International Schools in Lisbon
There are 34 international schools in Lisbon and its surroundings, with 20 British schools, 9 are IB schools and 9 are American schools. Most are English speaking and some are bi and multi-lingual.
Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, has a population of around 2.8 million people in its urban area with more than 500,000 of those living within the city limits, an area of around 100 km2. Lisbon is the second oldest capital city in Europe, after Athens, and is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful. This coastal city is built on seven steep hills overlooking the natural harbour and Atlantic Ocean which means that there are scenic vistas from every angle and the most incredible sunsets. Many of the older buildings are brightly coloured or covered in decorative, Moorish tiles. Vintage trams still climb steep hills and pass through the narrow cobbled streets that their more modern counterparts cannot navigate. The funiculars and lift, like the trams, were introduced into the city in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and help to make Lisbon’s hills a little more manageable. There is also an efficient and very reasonably priced bus and metro system. Lisbon is a safe city with one of Europe’s lowest crime rates.
The Portuguese love children and have a very family orientated culture, therefore children are welcome everywhere.
Saldanha
In the northern part of the city, Saldanha is considered to be the Central Business District. In spite of this it is a very friendly area with plenty of green spaces, street art and excellent public transport. This area is convenient for PaRK International School Praça de Espanha.
Campo de Ourique
In the western part of the city Campo de Ourique is a little quieter and greener. The famous tram 28 passes through here and the the Amoreiras shopping centre is nearby. This area is convenient for a number of international schools including Prime School Lisbon, The British School of Lisbon (BSL), Redbridge School and the Lycée Francais Charles Lepierre Lisbonne.
Belém and Restelo
Close to the river to the west of the city, the area of Belém and Restelo is a very desirable place to live. There are plenty of parks and green spaces, museums, street food and friendly people here. This area is home to PaRK International School Restelo.
Parque de Nações
Situated on the riverfront to the north of the city, Parque de Nações is considered to be one of the safest and most diverse neighbourhoods in Lisbon. It is a modern neighbourhood, with easy access to the airport and excellent public transport links. This area has plenty of green spaces and lots of waterfront restaurants to choose from. It is convenient for Astoria International School and the United Lisbon International School.
Around 20 km out to the West of Lisbon along the coast is Oeiras with its huge marine parade extending along the coast to Algés and a good selection of beaches, parks and green spaces. As it is further out of the city this area is a cheaper place to live but owning a car is a necessity. This area is home to the Oeiras International School.
Cascais
Around 30 km out along the coast from Lisbon is the beautiful old fishing town of Cascais with it’s cobbled streets, historic centre, abundance of restaurants and cafés, picturesque coastline and sandy beaches. In the 19th Century it became a fashionable royal Summer retreat. It is now an increasingly popular holiday destination, but also a popular place to live. Only 30-40 minutes from Lisbon by train, Cascais is an acceptable commuting distance for many Lisbon workers. There are a number of International schools in this area including PaRK International School Cascais, International Preparatory School (IPS), Prime School Estoril, St. George’s School, Greene's Tutorial College Estoril and St. James’ Primary School.
Sintra
Around 20 km north from Cascais is the UNESCO World Heritage town of Sintra. Sintra is a beautiful, mountainside town with plenty of independent shops and cafés and some incredible architecture including extravagant palaces, opulent mansions and the ruins of an ancient castle. It takes around an hour to commute into Lisbon by train. Sintra is home to Prime School Sintra and convenient for Carlucci American International School of Lisbon.
Setubal
Around 50 km to the south of Lisbon is the stunning, historic, coastal city of Setubal. Setubal is less touristy and surrounded by National Parks and beaches and only a short ferry ride from the pristine beaches and chic resorts of the Troia Peninsula. Lisbon is an hour and a half away by train or 45 minutes by car. Setubal is convenient for St. Peter’s School.
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Before the ranking, check out our Featured Best Schools in Lisbon:
Where Lisbon international schools are distributed (view our List of International Schools in Lisbon to see a live map):
Best International Schools in Lisbon - Rankings
Note: our rankings are based on parent, pupil and teacher reviews. If you think your Lisbon school should be in the top 15, get reviewing - we want to hear from real people with real experiences at schools so parents, teachers and pupils get the real story when they research their next school. You can find your school in the full List of International Schools in Lisbon, or search by name here.
