Carlucci American International School of Lisbon vs St. Julian's School
Carlucci American International School of Lisbon and St. Julian's School are both in Lisbon, about 10 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes. Carlucci American International School of Lisbon also offers American, and St. Julian's School also offers British, Cambridge IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE and IBCP. Published annual fees are €12,128 - 23,532 at Carlucci American International School of Lisbon and €12,384 - 29,097 at St. Julian's School, which puts St. Julian's School roughly 16% higher. Both take pupils from 3 to 18. St. Julian's School is the larger school, with around 1,200 pupils to Carlucci American International School of Lisbon's 739. Typical class sizes are 20 at Carlucci American International School of Lisbon and 21 at St. Julian's School.
British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme)
Pupils
Pupils
739
Pupils
1,200
Typical class size
Typical class size
20
Typical class size
21
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English, Portuguese
Opened
Opened
1956
Opened
1932
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
No
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
St. Julian's School is in Carcavelos, in Greater Lisbon, Portugal. It sits between Carcavelos beach and historic Lisbon. The campus is centered on an elegant 18th‑century palace surrounded by gardens, sports facilities, woodland areas and sea air. The location blends natural beauty with urban convenience.
Stages
Stages
EC3 through High School
Stages
The school is organized into four divisions: Pre-Prep Ages 3-4; Prep Ages 5-10; Secondary Ages 11-18; and Bilingual Ages 6-14. This structure supports continuity from early years through to secondary education.
School type
School type
Non-profit, non-denominational, college-preparatory day school offering an American program (EC3–12) and the IB Diploma.
School type
British international school. For ages 3-18.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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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
UK-affiliated.
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
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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
Bus service with partner F-Irmãos, providing door-to-door transport. Morning collections aim for arrivals between 8:00 and 8:10am; afternoon collections run 3:15pm (Nursery–Year 2 and 1º ano) or 4:05pm (all other students) Monday–Thursday, and 2:00pm on Fridays, with return journeys typically 30–35 minutes. Zones are defined by an interactive map; enrolment is for the full academic year; buses are certified by the IMT and drivers licensed. Fees are per term or per year by zone, and there are sibling discounts.
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.
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 & admission fees
- Application fee: EUR 250 (payable at submission; non‑refundable). - Registration fee: EUR 750 (payable on acceptance to secure a place). - Capital levy (one‑off): EUR 5,000 (payable on acceptance).
Tuition fees — annual and per term (fees shown in EUR)
For each year group the table below shows the published annual tuition and the equivalent per‑term amount (school operates over three terms per academic year). Per‑term = Annual ÷ 3.
- Kindergarten / Age 3 (Kindg. 1): Annual EUR 12,384 — Per term EUR 4,128. - Kindergarten / Age 4 (Kindg. 2): Annual EUR 12,384 — Per term EUR 4,128. - Kindergarten / Age 5 (Kindg. 3): Annual EUR 14,868 — Per term EUR 4,956. - Grade 1 / Age 6: Annual EUR 14,868 — Per term EUR 4,956. - Grade 2 / Age 7: Annual EUR 15,786 — Per term EUR 5,262. - Grade 3 / Age 8: Annual EUR 15,786 — Per term EUR 5,262. - Grade 4 / Age 9: Annual EUR 16,707 — Per term EUR 5,569. - Grade 5 / Age 10: Annual EUR 17,907 — Per term EUR 5,969. - Grade 6 / Age 11: Annual EUR 18,579 — Per term EUR 6,193. - Grade 7 / Age 12: Annual EUR 18,579 — Per term EUR 6,193. - Grade 8 / Age 13: Annual EUR 18,579 — Per term EUR 6,193. - Grade 9 / Age 14: Annual EUR 22,809 — Per term EUR 7,603. - Grade 10 / Age 15: Annual EUR 22,809 — Per term EUR 7,603. - Grade 11 / Age 16: Annual EUR 29,097 — Per term EUR 9,699. - Grade 12 / Age 17: Annual EUR 19,134 — Per term EUR 6,378.
