Scholarships

Need-based or Academic Scholarships from
The Kellner Family Foundation

Who is this scholarship intended for?

Need-based scholarships are intended for motivated students who pass the entrance exams to our grammar school but whose parents cannot afford the tuition fees. These are primarily children raised by single parents, children from children’s homes, or children in foster or other substitute family care.

Academic scholarships are designed for talented students from typical families whose net annual household income generally does not exceed 1.5 million CZK, making it difficult for them to cover full tuition. To qualify, applicants must successfully pass the Open Gate entrance exams and their parents must agree to the student’s accommodation in the on-campus boarding facility.

Between 2005 and 2025, the Foundation awarded 2,067 annual scholarships to a total of 435 grammar school students.

Both need-based and academic scholarships are available to students entering the first year (prima) as well as to students transferring into higher years of the grammar school.

The value of the scholarship

The Foundation’s Board of Trustees assesses each student individually. The decision is based on the family’s income and overall financial circumstances. Some applicants receive a full scholarship that covers all educational expenses, including textbooks and learning materials, accommodation, meals, school uniforms, school trips in the Czech Republic and abroad, exchange programmes, extracurricular activities, medical and psychological care, laundry services, access to the library, swimming pool, and other campus facilities. Others are awarded a partial scholarship that covers a proportionate share of these costs.

Where to find application forms and more information

You can find more detailed information about the need-based scholarship on The Kellner Family Foundation’s website.
It is crucial to adhere to the deadlines for submitting scholarship applications as well as the application’s requirements.

Deadline for submitting applications 
Necessary forms (in Czech language only)
You can read more about the scholarship’s target applicants

Merit Scholarship for Students in Years 1–7 of the Open Gate Grammar School

Who is this scholarship intended for?

This scholarship is intended for students with exceptional academic results who strongly identify with the philosophy and mission of Open Gate. These are students who serve as role models for their peers. They actively participate in our community service programmes and project days, ask questions both in and out of the classroom, and embrace academic challenges with confidence. In short, they take ownership of their education and work to fully develop their potential.

Students from Year 1 (prima) to Year 7 (septima) may apply. The scholarship can be awarded repeatedly—each year they earn it through their achievements. This approach encourages students to maintain their outstanding performance year after year.

General Information

• The purpose of this scholarship is to support exceptional academic achievement, dedication, and meaningful community engagement.

• Only students who genuinely identify with the school’s mission and values will be considered.

• Eligible students are those in Years 1–7 of the grammar school, and they may apply repeatedly throughout their studies.

• The scholarship may cover up to 75% of the annual tuition fee, depending on the student’s study contract.
   

Eligibility Criteria

• Outstanding academic performance in all subjects.

• Behaviour that reflects an understanding of—and commitment to—the ethical principles that guide Open Gate students.

• Demonstrated involvement and contribution to community service.
• Active representation of the school in competitions.
• Clear motivation for receiving the scholarship.
• Students who receive an Academic Scholarship from The Kellner Family Foundation are not eligible.
   

Application Process

• Students apply through an online application form.

• Applicants upload documentation demonstrating participation in competitions over the past two school years.

• Applicants upload a summary of their community service activities.
• Applicants upload a motivation letter explaining their reasons for applying. This letter also gives students space for self-reflection regarding their academic progress, effort, and contributions to school and community life.
• The school calculates the applicant’s grade-point percentage based on the most recent mid-year report.
• The annual application deadline is 31 March.

Selection Process

• By submitting all required documents, applicants enter the first round of the selection procedure.
• First round evaluation weights:

1. Academic results (mid-year) – 55%
2. Alignment with the Student Profile – 20%
3. Participation in competitions – 10%
4. Community service involvement – 10%
5. Motivation letter – 5%

• Based on these results, the selection committee chooses a shortlist of candidates who advance to the second round and are invited for an interview.
• Second round evaluation weights:

1. First round score – 75%
2. Interview – 25%

Scholarship Committee

• Scholarships are awarded by the Scholarship Committee.
• The committee consists of the School Director, a Deputy Director, and the Community Service Coordinator.
• The committee may invite additional members of the teaching staff to participate in the decision-making process.
   

Final Decision

• Following the interviews, the committee submits its scholarship recommendations to the School Director within three working days.
• After approval, the committee informs successful candidates individually within five working days.
• The selection process is finalised by 15 May.

Scholarship Amount

• The total budget for the scholarship programme (number and value of scholarships) depends on the available financial resources for each academic year.
• Scholarships may be granted at varying percentages, based on the committee’s decision.

Community Contribution Scholarship for the Grammar School

Who is this scholarship intended for?

Students who make a genuine contribution to school life and embody the social values and ethical principles on which Open Gate is founded. These are students who recognise their social and global responsibility, take part in our community programmes or other initiatives where they represent the school with distinction, and demonstrably enrich the school community.

Students from Year 1 (prima) to Year 7 (septima) may apply for the Community Contribution Scholarship. They can receive it repeatedly—each year they earn it through their efforts. This encourages students to take part in long-term social and community projects.

