Carlucci American International School of Lisbon vs PaRK International School - Alfragide

	C Carlucci American International School of Lisbon Lisbon, Portugal	P PaRK International School - Alfragide Lisbon, Portugal
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €12,128 - 23,532	Fees / year €9,380 - 20,850
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 1 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, IB (DP)	Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, IB (DP), Reggio Emilia Approach
Pupils	Pupils 739	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Portuguese
Opened	Opened 1956	Opened 2003
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Rua António dos Reis 95, Linhó, Sintra 2710-301, Portugal. Linhó is in the Sintra municipality near Lisbon. CAISL operates an extensive bus service serving Cascais and Lisbon, with routes designed around major metro and train corridors; the fleet includes large 50-seat buses and smaller vans, and bus service carries an additional fee.	Location Lisbon, Portugal. PaRK International School operates on three campuses in the Lisbon area: Alfragide, Praça de Espanha, and Restelo. The Alfragide campus is at Estrada de Alfragide, 94, Amadora; Praça de Espanha is at Av. Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, 52, Lisboa; Restelo is at Av. das Descobertas, 21, Lisboa.
Stages	Stages EC3 through High School	Stages Early Learning School (Ages 1 to 5); Junior School (Grades 1 to 5); Lower Senior School (Grades 6 to 8); Cambridge IGCSE (Grades 9 to 10); IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11 to 12); A Levels (Grades 11 to 12).
School type	School type Non-profit, non-denominational, college-preparatory day school offering an American program (EC3–12) and the IB Diploma.	School type Private international school
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Learning Support; English as an Additional Language (EAL); Foundations of English Language (FoE); Counseling; Enrichment/Extension programs; Educational/Health Plans as needed.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation United States (CAISL is supported by the U.S. Office of Overseas Schools and offers an American curriculum).	Country affiliation Portugal
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Non-denominational	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure A typical school day starts at 8:20 and finishes at 3:45.	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details CAISL offers an extensive bus service serving Cascais and Lisbon, with routes designed around major metro and train corridors. The fleet includes large 50-seat buses and smaller vans; buses pick up students at home when possible. The service carries an additional fee.	Bus service details Door-to-door bus service runs daily in mornings and evenings, with extensive routes including Restelo, Praça de Espanha, Alfragide, and other areas in Lisbon and surrounding districts (Oeiras, Algés, Campo de Ourique, Campolide, Alameda, Saldanha, Marquês de Pombal, Amoreiras, Chiado, Santos, Alcântara, Ajuda, Belém).
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details One‑time fees (charged on application/enrolment) - Application fee: EUR 100. - Registration fee (one‑time, mandatory, non‑refundable): EUR 600 per child. - Building fee (mandatory, non‑refundable while payable): EUR 1,953 per year; payable annually for the first five years a student attends (begins in Grade 1 unless payment is requested earlier in writing). Once payment begins the amount is fixed for the five years it is due. Tuition fees (Quarterly or Annual options) - Early Childhood (EC3 & EC4) and Kindergarten: Quarterly EUR 3,032; Annual EUR 12,128. (These Early Childhood / Kindergarten figures include lunch.) - Grades 1–2: Quarterly EUR 3,515; Annual EUR 14,060. - Grades 3–5: Quarterly EUR 3,908; Annual EUR 15,632. - Grades 6–8: Quarterly EUR 4,439; Annual EUR 17,756. - Grades 9–12: Quarterly EUR 5,883; Annual EUR 23,532. Optional and ancillary fees (Quarterly or Annual options where shown) - Lunch (Grades 1–12): Quarterly EUR 303; Annual EUR 1,212. Lunch for Early Childhood and Kindergarten is included in tuition. Lunch fees, if purchased, are billed with tuition invoices and cancellations must be made in writing and become effective the following quarter. - Transportation (per route): One‑way Quarterly EUR 454; One‑way Annual EUR 1,816. Round trip Quarterly EUR 908; Round trip Annual EUR 3,632. Occasional ridership charged at EUR 17 one way. Transport is charged per route and cancellations or route changes require advance notice; cancellations become effective the following quarter. - After‑Hours Care / After‑School Childcare (Grades EC3/4–5) — Quarterly / Annual options: - 1 day/week: Quarterly EUR 85; Annual EUR 340. - 2 days/week: Quarterly EUR 156; Annual EUR 624. - 3 days/week: Quarterly EUR 217; Annual EUR 868. - 4 days/week: Quarterly EUR 264; Annual EUR 1,056. - 5 days/week: Quarterly EUR 300; Annual EUR 1,200. Occasional use (drop‑in) = EUR 30 per day. Cancellations must be made in writing and take effect the following quarter. - Required instructional books and sports uniforms for team sports are included in tuition; some optional school store purchases, specific musical instruments beyond those provided, and optional extracurricular activity fees may incur additional charges billed separately. