Frequently Asked Questions

SEK Budapest International School offers a bilingual education with a curriculum based on the Hungarian National Curriculum, supplemented by adjustments from the International Education Systems (IES) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP). This ensures a comprehensive and globally recognized educational experience.

Our bilingual program integrates English and Hungarian, with Spanish introduced as a third language. Starting from preschool, children engage with all three languages through interactive games and activities. From 1st grade, students study all subjects (except language classes) in both English and Hungarian. Native-speaking teachers from England, Latin America, and Hungary ensure students develop strong proficiency in all three languages.

The IB DP at SEK Budapest provides a rigorous and balanced education that promotes intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development. It focuses on critical thinking, independent research, and community service, preparing students for global challenges and enhancing their university and career prospects.

SEK Budapest accommodates different proficiency levels by creating two language groups within each class. Teachers use differentiated instruction strategies, including personalized tasks and group work, to support each child’s language development effectively.

By the end of grade 8, students generally achieve an intermediate level of Spanish proficiency, enabling them to complete a Spanish intermediate-level language exam. The exact level depends on the child’s motivation, language skills, and duration of attendance at SEK Budapest.

SEK Budapest provides personalised support to students with little to no knowledge of Hungarian through differentiated instruction and personalised tasks. These methods help students learn the language from day one. 

However, English language knowledge is a must-have, except for preschool-aged children.

Fluent English proficiency is a basic requirement for admission, except for preschool-aged children. Older students are assessed to ensure they meet the academic standards of our program through specific tests designed by our teachers.

The average number of children in preschool is 15 per group, in primary school is 20 per class, and in high school is 23 per class. Currently, SEK Budapest has up to 500 students and 73 teachers.

SEK Budapest offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, arts, music, and academic clubs. These activities provide students with opportunities to explore their interests, develop new skills, and engage with the community. Check out our current extracurricular activities here.

SEK Budapest offers discounts for families with multiple children enrolled. A 25% discount on educational and meal costs is offered for the youngest child in families with three children. For families with four children, a 40% discount on educational costs and a 25% discount on meal costs is offered for the youngest child.

SEK Budapest maintains regular communication with parents through scheduled parent-teacher meetings, progress reports, and digital platforms, ensuring parents are informed about their child’s academic performance and overall development.

• Preschool: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Grades 1 to 6: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Grades 7 to 8: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Grades 9 to 10: 8:00 a.m. – 2:20 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Grades 11 to 12 (Non-IB): 8:00 a.m. – 1:20 p.m. to 2:20 p.m.
• Grades 11 to 12 (IB): 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Secretary opening hours:

• During school year: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• During summer break: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Finance office opening hours:

• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 3:40 p.m.
• Tuesday, Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 2:40 p.m.

Director’s office opening hours & parent-director meetings: Based on appointment-scheduling.

Ring order: lessons always start on the hour (eg. 8:00 am) and school breaks always start at 45 in each hour (eg.8:45 am).

SEK Budapest does not offer a school bus service. Families are responsible for arranging transportation for their children. 

Also, the public transport service is well-organized and reliable in the area of our school, there is a bus stop in front of the school and a tram stop at the back entrance, both of them with regular vehicle systems.

Only parents of preschoolers can park within the institution. Although, we have a Kiss & Drop area where parents can drop off and pick up their children. Due to high traffic, parents cannot enter the building during arrival and departure times.

Applying to SEK Budapest is easy! Visit our admissions page for detailed information on the application process, requirements, and deadlines. We look forward to welcoming you to our school community.

While our current programs are designed to support students who excel academically, we respect that each child’s needs are unique. For children with specific educational needs, we recommend exploring specialised institutions that can offer the tailored resources and support required. We are committed to ensuring every child finds the right educational environment to thrive.

The maximum number of students varies by grade. Preschool groups have between 12 and 18 children, while first-grade classes usually have around 18 students. The maximum number of students in any class is 24.

The school provides three compulsory meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack. There are three menu options: traditional, international, and vegetarian.

Yes, uniforms are mandatory for all students. SEK Budapest provides a school uniform and a sports class uniform. About the cost and ordering process of uniforms you will get detailed information in our office.

SEK Budapest offers exchange programs with Boca Prep, St. John’s, and Levante international schools. We can provide various options for our students, ranging from 5-week fixed periods (Boca Prep Int. School, Florida) to 3-month (St. John’s Int. School, England) and longer-term (Levante Int. School, Spain) exchange programs. You can find more information about our exchange programs here.

SEK Budapest employs native Spanish, English, and Hungarian teachers, ensuring students learn languages and subjects in a multilingual environment with accurate pronunciation.

Yes, after-school English classes are available as an extracurricular subject for reinforcement purposes, offering level B2 for 7th-8th graders and level C1 for 9th-10th graders.

• Lower Primary Classes: Each class has a primary teacher who teaches most subjects and the class remains in a fixed classroom for the year.
• Upper Primary Classes: Each class has a primary teacher, but students learn from multiple teachers for various subjects, often in different rooms (e.g., chemistry in the lab).