St. Dominic's International School Reviews (37)
Average Ratings
Reviewer Nationalities
How would you rate St. Dominic's International School?
Multi-cultural environment with a solid track record. My experience at St. Dominics Int School was second to none and has helped me progress in life with the right mind-set and skillet needed to succeed. Joined in 1996 and graduated in 2010 completing the IB programme before moving to the UK. The education, the teachers, the culture and the opportunities provided were invaluable, giving us all the space to grow our own ways without limiting our capabilities and investing on areas we're strong in as well as supporting us on areas to develop further. A school to remember and recommend to any future student.
I taught at St.Dominic's for four years. As soon as I arrived I knew I was "home". Although I left to go teach in other countries, I returned every summer and recently came home to stay. I was invited to the 10-years+2 reunion for the class of 2010, a wonderful group of individuals who provided me with some of the most rewarding experiences and opportunities for growth in my career. It was the first time I had been at the school in 12 years. That the school would support the efforts of these former students by providing the venue and making the catering arrangements reminded me of the "welcome home" atmosphere I encountered when I first arrived. I was welcomed graciously by the school's Principal, Steve Blackburn and other teachers who are still on staff at the school, whom I knew from our days as teacher colleagues. I would say to anyone thinking of joining the school as a teacher or as a family, this is who St. Dominic's is - a welcoming family you can always come home to.
Quality staff who are IB experienced whose first consideration is for the students. Students are happy and well behaved have a strong ethos of working to the best of their abilities. The school has over 40 nationalities of students and 21 for teaching staff. The school has a calm atmosphere with students having good opportunities for sports, arts and cultural activities. My children are very happy at this school.
Amazing this is the best school ever i recommend and all these bad reviews are lies i go there and its dedicated to child safety and education.
St Dominics is the best school I have ever been into, and I'm really happy to be here. All of these other 1 star reviews are dumb and don't waste time looking at them. This is one of the best schools in Portugal with no doubt!
I chose St Dominic's because while being an IB school, because the atmosphere provided by teachers and the facilities, assured me that my kids would feel good there. And they do. More than their academic success, I want both my kids to feel like they want to go to school, because they like it. I know this school is over 40 years old, so some bad reviews are to be expected. But as a school father reading all these bad, and at some point insulting reviews, I can only assume they were written by someone with a lot of grudge against the school and when that happens, the result is never good. Ultimately, my advice to other families is to go and visit the school first and reach you own conclusions. Me and my family know that St. Dominic's was the best choice for us.
Teachers genuinely committed to student education. One of the best International Schools in Portugal.
One of the best International Schools in Portugal!
We cannot express how happy we are having our daughter in SDIS. She has been there since kindergarten to grade five, now starting grade six. We have had a very positive experience in this school: the students follow an amazing academic program and the teachers are very supportive and nurturing. Stuff and administration have shown our child genuine caring and compassion, all the while providing her with quality education. By watching our child response, we can tell teachers have truly interacted with her and touched her in some way. As matter of facts she’s very happy and always looking forward to see again her teachers on a Monday or after the holydays.
My daughter has done all the three IB (PYP, MYP and DP) programes and she was very well prepared for Law School. St. Dominic's has great teachers and staff who are always supportive to students in their doubts and difficulties and that strengthen their capacities. It has a great sports programe, my daughter has represented St. Dominic's twice at ISSA tournaments in London. It has also has the Duke of Edinburgh Award available for the students who would like to do it. It even accepts students from other international schools who do not have it. This school has also a very good variety of CAS activities. I believe that I have chosen the best school for my daughter's education, it has prepared her to be an excellent student with great skills of studying, with respect to other nationalities and cultures, to be a creative thinker and to fight for her dreams. If you are looking for a school with a very good environment where everybody look for each other this is the best one!
My children are so happy here! The school has strong teachers and warming environment. Staff is always very responsive to our comments or complaints. And they handled the pandemic masterfully by putting in place an complete online distance learning system in only one week.
i attended St dominics between 1997-2000 when i lived out there due to my dad being posted out there to the nato base i loved the school and am still in contact with many og the people i went to school with
Reviews from Google
Recent reviews posted on Google.
 | Rating: |
Lm C, a month ago
just writing to say I am flabbergasted by some bad reviews left here. Is the school perfect ? No Does it deserve one star ? No The school have already started a major overhaul of their installations in the last couple of years, have pulled out from the ground the new senior building in less than 4 months in order to be ready for September 2018/19 It might take a few more years for the school re-do to be finished but it is getting there. We also have traveled around the world and went through a bunch of international schools, here my kid in senior is thriving , very satisfied with the curriculum and would not want to go to any other international school to pass her diploma. I know the school for the last five years, in my experience St Dominic always have been trying to improve and always have done their best to address issues. More is coming and I am sure they will resolve management matters in the future.
| Rating: |
Stefan, a month ago
Our son is at Saint Dominic's since 2 years and he is happy there. The education level is very similar to the other international schools he has been at. Some teachers are better than other, but this is normal. The results of the school seem to be within the average of international schools. A comment to the 1 * ratings: I find it very strange that nearly all of them have just one rating posted in Google, this looks like they have just been created to bring the school rating down. Please have a look yourself. Definitely 1 * is not correct or fair.
| Rating: |
Raquel Maille, a month ago
If you are looking for a school that gives strong academic foundation or progress for your children, this is not the place to look. Its below average. Will children be happy here? Oh yes. A school without rules, standards and expectations - usually quite hard to find children who don't like this Can you compare this to the standards of the International Schools that all have waiting lists ? Absolutely not. There are great schools, average schools and then schools like St Dominics that are below average and below standard. But that works for some people. If you are not expecting university entrance for your children and have very low standards for them this place will work.
| Rating: |
Martim Almeida, 3 weeks ago
St Dominic’s has for the many years lived on its past good reputation but that is fast coming to an end. It is a for profit school that is now full of locally hired teachers, many with poor English and also with no IB or international teaching experience. Some can even be questioned if they have any teaching qualification. The owners employ many family members in key positions to keep tight power. There are many stories from past teachers of poor treatment of staff and unfair labour practices relating to salaries and compensation My advices is to scratch the school off your list.