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition may be paid quarterly or annually. Tuition is invoiced as follows: - For new students: the 1st quarter (or the quarter in which the student enters) is invoiced at the time of initial registration; subsequent quarters are invoiced approximately one month before the due date. - For returning students: re‑registration and initial payment deadlines are set in the re‑registration schedule (example dates in the schedule show re‑registration forms and a June payment deadline for the 1st quarter/annual option). Subsequent quarter due dates are published on the annual schedule. - Specific quarter due dates shown in the published schedule include (examples for the year shown): 2nd Quarter due November 6; 3rd Quarter due January 29; 4th Quarter due April 23. Failure to pay the 1st quarter by the deadline cancels the reserved place and invoiced amounts remain due. Individual payment plans may be arranged with the Accounts Manager. - Discounts: 3% reduction on tuition paid in full by the published early‑payment deadline (example: on or before June 15 in the schedule) and 3% reduction on the building fee if paid with the annual tuition by that date. Sibling discounts apply: 15% reduction on Tuition & Building Fee for a third concurrently enrolled child, and 25% reduction for a fourth and subsequent concurrently enrolled child (applied to the youngest children). Early payment discounts are not refundable. Refunds, cancellations, early withdrawal and related policies - The First Quarter fees (Tuition and Building Fee, if applicable) of attendance are owed as a condition of registering or re‑registering and are not refundable under any circumstances. Failure to pay the 1st quarter by the due date results in loss of the child's place while the invoiced amounts remain due. - Late admission (entry during a quarter): the fee to reserve the place is the full quarter's tuition plus the Registration Fee and the full year's Building Fee if applicable. - Early withdrawal: written notification of intent to withdraw must be given by the published deadlines approximately one month before the next quarter's payment date; failure to provide required written notice results in the full next quarter's fees being due. Any attendance during a quarter results in that full quarter's fees being due. Example deadlines from the schedule are Oct 2 (for 2nd quarter), Dec 18 (for 3rd quarter), and Mar 25 (for 4th quarter). - Refunds for early payments (including discounted annual payments) are not provided; early‑payment discounts will not be refunded under any circumstances. Payment method and billing contact information - Payments are requested in Euros by bank transfer to the school's bank. Bank details published for payments include: Bank: Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD); IBAN: PT50 0035 0786 0006 6142 5304 8; NIB: 0035 0786 0006 6142 5304 8; SWIFT CODE: CGDIPTPL. - Individual payment plans and questions about invoicing, late payment, or discounts are handled by the Accounts/Business Office; account contact details are provided with the fee schedule and billing information. Boarding - Boarding is not applicable; no boarding fees are listed. Notes on inclusions and obligations - The published tuition amounts indicate items included in tuition such as technology and online learning resources, Portuguese and English language support, a personal laptop beginning in Grade 1, many extracurricular activities, required instructional books and sports uniforms for team sports, art supplies and most musical instruments. Additional optional items and services are billed separately per the schedule.	Fee details Application & registration fees - Registration fee (first-time applicants, per student): €90 for all year groups. - Enrolment (one-time, new students): amounts vary by stream and year group: - Bilingual stream (1–5 year olds): €935. - Bilingual stream (Grades 1–4): €1,325. - English stream (Grades 1–5): €1,325. - Grade 6 (English stream): €1,880. - Grades 7–8 (English stream): €4,075. - IGCSE (Grades 9–10): €5,200. - IB / A Level (Grades 11–12): €5,250. - Re-enrolment fee (current students, non-refundable, charged in April): amounts vary by year group (examples: Bilingual 1–5: €590; Bilingual Grades 1–4: €700; Grade 6: €890; IGCSE: €950; IB/A Level: €1,080). Tuition fees by year group (academic year 2025/26) - Bilingual stream - 1–5 year olds: Annual €9,380; Termly (x3) €3,126.67; Monthly (x10) €938. (Includes annual student insurance and food service). - Grades 1–4: Annual €12,125; Termly €4,041.67; Monthly €1,212.50. (Includes insurance and food service until Grade 5). - English stream (Senior pathway and full English tuition levels) - Grades 1–5: Annual €13,500; Termly €4,500; Monthly €1,350. - Grades 6–8: Annual €13,700; Termly €4,566.67; Monthly €1,370. - IGCSE (Grades 9–10): Annual €17,150; Termly €5,716.67; Monthly €1,715. (Exams not included). - IB / A Level (Grades 11–12): Annual €20,850; Termly €6,950; Monthly €2,085. (Exams not included). Billing schedule and payment terms - Billing frequency options: annual (September), termly (payments due in September, December and April) or monthly (payments spread over September–June). - Invoicing timing: school tuition invoices are issued by the 5th business day of the month in which they fall due; other charges are invoiced separately (within 10 business days of the following month). Parents/guardians