Almada International School vs St. James' Primary School

	A Almada International School Lisbon, Portugal	S St. James' Primary School Lisbon, Portugal
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €7,205 - 8,756	Fees / year €8,460 - 8,510
Age range	Age range 1 - 13 years	Age range 6 - 12 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, British Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 300	Pupils 95
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 15
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Portuguese	Instruction language English, Portuguese
Opened	Opened —	Opened 2007
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Azinhaga da Urraca, No.1, 2815-619 Sobreda, Portugal. The school is located in Sobreda, Portugal.	Location Rua dos Depósitos de Água, 339 Cascais, Lisboa 2750-561 Portugal. The school serves students aged 6 to 12 and offers bilingual education in Portuguese and English, based on the English National Curriculum.
Stages	Stages Early Years 1 (1 year old) through Primary Year 7; Year 7 opening planned for the 2026–2027 academic year.	Stages Primary (ages 6-12)
School type	School type Private international school offering Portuguese and Cambridge Curricula; bilingual instruction in Portuguese and English.	School type —
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix More than 25 nationalities are represented.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support English-language adaptation sessions provided through individualized learning plans.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Portugal	Country affiliation Portugal
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure School hours 08:00–18:00, Monday to Friday.	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and enrolment fees - Application fee (one‑time): EUR 135. - Enrolment fee (one‑time, charged at first enrolment): EUR 720. Tuition fees by year group (annual and per‑term) - Nursery 1 (Age 1): Tuition EUR 7,205 per year. Per term (school operates on a three‑term academic year): EUR 2,401.67 per term (calculated as annual ÷ 3). - Nursery 2 (Age 2): Tuition EUR 7,205 per year; EUR 2,401.67 per term. - Kindergarten 1 (Age 3): Tuition EUR 8,085 per year; EUR 2,695.00 per term. - Kindergarten 2 (Age 4): Tuition EUR 8,085 per year; EUR 2,695.00 per term. - Kindergarten 3 (Age 5): Tuition EUR 8,085 per year; EUR 2,695.00 per term. - Grade 1 (Age 6): Tuition EUR 8,756 per year; EUR 2,918.67 per term. - Grade 2 (Age 7): Tuition EUR 8,756 per year; EUR 2,918.67 per term. - Grade 3 (Age 8): Tuition EUR 8,756 per year; EUR 2,918.67 per term. - Grade 4 (Age 9): Tuition EUR 8,756 per year; EUR 2,918.67 per term. What the fees cover and what is charged separately - Published school fees cover tuition and daily meals (morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack). - The following are charged separately and are not included in the published tuition: enrolment and renewal fees, school uniform, educational materials, school trips, extracurricular activities and specific events. Other expected costs (examples and typical amounts) - School learning‑materials packs (examples from the school's online store): Early Years material packs priced around EUR 92.29–EUR 117.70 depending on year group; Year 1 pack examples priced at about EUR 122.43. These material/shop items are charged in addition to tuition. - Uniform: uniform items are charged separately (specific uniform price list is published by the school). - Extracurricular activities, school trips and some specific events are charged in addition to tuition. Sibling discount - Published sibling discount schedule: 1st sibling – 10%; 2nd sibling – 15%; 3rd sibling and further – 20%. Billing schedule and payment terms - The academic year is organised in three terms: 1st term (start ~10 September – end ~16 December), 2nd term (early January – end ~27 March), 3rd term (April – end ~late June). Per‑term figures above use this three‑term division to show per‑term amounts (annual tuition ÷ 3). - No detailed public schedule of invoice dates, installment deadlines or published payment‑penalty terms was found in the accessible fee documents reviewed; families are charged one‑time items (application/enrolment) at enrolment and annual tuition as shown above. Boarding - Boarding is not applicable to the current offering; the school currently enrols ages 1 up to primary/lower secondary levels (ages shown as up to Year 7 in planned expansion) and does not publish boarding fees for the current intake. Refund information - No explicit, publicly‑published refund or withdrawal fee schedule for application, enrolment or tuition was found in the school materials reviewed. Application and enrolment fees are shown as one‑time charges; the school's published fee materials and parent handbook note which items are excluded from tuition but do not contain a detailed refund table in the accessible documents. Fee payment options - The school's publicly available fee materials reviewed do not list a detailed set of accepted payment channels (for example: card, Multibanco/MB WAY, SEPA bank transfer) in the accessible fee schedule. Contact points for the school and the school store are published for transactional questions. Summary of limits in the publicly available fee information reviewed - The published material retrieved for the current academic year provides the annual tuition per year group, one‑time application and enrolment fees, the three‑term academic calendar (used above to present per‑term amounts), sibling discounts, and examples of material/online‑store prices, and states which items are excluded from tuition. The material does not include a detailed printed timetable of invoice due dates, explicit payment methods, or a line‑by‑line refund/withdrawal schedule in the accessible fee documents reviewed.	