General education liceum


A general education liceum is an academic high school in the Polish educational system. They are attended by those who plan to further their academic education upon graduation from szkoła podstawowa (compulsory education) through a path other than Technikum or Vocational school.

Learnings

To learn in liceum, students have to finish ground school and pass 8-grader exam. In profiles, there're expanding 2-4 subjects.
Before graduating from liceum, students take a final exam called a "matura". It's a tradition for students of graduating grades and school staff to host and attend a prom called "studniówka" about a 100 days before the exams.

Subjects teaching in liceum

As in 2025, in general education liceum are taught these subjects:
  • Polish - 4-times a week
  • First modern foreign language - 3-times a week
  • Second modern foreign language/Latin language - twice a week
  • Philosophy/Music/Art/Latin language and antic culture - once a week in 1st class
  • History - twice a week in 1st-3rd class, once a week in 4th class
  • Civic education - twice a week in 2nd class, once a week in 3rd class
  • Business and administrating - once a week in 1st-2nd class or twice a week in 1st or 2nd class
  • Geography - once a week in 1st and 3rd class, twice a week in 2nd class
  • Biology - once a week in 1st and 3rd class, twice a week in 2nd class
  • Chemistry - once a week in 1st and 3rd class, twice a week in 2nd class
  • Physics - once a week in 1st-2nd class, twice a week in 3rd class
  • Maths - 3-times a week in 1st and 3rd class, 4-times a week in 2nd and 4th class
  • Computer science - once a week in 1st-3rd class
  • Physical education - 3-times a week
  • Education for safety - once a week in 1st class
  • Advisory class - once a week
  • Extra-hours for subjects teached in extended scope - 4-times a week in 1st class, 5-times a week in 2nd class, 7-times a week in 3rd class, 6-times a week in 4th class
Because Civic Education is introduced since year 2025, currently this subject is taught only in 2nd class.
Apart from them, there're some subjects teached only in extended scope, with curricilum core

History

Liceum has first introduced in 1932, as 2-years school, being the second part of general education school. After liquidation of gimnazjums in 1948, it became a 4-years school, for graduates of ground school wanting the general education.
After the reform of education from 1999, liceums became a 3-years school for graduates of gimnazjum. In 2017, it returned to old system.
In past, except general education liceum has existed several other types of liceum:
  • Vocational/Specialized Liceum - existed until 2014
  • Supplementary Liceum - nowadays as General Education Liceum for Adults
  • Pedagogical Liceum - existed until 1963, for people wanting to become a teacher