Aljezur International School vs Colégio Santiago Internacional

	A Aljezur International School Algarve, Portugal	C Colégio Santiago Internacional Algarve, Portugal
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €3,000 - 9,900	Fees / year €5,615 - 8,378
Age range	Age range 11 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils	Pupils 80	Pupils 130
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 18
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Portuguese
Opened	Opened 2010	Opened 2012
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Sítio de Ezenha, 8670-116 Aljezur, Algarve, Portugal (GPS 37.274872, -8.804189); situated 5km south of Aljezur on the N120.	Location Praça Zacarias Guerreiro, nº29, Tavira, Faro 8800-391, Portugal
Stages	Stages Secondary school education for ages 11–18.	Stages Primary school and Secondary school, with A-level courses
School type	School type International secondary school	School type Independent, coeducational, open-admission
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix 26 nationalities represented.	Pupil nationality mix More than 27 nationalities represented; about 130 students.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Tutorial support in small groups or one-to-one for AS and A Level qualifications.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation England (curriculum model)
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Our school week runs Monday to Friday. Classes begin at 9.30am and end at 4pm with ten half-hour lessons and three breaks each day.	School day structure Open at 8:30 am. Primary day runs from 8:45 to 4:30 pm with lunch 12:25–14:00; Secondary day runs from 8:50 to 4:30 pm with lunch 10:55–13:10; pickup for both is 3:50–4:30 pm.
Bus service details	Bus service details Coach service from Alvor, Lagos and Bensafrim.	Bus service details Private taxi service with two providers: Nuno Taxi and Calea Taxi. Routes cover Tavira to Vila Real de Santo António, Ayamonte (Spain), and Faro.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Enrolment fee - A non‑refundable enrolment fee of EUR 300 is charged on acceptance of a place for all students. Deposit (enrolment deposit) and total initial payment - Years 7–9: Deposit EUR 2,400 (refundable subject to terms) plus the EUR 300 enrolment fee, giving a total initial payment of EUR 2,700. - Years 10–11: Deposit EUR 2,700 (refundable subject to terms) plus the EUR 300 enrolment fee, giving a total initial payment of EUR 3,000. - AS/A Level students: Enrolment fee EUR 300 (non‑refundable) plus a refundable deposit of EUR 2,000, giving a total initial payment of EUR 2,300. Tuition fees — Years 7–9 (per student) - Annual fee: EUR 7,200 per year. - Per term: EUR 2,400 per term. - 10 monthly instalments option: EUR 720 per month (monthly instalments are payable one month in advance; first instalment must be received before the beginning of the autumn term). Tuition fees — Years 10–11 (per student) - Annual fee: EUR 8,100 per year. - Per term: EUR 2,700 per term. - 10 monthly instalments option: EUR 810 per month (monthly instalments are payable one month in advance; first instalment must be received before the beginning of the autumn term). Tuition fees — AS / A Level (per subject) - If there are two or more students in the group: EUR 3,000 per subject per year. Payment schedule: EUR 1,000 at the start of term 1 and EUR 1,000 at the end of terms 1 & 2. - If there is only one student in the group: EUR 3,900 per subject per year. Payment schedule: EUR 1,300 at the start of term 1 and EUR 1,300 at the end of terms 1 & 2. Optional coach / transport costs - Coach service (Alvor, Lagos and Bensafrim): EUR 1,400 per student per year, payable in advance; this payment is non‑refundable. - For AS/A Level students who are not full‑time, transport may alternatively be charged at EUR 5 per one‑way journey or EUR 10 per return journey, payable monthly. Other fees and typical additional costs - Recommended books: average cost approximately EUR 100 in total; books bought through the school may be reimbursed at the end of use depending on condition. - A 5% sibling discount is applied for a second sibling attending full time in the same academic year. Billing schedule and payment terms - Payment methods accepted for settling fees are: annually in advance; per term in three equal payments (each term payment due before the beginning of the relevant term); or by 10 equal monthly