Curriculum
English, Portuguese
Description
St. James’ Primary School Lisbon is a school for children from the ages of 6 to 10. It was created in response to the need for expansion of St. George’s School which has existed since 1960, in Cascais, and follows the same guidelines, policies and ethos.
We prepare children to continue their learning path in both the Portuguese and the English/International learning system at St George's School from Year 8 until Year 10 (ages 10 to 14). Good standards of discipline are maintained, supported by a system which promotes keenness and esprit-de-corps. Small classes ensure individual attention.
Pupils are taught in English and Portuguese by qualified staff, their time being divided equally between the two languages and curricula.
Read St. James' Primary School reviews
Description
The British School of Lisbon (BSL) is dedicated to the best of traditional educational values. BSL offers a stimulating curriculum with a particular focus on numeracy and literacy from an early age. Our vibrant and enriched extracurricular programme also seeks to expose our children to quality tuition in music, drama, sports, and the arts.
To help pupils understand who they are becoming and what subjects they enjoy, we provide a safe environment and actively encourage them to challenge themselves. As a result, children play a more significant part in their development, they feel confident to participate, make mistakes, and have fun. The British School of Lisbon knows that children thrive on high expectations and challenges, whether in the classroom, on the sports field or in the arts.
By setting the bar high, we expect our students to develop into top candidates for entry into any UK independent school, or a world-class university. While high academic standards are important to us, we firmly believe a child’s happiness should come first. The British School of Lisbon places a particular focus on displaying enthusiasm for life, kindness to others and good manners.
Read The British School of Lisbon reviews
Description
International Preparatory School (IPS) Lisbon is a school that prides itself on the warmth of its welcome to children and parents from around the world. The multi-national community represented at IPS, by pupils and their families as well as staff, helps to create a learning environment which fosters a global understanding of each other and the variety of cultures we bring to the school daily.
We are proud of the high academic standards attained by our children, and encourage them to achieve their best in all areas of the curriculum. International Preparatory School promotes the values of caring, self discipline, respect, humour, a love of learning and a sense of discovery which are all so important to the adults of the future who will soon be shaping our world.
Read International Preparatory School reviews
Curriculum
English,IB,Portuguese
Description
At PaRK International School Cascais we teach children the skills and give them the tools to become bilingual, curious, collaborative, caring, autonomous and agile learners while achieving their personal best in a fast moving world. We are highly committed to our mission of guiding and inspiring students to be successful and happy in their adult lives.
We work together to have a global impact in the field of education. We have a passion for education, innovation and technology. We view technology as a global language and believe that understanding it allows our students to interact and impact the global society.
Read PaRK International School Cascais reviews
Description
Greene's College Oxford, Estoril and Lisbon offers a full-time, university-style sixth form education, both in Oxford, England and in Lisbon and Estoril, Portugal – with academic oversight resting with the Oxford college. In Portugal, Greene’s is the first tutorial college and the foremost sixth form college in the Lisbon area. Greene’s is also the oldest tutorial college in Oxford, and quite possibly in the U.K. The tradition of high quality, individual education continues in our college in Estoril and Lisbon.
At Greene’s, students are taught and supervised by our outstanding educators and academics, all trained to deliver the very best education, and to guide students towards the highest grades – while maintaining the greatest regard for student welfare and wellbeing. Every student is allocated a Personal Tutor, in addition to the academic specialists, who guides, mentors and encourages the student throughout his or her time at Greene’s, enabling students to grow personally as well as academically. Students are also encouraged to benefit from all the numerous social, cultural and sporting activities Greene’s have to offer, whether in Oxford, Estoril or Lisbon.
Most courses are delivered to students in paired or small group tutorials, with some work in larger seminars. ‘Independent’ and ‘individual’ are widely used adjectives in education, however Greene’s has been truly committed to the tutorial method of learning for over 50 years, and has invested much time, technology and expertise to ensure that students really benefit from a philosophy of teaching and learning that continues to be used in the most ancient of universities.
At Greene’s students are very much in control of their studies and have access to a stream of information about their progress, feedback from tutors, realistic assessments of their likely achievement, together with the reassurance of their Personal Tutor to talk through their personal academic strategy.