Fee details Application and enrolment fees - New-student enrolment fee: €800.00. - Enrolment renewal (returning students): €750.00. - Annual insurance (to be paid in September): €60.00. Tuition fees by year group and payment frequency - Year 2 / Year 3 / Year 4 / Year 5: - Annual fee: €7,650.00. - Annual fee with 2% early-payment discount (paid in September): €7,350.00. - Monthly fee: €765.00. - Annual and monthly fees include Physical Education, STEAM/ICT, stationery, books (activity books excluded) and Art Clubs. Billing schedule and payment terms - All fees must be paid by the 5th business day of each month. - Payment methods accepted: bank transfer to NIB 0033 0000 45307923128 05 or by ATM/Referência Multibanco (multibanco reference). - A 2% discount is offered on the annual fee when the annual amount is paid in September (see annual fee figures above). Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable; no boarding provision or boarding fees are listed for the primary school. Other costs and optional services - School lunches: - Monthly school lunches: €150.00. - Daily school lunch: €15.00 per meal. - Monthly packed lunches (includes soup): €60.00. - School snacks: - Two snacks per day (monthly): €45.00. - One snack per day (monthly): €25.00. - Per snack (single purchase): €2.50. - Timetable extensions (wraparound care): - Morning extension (Years 2–5) monthly: €25.00. Occasional morning use: €13.00 per day. - Afternoon extension monthly: €50.00. Occasional afternoon use: €13.00 per day. - Extra-curricular activities (enrolment and activity fees): - Extra-curricular enrolment fee: €30.00 (one-off per activity enrolment). - Tag Rugby enrolment: €20.00; Tag Rugby activity fee: €35.00. - Judo classes: €35.00 / €50.00 (options for weekly / twice-weekly sessions). - Football: €30.00 / €40.00 (weekly / twice-weekly options). - Happiness Class: €45.00. - Guitar / Piano (individual or group): €120.00 / €85.00. - The Inventors enrolment (with supplies): €66.00; The Inventors activity fee: €50.00. (Extra-curricular offerings and the associated enrolment/activity fees are itemised and charged separately from tuition.) - Stationery, books and Art Clubs are included in the stated annual/monthly tuition; activity books are excluded. School uniforms must be ordered through the school office (cost depends on items ordered). Transportation must be arranged privately between parents and transport firms. Refund information - Under no circumstances will there be refunds on payments of compulsory services such as enrolment fees, insurance or monthly tuition fees. Fee payment options - Accepted payment methods: bank transfer (NIB 0033 0000 45307923128 05) or ATM/Referência Multibanco. - All recurring fees are billed on a monthly basis and are due by the 5th business day of each month; the school offers an annual-payment option with a 2% discount when paid in September.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement The school has a uniform.	Uniform requirement The school has a uniform. Uniform updates occur on the 3rd of November; contact the office for uniform items. [turn7view0]
Food options	Food options Meals are included in tuition (morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack). The menu is Mediterranean-based with vegetarian and vegan options.	Food options Menu of the Week is published; weekly menus are posted on the site (examples: the week of 1–5 September 2025; the week of 9–13 March 2026). [turn6view0, turn8view0]
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Cambridge International Curriculum is delivered from Primary through Lower Secondary. Cambridge Primary and Cambridge Lower Secondary programmes form part of the curriculum and Almada International School is Cambridge Curriculum Certified. The Cambridge Primary certification provides access to the Cambridge Primary Curriculum, and the school is a Cambridge candidate school with plans to offer IGCSEs followed by the IB Diploma Programme. Bilingual education is provided in English and Portuguese, with English instruction and Portuguese support that ensures fluency in both languages and continuity with the national curriculum in the early years. In Lower Secondary, four languages are taught (Portuguese, English, French) and Computing supports digital literacy with a zero-screens approach. AIS emphasises active, project-based learning, outdoor experiences through the AIS Nature & Farm, and wellbeing as a daily priority. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for international higher education pathways, including Cambridge IGCSE and, in the future, the IB Diploma Programme.	Curriculum details The curriculum follows the classical model of education with the aim to develop students' critical thinking rather than merely filling them with facts and information. It is aligned with the English National Curriculum and emphasises bilingualism in Portuguese and English to enable fluent oral and written communication across Humanities and Sciences. Core elements are English and Portuguese Languages and Mathematics and Sciences, complemented by English Literature, a Foreign Language, Geography and History. Arts are integrated to develop intellectual, moral and aesthetic growth through music, literature, drama and visual arts, and parental involvement is encouraged in education. The aim is to prepare bilingual pupils who combine humanistic culture with solid scientific, technological and artistic knowledge to become future citizens.