Základná škola (ZŠ) — this is a general education school from 1st to 9th grade, which covers compulsory school education (povinná školská dochádzka). It is roughly equivalent to the Ukrainian primary and basic secondary school combined.
Education lasts nine years and is divided into two stages: prvý stupeň (1st–4th grade) and druhý stupeň (5th–9th grade). A child usually starts school at age 6.
How to enroll a child
- Enrollment (zápis) for the first grade usually happens in spring.
- Each address has its own spádová škola — a district school that must accept a child from that district.
- Children from abroad, especially from Ukraine, are enrolled according to their age.
Education, textbooks, and lunch in public schools are mostly available for free or for a symbolic fee, and after classes, a child can stay in an after-school club (školský klub detí, ŠKD). Attending school is mandatory by law, so do not delay enrollment after moving.
