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Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School
Introduction
Butterflies School in Beloura, Portugal, is a day school delivering bilingual education in Portuguese and English and following the Portuguese National Curriculum. English is treated as an equal language to Portuguese, with English- and Portuguese-speaking teachers in all classes. The school educates children from Nursery through Primary and blends project-based experiences with the Labs program and the Aloha Maths curriculum to enrich mathematical thinking and scientific inquiry. A German Section has been added as a German curriculum pathway, reflecting the school's commitment to multilingualism. Facilities combine bright indoor spaces with outdoor learning through Outdoor Discoveries, Mud Kitchen, Garden Patch, and Forest School activities. Key enrichment includes the Inventors Club and hands-on labs, plus extensive arts, science, and reading/writing in both languages. In 2024 the school moved to new, dedicated facilities in Quinta da Beloura, expanding its bilingual, child-centered, inquiry-driven approach. The environment supports curiosity, collaboration, and lifelong learning for families.
Alameda Beloura 1, Q.ta da Beloura, 2710-697 Sintra, Portugal
The Essentials
Butterflies School has instruction in Portuguese, English.
Location
The school is located in Sintra, in the Lisbon region of Portugal. The campus is in a spacious modern building. It is conveniently located 12 minutes from Sintra, 12 minutes from Cascais, 15 minutes from Estoril, and 30 minutes from Lisbon, making it accessible for families in the region.
Stages
Nursery (4 months to 2 years); Pre-School (3 to 5 years); Primary (6 to 10 years)
Type
Day school; bilingual education in Portuguese and English; follows the Portuguese National Curriculum
Country affiliation
Portugal
Fees
Annual tuition at Butterflies School ranges from EUR 4,950 to EUR 6,050 for 2026/27.
Application, registration and enrolment fees
- Registration fee (one-time, deductible from enrolment fee): EUR 250. - Annual enrolment & insurance charge for new students: EUR 500. - Annual enrolment & insurance charge for existing students (re-enrolment): EUR 425. - School insurance premium (annual): EUR 50 (included in the first invoice). The insurance premium is not refundable. - Collective equipment usage (primary years only): EUR 185.
Tuition fees by year group (monthly and annual amounts)
- Nursery (4 months until walking): - Part-time (08:00–13:00): EUR 450 per month / EUR 4,950 per year. - Full-time (08:00–17:00): EUR 550 per month / EUR 6,050 per year.
- Crèche (age 1–3 years): - Part-time (08:00–13:00): EUR 550 per month / EUR 6,050 per year. - Full-time (08:00–17:00): EUR 650 per month / EUR 7,150 per year.
- Pre‑school (3 to 5 years): EUR 700 per month / EUR 7,700 per year.
- Primary (1st to 4th grade): EUR 750 per month / EUR 8,250 per year.
Per-term and alternative payment schedules (how the school presents term/instalment options)
- Standard billing is presented as monthly fees paid in 11 equal instalments (September–June), with the July tuition paid in advance as separate instalments. The annual tuition amounts shown above correspond to those monthly x11 calculations. - If tuition is paid using alternative schedules, the published discounts on monthly tuition apply as follows: 5% discount for whole-year payment, 3% discount if paid by semester, and 1.5% discount if paid by trimester. (Discounts are not cumulative; the highest applicable discount is applied.) You may calculate a semester or trimester instalment by dividing the annual fee by 2 (semester) or by 3 (trimester) and then applying the stated discount if you choose that payment option.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Monthly tuition must be paid at the beginning of the month, by the 5th of each month. If payment is late, a 9% late fee is applied. The school may pursue legal collection for unpaid fees. The July tuition is collected in advance (split into instalments settled in December and April). - Annual tuition is divided into 11 equal monthly payments to be settled between September and June. Temporary absences do not entitle families to discounts on tuition. Holiday breaks are already included in tuition calculation; no extra discounts for holidays.