instalments (monthly by prior arrangement and agreement). Monthly instalments are payable one month in advance and subsequent instalments must be received before the 15th of each month. - If fees are not paid according to the agreed terms, the school reserves the right to exclude the student until outstanding amounts are received in full. Notice, termination and refund of deposit - A full term's written notice is required to withdraw a student. - A proportion of the deposit is refundable when a child leaves, provided the child has completed at least one term and one full term's written notice has been given; the refundable amount is repaid without interest and after deduction of any outstanding sums (for example, books not returned or unpaid canteen/club costs). The deposit cannot be used in lieu of outstanding fees and is returned only after all fees have been paid. Portions of the initial payment retained as the enrolment fee (EUR 300) are non‑refundable. Boarding - No boarding fees apply because the school does not operate a boarding provision. Fee payment options (methods commonly used for fee settlement) - The published fee information specifies the accepted schedules (annual, per term, 10 monthly instalments) and the timing for payments but does not specify detailed payment instruments (for example: bank transfer, credit card, direct debit) in the published fee text. Refunds and non‑refundables (summary) - The enrolment fee of EUR 300 is non‑refundable. - The deposit portion is refundable under the stated conditions (completion of at least one term and provision of one full term's written notice); the deposit is returned less any outstanding charges and without interest. Transportation fees for the coach service are non‑refundable.	Fee details Application / Registration fees and security deposit - Annual registration (enrolment) fee: EUR 380 (charged each year; non‑refundable). - Security deposit (one‑off, refundable): EUR 700. The deposit is refundable provided the school receives the required term notice in writing; the school may retain all or part of the deposit if notice conditions are not met or there are outstanding debts. Tuition fees by year group (recurring annual tuition and per‑term equivalent) Note: the figures below are the school's published recurring annual fees for the current academic year and the simple per‑term equivalent (annual ÷ 3) shown for convenience. - Kindergarten 3 (age 5): annual tuition EUR 5,235 — termly equivalent EUR 1,745.00. - Grade 1: annual tuition EUR 5,235 — termly equivalent EUR 1,745.00. - Grade 2: annual tuition EUR 5,235 — termly equivalent EUR 1,745.00. - Grade 3: annual tuition EUR 5,235 — termly equivalent EUR 1,745.00. - Grade 4: annual tuition EUR 5,523 — termly equivalent EUR 1,841.00. - Grade 5: annual tuition EUR 5,523 — termly equivalent EUR 1,841.00. - Grade 6: annual tuition EUR 5,930 — termly equivalent EUR 1,976.67. - Grade 7: annual tuition EUR 5,930 — termly equivalent EUR 1,976.67. - Grade 8: annual tuition EUR 5,930 — termly equivalent EUR 1,976.67. - Grade 9: annual tuition EUR 6,730 — termly equivalent EUR 2,243.33. - Grade 10: annual tuition EUR 6,730 — termly equivalent EUR 2,243.33. - Grade 11: annual tuition EUR 7,998 — termly equivalent EUR 2,666.00. - Grade 12: annual tuition EUR 7,998 — termly equivalent EUR 2,666.00. First‑year total (example for new enrolment) - For a new Kindergarten 3 enrolment the school publishes: security deposit EUR 700 (refundable), annual registration EUR 380 (non‑refundable) and tuition for that entry year shown separately; the combined total for the first year (tuition + registration + deposit) for that example is EUR 5,935. Billing schedule and payment terms - Payment frequency options: monthly, termly or annual. Parents/guardians choose the payment frequency. - Monthly payments: the monthly instalment must be paid by the 5th day of the month to which it relates. - Termly payments: term fees are payable before the start of the relevant term (termly payment is an available option). Annual payment attracts a discount if paid by the published deadline. - Annual payment discount: a 3% discount is available for annual payments if paid by 30 August. - Late payments: payments received on or after the 6th of the month incur a late penalty (the school applies a late fee percentage and may recover outstanding amounts from the security deposit); continued non‑payment can lead to suspension of attendance until fees