialist courses or optional activities may be charged separately and billed in addition to tuition; such additional charges are handled and published for each event or activity. (Activity participation and event costs are itemised by the school when arranged.)

Refund information

- No general, publicly published refund schedule for tuition is provided in the school's standard tuition and parent information pages. Tuition billing is governed by the school's invoicing and enrolment terms; parents should use the school's invoicing contact for case‑specific queries.

Fee payment options and banking details

- Bank transfer is an accepted method: the school publishes bank connection details for payments (PPF banka; account number 2007970009/6000; IBAN and SWIFT are provided in billing contacts). A dedicated invoicing email address is listed for invoice queries and submissions. Variable symbols or reference numbers (student study number or birth number) are used for identification on transfers for catering and other payments where indicated.

- Uniform purchases are handled via the school's uniform e‑shop; the e‑shop and uniform catalogue are published by the school for parents to order items. Payments for e‑shop orders follow the e‑shop's stated options.

Practical summary (figures at a glance)

- Primary School annual tuition: CZK 215,000 → per semester CZK 107,500.
- Grammar School (day) annual tuition: CZK 282,000 → per semester CZK 141,000.
- Grammar School (boarding) annual tuition: CZK 620,000 (published for 2025/2026) → per semester CZK 310,000.
- Typical tuition instalment dates: 15 July (first instalment) and 15 December (second instalment).
- Bank payments: PPF banka, account 2007970009/6000 (IBAN and SWIFT published); invoices: faktury@opengate.cz.

(End of fees overview)

Boarding Arrangements

Open Gate offers on-campus boarding in Open Gate Boarding School. Boarding houses are located on the campus, with two‑person rooms (Year 8 students may live alone) and daily supervision by residential educators; a structured daily routine supports academic and personal development, and a wide range of extracurricular activities is available. Flexiboarding is available for short stays, and boarding facilities include on-site dining and shared spaces.

Uniform Requirement

Open Gate has a school uniform worn during lessons. There are casual and formal versions; the regular uniform includes a sweater, knitted vest, polo shirt, belt, and the school logo badge, with girls' options of a winter dress or summer skirt and boys' trousers. Formal uniform includes a jacket, tie, shirt, and trousers; uniform items can be mixed, and orders are placed through the online shop using the opengate password.

Food Options

Boarding students receive six meals a day in the cafeteria, with fully varied meals and vegetarian options; day students have access to the same meal range, mainly lunches, with optional breakfasts and snacks available. There are vending machines for hot and cold drinks, and meals are paid with a meal card (No card = no food); if a card is forgotten or lost, temporary or replacement cards can be arranged. The cafeteria operates on a scheduled meal timetable: breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner, with weekend arrangements for dormitory meals.

Governance and Ownership

Open Gate is a private grammar and primary school. It is governed by a School Board, which includes parent representatives and representatives of the founder, and minutes are published for governance oversight. Scholarships are provided through The Kellner Family Foundation, supporting grammar school students who cannot pay tuition. The grammar school program combines the Czech national curriculum with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and is taught largely in English. The School Management Team is led by the Open Gate School Principal and includes senior administrative roles.

Curriculum

Open Gate uses an educational programme partially based on the Primary Years Programme, the first step toward the International Baccalaureate certificate. The Czech national curriculum is combined with the International Baccalaureate pathway, and instruction is in both Czech and English. The Grammar School prepares students for both the Czech school-leaving examination and the International Baccalaureate examinations. The Czech language and literature are studied in depth alongside national facts, traditions, and customs, and the school offers international exposure through its staff and trips abroad.

Student Teacher Ratio

There are a maximum of 20 students attending each class; Year 1 classes are capped at 18 students.

Higher Education Progression

Open Gate prepares students for the Czech school-leaving examination as well as International Baccalaureate examinations.

Gifted and Talented

Scholarships are available for grammar school students, including need-based and academic scholarships funded by The Kellner Family Foundation; merit scholarships exist for Year 5 Primary School; The Foundation has funded 2,067 annual scholarships to 435 grammar school students since 2005, and the scholarship can cover up to 75% of annual tuition depending on the contract.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Open Gate focuses on holistic growth and personal development, with a learning approach that emphasises self-discovery, curiosity, and responsibility. Extracurricular activities foster creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, and civic responsibility.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The School Counseling Office (ŠPP) provides care for students with specific educational needs and coordinates talent development. The ŠPP team includes a school psychologist, two guidance counselors, a school special education teacher, a prevention coordinator, and two career counselors. All ŠPP services are provided free of charge. The school also supports inclusion for students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and collaborates with external mental health professionals when needed.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Teaching combines the Czech national curriculum with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and is delivered largely in English by an international team of teachers. In the upper years, most subjects are taught in English, enabling students to think and work in the language naturally. The school teaches in both Czech and English and provides an international environment.

Mental Wellbeing

Counselling Services include school psychology and career guidance to help students discover strengths, overcome challenges, and plan their university path. The counseling team includes a school psychologist, a guidance counselor, a special education teacher, a prevention coordinator, and two career counselors; services are provided free of charge. The Student Handbook highlights wellbeing and provides psychosocial support through the ŠPP.

Safeguarding

The Ethical Code governs safeguarding and staff conduct, including safety at work, protection of confidential information, and data privacy. Staff are required to comply with laws and internal rules, and to report concerns to the Compliance Office via the designated channels (compliance@opengate.cz). The school maintains procedures for handling reports of potential misconduct and safeguarding concerns.

