Montalvo International School vs Vale Verde International School

	M Montalvo International School Algarve, Portugal	V Vale Verde International School Algarve, Portugal
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €11,550 - 13,785	Fees / year €7,143 - 12,408
Age range	Age range 11 - 17 years	Age range 5 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Portuguese
Opened	Opened 2023	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Algarve, Portugal. Located in Loulé at Avenida Marçal Pacheco, 37, the school sits in the heart of the historic town of Loulé in the Algarve region.	Location Estrada do Burgau, 8600-120 Luz-Lagos, Algarve, Portugal
Stages	Stages KS3; iGCSEs (Year 10–11); AS/A Levels (Year 12–13)	Stages Primary (Year 1–6) and Secondary (Year 7–13)
School type	School type British international school	School type International school with bilingual English–Portuguese programme; Cambridge curriculum; IGCSE and AS/A Levels
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	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 United Kingdom	Country affiliation Portugal
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	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 fees - One-time registration / application fee: EUR 300. Tuition fees by year group (annual and termly breakdown) - Grade 8 (age ~13): Annual tuition EUR 11,250. Per term (annual ÷ 3) EUR 3,750. - Grade 9 (age ~14): Annual tuition EUR 13,785. Per term EUR 4,595. - Grade 10 (age ~15): Annual tuition EUR 13,785. Per term EUR 4,595. - Grade 11 (age ~16): Annual tuition EUR 13,785. Per term EUR 4,595. - Grade 12 (age ~17): Annual tuition EUR 13,785. Per term EUR 4,595. Billing schedule and payment terms - Published tuition figures are stated as annual totals; per-term figures above are the annual total divided into three equal instalments (termly amounts shown). For billing schedule and precise payment due dates, the school's admissions office handles invoicing and payment arrangements. Boarding fees - The school is listed as a day school; there are no published boarding fees because boarding is not offered. Other costs and fees - Books and examination fees: The school's published information indicates that books are provided and that exam fees are covered for enrolled students. - Sibling discount: 2nd child – 5%; 3rd child – 10%; 4th child onwards – 15%. Refund information - No separate boarding- or board-related refund applies (board is not provided). For tuition refund, withdrawal or pro‑rata rules, and any conditions that apply to refunds, fee contracts and admissions paperwork from the school's admissions office set the terms. Fee payment options - Fee arrangements and payment methods are handled by the school's administration; contact details for arranging payments are the school phone and administration email shown in the school's contact information.	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 Key Stage 3 runs Years 7–9 (ages 11–14) and builds the foundations for GCSE study. In Year 9, students study English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities (Geography and History), Languages, Art and Design, Technology, Physical Education and Computing, and by the end of Year 9 they sit three iGCSEs: Foundation Maths, English and a Science subject of their choosing. The iGCSE years span Year 10–11, with students choosing at least three option subjects from Maths, Languages, Science, Humanities/Social Sciences and Creative/Technical/Vocational subjects; core iGCSE requirements include Mathematics, English Language, Literature, Portuguese and the three Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology). AS/A Levels cover Years 12–13 (grades 12–13, ages 16–17) and are described as the culmination of British International Education, taken over two years to prepare for post-school life. The school positions the iGCSE and A Level pathways as a launchpad to universities and higher education.	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 The school positions iGCSEs and A Levels as a launchpad to universities and higher education worldwide.	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 From initial enquiry to the first lesson, we guide applicants every step of the way. Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions a family can make. At Montalvo International School, the process is clear, personal, and supportive, ensuring that each student who joins is placed in an environment where they can truly excel. The admissions process reflects the school's values of Academic Excellence, Care, and Individual attention.	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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