are brought up to date. Boarding / residential provision - There is no boarding provision listed for Colégio Santiago Internacional; the school operates as a day school for ages 5–18. Other compulsory or recurring costs (meals, transport, exams, extras, uniform, etc.) - Meals and canteen: meal provision (morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack) is offered as a separate, charged service. The school's fee documents and regulations treat food/canteen as an additional cost outside the recurring tuition line. Parents are charged separately for canteen. - Transport: school transport is charged separately. Transport costs are not included in the published recurring tuition and are billed in addition if the service is used. - External examination charges: public/external examination fees (for Edexcel/GCSE/IGCSE/AS/A‑Level) are charged in accordance with examination board rates; these are billed in addition as required. - Uniform: uniform is compulsory. Uniform items are ordered and purchased directly by parents from the school's supplier; the school does not publish uniform prices on the fees pages. Uniform costs are therefore payable separately to the supplier. - Extracurricular activities, study visits, art supplies and similar additional services are excluded from the core tuition and are charged separately. Refunds and deposit handling - General rule: payments for terms, services or other fees are non‑refundable. The security deposit is refundable only if the school receives the required term notice in writing in advance (a term's notice) and there are no outstanding debts; otherwise the school may retain the deposit (or part of it). The registration (enrolment) fee is non‑refundable. Fee payment options and instructions - Accepted payment methods listed by the school include: cash; monthly direct debit to the school's named bank accounts; and bank transfer to the school IBAN accounts. Payment confirmation should be sent to the school email address shown on invoices. The school lists specific IBAN accounts for transfers and direct debit (accounts at Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Crédito Agrícola and Santander). Sibling discounts and other reductions - Sibling discount: second child 5% off tuition; third and subsequent children 7% off tuition. Administrative notes (how fees are treated) - Books provided by the school are school property and must be returned in good condition at year end; replacement cost will be charged if books are not returned. School accident insurance is included within registration/enrolment services. External exam and resit fees are charged as required. (End of fees overview)
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The school follows the UK national curriculum adapted to the life and culture our students experience here in Portugal. Among 80 students, 26 nationalities are represented, bringing diversity to the classrooms. Resources and themes from UNESCO, Oxfam, Amnesty International and National Geographic are used when relevant to the learning programme. Students are encouraged to learn through research and discussion and to take pride in their work and contributions. In the first three years, Years 7-9, the focus is on experiential learning and bonding with tutors; around age 14, students begin a two-year course in their chosen subjects leading to the Cambridge IGCSE examinations, with a “stage not age” philosophy allowing earlier entry to IGCSE and progression to AS levels; there is tutorial support for AS and A Level qualifications.	Curriculum details Two-language instruction in English and Portuguese, following the English National Curriculum modified to meet each student's needs. There is a strong emphasis on mathematics and science, embedded throughout the curriculum. The Arts and Sports component is given significant importance, with curricular and extracurricular activities planned inside and outside the school facilities. The commitment is to create an international culture and to captivate students' interest in other languages and cultures.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio Students are taught in small groups, allowing tutors to establish close contact with students and tailor lessons to individual strengths. This flexibility supports a personalised learning programme.	Student teacher ratio 130 students and 17 teachers; maximum class size is 18; approximate student–teacher ratio is about 7.6:1.