should review invoices and raise queries within 48 hours. - Payment methods accepted: ATM reference (as shown on the invoice), direct debit, education tickets and bank transfer. Direct debit is normally collected mid-month (debited by the 12th each month for 2025/26 statements). If a direct debit fails, payment will be requested by ATM reference or bank transfer. - Overdue invoices: for the 2025/26 schedules, overdue invoices will incur an interest charge of 5% over the total amount due. - Sibling discount: families with three or more children enrolled receive a 10% discount on the annual tuition applicable to the third-youngest child onwards. Boarding fees - Boarding is not offered at PaRK International School campuses; there are no boarding fees in the school fee schedules. (PaRK IS references access to boarding at other Inspired schools but does not list boarding charges for its Lisbon campuses.) Mandatory charges and other regular fees - Global study / digital platform and related charges (invoiced annually in October): - Grades 4–5: Global Study Platform + Inspired AI + MDM — €75. - Grades 6–10: Global Study Platform + Inspired AI + Inspired Metaverse — €100. - Grades 11–12: Global Study Platform + Inspired AI + Inspired Metaverse + sweatshirt — €145. - Examination and assessment charges (invoiced annually as indicated): - IGCSE exams (Grade 10): €160. - AS level exams (Grade 11): €200. - A level exams (Grade 12): €300. - IB exam fees (Grade 12): €900. - Vocational programme (Grade 10, one-time when incurred): €50. - Other charges (examples and typical invoicing): - Extracurricular activities: termly commitment; fees vary by activity (see activity catalogue). - Transport: varies by route; invoiced termly (Nov, Jan, Apr); specific route prices vary. - School trips (internal/ external): termly invoicing; example internal trip fee shown as €24. - Student replacement card: €7 (when incurred). - Translation of documents: €0.10/word (when incurred). - Food service (Grades 6–12): €145 monthly (when incurred); for younger years food service is included in tuition and discounted in December/April as noted. - Supervision period (6:00 pm–6:30 pm): €70 monthly (when incurred) for 1-year-olds to Grade 5; late-collection penalties also apply. - English Second Language tuition (examples): Grades 1–5: €540 (5h/week); Grade 6 (6.5h/week): €660 (termly invoiced); Grades 7–8 (9h/week): €840 (termly invoiced). - Wellbeing individual support (Grades 6–12): €45/hour (monthly when incurred). - iPad acquisition for Grades 4–5 (Apple iPad Air 11" Wi‑Fi 128GB with keyboard, pencil and 1 year insurance): shown as €1,131 or an alternative entry figure €377 (invoice options listed); iPad rental (Grades 4–5): €105 (termly). Refund information and non-refundable charges - Enrolment fees for new students are non-refundable. Re-enrolment fees for current students are non-refundable and are charged in April. Registration and re-enrolment notes in the fee schedule indicate these items are non-refundable as specified. - Extracurricular activities require a full-term commitment; if a student withdraws or discontinues participation during the term, the full term fee remains chargeable (exceptions apply only if the activity is cancelled or minimum numbers are not met). Fee payment options and administrative notes - Accepted payment methods: ATM reference (on invoice), direct debit, education tickets, bank transfer. Direct debit is the standard monthly collection method; failed direct debits will be re-requested by ATM reference or bank transfer. - Invoicing and review: invoices are issued in advance according to the chosen billing frequency; parents/guardians must review invoices and notify the finance office within 48 hours if corrections are required. - Overdue handling and administrative charges: for 2025/26 schedules, overdue invoices attract a 5% interest charge; other administrative fees (for example, contract-change requests) are set out in the fee schedules.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements Not offered.	Boarding arrangements The school has guaranteed entry to Inspired Boarding Schools. Inspired boarding provides 24-hour pastoral support and exclusive access to state-of-the-art facilities for sports and academics after school, within a welcoming home-from-home environment.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement There is no school uniform.	Uniform requirement The uniform is mandatory for all students from the 1-Year-Old groups to Grade 10. IB Diploma and A Levels students (Grades 11-12) follow a smart casual dress code for daily wear and use the PaRK IS formal uniform for specific school events. For Physical Education, all students wear the Sports Uniform.
Food options	Food options CAISL is served by an on‑campus kitchen with a catering partner, Thomas Franks, and offers three daily lunch options: a main dish, an international dish, and a vegetarian option (the main dish alternates between meat and fish). Lunch is included for Early Childhood and Kindergarten; from Grade 1, lunch is optional with an additional fee. A snack bar provides light meals and beverages.	Food options Healthy and nutritionally-balanced meals are provided by our catering partner Go Natural. Menus are updated monthly; vegetarian options and a salad bar are available; meals are prepared by a chef and approved by a nutritionist, with accommodations for allergies.