Boarding fees
- There is no boarding provision for Butterflies School; the school operates as a day nursery, preschool and primary school for ages approximately 4 months to 10 years.
Compulsory and additional service fees (monthly unless stated otherwise)
- Hygiene Plan (mandatory for Nursery & Crèche children still in nappies): - Full-time: EUR 70 per month. - Part-time: EUR 50 per month. - Meal Plan (mandatory for all students except Nursery): - Crèche: EUR 110 per month (annual catering amount divided into 11 instalments). - Pre‑School: EUR 125 per month. - Primary School: EUR 145 per month. The meal plan covers morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack; the annual catering cost is divided into 11 instalments and interruptions to school activities do not entitle families to refunds or changes of these instalments. - Extended service / after‑school care: - Optional one-hour block (regular): EUR 30 per month. - Occasional attendance: EUR 20 per day. These options require a minimum number of participants and are committed for a full term when contracted. - Swimming lessons (optional, for pre‑school and primary): fees announced in September; currently indicated as “to be advised.” Swimming runs October–June and requires a minimum commitment of one term; transport to/from the pool (if provided) is included where noted. - Collective equipment usage for primary years: EUR 185 (annual). - Textbooks, specific primary manuals and some activity-specific external costs are not included in basic tuition; basic consumable school supplies are included. Details and exact items are listed in the school's rules and fee documents.
Uniform and school supplies
- A relaxed-style uniform is mandatory for all students except nursery (Savannah Room). Uniform items can be purchased via TOGs (specified supplier). Basic consumable school supplies are included in tuition; primary school manuals may be charged separately.
Refunds and non-refundable amounts
- The registration fee (EUR 250) is a one-time, non-refundable fee (it is deductible from the enrollment fee). The enrollment fee and the registration fee are not refundable. The insurance premium (EUR 50) is not refundable. The meal-plan annual amount is divided into 11 instalments and interruptions to school activities do not entitle families to refunds or changes to those instalments.
Discounts and sibling reductions
- Sibling discounts on monthly fees: first sibling 10%; second sibling +15%. Discounts are not cumulative; the highest applicable discount is applied.
Accepted payment methods and payment instructions
- Accepted payment methods: bank transfer (send payment proof to admin@butterflieseducation.com) and employer education-voucher schemes via Coverflex or Edenred where applicable. Some employers with partnership protocols may offer special conditions; check with your employer. All payment proof should be emailed to the school administration as instructed.
What the published fees include
- Registration, enrolment and tuition fees include PE sessions, music, arts program, Cambridge English provision, LABs program (pre‑school and primary), summer school (except transport/activity extras), monitoring by the in‑house educational psychologist and basic consumable school supplies (primary manuals not included). Collective equipment usage is charged separately for primary.
Important administrative notes
- Tuition payments are due by the 5th of each month. If fees are unpaid at month-end the school may take further action, including legal steps. The school reserves the right to withhold re-enrollment until outstanding fees are settled. The school calendar and term structure determine instalment timing (annual tuition split into 11 instalments between September and June; July tuition paid in advance).
(Fees and terms above are those published for the current academic year in the school's fee schedule and rules documents.)
Academics
Butterflies School teaches German Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 0.5 to 10.
Curriculum
Butterflies follows the Portuguese National Curriculum with English treated as an equal language, enriched by project labs and the Aloha Maths program. The school uses bilingual immersion with English- and Portuguese-speaking teachers in all classes to support bilingual fluency. The curriculum is delivered from Nursery through Primary and includes the Labs program, the Inventors Club, and extensive outdoor learning. Nursery focuses on sensory, motor, cognitive, and social development through play-based activities, with exposure to English and Portuguese and weekly Outdoor Discoveries. Preschool emphasizes language, literacy, numeracy, and social skills in both languages, with Early Phonics, the Labs program, Aloha Maths, and the Inventors Club. Primary develops fluency in reading and writing in both languages, with Labs, Aloha Maths, and outdoor scientific investigations.