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Pathways prepare students for Cambridge IGCSE and, in the future, the IB Diploma Programme. Cambridge International qualifications are internationally recognized by universities and employers worldwide, including the UK and the United States.	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning The school emphasizes emotional development, prioritizes children's happiness, and promotes creativity and self-expression in a bilingual setting.	Social & emotional learning The school aims to develop the whole child, addressing intellectual, spiritual, emotional, social, creative, linguistic, cultural, moral, aesthetic and physical needs. It fosters curiosity and independence of thought and provides a stimulating, caring environment. Parental involvement is encouraged, and pupils are prepared to become independent, confident learners with awareness of global issues and cultural diversity.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) The school plans to meet the needs of learners who learn more slowly as an integral part of its work, with teaching adapted to individual needs as part of the normal school process.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The school offers bilingual instruction in English and Portuguese and provides adaptation sessions through individual learning plans for students who are not fluent in English.	English as an additional language The curriculum is supported by the English National Curriculum, and students are expected to master both Portuguese and English languages to articulate ideas orally and in writing across subjects.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing is prioritized, with a focus on students' emotions and happiness.	Mental wellbeing The curriculum aims to develop the intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of the child, fostering a thoughtful, tolerant community where students feel cared for, valued and motivated. It emphasizes moral values and the development of social and creative capabilities.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview Outdoor space designed to provide children with a wide variety of experiences. Every nook and corner is designed to stimulate our students; they can paint outside and interact with nature. Meals are included in the school fees, with a Mediterranean-based menu that offers vegetarian and vegan options. Bilingual instruction in Portuguese and English and international curricula (Portuguese and Cambridge Systems) underpin learning.	Facilities overview St. James' Primary School is located at Rua dos Depósitos de Água, 339 Cascais, Lisboa 2750-561, Portugal. The campus includes a school building, a dining room and classrooms. Aerial views of the school are available on the site. The galleries show the school building and classrooms and the sports and outdoor spaces.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities The school has sports areas and outdoor spaces. A gallery titled 'School sports and outdoor spaces' shows the campus' sporting facilities and grounds. These spaces support physical activity on site.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Promoting creativity and self-expression through all forms of artistic expression.	Extra curricular facilities The school runs a Summer School each year. Summer School runs Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and is open to children aged 6 to 10, including non-St James pupils. Daily English lessons are provided. Enrolment forms and payments must be submitted one week before the start date. Year 5 students also participate in field trips, such as a planned visit to Conímbriga (Field Trip Year 5 Red & Blue).
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History St James' School was created to support the expansion of St George's School in Cascais and follows the same guidelines, policies and ethos as St George's School. St James' School serves children aged 6 to 10. These pupils will continue their studies in both the Portuguese and the English/International learning system at St George's School from Year 8 to Year 10. Small classes provide individual attention, and pupils are taught in English and Portuguese by qualified staff, with time divided equally between the two languages and curricula. St James' School was officially inaugurated on 4 December 2007 by the deputy Mayor of Cascais, Mr. Carlos Carreiras, and the director of the British Council, Lisbon, Mr. Jonathan Gaytner.
Community	Community Almada International School has a multicultural and inclusive environment. More than 25 nationalities are represented among over 300 students, with more than 15 languages spoken in the community. The school provides bilingual instruction in Portuguese and English and follows International Curricula — Portuguese and Cambridge Systems.	Community St James' community is centered on bilingual education, preparing children aged 6 to 12 to study in both Portuguese and English/International systems. The site features a News section with posts about uniforms, seasonal events and field trips, illustrating active school life. Recent News includes Winter Uniform (3 November 2025), Spooky Season (3 October 2025) and Field Trip Year 5 Red & Blue (30 September 2025).