House system	House system —	House system The PaRK IS House System has four Houses: Hillary & Tabei, Cousteau & Andresen, Vasco da Gama & Mother Teresa, and Armstrong & Johnson. From Grade 1 onward, students are allocated to a House and participate in cross-age activities and competitions.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership CAISL is governed by Fundação Escola Americana de Lisboa (FEAL), a not‑for‑profit foundation under Portuguese law.	Governance and ownership PaRK International School is an Inspired School, part of Inspired Education Group, a leading global network of premium schools. This affiliation provides access to international best practices and collaboration with other Inspired schools worldwide, including global exchange programmes.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details CAISL teaches an American curricular program from EC3 through High School under a permanent license from the Portuguese Ministry of Education, including permission to award the American High School Diploma and the International Baccalaureate Diploma, both recognized worldwide. The program follows U.S. standards: English Language Arts and Math align with the Common Core, Science with the Next Generation Science Standards, and Social Studies with the C3 Framework. Portuguese is taught to all students from Grade 1 through Grade 9, with a Native/Fluent Speakers track aligned to the Ministry curriculum and Portuguese as a Foreign Language designed for non-Portuguese speakers. CAISL follows American Education Reaches Out (AERO) resources to support curriculum development and uses frameworks across K–12 for English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Fine Arts, Information Technology, and Portuguese. Curriculum is organized by level: Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School, and High School.	Curriculum details PaRK International School provides a bilingual education from Early Learning through Grade 4, followed by the Cambridge International Pathway from Grade 5, including the IGCSE, A Levels, and the IB Diploma Programme. The curriculum integrates technology and 21st-century skills across the subjects. Academic stages include Early Learning (Ages 1-5), Junior School (Grades 1-5), Lower Senior School (Grades 6-8), Cambridge IGCSE (Grades 9-10) and the IB Diploma Programme or A Levels (Grades 11-12). The school operates on three campuses in Lisbon: Alfragide, Praça de Espanha, and Restelo. In 2025, IBDP results were strong with an average score of 35, 29% of students scoring 38 points or more, and a top score of 45.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio High School class sizes are small, with no more than 20 students per class. The High School includes Grades 9-12 with a maximum of 60 students per grade.	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results CAISL has been an IB World School since 2002. In 2025, IB results show an average DP score of 34.3 with a 98% pass rate, and 26 bilingual diplomas awarded from 58 candidates (57 awarded the IB Diploma). SAT results for 2025 show an average composite of 1267 from 58 test-takers (Reading & Writing 640; Math 627). MAP results indicate CAISL averages above U.S. and international comparison groups in Reading and Math.	Exam results IBDP exam results 2025 show an average score of 35, with 29% of students scoring 38 points or more, and a top score of 45.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression College destinations for CAISL graduates include USA: Boston College, Georgetown University, Northeastern University, SUNY Binghamton University, Texas Christian University, and the United States Military Academy; UK: Goldsmiths, King's College London, Lancaster, Loughborough, University of Birmingham, University of Cambridge, University of Manchester, University of the Arts London, University of Warwick; Portugal: ISCTE, Univ. Católica, Univ. Lisboa, Univ. Nova de Lisboa; Netherlands: Amsterdam University College, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Leiden University College, Utrecht University, University of Amsterdam; Other: IE University (Spain), McGill University (Canada), RWTH Aachen University (Germany), Aarhus University (Denmark), Malmö University (Sweden).	Higher education progression PaRK IS provides individualised university and careers counselling from Grade 10. One in three Inspired students secures a place in Russell Group or Ivy League universities. About 90% of Inspired students are accepted to their first-choice university. The school offers an SAT pathway with an official SAT centre on campus and partner SAT prep providers, Arete Education and The Classroom Door, for additional admissions support.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented Nsouli Scholars is an Inspired initiative enabling up to 50 students at any one time to attend Inspired schools on full scholarships. The programme supports access to academics, arts and sports, and PaRK IS participates in this global programme. In 2022, Inspired's IB Diploma Average Point Score was 35 (world average 31.98), with 27% of A Level grades being A*, illustrating the level of exceptional performance within Inspired schools.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning CAISL provides counseling and guidance to support students' social and emotional development. The Counseling Department serves Grades 1–12 with a team of four counselors, including three certified clinical psychologists; counseling is available in individual and group formats and involves close collaboration with parents. Information is treated confidentially, and counselors help families access local resources when needed.	Social & emotional learning The Well-Being Department creates a respectful, safe and happy environment across PaRK IS's three campuses. The school supports students' social and emotional development, focusing on self-knowledge, self-regulation, social relationships and decision-making. The Social Skills Programme runs bi-weekly for Grades 1 to Senior School. The Fellowship Programme engages students in Grades 5 to 12 in community service. A dedicated psychology team supports Learning Diversity Students, and safeguarding, mindfulness and inclusion initiatives are part of the wellbeing framework. External speakers are invited throughout the year to enrich students' experiences.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) CAISL offers Learning Support for students with mild learning difficulties, with small-group instruction, regular progress monitoring, formal accommodations, executive functioning skills development, and literacy support. The program is designed for students who can function in a regular classroom setting; CAISL does not provide services for severe learning or behavioral problems. Educational/Health Plans are written when there is a relevant evaluation or medical condition and reviewed annually.	Special educational needs (SEN) PaRK IS has a specialised psychology department and dedicated teams for Learning Diversity Students. The resources support inclusive practices and targeted support for diverse learning needs. Support is embedded within the Well-Being framework across the three campuses.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language English is the medium of instruction in all classes. English as a Language (EAL) classes are available in small groups to support students whose first language is not English; ESL can be delivered through immersion, sheltered classes, or monitoring. Admission testing is used for non-native English speakers, with progression plans and monitoring (including WIDA assessments) to move students to mainstream English instruction; high school entry for non-native speakers requires demonstrated English fluency.	