Dr Karolina Watras, headmaster of Akademeia High School, reflects on its journey

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As Akademeia High School celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2026, what does this milestone represent for the school and its community?

It is indeed a momentous occasion, marking a decade of unwavering commitment to academic rigour and holistic development of young people. From our foundation in 2016, we have grown to serve 350 international students aged 13-18, fostering an environment where critical thinking, creativity and curiosity thrive. Our vision of the school as a ‘pre-university university’ – a place that prepares students not only for exams, but for lifelong intellectual pursuit and professional success – was brought to life by our fantastic faculty as well as through our purpose-built, state-of-the-art campus, inspired by the collegiate architecture of Cambridge and Oxford. Finally, over the past 10 years, we have granted over one hundred scholarships to exceptional students from various socio-economic backgrounds and we are incredibly proud that we continue to provide this pathway to the very best education today.

The school has achieved remarkable distinctions, including three international accreditations in a single year. Could you elaborate on their significance?

In the 2024/2025 academic year, we secured AoBSO (Association of British Schools Overseas), COBIS (Council of British International Schools), and HMC (the Heads’ Conference) accreditations – an unprecedented feat for any Polish school. These rigorous evaluations affirm our adherence to the highest British and international standards across teaching, pastoral care, and extracurricular activities. They place us among Europe’s elite independent schools, and reinforce our promise to deliver unparalleled education, as evidenced by our outstanding iGCSE and A Level results.

At the heart of Akademeia lies a holistic philosophy. How does this shape your approach to education?

Our philosophy centres on the whole student – nurturing not only academic prowess but also character, resilience, and passion. With classes capped at 12 students, we prioritise seminar-style discussions that refine critical thinking and independent research skills. Our British curriculum – iGCSE, innovative pre-A preparatory programme, and a choice of 25 specialised A-Level subjects – offers flexibility and a tailored, in-depth development of student’s interests and strengths. Success stems equally from our co-curricular richness: over 50 clubs and elective courses, from international relations, through robotics, to arts and sports, alongside personalised mentoring and wellbeing support. This ensures students can truly explore and discover their passions and grow into multidimensional individuals. As a result, our students become ideal candidates for top universities worldwide.

University destinations speak volumes about Akademeia’s quality of education. What do the Class of 2025 results tell us?

They are extraordinary: most of our students received offers from the most prestigious universities and undergraduate programmes, with an exceptional 53% ranked in the Top 10 globally by the QS World University Rankings. In fact, our university destinations have been remarkable since our very first graduating cohort in 2019, with Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College London, LSE, UCL, St Andrews, Caltech, Columbia, MIT, Princeton, University of Chicago, Bocconi and Delft University of Technology to name but a few. The great range of degree courses onto which our students progress is also noteworthy; from aerospace or biomedical engineering, through law and international relations to fashion design and architecture, and many other diverse disciplines. Our dedicated university counselling team helps our students to secure ‘best fit’ placements where they can truly flourish. Alumni often return for reunions and school events, crediting our supportive community for their global triumphs.

Lifelong learning is a recurring theme. How does it infuse Akademeia’s ethos?

Lifelong learning is our bedrock – we equip students with curiosity, adaptability, and joy in discovery. Through personal development scheme, interdisciplinary projects, student-led initiatives, and partnerships with leading institutions, we create opportunities for authentic growth. Ultimately, we aim for students to emerge as reflective leaders, eager to learn throughout life.

To celebrate this past decade of remarkable achievements and inspiring growth, what plans does Akademeia have for the near future?

Reflecting on our decade-long journey and driven by passion for learning, which is one of our school’s leading values, we are hosting the Educational & Business Conference, Lifelong Learning in a Changing World, on 27-28 March 2026, under the honorary patronage of the British Embassy in Warsaw and in partnership with the British Polish Chamber of Commerce. With international speakers such as Maciej Noga (co-founder of Grupa Pracuj), Dr Lee Howell (former World Economic Forum MD), and Dr Kate Daubney (former Director of the Careers Group at the University of London), alongside panels on leadership, talent retention, and AI, it celebrates our legacy while addressing education’s future. I warmly invite business leaders, educators, parents, and alumni to join us!

Discover more about Akademeia High School at akademeia.edu.pl

Register now for the Lifelong Learning in a Changing World conference: akademeia.edu.pl/school-community/conferences-seminars/educonference