Updated: August 9, 2024

 

Situated on the northwestern coast of Portugal, Porto is the second-largest city in the country. Renowned for its port wine, rich history, and architecture, Porto is a city deeply rooted in its culture and traditions yet modern in its approach and lifestyle.

Suppose you are an expat planning to relocate to Porto with your family, especially your children. In that case, it is crucial to find the best international schools in Porto, Portugal, offering globally recognized curricula to ensure your children receive the best education and academic achievement possible.

This international school guide will begin by sharing insight into the types of international schools available in Portugal, discussing public schools in Portugal, and how the national curriculum grading system works. We will then cover more about the international schools that offer the Portuguese national curriculum, International Baccalaureate (IB), and Advanced Placement (AP) programs.

This guide will help you find international schools in Porto, Portugal, that offer superior educational standards and curricula fit for international students, plus give you a tour of the neighborhoods in which these schools are located.

List of All the International Schools in Porto

Porto is home to leading international schools, with a further international school located in Braga, a city located to the north of Porto. Below we introduce you to these schools, each of which is considered to be amongst the best in the country.

  • CLIP Oporto International School: CLIP offers a comprehensive international curriculum based on the National Curriculum for England, fostering academic excellence and cultural diversity in Porto.
  • Oporto British School: Established in 1894, Oporto British School is the oldest British school in mainland Europe, providing a British-style education.
  • Lycée Français International de Porto – LFIP: LFIP delivers a French-based education, promoting multilingualism and cultural openness.
  • Deutsche Schule zu Porto: This German school provides a rigorous bilingual education from kindergarten to high school.
  • CJD International School: CJD focuses on academic rigor with an emphasis on problem solving and critical thinking, and follows the Cambridge curriculum.

The international school in Braga is The Braga International School (CLIB), which offers an international education emphasizing critical thinking and creativity, with the teaching language being English.

We provide you with more details on these schools, including the neighborhoods they are located in later in this article.

Public Education in Portugal

According to the 2023 Best Countries for Education Report by the US News and World Report, BAV Group, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Portugal’s education system ranks 24th position, moving up from the rank of 26th the year before.

Portugal offers many excellent public schools and private educational schools, with the national curriculum being taught in Portuguese. This may prove difficult for international students who do not speak Portuguese, but schools often provide students with language immersion programs, support and resources to help them overcome the language barrier.

Even though enrolling children in international schools is the more popular decision, foreign residents can send their children to public schools. Below is a list of general documents that you will need to present to enroll in Portuguese public schools. You should, however, check with the specific school your child will be attending pertaining to any specific documents or information that they will need that is not included in the list below:

  • Completed enrollment form provided to you by the school
  • Your child’s ID or birth certificate
  • One photograph of the child
  • Medical records and your child’s immunization records (Boletim de vacinas)

How Grading Works in the Portuguese Education System

When moving to Portugal and deciding to enroll your children in a public or private school teaching the Portuguese national curriculum, it is essential to understand the grading systems used from elementary school through to secondary school education in Portugal. They are very different when comparing the Portuguese grading system to American or British school grading systems, so it is a good idea to understand how to compare the two and work towards your child’s academic excellence. Below, we share a basic guideline for the Portuguese grading system.

The primary school program in Portugal is simple:

  • Public and private pre-education (educação pré-escolar): Ages 3 to 6
  • Primary education (ensino básico): Ages 6 to 15
  • Secondary school (ensino secundário): Ages 15 to 18
  • Higher education (ensino superior): Ages 18 and above

For primary schooling (grades one to nine), a five-point scoring system is used, with 50 percent being the lowest grade to pass:

  • 90-100 percent – Muito bom – Very good
  • 70-89 percent – Bom – Good
  • 50-69 percent – Suficiente – Satisfactory
  • 20-49 percent – Insuficiente – Unsatisfactory
  • 0-19 percent – Mal – Fail

For secondary education (grades 10-12) and higher education, a 20-point grading system is used:

  •  17.5-20 – Excelente – Excellent
  •  15.5-17.4 – Muito bom – Very good
  •  13.5-15.4- Bom – Good
  •  9.5-13.4 – Suficiente – Satisfactory
  •  3.5-9.5 – Insuficiente – Unsatisfactory
  •  0-3.4 – Mal – Fail

Types of Portugal International Schools

There are many international schools in Portugal offering a range of different curricula. You will find British, American, German, French, and other international schools in Portugal offering a variety of teaching languages and courses. In this section, we will discuss the types of international schools you will find in Porto and the curricula they offer.

GC-ICON-105Schools with the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a pre-university education curriculum offered by certain international schools in Portugal, and other countries across the globe, focused on preparing students for more significant challenges in higher education. The rigorous academic program focuses on children’s creativity, international mindedness, sense of community, and personal and professional development. There are also some English-speaking schools in Portugal where students can graduate with an IB diploma. You can find out more about the benefits of the IB program on their website: International Baccalaureate Organization.

GC-ICON-103American international schools and Advanced Placement (AP)

North American style education is made up of elementary school, middle school, and high school. From early childhood education and during the different cycles of American education, your children will study social studies, math, English, and science and receive multilingual education.

British international schools

British international schools in Porto are good options for expat parents considering a British national curriculum for their children, perhaps with the intention that they will be able to continue their studies in the UK in the future. Generally, students study science, math, history, English, and foreign languages. Of course, the language of instruction is English, and the focus is on problem-solving, confidence-building, and student growth.

One of the highlights and the biggest reasons why people consider a British school is that most offer International General Certificates of Secondary School (IGCSE), facilitating more accessible access to universities.

