Why join for free?
Already have an account? Log In
Portugal, Algarve
Let the school know you're thinking of applying — they can share their prerequisites and help you through the process.
It's best to ask — circumstances can change at any time.
Aljezur International School was established in 2010 following an invitation from Câmara Municipal de Aljezur to set up an international school. It operated from a temporary building in the centre of Aljezur, and in September 2013 moved to its permanent premises, a converted farmhouse 5 km south of Aljezur. It is a University of Cambridge International Examination Centre and the Algarve's only open Cambridge exam centre, hosting external students of all ages and backgrounds. There is a cross-curricular emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility, with all the children working together to look after the organic vegetable garden and resident animals, offering the opportunity to be part of the food production process from field to fork. Descobrir Sonhos Lda owns the school.
The school maintains sustained involvement in the local Portuguese and expatriate communities. It participates in community-oriented activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Presentation, and visits to the State of Being Horse Sanctuary and Bird Ringing programs.
Aljezur International School offers a British curriculum tailored to life in the Western Algarve. Ages 11 to 18 study together in small groups, with Years 7–9 emphasizing experiential learning and tutor bonds, and a two-year Cambridge track leading to IGCSE examinations before progressing to AS and A Levels. The school operates as a Cambridge International Examination Centre, and is the Algarve's only open Cambridge exam centre, welcoming internal and external candidates. The campus occupies a converted farmhouse on seven hectares of protected land, with an organic vegetable garden, resident animals, and a three-hectare river valley that supports sustainability projects. Lessons incorporate UNESCO, Oxfam, Amnesty International and National Geographic resources to enrich inquiry. A stage-not-age philosophy enables earlier IGCSE entry where appropriate, and tutorial support for AS and A Level qualifications. Outdoor theatre, a school band, community service, and leadership opportunities accompany strong academics. This fosters global-minded, responsible learners for life.