English as an additional language The school provides bilingual education from Early Learning through Grade 4. From Grade 5, PaRK IS follows the Cambridge International Pathway, including IGCSE, A Levels and the IB Diploma Programme. The education is multilingual, helping students become proficient in more than one language.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing CAISL offers personal counseling to support emotional and social well-being for students in Grades 1–12, with a team of counselors available for individual or group sessions. Counselors work with students to develop healthy strategies and maintain confidentiality while coordinating with families as needed.	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing is a core focus of the Well-Being Department across three campuses. The department provides a psychology team, mindfulness and social-skills initiatives, and safeguarding. External speakers contribute to wellbeing and resilience education throughout the year. The wellbeing programme supports students' confidence and resilience alongside their academic journey.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding CAISL has a Child Protection Policy with annual staff training and a formal process for safeguarding students. Recruitment follows rigorous child-protection standards, including background checks and verification of criminal records for staff, contractors, and volunteers. A designated Child Protection Officer oversees safeguarding and there is a Child Protection Handbook and a formal reporting process for suspected abuse or neglect.	Safeguarding Safeguarding is integrated into the Well-Being framework and managed across PaRK IS campuses. The Well-Being Department coordinates safeguarding alongside mindfulness, fellowship and social-skills initiatives to foster a safe school culture.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview CAISL's campus serves Pre-School through High School with dedicated classrooms, labs, and collaborative spaces designed to support academic and extracurricular programs. The space includes a Pre-School and Elementary area with age-appropriate classrooms and direct playground access, and Middle School and High School spaces with subject-specific classrooms, science labs, and student gathering areas. Outdoor athletics facilities include a professional-sized soccer field, two multi-purpose fields, three outdoor basketball courts, and track-and-field facilities, complemented by an indoor gymnasium and a smaller gym for younger students with a fitness room. The arts and music spaces feature dedicated art rooms and music classrooms, a theatre that seats over 400, a main library with extensive resources, and technology resources across the campus.	Facilities overview PaRK IS operates across three Lisbon campuses: Alfragide (ages 1 to 18), Praça de Espanha (ages 1 to 10), and Restelo (ages 1 to 10). Alfragide is the largest campus and features brand-new modern buildings on an extensive site. The Alfragide campus has technology-enabled classrooms with cutting-edge technology and sound-blocking features. The campus includes an auditorium, music studios and an arts hub, and has labs and a MakerSpace Room. The Alfragide campus offers multi-sport facilities including a pavilion, gymnasium, football field, exterior basketball court and multi-use rooftop spaces. The Extracurricular Activities at Alfragide include visual arts, dance, martial arts, team and individual sports, personal development activities, and PaRK Music Academy with six studios and two rehearsal rooms, with some activities run off-campus through partners.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities CAISL offers extensive athletics facilities: outdoor spaces include a professional-sized soccer field, two multi-purpose fields, three outdoor basketball courts, and track-and-field facilities, plus a baby gym for preschool. Indoor spaces include a gymnasium configurable for two basketball courts or three volleyball courts, a smaller gym for younger students, and a fitness room with machines and free weights.	Sports facilities The Alfragide campus offers multi-sport facilities including a pavilion, gymnasium, football field, exterior basketball court and multi-use rooftop spaces.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Middle School and High School provide specialized classrooms, labs, collaborative spaces, and student gathering areas to support deeper learning and university preparation. Students have access to subject-specific classrooms, science labs, and central atriums serving as social hubs. Pre-School and Elementary spaces include dedicated classrooms with in-class bathrooms and direct playground access, with elementary students receiving Art, Music, and Physical Education instruction.	Academic facilities Technology-enabled classrooms are fully equipped with cutting-edge technology and sound-blocking features. Auditorium, Music Studios and Arts Hub are on site. Labs and MakerSpace Room are available for science and technology work.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities CAISL offers after-school activities and clubs across grades, with registration after the start of the school year and the ability to filter by grade and day. Igniting Passions highlights Arts and Athletics programs, including concerts by Choir and Orchestra, and weekly Open Mic events. The program includes Arts & Crafts, Ballet, Basketball, Ceramics, Chess, Chinese language and culture clubs, percussion groups, choir, theatre, and many other after-school activities supported by dedicated Fine Arts spaces such as music classrooms, art rooms, a 400-seat theatre, and the main library. The campus hosts MUN programs and a range of after-school opportunities through Beyond the Classroom.	Extra curricular facilities Extracurricular activities include visual arts, dance, martial arts, team and individual sports and personal development activities. The PaRK Music Academy provides six fully equipped studios and two rehearsal rooms. Some activities take place off-campus with partners.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History CAISL began in 1956 when Anthony McKenna founded a school with a big vision: bringing American education to Portugal, starting with 9 students in a small apartment in Pedrouços. In 1984 the Portuguese Ministry of Education officially recognized the school's educational program. In 1998 the Linhó campus was established, uniting the divisions on a purpose-built learning environment. CAISL is governed by the Fundação Escola Americana de Lisboa Board of Trustees, composed of three members: one appointed by Visteon Portuguesa and two appointed by the U.S. Embassy to Portugal, who set policy and long-term direction while day-to-day operations are delegated to school leadership. By 2026 CAISL has grown from 9 students to more than 700, marking 70 years of operation.	History Open since 2003, PaRK IS began with O Parque Taguspark; a second sponsored school in Lisbon opened about a year later. The first non-sponsored school, O Parque Belém, opened in 2006, followed by the Restelo Primary School in 2008 and a Cascais campus in 2010. In 2016, O Parque Bilingual Schools became PaRK International School, opening Grade 7 in Lisbon; Praça de Espanha campus opened in 2017. PaRK IS joined Inspired in 2018; a new Alfragide campus opened in 2019, and IB Diploma Programme certification was awarded in 2020; the first IB Diploma cohort graduated in 2022, with Cascais closing that year to make way for King's College School, an Inspired school.