Exam results	Exam results Our students study for Cambridge IGCSE examinations, and we are a Cambridge International Examination Centre, meaning students sit exams in the school building. The general timescale is that at the age of 14, students start a 2-year course in their chosen exam subjects; we frequently have students who enter IGCSE exams earlier and are able to move up to AS level the following year while studying for the rest of their IGCSEs. We also provide tutorial support in small groups, or even one-to-one, for students studying for AS and A Level qualifications. Here are our exam results for recent years: 2015: A* 5%, A 38%, B 26%, C 21%, Less than C 10%; 2016: A* 10%, A 12%, B 19%, C 48%, Less than C 11%; 2017: A* 15%, A 22%, B 24%, C 32%, Less than C 7%; 2018: A* 14%, A 19%, B 25%, C 33%, Less than C 9%; 2019: A* 11%, A 13%, B 17%, C 43%, Less than C 16%; 2020: A* 11%, A 25%, B 32%, C 28%, Less than C 4%; 2021: A* 15%, A 20%, B 35%, C 21%, Less than C 9%; 2022: A* 12%, A 27%, B 34%, C 17%, Less than C 10%; 2023: A* 10%, A 21%, B 27%, C 24%, Less than C 18%; 2024: A* 10%, A 22%, B 29%, C 27%, Less than C 12%	Exam results Exam results are published in a PDF showing yearly IGCSE results and A-Level results from 2014 to 2024. The data indicate high performance, with 2020 showing 100% in the measured metrics. The school notes that results are above the average of UK schools.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression Graduates have gone on to universities including California State University, Long Beach; University of Central Florida, Wembley (UCFB); ATF Flying School in Spain; and universities in Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, England and Portugal. The first student to complete A-Levels at CSI in 2013 was admitted to California State University, Long Beach.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented Tutorial support in small groups or one-to-one for AS and A Level qualifications.	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Lessons are taught in English, and the school welcomes students of all nationalities. Most tutors are proficient in Portuguese, and daily Portuguese language lessons are provided. For students not fluent in English, integration is encouraged and additional English lessons can be arranged if needed. The school accepts students from the Portuguese system as well as from other nationalities; after completing their IGCSEs with the school, some students return to the Portuguese system for Years 11 and 12 if they wish. All students study Maths, English, English Literature, Portuguese language, Portuguese Culture & Arts, Physics, Biology, Geography, History, Computer Studies, Business Studies, Music, Drama and Art up to the end of Year 9, after which they select subjects for IGCSE; private tuition for AS and A level subjects is available. Admissions are via the on-site registration form; required documents include passport/ID, health card, previous school reports (if any), vaccination record, passport-sized photograph, and fiscal number. By applying, you agree to the Terms and Conditions; a place is reserved by paying an enrolment deposit and an enrolment fee. For academic year 2025/26, annual fees are €7,200 for Years 7–9 and €8,100 for Years 10–11, with payment options including annual in advance, per term in advance, or 10 equal monthly installments; an optional coach service costs €1,400 per year; books (approximately €100) can be bought through the school and may be reimbursed on completion of the book. An enrolment fee is €300 and a deposit is €2,400 (Years 7–9) or €2,700 (Years 10–11). A 5% discount is offered for a second sibling attending full-time in the same academic year. Separate Terms and Conditions apply for AS/A Level studies.	Admissions 1. Submit enrollment documents. Admissions follow established criteria, and siblings have priority in enrolment. Upon registration, the office provides the following documents: Enrolment Form, Fees and Services, Use of the Uniform Policy, Medical Questionnaire, and School Calendar 2024/2025. Indicate the Expected Starting date and whether transport is needed on the form; transport availability is subject to confirmation, and the pickup point will be arranged with the service provider. 2. Evaluation and interview. Enrollment is subject to an evaluation process; the parents/guardians and the student will be invited for an interview with the Management Team if they have not yet completed one. The interview helps assess readiness and mutual expectations between family and school. A admission decision follows the evaluation. 3. Secure the place and payment. If admitted, the place is secured by paying the Enrollment Fee and a refundable Deposit before monthly/termly/yearly fee payments begin. The school offers 1× annual, 3× per term, or 11× monthly payment options. 4. Fees and inclusions. The Annual Registration fee is 395.00€ and the Security Deposit is 700.00€ (refundable). Meals and Transport are additional: Meals Year 1–9 are 130€; Years 10–13 are 160€. Transport is 180€. Discounts apply: 3% discount for annual payment; 5% discount for the second child; 7% discount for the third and subsequent children. The Annual Registration fee includes School Insurance, Textbooks (CSI's property for student use), Exercise books, Materials for Arts initiation, Library and internet access, and Lockers. 5. Start date, transport arrangements, and calendar. Indicate the Expected Starting date on the Enrollment Form. If transport is needed, indicate this on the form; transport arrangements are subject to confirmation and pickup points are arranged with the service provider. The School Calendar 2024/2025 is provided with registration documents.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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