Edited by Giulia Ceccon · Chief Marketing Officer
Portugal has 14 international schools matching the sen / special education category, offering families genuine choice across different price points and locations.
Compare 15 SEN / Special Education international schools in Portugal. Filter by curriculum, fees (average EUR 10,968), location, and more to find the right international school now.
Montessori Bright Academy is an international Montessori school in Lisbon, founded by Fabienne Mikou, housed in a traditional Portuguese building in Alvalade with direct access to a forest. The school serves ages 1 to 12 across three programs: Toddler (1–3), Primary (3–6), and Elementary (6–12). Lessons run 8:00–13:00 for Toddlers; 8:00–15:30 for Primary; 8:00–15:45 for Elementary. The language environment is English with exposure to French and Portuguese, supporting multilingual development. AMI-certified guides deliver the Montessori pedagogy across all ages, emphasizing hands-on, mastery-based learning in mixed-age communities. The curriculum integrates practical life, sensorial work, language, and mathematics, with a Forest School outdoor program that connects learning to nature. Outdoor discovery fosters independence, collaboration, and environmental awareness across science, history, geography, and the arts. The school promotes independence, curiosity, and holistic learning, supported by a 20-hectare green playground adjacent to a forest, within a diverse, international community. Facilities nurture inquiry and resilience.
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.
Seixal International School is a Cambridge-certified bilingual school in Portugal for children aged 3 to 11, delivering the Cambridge Primary curriculum with Portuguese–English instruction. The school operates as a micro-school with a non-traditional, personalised approach and small class sizes, ensuring every child is seen, heard and valued. The curriculum covers English, Mathematics, Sciences, Computing, Physical Education and Art, with curricular enrichment in Portuguese language and the History and Geography of Portugal. The school was founded by two sisters who wanted a different educational path for their own children, creating a family-like environment that supports each learner's development. Facilities span 1,000 m², with planned expansion for 2025–2026. Exterior spaces include a playground, a garden, a smallholding and sports fields; interior spaces include preschool and primary classrooms, Activities Room, Sala Polivalente, Library/Teachers' Room with multisensory area for NEE, and an elevator. Extracurriculars span chess, Yeah Science!, Inventors, Music, Canto, Ballet, football, yoga.
TASIS Portugal is an international school for students aged 3 to 17, located on a purpose-built Sintra campus that opened in 2020. The curriculum combines Cambridge IGCSE in Grades 9–10 with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for senior years; progression from IGCSE to the IB requires passing six subjects with a grade C or better, and IB assessments include Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Activity and Service, and the Extended Essay, with a diploma score up to 45. The campus offers two libraries, a Lower School Learning Commons, a full-size theater and a smaller theater, dedicated music and art rooms, and a turf field for outdoor sport. The After-School Activities Program provides coding, robotics, sports, arts, music, MUN and language clubs for Grades 1–12. Creativity, Activity and Service is embedded in the IB, and the school plans to graduate its first class in spring 2026. TASIS Portugal operates under TASIS Foundation.
Oeiras International School (OIS) is a non-profit, parent-founded International Baccalaureate World School offering a full IB Continuum for ages 6 to 18. The curriculum spans the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 6 to 10, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 11 to 16, and the Diploma Programme (DP) for ages 17 to 18. The school is housed on the Quinta de Nossa Senhora da Conceição estate in Barcarena, Oeiras, a historic 17th‑century property with riverine and woodland spaces that support hands‑on learning. Facilities include the Palace library, science labs, art and music rooms, classrooms in the Pavilion and White/Orange Building, and on‑site sports amenities such as a swimming pool, basketball court, football pitch, and a multisport pavilion. The campus also runs social projects from its garden farms and offers diverse co‑curriculars, languages, MUN, and the Duke of Edinburgh award. Students graduate ready for university admissions and global citizenship.
Vale Verde International School is an international school in Luz-Lagos, Portugal, serving students aged 5 to 18 in the Western Algarve. The Primary program is bilingual (60% English, 40% Portuguese), with core literacy, numeracy and science taught in English. The Cambridge curriculum guides the Secondary School from Year 7 to Year 13, leading to Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge International AS and A Levels, with Pearson Edexcel IGCSE also offered. The Cambridge Pathway extends from Year 1 to Year 13, and Cambridge Checkpoint assessments monitor progress at the end of Year 6 and Year 9. Vale Verde is an ABRSM examination centre for practical and theory music exams, with on-site music lessons available in the evenings and at weekends. After-school clubs include Chess, Capoeira, Animation, Volleyball, Football, Arts & Crafts, and Portuguese and French. The school hosts a diverse community with 27 nationalities represented and has limited facilities for students with special educational needs.
Hypha International School offers Cambridge Primary education for ages 3 to 10, with a Portugal-based program for families abroad. The primary curriculum follows the Cambridge International framework, supplemented by specialist subjects such as music, physical education and art, many taught in Portuguese. From Year 2, students have Portuguese literacy lessons twice a week. Entrepreneurship is embedded through project-based time, developing leadership, problem-solving and creativity. A strong emphasis on nature supports learning through Forest School and outdoor exploration. The school sits in 7000 square meters of gardens and woodland, and students spend over three hours a day outdoors for lunch, play and learning. Meals follow a balanced menu, with a soup starter and a no-sugar policy. A free, certified transport service runs to Cascais, with pickup at 07:50 and drop-off at 16:30. Pre-primary pedagogy includes Forest School, Reggio Emilia, and Montessori approaches, plus a Sensory Room and Creative Studio. Global access.