Community	Community CAISL is a truly international school community where every student is known, supported, and valued. At the start of the 2025–2026 school year, CAISL enrolled 755 students representing 62 nationalities. All of our faculty are fluent English speakers, and about 70% of core subject teachers are native speakers or program carriers. The CAISL community includes everyone who shares an interest in the success of our learners.	Community The PaRK IS community operates across three Lisbon-area campuses: Alfragide, Praça de Espanha and Restelo. The Well-Being Department creates a respectful, safe and happy environment across all campuses, supporting physical, emotional and mental health, with a Social Skills Programme, the Fellowship Programme, a specialised psychology team, and mindfulness initiatives; external speakers are invited during the year. The Buddy System welcomes new students and the four Houses structure fosters belonging and character development through cross-age activities, with values such as fair play, teamwork, citizenship, responsibility, and resilience. As an Inspired School, PaRK IS benefits from international practices and collaboration, including global exchange opportunities within Inspired."
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The Parent Support Group (PSG) is made up of CAISL parents who promote a sense of belonging and mutual support across the school community. The PSG organizes activities for CAISL families and staff, as well as some adults-only activities during the school days. The group brings together a significant number of parent volunteers and functions without a hierarchical structure; they meet at least once a month and charge no fees, and any school parent is welcome to attend. There is no required process to join; to be added to the mailing list, write to psg@caisl Lisbon.org, or simply join the next meeting. Next meetings and activities usually occur on the first Tuesday of every month. Event samples include Welcome Back BBQ, Movie Night/Matinee, Teacher Appreciation, Seasonal Decorations, Trekking, and a Book Club.	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual CAISL offers a broad range of after-school programs that extend academic exploration and intellectual growth. The Model United Nations program builds research, diplomacy, negotiation, and public speaking skills, with Junior MUN and Iberian MUN conferences and opportunities to participate in THIMUN events. Middle School participates in Week Without Walls, traveling to historical, cultural, and scientific sites to deepen understanding. Technology is integrated across the curriculum, with coding, robotics, and AI exploration, including the use of virtual reality to tackle real‑world problems.	Academic & intellectual PaRK IS offers co-curricular clubs including The Duke of Edinburgh International Award, Model United Nations, Business Club, Drama Club, Visual Arts Club, Yearbook & Journalism Club, Chess Club, Performance and Band Club, and Choir Club. From Grade 5 onwards, students can take part in MyTime activities, choosing options to develop creativity and curiosity. The Personal Development & Technology strand includes Aloha (maths and mental arithmetic), Book Club, Creative Writing, The Inventors - STEM activities, Minecraft for Education, Coding, Why Lab (Science), Sewing Atelier, Photography and Study Room. Activities occur at lunchtime, after school, and sometimes evenings or weekends, varying by campus.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative CAISL's Fine Arts program includes Music, Visual Arts, and Drama, taught by specialist teachers from Early Childhood onward. Visual Arts begin in Elementary and continue through Grade 12, with a String Orchestra and Choir developing in the upper years and drama electives such as Musical Theater, One Act Plays, and Theater Studies, plus ISTA Theater Festival participation for High School Drama. The school also offers a range of after‑school arts activities and clubs, including Film Makers Club, Experimental Art Club, Sewing/Clothing design, and other offerings such as Guitar, Drums, and Piano, with public performances throughout the year.	Arts & creative Performing Arts extracurricular activities include Dance classes (Creative Dance, Ballet, Hip Hop), Drama and Musical Theatre. The PaRK Music Academy offers study in instruments and voice, including singing, choir and music production, with ABRSM certification available. Visual Arts are supported by Porta Amarela workshops across all campuses, promoting creativity through arts and crafts, music and performance. The school hosts music events and performances throughout the year to showcase student talents.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Portuguese Language & Culture is an activity to improve Portuguese speaking through elements of Portugal's history and culture, meeting twice a month with field trips to sites such as Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. Portuguese Club is also offered as a fee‑based language club to support language practice.	Cultural & language Model United Nations is among the co-curricular clubs. PaRK Choir is open to students from Grade 1 and up, with weekly rehearsals after school and performances at campus and community events. The school emphasises multilingual learning in a bilingual environment, with Portuguese and English used for communication. These activities contribute to international engagement and cultural awareness across PaRK IS.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies CAISL offers a wide range of after‑school activities led by teachers or external partners, including debate, science, technology, and chess. In Middle and High School, lunchtime and after‑school clubs encourage leadership, collaboration, and exploration of interests across diverse topics. Examples of student clubs and activities include Dungeons & Dragons, Girl Scouts, Lego Club, Scrapbooking, Sewing Club, DJing, Piano, and Minikinos Stop Motion Film Making.	Social & hobbies MyTime is available from Grade 5, once a week, offering a range of activities including sport, art, music, drama or technology. The Chess Club, Book Club and Creative Writing provide social and recreational engagement, alongside Dance classes and PaRK Music Academy. Choir activities connect students across campuses, with performances at campus and community events. These activities occur during lunchtime, after school or occasionally evenings and weekends.