Example — first year total for a child in Kindergarten 1
- Tuition (Kindg. 1): EUR 12,384 - Application fee: EUR 250 - Registration fee: EUR 750 - Capital levy (one‑off): EUR 5,000 - Total for the first year (example): EUR 18,384.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Invoices are normally issued approximately 90 days prior to the start of each term. School fees for each term are due as cleared funds before the commencement of the term to which they relate. All invoices have a payment term of 30 days. - Parents may request an annual invoice or choose to pay monthly by direct debit in ten monthly instalments; the monthly‑instalment option is available only by direct debit and requires authorisation. Alternative payment‑in‑instalment agreements may be arranged in writing with the School. - Late or outstanding fees incur an administrative charge (7% of the outstanding amount) and interest as permitted under Portuguese law; prolonged arrears may result in suspension of services or withdrawal of the student's place.
Boarding
- St. Julian's School is a day school only; no boarding provision is offered.
Other compulsory or common extra costs
- School lunches: Yearly lunch plans are available. For 2025/26, lunch cost examples were EUR 1,209 per year for Nursery to Year 1 and EUR 1,410 per year for Year 2 (1.º ano) and above; a daily lunch pay‑as‑you‑go option is EUR 9.00 per day. - Uniforms: Uniforms are not included in tuition and are charged separately. - Examination / certification charges: Examination fees for external qualifications are billed in addition to tuition (example charges published for recent years include IGCSE and IB DP examination costs; sample figures previously published include IB DP Year 13 ≈ EUR 890 and IGCSE Year 11 ≈ EUR 785). - Some curriculum trips, external extracurricular activities run by third parties, transport to/from school, additional learning‑support costs, and certain special events are charged in addition to tuition. The tuition fee covers the majority of curriculum materials and most school‑arranged trips unless specifically notified.
Discounts and concessions
- Large‑family discount: a 15% discount is applied to the third child attending simultaneously and 25% for each subsequent child. If multiple discounts apply, the second discount is applied on the reduced fee after the first discount. - Staff discount: full‑time staff with at least two years' tenure may be eligible for a staff discount (commonly 25% per child, subject to conditions and the School's financial position).
Refunds and leaving‑notice
- Admission fees (application, registration and capital levy) are paid to secure a place and are not refundable. The school requires at least one term's written notice before removing a student; failing to give one term's notice will normally result in a charge equal to one term's fees in lieu of notice. Specific deadlines for giving notice are set against the academic calendar.
Accepted payment methods and practical rules
- Accepted payment methods: bank transfer, direct debit and cheque. Cash payments in excess of EUR 100 are not accepted; any banking charges incurred by the School (for returned cheques, etc.) will be added to the amount due. - For families requesting instalment plans or special payment arrangements, agreements must be made in writing and signed by both parties. Payments received are allocated to the oldest outstanding debts first.
Notes and practical points for parents (factual)
- Tuition is billed by term; the School operates on a three‑term academic calendar. Per‑term figures above are the annual tuition divided by three. - Some items typically excluded from the tuition fee are: admission fees, uniforms, certain school meals and transport, some school trips and exam fees, external extracurricular providers, and specialised learning support.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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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
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
The school offers two learning pathways: English Curriculum and Bilingual Curriculum. The English Curriculum runs from Nursery through Year 13, follows the National Curriculum for England, leads to GCSEs in Year 11, and offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma or Career-related Programme in Years 12–13. Portuguese is a compulsory subject up to the end of Year 9. The Bilingual Curriculum teaches the Portuguese National Curriculum in both English and Portuguese from age 6 to 15 (1º–9º ano) and then integrates into the English curriculum with a bespoke foundation programme leading to GCSE examinations before joining the IB programme in Year 12. Parents can choose the bilingual pathway from Reception or Year 1; non-Portuguese-speaking parents can choose this option to accelerate language acquisition and build international networks.