Would Greene’s College be suitable for my child?
Perhaps one question to ask before considering Greene’s as a sixth form destination is whether your child is ready to study in a university-style setting. Our aim is to bring all our students to the realisation that, fully supported and guided, they can be independent learners, and that they have potential in areas that may surprise them. Greene’s makes no selection based on academic ability, and we pride ourselves on helping a wide variety of students: for those tackling A levels for the first time, for those wanting a change of direction or a second chance, and for those who want a flexible timetable, for example elite sports people with intense training programmes, or those wishing to pursue an additional academic subject unavailable at their current or previous school.
Read Greene's College Oxford reviews
Curriculum
English, American
Description
Prime School Estoril is part of the Prime School group.
Prime School is a leading International group of schools with roots in the Cambridge international curriculum, which currently has four schools for students from ages 3 to 18, in Lisbon, Estoril and Sintra, and now offering the American curriculum of the state of New York as an additional option. Over 600 students from more than 50 countries attend our schools.
Read Prime School Estoril reviews
Description
Jill’s Place Lisbon welcomes children from age 18 months to 7 years, in a charming villa in Carcavelos, in a cosy, familiar setting, to learn through inquiry, exploration and play every child has a chance to shine every day.
We are a community of caring people who build healthy relationships in a “home away from home” where the children feel welcomed, valued, supported and loved. We do not compare children to an unrealistic norm but instead, we measure their progress and celebrate their efforts, kindness, friendship and joy of being lifelong learners.
Our goal has always been and will always be to provide an innovative and balanced learning environment where developing character is our highest priority.
Read Jill's Place reviews
Curriculum
English, Portuguese
Description
At St George’s School Lisbon we see ourselves as a school with a Humanistic foundation with a set of ideas and principles that value human action and moral values, respect, justice, honour, love, liberty and solidarity. All of us are responsible for the creation and development of these values.
We have developed a specific curriculum, upon which our pupils will evolve, allowing for the possibility of true growth. We believe in bilingual education. Our curriculum centres its focus on the teaching of the English and Portuguese languages, Mathematics, and the Sciences.
The curriculum is divided into 4 core elements aimed to further the development of individuals, which are highly supported by the English National Curriculum.
In this way, we will continue to prepare bilingual pupils who, along with a humanistic culture and solid scientific, technological and artistic knowledge, will be great citizens of the future.
Read St. George's School reviews
Curriculum
French, Portuguese, Cambridge
Description
At Redbridge International School Lisbon we inspire creativity, a love of learning and international mindedness through a challenging and multilingual learning environment, where students feel happy, valued and secure. We have a warm, holistic and child-centred approach to international education within an inclusive and multicultural environment valuing diversity, kindness and collaboration.
Redbridge International School is a purpose-built school, designed to meet the needs of the children. We offer a challenging and stimulating curriculum which respects the pace and needs of each child and have an experienced, fun and passionate team inspiring confidence and perseverance.
Read Redbridge International School reviews
Curriculum
English, American
Description
Prime School Sintra is part of the Prime School group.
Prime School is a leading International group of schools with roots in the Cambridge international curriculum, which currently has four schools for students from ages 3 to 18, in Lisbon, Estoril and Sintra, and now offering the American curriculum of the state of New York as an additional option. Over 600 students from more than 50 countries attend our schools.
Read Prime School Sintra reviews
Description
International Sharing School – Taguspark is located in Portugal’s first and most innovative science and technology park. Our school offers a curriculum focused on personal and professional development, preparing students of age 4 months to 18 years for an increasingly global, multicultural and multilingual world.
The language of instruction is English. In addition, the academic curriculum includes tuition in the following languages: German, Spanish, French, Mandarin, Italian and Russian.
Offering the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP), students at International Sharing School face a dynamic, challenging curriculum, taught by motivated IB teachers, focused on building a better world.
Read International Sharing School - Taguspark reviews
Curriculum
English,IB,Portuguese
Description
At PaRK International School Praça de Espanha we teach children the skills and give them the tools to become bilingual, curious, collaborative, caring, autonomous and agile learners while achieving their personal best in a fast moving world.