Community & service	Community & service Community Service at CAISL is central to growth, with the Secondary Community Service Club organizing bake sales, fundraising, Banco Alimentar drives, and housing projects with Associação DOMUS. High School Honor Societies such as National Honor Society, Tri‑M, the Thespian Troupe, and the Honorable Art Society include service components and engage in fundraising and other service activities. Independent Service Projects and Service Learning connect classroom goals to community needs, such as migration symposia and fundraising for water in South Sudan. Parent participation through the Parent Support Group also contributes to service activities like Banco Alimentar and charitable knitting projects.	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional The MUN program develops leadership, global awareness, and self‑confidence, with Junior MUN and Iberian MUN as major events and participation in THIMUN conferences. CAISL hosts IMUN, an Iberian MUN conference, and senior students often take on leadership roles such as chairs or Secretaries General. In addition, CAISL supports leadership development through clubs and initiatives like Next Gen Leaders (Startwise) as part of its after‑school offerings.	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing CAISL's Athletics program focuses on participation, team development, and sportsmanship, with after‑school teams in soccer, volleyball, basketball, and baseball for younger students and high school teams traveling to European tournaments. The program emphasizes safe competition, fitness, and multicultural experience as part of its mission. Field trips and Outdoor Learning experiences, including farm visits, planting, and environmental activities, supplement physical and outdoor wellness. Kidding Around Yoga and other wellness activities are offered as part of after‑school options to support physical and mental well‑being.	Lifestyle & wellbeing PaRK IS offers a wide range of sports and martial arts across three campuses, including Capoeira, Jiu Jitsu, Judo and Taekwondo, plus team sports like Basketball, Football, Volleyball and Rugby, and individual sports such as Fencing, Indoor Climbing, Parkour, Tennis, Swimming, Padel, Skateboarding, Roller-skating, Surfing, Fitbox, Fitness Club, Gymnastics and Yoga. Football and Gymnastics are offered by Sporting Club Portugal with a tailor-made PaRK Academy. Swimming lessons take place at partner facilities Joaquim Chaves Fitness and Holmes Place. The PaRK Music Academy and Performing Arts programmes provide opportunities for creative and physical activity that support wellbeing.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision All CAISL classes are taught in English, with Portuguese Native Language and Portuguese as a Foreign Language offered throughout the grades. Portuguese is required for all students through Grade 9. Portuguese Native Language follows the Ministry of Education curriculum for its levels, while Portuguese as a Foreign Language is designed to help students develop functional proficiency before moving to the Native/Fluent program. English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESL) support is provided to assist non-native English speakers.	Language provision English and Portuguese are the core languages, with a bilingual Early Learning environment from age 1 and a Grade 1–4 bilingual programme blending the National Portuguese Curriculum with Cambridge International Curriculum. By the end of Grade 4, students are bilingual in comprehension, speaking, reading and writing, and Grade 5 onwards is taught fully in English at the Alfragide campus. Additional languages are available: in Grades 7–8, Spanish or French is studied as an Additional Language; in Grades 9–10, students may choose Spanish or French as a Second Language in IGCSE; IB Diploma options may include School-Supported Self-Taught languages in a Language A other than Portuguese or English.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching Bilingual teaching is provided in Early Childhood, with English as the primary language of instruction and Portuguese introduced through immersion. In Early Childhood, two teachers work together, one fluent in English and one in Portuguese, with both often bilingual. The English-language instruction extends to most grades, while Portuguese is taught as a Native/Fluent Language and as a Foreign Language throughout the grades. ESL support is available for non-native English speakers.	Bilingual teaching PaRK IS Praça de Espanha provides a truly bilingual education in English and Portuguese from age 1, with two highly qualified educators in each classroom. The Early Learning programme creates a bilingual environment where one teacher speaks only Portuguese and another only English, enabling natural language acquisition. The bilingual approach uses a project and play based method with a Reggio Emilia inspired philosophy, supporting exploration in both languages across maths, science, reading and writing. The Junior School (Grades 1–4) combines elements of the National Portuguese Curriculum with the Cambridge International Curriculum, strengthening bilingual skills and preparing students for the fully English taught programme from Grade 5 at the Alfragide campus.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs English is used as the language of instruction in Early Childhood with Portuguese introduced through immersion. In EC, two teachers work together, one fluent in English and one in Portuguese, and both are often bilingual, providing an English-Portuguese immersive experience. ESL support helps non-native English speakers access the regular curriculum.	Immersion programs From age 1, PaRK IS Praça de Espanha offers immersion in English and Portuguese. The Early Learning environment uses two teachers, one speaking Portuguese and one English, to support language immersion. The approach relies on project and play based learning with a positive discipline and a Reggio Emilia inspired practice to develop literacy and communication in both languages. By Grade 5, students transition to the fully English taught curriculum at the Alfragide campus.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards null	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations CAISL is fully accredited and operates with a permanent authorization to offer an American curricular program for EC3 through 12th grade; CAISL is authorized to award an American High School Diploma and the International Baccalaureate Diploma, both accepted worldwide including for entry into Portuguese universities. CAISL is authorized by the IB Organization to offer the IB Diploma Program and is accredited by the Middle States Association (MSA) Commission on Elementary and Secondary Education. CAISL is the only “assisted school” in Portugal from the U.S. Department of State. Memberships include American Education Reaches Out, Association of Private and Cooperative Educational Institutions (Portugal), Independent Schools Management, International Schools Theater Association, Mediterranean Association of International Schools, National Association of Independent Schools, National Honor Society, The Educational Collaborative for International Schools, and Virtual High School Learning.	Accreditations IBO, Cambridge, Pearson Edexcel, UCAS, Learnfire, official SAT centre
