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The Best Public and Private Schools in Karaj (and why I’m still kinda wrecked)

@Victor Knight2/8/2026blog
The Best Public and Private Schools in Karaj (and why I’m still kinda wrecked)

okay, so like, I’m staring at this rain. not the cute, romantic rain. this is the ‘you-can’t-see-past-the-window’ rain. it’s been spitting since, like, 6 am and it’s clinging to everything - the pavement, the trees, my sanity. karaj’s got this weird, persistent drizzle that just… settles. it’s not bad, just… present.

green and brown tree near white concrete building during daytime


I was asked to do a little deep dive on schools here, which, honestly, felt like a Tuesday. I’m a freelance illustrator, mostly doing logos for tech startups - which is cool, pays okay, but the sleep schedule is a nightmare. Anyway, Karaj’s a decent spot. It’s not Budapest, obviously, but it’s got a vibe. A slightly stressed-out, perpetually-building vibe. It’s about a 45-minute flight to Belgrade, which is a whole other level of chaos, and a quick drive to Sofia - Bulgaria’s a good shout if you need a change of scenery.

Let’s talk schools. I’m not a parent, obviously. I don’t have kids. But I’ve been talking to a few people - mostly expats who’ve moved here for the tech scene, and some locals who’ve got kids. And the consensus is… it’s a mixed bag. Like, really mixed.

*Public vs. Private - The Lowdown

Okay, so the public schools, like, they’re… functional. I mean, they’re there. The Škola za osnovno obrazovanje ‘Vladan Zajčić’ (I’m butchering the pronunciation, sorry) is apparently decent, but it’s always packed. Apparently, there’s a huge push for bilingual education, which is good, but the resources are stretched thin. I heard a rumor - and I stress rumor - that the teachers are overworked and underpaid. Like, seriously overworked. Check out this Reddit thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/Karaj/comments/13q4z7k/karaj_schools_anyone_have_experience/. It’s… lively.

Then you’ve got the private schools. These are where it gets interesting. International School of Karaj is the big one. It’s pricey - like, really pricey. I’m talking $15,000 - $25,000 a year. That’s a lot of coffee money. They offer the IB curriculum, which is a plus, and the facilities are top-notch. I overheard a mom at a coffee shop (the one on Knez Mihailova - it’s decent, but the wifi is patchy) complaining about the pressure to get your kid into a top university. Said something about ‘helicopter parenting’ and ‘extracurricular overload.’

man in black shirt smoking cigarette


Cost of Living - Let’s Be Real

Here’s a quick breakdown, because let’s be honest, numbers are important. Rent for a decent one-bedroom apartment? Around €600-€900 depending on the area. Groceries? €300-€500 a month. Eating out? €20-€40 per meal. Utilities? €150-€300. It’s not cheap, but it’s definitely cheaper than Berlin or Prague. Check out this cost of living comparison on Numbeo: https://www.numbeo.com/Karaj/.

Recommendations (Drunk Advice Edition)

Okay, so a guy I met at a bar (don’t ask) - he’s a software engineer - said to check out Centar Škole - it’s a smaller, more community-focused school. Apparently, they have a really strong arts program. And another local warned me about Škola za primijenjeno umjetnost*, saying it’s a bit… intense. Lots of competition. TripAdvisor has some mixed reviews: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Education-g298463-Karaj_Serbia.html.

Honestly, I think the best thing to do is visit the schools, talk to the teachers and parents, and see what feels right. It’s a big decision, and it’s not just about academics. It’s about finding a place where your kid will thrive. And, you know, where you won’t go completely insane trying to navigate the bureaucracy.

Right now, I’m just trying to find a decent cup of coffee that doesn’t taste like burnt tires. That’s my priority.

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About the author: Victor Knight

Coffee addict. Tech enthusiast. Professional curious person.

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