Gifted and Talented
The Inventors Club (5 years) guides children through creative tech challenges.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Unique Pedagogy emphasizes curiosity, autonomy, resilience, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, self-awareness, and leadership. The approach aims to create a bilingual educational environment that promotes the integral development of the child, stimulating the skills of each child while respecting well-being, individuality, and pace of development. Learning is supported through outdoor and indoor experiences that foster social interaction, creativity, and engagement.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English and Portuguese are taught through a bilingual immersion approach. English- and Portuguese-speaking teachers work in all classes in co-teaching duos, providing personalised attention and a supportive learning environment. Reading and writing skills are taught in both languages from early years, with exposure to English and Portuguese through songs, stories, and games; an Early Phonics Program begins at age five.
Mental Wellbeing
Well-being is respected as part of the child's development and integral to the school's approach.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Complete the enrolment form on the Butterflies site, or email, or call +351 937 656 633. 2. Attend a school visit that lasts about an hour, during which you will be shown the school and meet the team. 3. Review the Butterflies Rules & Regulations. 4. Pay the Registration Fee. 5. You may visit the school with your children. 6. If offered a place, complete the full Enrolment Form, provide the required documentation, and pay the enrolment fee. 7. Experience a class day at the school. 8. After the enrolment period deadline, admissions operate on a rolling basis; if space is available, the child is integrated immediately; if the program is full, a wait list is maintained.
Waitlist
After the enrolment period deadline, admissions operate on a rolling basis; if space is available, the child is integrated immediately; if full, a wait list is maintained.
FAQs
What curriculum does Butterflies School follow?
Butterflies follows the Portuguese National Curriculum with English treated as an equal language, enriched by project labs and the Aloha Maths program. The school uses bilingual immersion with English- and Portuguese-speaking teachers in all classes to support bilingual fluency. The curriculum is de...
Where is Butterflies School located?
The school is located in Sintra, in the Lisbon region of Portugal. The campus is in a spacious modern building. It is conveniently located 12 minutes from Sintra, 12 minutes from Cascais, 15 minutes from Estoril, and 30 minutes from Lisbon, making it accessible for families in the region.
What age range does the school serve?
Butterflies School serves students from age 0 to 10, covering Nursery (4 months to 2 years); Pre-School (3 to 5 years); Primary (6 to 10 years).
What are the tuition fees?
Annual tuition ranges from PHP 6,050 to PHP 6,050 depending on year group.
Is the school co-educational?
Butterflies School is co-educational.
When was Butterflies School founded?
Butterflies School was founded in 2020. In 2020 The Butterflies Learning Centre was created to provide educational services in English, promoting the preparation of students to sit the Cambridge exams and opening its doors to all types of a...
What languages are taught at the school?
English and Portuguese are core languages taught across Nursery, Preschool, and Primary. Nursery exposes children to both languages through songs, stories, and games to foster bilingualism. Preschool teaches reading and writing in Portuguese and English through playful activities, with early phonics
What facilities does the school offer?
Butterflies School features bright, spacious learning spaces with modern facilities that blend indoor and outdoor environments to encourage exploration and discovery. Classrooms are designed with zones for reading, writing, art, construction, imaginative play, science, and math. The school provides
What is the admissions process?
1) Complete the enrolment form on the Butterflies site, or email, or call +351 937 656 633. 2) Attend a school visit that lasts about an hour, during which you will be shown the school and meet the team. 3) Review the Butterflies Rules & Regulations. 4) Pay the Registration Fee. 5) You may visit the
What extracurricular activities are available?
Butterflies School extends the Portuguese National Curriculum with English as an equal partner, enriched with project labs and Aloha Maths to develop skills and interests. The enriched curriculum expands horizons, stimulates creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Nursery, Preschool, and
Who is the head of school?
The head of school at Butterflies School is Nejal Acevinkumar, Teresa de Gruyter.