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions CAISL accepts applications year-round with rolling admissions and welcomes new students at any point during the school year. Starting at the beginning of the school year is often ideal, but not essential. The three-step application process is: First Step—Submit Application: an online form, required documents (school records for the last three years, standardized testing results, and any additional reports), and an application fee of 100 Euros; applications are reviewed only when complete. Second Step—Application Review: decisions are made by a team that includes a member of the Admissions Team, the appropriate Principal (Elementary or Secondary), and the Director; space in the grade/program and the student's academic and behavioral records inform the decision; if a class is full, no new enrollments are accepted until a spot opens; the availability of specialized programs (Learning Support, English as an Additional Language, Nursing/Medical care, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program) also affects eligibility. Third Step—Enrollment: when a place becomes available, enrollment requires an Enrollment Contract, a Registration Agreement (updated annually in February), copies of valid identification for the student and the parents, billing information, and proof of payment of the required fees; three mandatory fees to secure a place are: a one-time Registration Fee of 600 Euros, a Building Fee of 1,953 Euros per year (payable for the first five years), and one quarter of the annual Tuition (amount varies by grade); details are in the Fee Schedule.	Admissions 1. Enquiry Form: Fill in the Enquiry Form to apply to any of our campuses (Alfragide, Praça de Espanha or Restelo). This form should also be completed if you wish to book a visit or to learn more about PaRK International School. 2. Application Form: Complete the Application Form sent by our team. If applying to Junior School onwards, upload the latest school reports in the Open Apply portal or send them to our Admissions team. 3. Campus Meeting: After the application forms are complete, book a meeting with the campus of your choice (Alfragide, Praça de Espanha or Restelo) at a convenient date and time. This meeting can be a campus visit or an online meeting, depending on the family's preference. 4. Registration Fee: If you would like to continue with the admissions process, there is a non-refundable €100 Registration Fee. 5. Interview: Interview with the Psychologist (from Grade 1 onwards). For IGCSE and IB / A Levels applicants, if necessary there may be an extra interview with the Deputy Head of Academics or IB / A Levels Coordinator to discuss IGCSE and IB / A Levels subject choices, respectively. 6. Evaluation: From Grade 5 onwards, there is an Evaluation following the interview - an online, age-related objective assessment test (GL Cognitive Ability Test 4). There can also be an online language assessment test (English or Portuguese) at this stage if required. 7. Offer Letter: Each student's admission is determined by the School Board with the advice of the respective Head. The decision is communicated by email to the parents along with the necessary steps to complete the enrolment, including the payment of the enrolment fee. Based on this, the child will be given a conditional or unconditional offer (conditional offers may require the parents to agree to booster lessons in English prior to admission to PaRK IS). 8. Formal Registration: The official registration takes place in June. At that time, the Parent/Guardian needs to deliver the required documents for the student's process. Your child is now a PaRK IS student!
Scholarships	Scholarships CAISL Scholarship is not available for new students at this moment. It is a merit-driven award that also considers financial need. Applications are accepted from students currently attending Grades 4 through 7 and entering Grade 5 through Grade 8. The Scholarship covers all required fees (tuition, building fee, registration fee, and transportation), but lunch is not included. The scholarship is awarded for one academic year with the expectation that recipients will continue to meet requirements for subsequent years through graduation from the High School in Grade 12. For information about all school fees, refer to the Fee Schedule. Questions can be directed to admissions@caislisbon.org or +351 219 239 800.	Scholarships Nsouli Scholars Programme: The Nsouli Scholars Programme is a global initiative that enables 50 extraordinary students at any one time to attend any of Inspired's prestigious schools on a full scholarship for the duration of their education. The endowment honours Nadim Nsouli. In recognition of Mr Nsouli's Lebanese heritage and Inspired's commitment to inclusivity, several scholarships will be awarded to individuals of Lebanese origin.
Waitlist	Waitlist WAIT POOL: If there is no space in the grade or program or the applicant is eligible but space is not available, the student may be placed in the Wait Pool for the school year; updates will be requested if the family remains interested; it is impossible to predict when space will become available; when space opens, all Wait Pool applicants are reconsidered and offers are made based on the submitted academic/behavioral records. PRIORITY LIST: 1) Current CAISL re-enrolling students; 2) Students whose parents are US Government employees; 3) Students from American or American International Schools; 4) Students from schools whose primary language of instruction is English; 5) Students from bilingual schools or linguistically unable to attend a school whose instruction is in Portuguese; 6) Students from schools whose instruction language is Portuguese.	Waitlist —
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