Budapest School Model (Level 1). In the first four years, the Budapest School Model, the common alternative curriculum of a network of private (tuition fee-paying) schools since 2020, creates a personalised, self-directed learning environment where entrepreneurial competence is cultivated from the earliest stages. The curriculum empowers children to set their own learning goals, develop initiative, and engage actively in their education. Rather than treating entrepreneurship as a separate subject, the model embeds it in everyday learning by fostering curiosity, collaboration, and responsibility. The approach is grounded in a growth mindset, intrinsic motivation, and deep practice, providing a safe, supportive space where students are encouraged to take risks, experiment, and learn from mistakes.
Key Activities and Student Experience
Students experience a flexible, community-based learning environment where mixed-age groups collaborate and learn from each other. Daily activities are organised around hands-on projects and challenges tailored to students’ interests and developmental stages. Children are encouraged to take ownership of their learning, propose ideas, and participate in decision-making, which fosters a sense of agency and responsibility. The school culture supports safe exploration, where effort and progress are valued above immediate success. Instead of traditional grades, students receive narrative and qualitative feedback, which nurtures self-reflection and intrinsic motivation. This feedback helps children understand their strengths and areas for growth, building the foundation for lifelong entrepreneurial learning.
Program Features and Pedagogical Principles
The Budapest School Model integrates psychological research on motivation, growth mindset, and deliberate practice with modern educational paradigms of self-directed and personalised learning. The curriculum aligns with national standards but allows significant flexibility for students and teachers to adapt content and methods to individual needs. The model recognizes and values diverse intelligences and talents, promoting inclusivity and respect for individual differences. Learning is structured around interdisciplinary modules that combine multiple subjects and competencies, focusing on meaningful, real-world challenges. Teachers, parents, and students work together to set learning goals, ensuring that education is both relevant and motivating.
Methodology and Structure Learning is organised in flexible modules rather than fixed subjects, allowing students to progress at their own pace and according to their interests. Mixed-age groupings and agile grouping strategies ensure that children learn in optimal peer environments, benefiting from both individual and collaborative experiences. Each student has a mentor who supports them in setting and reflecting on personal goals, and portfolios are used to track progress over time. The school environment is intentionally designed to be safe and supportive, encouraging risk-taking and resilience. Assessment is continuous, descriptive, and growth-oriented, focusing on effort, critical thinking, and creativity. The Budapest School Model also values learning that happens outside the classroom, recognising the importance of informal and non-formal educational experiences in developing entrepreneurial skills.