· updated monthly
The five schools Portugal parents researched most this year, chosen from the 81 international schools in the country. Ranked by how many families opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between July 2025 and June 2026, then the full picture on curricula, class sizes and fees.
The 2026 ranking
Ranked purely by parent interest — the number of families who opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between July 2025 and June 2026.
King's College School Cascais is a private international school in Portugal offering a blended Cambridge-IGCSE curriculum with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and A-Levels pathway for senior students. The school delivers Cambridge International Primary and Secondary curricula up to Year 11, complemented by a bilingual Portuguese-English stream through Year 5. In Years 12 and 13, students may choose between the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and A-Levels, while the school is pursuing authorization to offer the IB Diploma Programme as a candidate IB World School. The new private campus, inaugurated in September 2025 on a 40,000 m² site, provides university-grade science laboratories, technology-rich classrooms, and spacious performing and visual arts studios. A Boarding House for up to 50 students aged 13–18 offers a safe residential experience. The curriculum is enhanced by the Inspired global network, exchanges and collaborations, and sport facilities including a 25 m pool and full-size pitches for student wellbeing.
Leiria International School serves students aged 3 to 18 with a Cambridge curriculum from Early Years through A/AS Levels, taught entirely in English. The programme encompasses Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Secondary, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels, complemented by a Reggio Emilia Approach in the early years. The first LIS campus is located in Marinha Grande, in a historic building dating from 1966 that has been renovated for modern use. Learning spaces are designed to support the whole person—physical, mental, emotional and spiritual development. Outdoor learning is central, with projects that integrate nature and community engagement. The interior design emphasizes transparency and movement, with flexible spaces prepared for project-based learning and integrated digital technology. The campus aims to feel like a welcoming home while maintaining clear academic standards. All instruction is in English, and LIS is an accredited Cambridge International program provider.
CLIB - The Braga International School offers education for ages 3 to 18 in Braga, Portugal, delivering a British-based curriculum with Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge International AS/A Levels (AICE Diploma). English is the principal language of teaching, with Portuguese guiding languages for the curriculum; Spanish is compulsory from Form 5. Lower and Early Upper School follow the English National Curriculum, while the Upper School aligns with Cambridge examinations to facilitate university access in Portugal and abroad. Founded in 1999, CLIB is coed, non-denominational institution within a Lusinternational network and maintains connections with ECIS, emphasizing equivalency with national and international education systems. The school operates with eight fundamental pedagogic beginnings: Academic Excellence; Learning to Learn; Team Work; Diversity and Trans-Cultural Education; Ethical and Moral Development; Individual Interests and Necessities; Joint Decision Taking; Expressive Arts. It integrates research projects, thematic work, and a democratic, inclusive learning community that involves students, families and staff worldwide.
International School of Palmela serves learners aged 5 to 18 in an international setting. The school integrates the British Curriculum with an Islamic Curriculum, providing a clear framework for primary through secondary education. This dual-curriculum approach supports students as they progress from early years through senior years, with assessments aligned to British standards while incorporating Islamic studies where appropriate. The school fosters an inclusive, culturally respectful community, enabling pupils from diverse backgrounds to engage with global perspectives alongside religious education. Instruction emphasizes core subjects, critical thinking, and personal development within an ethical framework. Families seeking an internationally oriented program that respects Islamic values will find continuity across the key stages. The school prepares students for further study worldwide, offering guidance and support for transitions to higher education and empowering them to contribute responsibly in a global society. The school emphasizes a collaborative learning culture and respectful values in daily life.
St. Julian's School is a British international school in Greater Lisbon, Portugal, welcoming students from ages 3 to 18 and international families worldwide. It has educated region since 1932 and offers pathways: English Curriculum and Bilingual Curriculum. The English pathway follows the National Curriculum for England from Nursery to Year 13, leads to GCSEs in Year 11, and provides IB Diploma or Career-related Programme in Years 12–13. The Bilingual Curriculum teaches the Portuguese National Curriculum in English and Portuguese for ages 6–15, with a foundation to GCSE before IB Year 12. Portuguese is compulsory to Year 9 in both routes. The school is accredited by CIS, COBIS, NEASC and the International Baccalaureate Organisation, and its Head is a member of the Heads' Conference. Its 18th-century palace sits on grounds at Carcavelos beach, with a €50 million Second Century project enhancing facilities and green spaces. Activities include MUN, Eco-Schools and CAS.
What’s on offer
The mix of programmes and teaching languages across all 81 schools. Many offer more than one curriculum, so totals run higher than the school count.
Number of schools teaching each curriculum.
Number of schools teaching in each language.
Size & classes
School size and class size shape day-to-day experience as much as curriculum does.
Schools grouped by total enrolment.
Average school size is 741 students · based on the 46 schools that report enrolment.
Schools grouped by typical class size.
Average class size is 18.4 students · based on the 51 schools that report it.
What it costs
Fees shown are one year for a 12-year-old (or the closest age available), excluding one-time enrolment costs.
Across the 63 schools that publish a price for a 12-year-old. All figures in EUR.
How many schools sit in each annual-fee range.
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