We are highly committed to our mission of guiding and inspiring students to be successful and happy in their adult lives. We work together to have a global impact in the field of education. We have a passion for education, innovation and technology. We view technology as a global language and believe that understanding it allows our students to interact and impact the global society.
Our Praça de Espanha campus opened in September 2017 welcoming children from 1 Year Old to Grade 2. The school will grow to our full capacity with our students finalising Grade 4 by 2021.
Read PaRK International School Praça de Espanha reviews
Curriculum
International, IB
Description
United Lisbon is a modern and innovative school providing education for children to prepare them for the future. Technology, Global Citizenship, Entrepreneurism, Sports and the Arts are all pillars for our education. We provide education founded on rigorous standards of excellence, seamlessly integrating technology into the learning environment. We want our students to embrace the opportunities created in tomorrow’s world. We live the United philosophy at school: that global problems can only be solved through being UNITED.
We are a K-12 school for children aged from 3-18. Although only 4 years old the school has a wealth of experience built up from a dedicated team of professional staff who all have one thing in common, that is to deliver a world class education to all our students, following an International curriculum and the IB diploma for grades 11 and 12. We have prioritized technology as a core for an education for the future and have worked hard to become a Microsoft Showcase School.
Our school community now boasts of over 50 nationalities – representing a truly international community. We now have over 600 students and a fabulous international faculty that brings years of international education and cultural experience. We work with good extra-curricular activity providers in the area to give our children the opportunities to work with the best in class while pursuing their activities interests.
Read United Lisbon International School reviews
Description
Lisbon Montessori School (LMS) fosters a partly bilingual environment. Our language of instruction is English but classroom assistants speak with students in Portuguese. We follow the AMI school of thought within the Montessori philosophy. Lisbon Montessori School works to create an environment where children will feel safe, able, trustworthy, appreciated, and encouraged to focus deeply on their activities.
Dr. Montessori believed that patterns of concentration and exactness established in early childhood also produce a confident and competent learner in later years. Mixed age is an important factor of the Montessori classroom. This provides children with possibilities to discover ways of functioning in a real social group. In addition, a great deal of knowledge reinforcement results from this interaction of different aged children.
Read Lisbon Montessori School reviews
Curriculum
English,IB,Portuguese
Description
At PaRK International School Restelo we teach children the skills and give them the tools to become bilingual, curious, collaborative, caring, autonomous and agile learners while achieving their personal best in a fast moving world.
We are highly committed to our mission of guiding and inspiring students to be successful and happy in their adult lives. We work together to have a global impact in the field of education. We have a passion for education, innovation and technology. PaRK International School Restelo views technology as a global language and believe that understanding it allows our students to interact and impact the global society.
Read PaRK International School Restelo reviews
Other International Schools in Lisbon
There are 19 other international schools in Lisbon
that didn't make it into our Top 15, either because they didn't have enough reviews
or its review rating was too low. If your school is one of those and you think it should make the
Top 15, make sure you add your review and tell your story via the school links below.
School |
Curriculum |
Rating |
Prime School Lisbon |
English, American |
5.0 / 5
|
TASIS Portugal |
American,International |
4.6 / 5
|
Carlucci American International School of Lisbon |
IB, American |
4.5 / 5
|
Sintra International Christian Academy |
American |
4.5 / 5
|
International Christian School of Cascais |
American, International, English |
4.5 / 5
|
Oeiras International School |
IB |
4.4 / 5
|
St. Julian's School |
IB, English, Portuguese |
4.3 / 5
|
Astoria International School |
English, Portuguese |
4.3 / 5
|
Prime School O Século |
English, American |
4.2 / 5
|
Aprendizes |
English, Portuguese |
4.1 / 5
|
Cesário Verde International School |
International, Art |
4.0 / 5
|
Brave Generation Academy |
English |
3.6 / 5
|
St. Peter’s International School |
English |
3.6 / 5
|
PaRK International School Alfragide |
English,IB,Portuguese |
3.6 / 5
|
Lycée Francais Charles Lepierre Lisbonne |
French |
3.4 / 5
|
Santo António International School |
English |
3.2 / 5
|
Deutsche Schule Lissabon |
German |
3.0 / 5
|
St. Dominic's International School |
IB |
2.8 / 5
|
L'École Trilingue |
French |
n/a
|
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