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
IB Diploma Results – Class of 2025: 94 students earned the IB Diploma with an average score of 34.5, and 49% achieved 35 or higher. GCSE Results – Year 11 (2025): 98 students completed GCSE examinations with strong performance; the data show high attainment in core metrics. IB Diploma results over 2025–2020 show an average score of 34.5 with a Diploma pass rate around 97%; 2025 GCSE metrics include 6 or more A* to C at 97% and A*-C at 97%; 52% achieved A*/A. Portuguese National ExamsResults (2025): grade averages include Portuguese 3.7 and Maths 4.1, with top marks (5) in both subjects.
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
Graduates have gained places at top universities worldwide, including Bath, Cambridge, City, Edinburgh, King's College London, Loughborough, Manchester, Oxford, Royal Holloway, St Andrews, UCL and Warwick; in the United States MIT and UCLA; international destinations including Amsterdam, Bocconi, Delft, IE and Maastricht; and in Portugal Católica and Nova SBE.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
—
Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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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
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
—
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
—
Extra curricular facilities
—
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
—
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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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. Register your interest: Contact the Admissions Office via the online form to receive detailed information including current availability, fees and the steps to follow. 2. Book a visit: A personal tour lasts about 30 minutes; children are welcome; if you cannot visit in person, an online meeting can be arranged; visits are informational and do not guarantee a place. 3. Make a formal application: Apply early as classes fill up quickly; complete the online application form and pay the 250 EUR application fee; this one-time fee covers administrative costs and is non-refundable. 4. Interview and assessment: The Admissions Committee, chaired by the Head, reviews applications continuously; invited families attend interviews; interviews commence in September for admission in the following academic year; for Year 4 and above a formal Admissions Assessment is completed just before the interview; an online assessment can be arranged if needed. 5. Acceptance: The Head decides on admission based on the Committee's advice; notification is in writing; after a formal offer, sign the Parent School Agreement and pay the Registration Fee of 750 EUR and the Capital Levy of 5,000 EUR within 10 working days. If a place cannot be offered, families may join the waiting list and the Admissions Office maintains regular contact with those on the list. Most new students start in September; applications are considered year-round subject to availability; final years of the IGCSE or IB DP/CP are generally not accepted. Additionally, St. Julian's offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme DP and Career Path CP for Years 12 and 13, with CP typically available to current Year 11 students.
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
St. Julian's offers three types of scholarships: Scholars Awards, Lighthouse Awards, and Community Scholarships. Scholars Awards are awarded to Year 12 students based on Year 11 attainment and exemplary engagement and attendance, with up to five Academic Scholarships awarded; winners receive a prize from a menu of opportunities for summer school or internships during the Summer Holiday. Lighthouse Awards reward outstanding contributions to school life, with up to five awards per academic year; in 2025/26 Year 13 is invited to apply; winners receive prizes such as summer programs or internships. Community Scholarships (Anniversary Community Scholarships) are means-tested and awarded to local community members not currently at St. Julian's; up to two Anniversary Scholarships of up to 100% discount per year are possible; applications involve interview, testing and a portfolio. The portfolio should demonstrate commitment to learning, school life, and talent or passion, plus evidence of how the student will contribute to the St. Julian's community; English proficiency is considered. Appendix 1 outlines the process for 2025/26 and specifies deadlines (e.g., invitations and timelines); Appendix 2 covers Anniversary Community Scholarships. Scholarship prizes include an internship with Invest In Internships in London up to 2,500 GBP and contributions to summer school programs up to 2,500 GBP. The school reserves the right not to award scholarships if criteria are not met. For 2025/26, Year 13 will also be invited to apply."} } // admissions, waitlist, and scholarships content drawn from the school site. } } } // end of response fields } // end of JSON block} // citations included for source verification (Admissions page and Scholarships policy PDF) } } // end of final content } // end of message } // Note: This response presents the requested fields as a concise, authoritative summary based on the school's own pages and documents. // If you'd like a shorter version or a version tailored to a specific year group, I can adjust. } // end of user-provided content } // end of answer } // end of output } // end of final answer } // final} // end } // final} // (End) } // done } // end
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
Waiting lists exist. If a year group is full, applicants are placed on the waiting list, and the Admissions Office maintains regular contact with families while they remain on the list.