General Information

• The purpose of this scholarship is to support students who actively develop their social and global engagement, demonstrate altruism, and embody exceptional qualities aligned with the School’s Student Profile.
• It is awarded only to students who clearly show that they deeply identify with the School’s mission and philosophy.
• Students from Year 1 to Year 7 may apply, and they may do so repeatedly throughout their studies. This renewability is intended to encourage long-term involvement in projects with significant social impact. The scholarship may cover up to 25% of the annual tuition fee, depending on the individual study contract.

Eligibility Criteria

• The student’s behaviour and actions have a meaningful impact on their surroundings, and they consistently demonstrate exceptional qualities in contributing to society and the School community.
• The applicant’s conduct shows a clear understanding of the ethical principles that guide Open Gate students, and they actively uphold these standards.
• The student is actively involved in community service (Community Service, or CAS for Year 7 students) or in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme (DofE).
• The applicant represents the School through participation in academic competitions and other extracurricular events.
• The student maintains excellent academic performance across all subjects.
• The student can clearly articulate their motivation for receiving the scholarship.
• Students receiving an Academic Scholarship from The Kellner Family Foundation are not eligible.

Application Process

• Applicants submit their scholarship request through the online application form.
• Students upload documentation demonstrating their participation in competitions over the past two school years.
• They also upload a summary of their community service activities.
• A motivation letter must be uploaded as well, explaining the student’s reasons for applying. This written statement also provides space for self-reflection regarding academic progress, effort, and contributions to school and community life.
• The School Office calculates the applicant’s grade-point percentage based on the most recent mid-year report.
• The annual application deadline is 31 March.

Selection Process

• By submitting all required documents, applicants advance to the first round of the selection process.
• In this round, applications are evaluated according to the following criteria:

1. Community service and DofE involvement – 55%
2. Alignment with the School’s Student Profile – 20%
3. Mid-year academic results – 10%
4. Participation in competitions and representation in extracurricular events – 10%
5. Motivation letter – 5%

• Based on these evaluations, the committee selects candidates who advance to the second round and are invited for an interview.
• In the second round, applications are assessed using the following criteria:

1. First-round score – 75%
2. Interview – 25%

Scholarship Committee

• Scholarships are awarded by the Scholarship Committee.
• The committee consists of the School Director, a Deputy Director, and the Community Service Coordinator.
• The committee may invite additional members of the teaching staff to participate in the decision-making process.

Final Decision

• Following the interviews, the committee submits its scholarship recommendations to the School Director within three working days.
• After approval, the committee informs successful candidates individually within five working days.
• The selection process is finalised by 15 May.

Scholarship Amount

• The total budget for the scholarship programme (number and value of scholarships) depends on the available financial resources for each academic year.
• Scholarships may be granted at varying percentages, based on the committee’s decision.

Merit Scholarship for Year 5 Open Gate Primary School 

Who is this scholarship intended for?

This scholarship is intended for Year 5 pupils of Open Gate Primary School who successfully complete the entrance process for the eight-year Open Gate Grammar School and wish to enter Year 1 (prima) in the following academic year. Each year, a maximum of one pupil may be awarded the scholarship, provided they meet the conditions listed below.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, a student must achieve at least half of the total possible points across all criteria and receive approval from the committee.

1. Ranking in the unified entrance exam for the Open Gate Grammar School (max. 15 points)

• 1st–3rd place: 15 points
• 4th–6th place: 10 points
• 7th–10th place: 5 points  

2. Results of the general academic aptitude tests (part of the grammar school entrance process, max. 15 points)

• 1st–3rd place: 15 points
• 4th–6th place: 10 points
• 7th–10th place: 5 points

3. Interview with the Scholarship Committee – 20 minutes (max. 20 points)
Assessment focuses on:

• Motivation for study (10 points)
• Alignment with the Open Gate Student Profile and understanding of it (10 points)

4. Participation and placement in academic or talent competitions (max. 15 points)

• 1st–3rd place: 15 points
• 4th–10th place: 10 points
• 11th–20th place: 5 points
• Participation without placement: 2 points

5. Academic results from Years 4 and 5 (max. 10 points)

• Grade average 1.00: 10 points
• Grade average up to 1.2: 5 points
• Grade average above 1.2: 0 points

Application Process

Applications must be submitted via the form available in czech language here, no later than three working days after the results of the grammar school entrance process are announced.
(Since this scholarship is exclusively for Year 5 pupils of Open Gate Primary School who successfully completed the entrance process and intend to enter prima, the application form can only be submitted using an active school email account.)

Selection Process

• The successful candidate is selected by a two-member committee composed of the Primary School Deputy Head and the School Director, after the conclusion of the grammar school entrance process.
• The committee sets the interview date, which may take place in person or via video conference.
• After approval by the School Director, the committee informs the selected candidate of the scholarship award as soon as possible.

Scholarship Amount

The scholarship is granted for study in Year 1 (prima) of the Open Gate Grammar School and covers 20% of tuition for the first academic year.