Nobel Algarve British International School’s Almancil campus, inaugurated in 2020, offers a contemporary learning environment in the heart of the Algarve's "Golden Triangle." Students follow a contextualized English National Curriculum, progressing from the Early Years Foundation Stage through to IGCSEs, A-levels, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The purpose-built campus features specialized science laboratories, a multimedia center, and a central green quad designed around Feng Shui principles to promote a calm atmosphere. A distinctive feature is the "Pause Pod," a dedicated space for reflection and mindfulness, alongside a strong Forest School program that utilizes the region's natural landscape for outdoor education. With a multinational community representing over 50 nationalities, the school integrates local culture through Portuguese language lessons while maintaining a British educational framework. Notable for its eco-friendly design, the campus includes sensory gardens and high-tech classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards to support individual student growth in a focused, day-school setting.
Situated in Lisbon's Restelo district, L'École Trilingue serves pupils aged 2 to 11 with a trilingual immersion programme in English, French and Portuguese. The school follows the French curriculum for the Early Years Foundation Stage, organized around five areas of learning: language, physical and artistic expression, thinking and learning tools, and world exploration. Portuguese is taught daily for 30-45 minutes, and the school day is split between English and French instruction. The teaching is accredited by the French Ministry for Education and certified by the Portuguese Ministry, reflecting a cross-border partnership with France and Portugal and linking to the sister school in London. Housed in a refurbished 1940s building, classrooms are bright and arranged to support group work, personalised teaching, and sensorial exploration. A large garden supports biodiversity education and offers a Pre-nursery zone for 2-3 year olds. Breakfast and after-school care run beyond hours; offerings vary yearly in Lisbon.
Eden Montessori International School in Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal, serves children from ages 3 to 12. The school uses a Montessori curriculum for Pre-School and Elementary levels and, since 2024, blends Montessori pedagogy with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. Eden is a Candidate School for the PYP and is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. The school operates a bilingual environment in English and Portuguese, fostering language development from early childhood. Programs include Children's House (3–6 years) and Lower and Upper Elementary (6–12 years), plus Extracurricular activities and aftercare for ages 3–12. The Montessori framework centers on Practical Life, Sensorial, Language Arts, Mathematics, and Cultural subjects, with integrated study of ecology, chemistry, anatomy, art, music, physical education, reading, drama, history, and geography. Extracurriculars include swimming, forest school, horse riding, arts and crafts, dance, and music, reinforcing independence, hands-on learning, and a love of learning in a diverse bilingual setting.
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.
International Sharing School Madeira (ISS Madeira) is an IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme. English is the official language of instruction, and ISS Madeira serves a community representing over 35 nationalities. The IB curriculum uses an inquiry- and concept-based approach across subjects, with emphasis on language development. The Diploma Programme includes Language & Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals & Societies, Sciences, Mathematics and The Arts, with options such as English A, Portuguese A, and language acquisition subjects including Portuguese B, German B, French B and Spanish B. The DP core elements—Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and CAS—encourage independent inquiry and personal growth, preparing students for university. The school's learning environments are flexible and student-centered, evolving from PYP to DP, with spaces such as Mountain Top, Cave, Campire, Watering Hole, Hands-On and Movement. ISS Madeira originated as Madeira British School in 1980 and was recognised as an IB World School in 2017.
CLIP – Oporto International School is an international, non‑profit day school in Porto, Portugal, serving learners from ages 3 to 18. The school offers an international curriculum based on the English National Curriculum, with Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge A Levels as the assessment pathway, tailored to CLIP's local context. The campus covers more than 25,000 square metres in a desirable area of Porto, with a multi‑functional layout that supports learning across age groups. Facilities include a 200‑seat auditorium, two 100‑seat amphitheatres, multiple art rooms, a Music Centre, a Drama Room and extensive science labs, plus a 25‑metre heated indoor pool. Outdoor sports facilities feature two tennis courts, a football pitch, basketball court and climbing wall. Extra‑curricular activity emphasises Model United Nations and Community Service, with Fine and Performing Arts integrated throughout. Notable opportunities include OPOMUN 2026, an All Day F8 English Talk Competition, and a CERN trip for senior students.
Deutsche Schule Porto is a private German school in Porto, operated by the Deutsche Schulverein zu Porto with involvement from the German Foreign Office and the German overseas representation. It offers a bilingual education from Kindergarten through Gymnasium, culminating in the International Abitur. The school serves ages 3 to 18 across three levels: Kindergarten, Grundschule (primary), and Gymnasium (secondary). Instruction is in German and Portuguese, with students developing language proficiency in German, Portuguese, English, and French. The Abitur is internationally recognized, and Portuguese universities recognize it as a university entrance qualification. The school has a history of more than 120 years and celebrated its 125-year anniversary in 2025. It provides a broad after-school program and a range of academic and cultural activities, including Jugend forscht regional science competitions, an interactive Shakespeare performance with the Calliope Theatre Company, and academic exchanges such as a seminar at FLUP with Master students in Transnational German Studies. Community initiatives include Amizade sem idade and a Solidaritätskonzert for REFOOD.
The Deutsche Schule Algarve is a state-recognized German international school located in the Algarve. It offers a German curriculum for students aged 5 to 18, guiding Grundschule (grades 1–4) and Sekundarstufen I & II (grades 5–12), culminating in the German International Abitur (DIA). German remains the language of instruction, while Portuguese is the everyday language and English and French are taught as mandatory foreign languages. The school follows KMK guidelines for Deutsche Auslandsschulen and collaborates with Deutsche Schule Lissabon to ensure smooth transitions to German or international schools. Small class sizes foster a personal learning atmosphere, with differentiated instruction and open-learning formats. The timetable includes core subjects plus music, art, Sachunterricht, sport and swimming, and a focus on scientific work, presentation techniques and digital competencies. From 2025 the school operates under a family-led leadership team, continuing a strong intercultural and international project ethos, including Erasmus. A caring, internationally minded community.
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