Bright International School vs Vale Verde International School

	B Bright International School Algarve, Portugal	V Vale Verde International School Algarve, Portugal
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €8,750 - 16,360	Fees / year €7,143 - 12,408
Age range	Age range 3 - 19 years	Age range 5 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Pupils	Pupils 140	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 18	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Portuguese
Opened	Opened 2024	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Parque Industrial de Loulé, Zona Industrial B, Lote 14, 8100-272 Loulé, Algarve, Portugal. The campus sits in the Algarve region near Loulé and serves an international community.	Location Estrada do Burgau, 8600-120 Luz-Lagos, Algarve, Portugal
Stages	Stages Early Years (3–5 years); Primary (5–11 years); Lower Secondary (11–14 years); Upper Secondary (IGCSE) (14–16 years). Cambridge Advanced opens in September 2027.	Stages Primary (Year 1–6) and Secondary (Year 7–13)
School type	School type Day school offering the Cambridge International Pathway.	School type International school with bilingual English–Portuguese programme; Cambridge curriculum; IGCSE and AS/A Levels
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix Over 30 nationalities are represented at Bright International School.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Inclusive school with a Wellbeing Department consisting of psychologists and pastoral care; supports social, emotional and cognitive needs.	Additional learning support Limited facilities and resources for students with special educational needs; SEN support available at additional charge after assessment
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Portugal	Country affiliation Portugal
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Bright operates from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Early Years run 9:00 am to 3:00/4:00 pm; Primary and Lower Secondary run 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.	School day structure School day starts at 9:00 for Primary (Year 1–6) and 9:00 for Secondary (Year 7–13); Primary ends at 15:30; Secondary ends at 15:45; after-school activities 15:45–16:30; bus service available
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details Bus service from Portimão to school daily with stops along the way including Lagos; billed termly with annual commitment
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application & Registration Fees - Annual registration fee: EUR 1,000 (charged once on acceptance and invoiced annually). Tuition fees (listed per term and per year group) - Cambridge Early Years - Pre-Reception: EUR 2,650 per term / EUR 7,750 per year. - Reception: EUR 2,650 per term / EUR 7,750 per year. - Cambridge Primary - Year 1: EUR 3,400 per term / EUR 9,900 per year. - Year 2: EUR 3,400 per term / EUR 9,900 per year. - Year 3: EUR 3,870 per term / EUR 11,150 per year. - Year 4: EUR 3,870 per term / EUR 11,150 per year. - Year 5: EUR 4,295 per term / EUR 12,565 per year. - Year 6: EUR 4,295 per term / EUR 12,565 per year. - Cambridge Lower Secondary - Year 7: EUR 5,120 per term / EUR 14,980 per year. - Year 8: EUR 5,120 per term / EUR 14,980 per year. - Year 9: EUR 5,120 per term / EUR 14,980 per year. - Cambridge Upper Secondary (IGCSE) - Year 10: EUR 5,250 per term / EUR 15,360 per year. - Year 11: EUR 5,250 per term / EUR 15,360 per year. Billing schedule and payment terms - Invoicing frequency: fees may be invoiced either termly or annually according to the parent's preference. - Standard term invoicing and due dates (example schedule shown): - Term 1 invoiced on 1 June; payment due by 1 July. - Term 2 invoiced on 2 November; payment due by 2 December. - Term 3 invoiced on 1 March; payment due by 1 April. - Annual registration fee invoiced in February with a stated due date in that month. - Cash payments are not accepted; all fees must be received net of bank charges. - Late-payment penalty: a 5% monthly compounded fine is charged on overdue amounts; legal recovery costs may be added and access to some services may be restricted for students with past-due debts. Boarding fees - Boarding is not listed among the school charges. The school operates as a day school with published school hours and no boarding fee schedule. No boarding fees apply. Other mandatory and optional costs - School meals: EUR 570 per term (school meals are mandatory for pupils and are invoiced alongside term fees). - School bus: EUR 600 per student per term (use of bus service is subject to a one-term commitment). - iPad (Years 1–6): EUR 645 (one-off charge where applicable). - Uniform welcome pack: EUR 270 (welcome pack charge). - Soprano flute (Years 1–6): EUR 10 (specified item charge). - Examination fees: IGCSE examination fee EUR 160 per exam. - After-school activities: charged per activity with a minimum one-term commitment; withdrawals mid-term do not entitle to refunds. - One-to-one Inclusion Team support: charged when required; fee determined case-by-case. Refund information and notice of withdrawal - Notice of withdrawal: parents/guardians must notify the school in writing at least one full term before the student's intended departure. Failure to provide proper notice will result in charges for the subsequent term. - Non-refundable items: the annual registration fee and any payments made to the school are non-refundable under any circumstance. If a student does not attend at the start of the school year, the annual registration fee and Term 1 fees are not refundable. Fee payment options and bank details - Payment methods accepted: bank transfer and direct debit (direct debit is offered/recommended); cash is not accepted. Parents are requested to indicate the student's name and number on transfers. - Bank example provided by the school (payments must be received net of charges): - Bank name: Millennium BCP; Beneficiary: EUPHEUS – International Educational Project, Lda; IBAN and BIC/SWIFT details are published for transfers. Discounts and penalties - Annual-payment discount: 3% discount on annual tuition fees for full-year payments made by the stated annual-discount deadline. - Sibling discount: 20% discount on tuition for the third and subsequent children. Discounts are void if fees are not paid according to the published payment schedule. - Late-payment penalty: 5% monthly compounded fine on overdue payments and possible legal recovery charges.	Fee details —