GC-ICON-46Other international curriculum-based schools

Porto, Portugal, also offers private schools and international schools teaching other international curricula. Besides American curriculum international schools and British schools teaching the English national curriculum, you could also enroll your children in a French international school or a German school in Porto.

Neighborhoods with the Best International Schools in Porto

In the sections below, you’ll learn more about the types of international schools in Porto, their international curriculum and tuition fees and discover which neighborhoods you will find each international school in.

Aldoar, Foz do Douro and Nevogilde

douro river portugalFamous for its charming beaches, quirky restaurants, delectable cuisine, fantastic art galleries, and excellent infrastructure, and in particular schools, Aldoar, Foz do Douro and Nevogilde is a perfect neighborhood for those with children. CLIP Oporto International School offers an international curriculum based on the British curriculum modified to suit the school’s philosophical and pedagogical objectives. The annual tuition fees range from €7,988 to €12,692 for the 2024 academic year.

In addition to CLIP, located in Foz do Douro, the Oporto British School is the largest British international school in mainland Europe. This international school provides education to children between the ages of 3 and 8. Expat children and Portuguese students are tutored according to the British curriculum until the completion of the Cambridge IGCSE examinations, and senior pupils study the IB Diploma Program. The annual tuition fees range from €8,735 to €14,585. Established in 1894, this is the oldest British school in the neighborhood and one of Porto’s most respected international schools.

Paranhos, Porto

Located near the sought-after district of Paranhos, you will find the CJD International School on Rua do Porto Feliz.

CJD International School is a private school celebrated for its multiculturalism, inclusivity, and creativity.

It gives children access to an educational environment based on the British curriculum.

 

Lordelo do Ouro and Massarelos

Populated with hipster coffee shops, great cafes, restaurants, and bars, Lordelo do Ouro and Massarelos is one of the most student-friendly areas in Porto and is among the best neighborhoods in Porto if you are looking for international schools.

Lycée Français International de Porto is a French international school offering French students in kindergarten, elementary, high school, and college education following the French national curriculum.

Deutsche Schule zu Porto is a German school that offers the German curriculum in Portuguese and German to kindergarten, primary, and high school students. Both Deutsche Schule zu Porto and Lycée Français International de Porto are top international schools in the area that provide excellent curriculum options and professional assistance to achieve your children’s learning objectives, allowing them to study in German and French, respectively.

Braga

Braga Portugal Real EstateLocated just 45 minutes from Porto, Braga is renowned for its rich architectural history and culture.

CLIB– The Braga International School is the best international school in the area and has an excellent education system that caters to children of both Portuguese and global communities.

Established in 1999, the school provides a holistic education and ensures the professional development of all students. Access to an international school makes Braga an excellent location for the expat community.

Admission Requirements for Private and International Schools in Portugal

Private schools and international schools in Portugal can sometimes have strict admission processes. It’s worth checking with the school you are interested in about their procedure, but most will have the admission documents on their website.

You will typically need to provide the following documents:

  • School enrollment form (available from the school’s website)
  • ID cards for the parents and child
  • Three passport photos of the student and their sponsor of education (encarregado de educação)
  • Proof of residence
  • Previous school records and reports
  • Medical certificates and the child’s immunization records (Boletim de vacinas)
  • Proof of payment of the application fee
  • Language tests, if applicable

Some schools will require an entrance exam and past school records, and many will ask for a personal interview with the student.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Porto Neighborhoods Close to International Schools

Yes, Porto has many international schools. Some of the best include Clip Oporto International School, Oporto British School, Lycée Français International de Porto, and Deutsche Schule zu Porto.

Porto international school fees range from €7,988 to €14,585 annually, depending on the school and grade level. CLIP and Oporto British School are on the higher end, while Lycée Français International and Deutsche Schule zu Porto are less expensive. 

The coastal city of Porto has various lively neighborhoods where you can choose to live. Some of the best areas in the city are Ribeira, Cedofeita, Boavista, Vila Nova De Gaia, Sé, Aliados & Bolhao, Aldoar, Foz do Douro and Nevogilde and Lordelo do Ouro and Massarelos. 

Most expats in the city prefer to live in central Porto. Moreover, since areas like Aldoar, Foz do Douro e Nevogilde, Lordelo do Ouro e Massarelos, and Braga have access to international schools, many expats also choose to settle down there.

Yes, Porto has many international schools. Some of the best include Clip Oporto International School, Oporto British School, Lycée Français International de Porto, and Deutsche Schule zu Porto.

Top-rated international schools in Porto include the Oporto British School, CLIP – The Oporto International School, and the French School of Porto. These schools are known for their high academic standards, diverse extracurricular activities, and supportive international communities.

The curriculum will depend on the school, with several curriculum options, including the British, American, French, and International Baccalaureate (IB) curricula.

Yes, several international schools in Porto offer instruction in English, including the Oporto British School and CLIP – The Oporto International School. These schools cater to expatriate families and provide a comprehensive English-language education.

Extracurricular activities at international schools in Porto include sports, music, drama, arts, and various clubs.

Class size will depend on the school. To provide you with an example, the class size for the Oporto British School is 16 children per class.

Transportation options for students attending school in Portugal include school bus services, public transportation, and carpooling arrangements. Some schools provide dedicated bus routes covering various parts of the city and surrounding areas but double-check with the school first about the transportation options available.

International schools in Porto offer globally recognized curricula, diverse student bodies, and instruction in multiple languages, catering primarily to expatriate families. Local schools follow the Portuguese national curriculum and primarily instruct in Portuguese, focusing on local educational standards.