Non-promotion to the next grade, commonly called 'repeating a year' or 'grade retention', is a situation where a student has not met the requirements to advance to the next grade. Learn about the rules for grade retention in Polish schools and what you can do to avoid it.
What is grade retention?
Grade retention means that a student did not receive promotion to the next grade and must repeat the same grade in the following school year.
The decision about retention is made by the pedagogical council based on the student's end-of-year grades.
Retention can occur in grades 1-3 of primary school (only in exceptional cases), grades 4-8, and in secondary schools.
When does grade retention occur?
A student does not receive promotion if:
- They received a failing grade (1) in one or more subjects
- They did not pass educational classes they participated in
- In grades 1-3: shows no prospect of mastering higher grade material (descriptive assessment)
Important:
- Behavior grade does NOT affect promotion (you can have the lowest and still be promoted)
- Only subject grades count
- Even one failing grade can cause retention
Remedial Exam – Last Chance
If you have one or two failing grades, you have the right to a remedial exam.
When:
Remedial exams take place in the last week of summer vacation (usually late August)
How many subjects:
Maximum of two subjects (if you have 3+ failing grades, you are NOT entitled to a remedial exam)
Who examines:
A committee of teachers (the subject teacher + a teacher of the same or related subject)
Result:
- You passed - you receive promotion to the next grade
- You didn't pass - grade retention occurs
Are there exceptions to the retention rule?
Grades 1-3 of primary school:
Retention can only occur in exceptional cases, after consultation with parents and based on the opinion of a psychological-pedagogical counseling center. In practice, it happens very rarely.
Grade 8 of primary school:
An eighth-grade student can be retained if they have a failing grade. The eighth-grade exam is NOT a requirement for completing school - it only counts for recruitment.
Final year of high school/technical school:
A student in the final year can be retained and not admitted to the matura exam if they have a failing grade in any subject.
Consequences of Grade Retention
Educational:
- Repeating all material from the given grade
- Change of class and teachers (usually)
- Separation from the previous peer group
Social:
- Stress and lowered self-confidence
- Potential stigmatization by peers
- Pressure from parents and family
Practical:
- Delay in completing school by one year
- Later start of university or work
- Possibility of changing schools (if parents decide)
How to Avoid Grade Retention?
- Don't let yourself have more than 2 failing grades - remedial exam is only for max 2 subjects!
- Take advantage of grade improvement opportunities before end-of-year classification
- Talk to teachers - you can often get additional assignments or tests
- Use tutoring or peer help in difficult subjects
- Prepare thoroughly for the remedial exam - it's your last chance!
- Don't ignore even one failing grade - every one counts
Can you appeal grade retention?
YES - parents have the right to file an appeal.
- Step 1: Submit a written appeal to the school principal (within 7 days of receiving the report card)
- Step 2: The principal appoints a committee to conduct a verification exam
- Step 3: The exam is conducted by a committee (not the same teacher)
- Step 4: The committee's decision is final
In practice, appeals rarely change the retention decision, unless there is evidence of an error in grading.
Grade Retention Statistics in Poland
According to Ministry of Education data:
- Primary school (grades 4-8): about 1.5-2% of students annually
- General high school: about 2-3% of students
- Technical school: about 5-7% of students
- Vocational school: about 8-12% of students
Most common causes: mathematics, Polish language, foreign language, physics, chemistry
Summary
- Retention occurs when you have a failing grade in a subject
- Remedial exam possible for maximum 2 subjects
- Behavior grade does NOT affect promotion
- In grades 1-3, retention is an exception
- You can appeal within 7 days of receiving report card
- Best approach: don't let yourself get failing grades!