History

Open Gate Campus was founded in 2002. The Kellner Family Foundation provides financial support for talented children from children's homes, foster families, or those from low-income families. The campus was built on a green field in Babice near Prague, with the boarding school opening in 2005. In 2009 the Grammar School received accreditation for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, and the Primary School began in 2010/2011. The campus expanded in 2012 with a new primary school and a multi-functional hall, while 2014 and 2016 saw major renovations to the grammar building and outdoor sports area.

Community

The Open Gate community is built on diversity and mutual respect, with students meeting in classrooms, in a broad range of extracurricular activities, and in the school dormitories where they live during the school year. Diversity fosters tolerance, social responsibility, and engagement with local and global events. Students are partners who freely and responsibly participate in shaping Open Gate School and its content.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

The School Council (Školská rada) at Open Gate is a governance body that involves parents and is more than a formal entity fulfilling the requirements of school law.

Facilities Overview

On-campus boarding is available for Grammar School students directly within the Open Gate campus in Babice near Prague. The campus features a sports hall, outdoor courts, and an indoor pool. There is a theatre, a ceramics workshop, and an art studio. The library contains 40,000 books. Boarding students have access to full-day meals prepared by the school cafeteria.

Sports Facilities

The Open Gate campus features a sports hall, outdoor courts, and an indoor pool.

Academic Facilities

Open Gate's academic facilities include a theatre, a ceramics workshop, and an art studio for arts education. The campus library contains nearly 40,000 volumes and serves as the school's printing and copying centre.

Extra Curricular Facilities

There are dozens of clubs directly on campus, offering a wide range of extracurricular activities, from sports to creative pursuits. The campus also hosts author talks and creative workshops.

Academic & Intellectual

Academic Clubs bring together students who have already discovered their field of interest and want to explore it in greater depth. They know the direction they wish to pursue and begin to explore it before university. These clubs complement the curriculum by fostering deeper inquiry, research, and critical thinking in chosen subjects. Participation helps students prepare for advanced study and future academic pathways.

Arts & Creative

School magazines provide hands-on editorial experience and a platform to comment on current events. Three different titles are published to offer variety and practice in language proficiency. Students develop writing, editing, and communication skills through producing and presenting content. The magazines emphasize language development alongside creative expression.

Cultural & Language

After-school activities include clubs in languages and culture as part of a broader program of more than twenty on-campus options. Students participate in language-related activities and cross-cultural experiences within these clubs. The program supports intercultural understanding and practical language use in real contexts. Language clubs help students communicate more confidently in a multilingual setting.

Social & Hobbies

Open Gate offers more than twenty after-school clubs directly on campus, covering sport, culture, languages, and hands-on skills. Clubs run after the school day to provide meaningful use of free time. They foster teamwork, creativity, and social interaction among students. Participation supports pursuing personal interests and building friendships outside class.

Community & Service

Many students participate in volunteering activities. The program fosters a sense of responsibility toward the wider community and develops social awareness. Through volunteering, students gain perspectives on real-world issues and learn to help others. This involvement strengthens community ties and personal growth.

Leadership & Professional

DOFE (Duke of Edinburgh's Award) offers students a wide range of challenges beyond the classroom. They engage in sports, pursue personal interests, and learn to help others. The program includes outdoor expeditions that build resilience, planning, and teamwork. Participation develops leadership skills and personal growth.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Sports and outdoor activities are offered through after-school clubs, with options for fitness and outdoor experiences. Students build physical health, teamwork, and mindfulness through structured activities. The program also supports well-being through recreational clubs and reflective practices. Outdoor adventures and physical challenges complement academic development.

Admissions

Step 1. Open Gate Grammar School is an eight-year grammar school offering a broad general education in line with the official Czech curriculum. Children apply to join in Year One (Prima) after completing the fifth grade of primary school. Each year two classes are opened, with a maximum of 18 students in each. Entry into higher grades is possible only if a place becomes available.

Step 2. The admissions procedure to Grammar School consists of three parts, each with a different weight: 30% of the state Czech language test results, 30% of the state mathematics test results, and 40% of the spoken interview. The state exams are prepared by the Cermat agency, and practice tests are available on the agency's website to help applicants prepare. An application form can be downloaded from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, filled in, and sent to Open Gate for the attention of Jana Hojerová by 20 February 2026. It is now also possible to apply electronically via the admission procedure information system (DIPSY). An application form or extract from DIPSY can be submitted to the school via a data box (ID: abvrh5r).

Step 3. Tuition Fees & Scholarships: Open Gate is a private school, and tuition fees apply. For the school year 2026/2027, the annual tuition for day students is CZK 282,000. Thanks to The Kellner Family Foundation, social and academic scholarships are offered to grammar school students; since the school was founded in 2005, 417 students have received a social scholarship.

Step 4. Admission to Upper Grades: If there are available places, admission to the Open Gate eight-year grammar school in higher grades is possible. The admission process for upper grades can occur in two ways: a) by transfer from a multi-year grammar school or foreign school, or b) by opening an extraordinary admission procedure to the upper years of the grammar school for primary school students.

Scholarships

The Kellner Family Foundation enables social and academic scholarships for Open Gate Grammar School students. Since 2005, 417 students have received a social scholarship.

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