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 Bright follows the Cambridge Pathway, a comprehensive, flexible curriculum designed by Cambridge International Education to guide learners from Early Years to Advanced qualifications. It comprises five stages for ages 3 to 19, with each stage building on the previous one to prepare students for the next steps. Cambridge qualifications are globally recognised and valued by universities, employers and institutions worldwide. The Pathway offers structured progression, personalised learning, and an emphasis on enquiry-based learning, holistic development, and a strong assessment framework. Bright also commits to inclusive education, wellbeing and equal opportunities for all students in a safe, supportive environment.	Curriculum details Cambridge Lower Secondary leading to IGCSE (Pearson/Cambridge); Cambridge Pathway from Year 1 through Year 13 leading to AS and A Levels; Cambridge Checkpoint assessments at the end of Year 6 and Year 9; Primary is bilingual (60/40 English/Portuguese) with core Literacy, Numeracy and Science taught in English.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio 18 students per class (secondary)
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression Advanced Levels offered (minimum of 3 subjects per subject area); Cambridge AS/A Levels are recognised worldwide as a means to enter university; staff provide guidance on applying to universities, personal statements, UCAS deadlines and subject options.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	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 The school uses an online five-step admissions process via OpenApply. 1. Send an Enquiry; the Admissions Team provides information through OpenApply. 2. Book a School Tour (60 minutes, in person or online). 3. Submit Final Application (application form on OpenApply and upload the most recent report cards). 4. Trial Day & Assessment (where possible, students spend a day with their age-group class). 5. Confirmation of Enrolment (enrolments are confirmed once payment for all invoiced fees is received). The school welcomes students from 3 to 14 years old at the time of admission. Classes are capped at 18 students, with teaching assistants in Early Years and Primary Pathway classrooms. The school day runs 8:30 am–5:00 pm, Early Years 9:00 am–3:00/4:00 pm, and Primary/Lower Secondary 9:00 am–4:00 pm. Uniforms are required. The school provides hot lunch prepared by a nutritionist, with three options (Mediterranean, diet, vegetarian) and a salad bar; stationery is provided; from Grade 7 laptops are required; bring a personal water bottle. Parents are involved and the Principal regularly meets with families. Students come from over 25 nationalities and the school is non-religious. Enrolment is handled through bright-is.openapply.com and you'll be redirected to the Enrolment Platform.	Admissions Step 1: Opening an Application File. Submit an application form with the non-refundable application fee of €50 to initiate the process. An email confirms receipt of the forms, but receipt does not imply admission. A student's admission is provisional until the final step in the process has been concluded and the relevant fees have been paid. A place is guaranteed only once all steps in the admissions process are completed. Step 2: Placement Testing. Students complete the Cambridge Insight placement test to determine placement. English placement is required for students for whom English is not their mother tongue. Additional language lessons may be recommended at the parents' expense to cope with the curriculum. Subject-specific placement tests may be required for mathematics, foreign language and science, and a personal interview is required prior to commencement. Step 3: Completing the Application File. Complete the Application File by submitting the documents listed: copies of recent school records, health records and vaccination certificates, Language Background Form, any prior assessment reports, declaration of special needs (if applicable with SEN charge), a copy of the child's passport, a passport-size photo, the parent's tax card, a signed Financial Regulations, and the initial €500 non-refundable registration fee. Submit these forms to VVIS Admissions by mail or email. Documents must be submitted prior to admission. Step 4: Acceptance. After the Application File is complete, it is reviewed by the Head of the relevant division for final decision on acceptance and grade placement. VVIS admits on a space-available basis; if no space is available, the applicant may be placed on a waiting list. For previously wait-listed students, the Admissions Office will call as soon as a space becomes available and an acceptance letter will be emailed to welcome the family. A student will be admitted only after all admission policies are complied with, including vaccination records and the tax number.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist Admission is on a space-available basis; applications are not considered more than two years in advance of entry. If a class is full, the applicant's name may be placed on a waiting list. The Admissions Office will call as soon as a space becomes available and an acceptance letter will be emailed to welcome the family.
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