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Almada International School prepares learners for a multilingual and digital world through an interdisciplinary and experiential approach. Students connect knowledge across subjects, think critically, and apply learning in real-life contexts. Digital literacy, computational thinking, and ethical awareness are fundamental to the curriculum. English and Portuguese bilingual instruction, with French integrated, supports four languages of the future.	Academic & intellectual Students are prepared to study in both Portuguese and English/International systems. They are expected to be independent, confident learners who read fluently, write clearly, and understand mathematics in everyday contexts. They learn to locate information, use technology, and work independently or in groups to solve problems. The school teaches in English and Portuguese, with time divided equally between the two languages and curricula; by the time most children are ready to move on, they may continue their studies in the English/International system at St George's School for Years 8–10 (ages 10–14).
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Creativity is central to AIS, with students encouraged to be creative and to express themselves in all forms of artistic expression. Creative development and self-expression are integrated into daily learning, and the school emphasizes the arts alongside academics, sport and the digital world. The Lit Lab library program nurtures imagination and a love of reading as part of student growth.	Arts & creative The curriculum uses a range of creative arts and crafts as a means of expression.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language English and Portuguese bilingual instruction is provided. French is part of the bilingual and multicultural environment, and AI literacy is integrated into the curriculum. Students study four languages: English, Portuguese, French, and AI/digital literacy.	Cultural & language Pupils come from widely differing ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds; the school has policies covering all aspects of the curriculum to prepare them to live in a multicultural society. The school teaches in English and Portuguese, with time divided equally between the two languages and curricula.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Extracurricular Activities are part of AIS life, led by Miguel Cruz, who heads Extracurricular Activities and Physical Education. The Extracurricular Activities program supports learning beyond the classroom, promoting active, interdisciplinary experiences across academics, sport, Nature, the creative arts and the digital world. Miguel believes extracurricular learning builds confidence, resilience, teamwork and well-being.	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Miguel Cruz leads the Extracurricular Activities and Physical Education departments at Almada International School, guiding the school's approach to student enrichment. He is passionate about using sport and other enrichment activities to support students' physical, emotional and personal development.	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Physical Education is a core part of the school's holistic approach. The body is a child's first instrument of learning, and movement supports cognitive, emotional and social development. AIS promotes an active school environment where sport and movement are part of daily life. The program aims to build a healthy, active lifestyle and prepare students for future academic challenges.	Lifestyle & wellbeing The curriculum includes physical activities and aims to develop skill, strength, endurance and mobility for confident participation in a range of activities. The school emphasises discipline and esprit de corps as part of its ethos.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English and Portuguese are taught. Fluency in both languages is supported by bilingual instruction. The curriculum uses Portuguese and Cambridge Systems. Adaptation sessions through individual learning plans are provided for students not fluent in English.	Language provision English and Portuguese are the languages taught. The curriculum centers on teaching English and Portuguese as core elements, guided by the English National Curriculum. Students develop proficiency in both languages to support learning across Humanities and Sciences. English Literature and a Foreign Language are included to broaden linguistic exposure.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The school teaches in a bilingual context with instruction in Portuguese and English. Fluency in both languages is emphasized.	Bilingual teaching The school provides bilingual education in English and Portuguese for pupils aged 6 to 12. The curriculum is aligned with the English National Curriculum. Students master both Portuguese and English as the languages used to articulate ideas orally and in writing. Core elements include English and Portuguese languages, Mathematics and Sciences, complemented by English Literature, a Foreign Language, Geography and History.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. About the student. AIS welcomes Early Years 1 (1 year old) and currently offers education up to Lower Secondary – Year 7, with Year 7 planned to open in the 2026–2027 academic year. The school uses International Curricula — Portuguese and Cambridge Systems, with bilingual instruction in English and Portuguese. If the student is not fluent in English, AIS offers adaptation sessions through individual learning plans. The school seeks to respond to the educational needs of each child and aims to foster lifelong enjoyment of learning. 2. About the Guardian. Guardians provide information about their relationship to the child during the admissions process and additional guardians can be added. The Privacy Policy must be accepted as part of the form. Shorter-than-full-year enrolments are reviewed by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) for approval, subject to place availability and may involve fees outside the standard fee structure. The process collects guardian details in stages and continues to the next steps after submission.	Admissions The school uses an online Application Form to pre-enrol a child. The form collects Parent/Guardian information, the child's name, date of birth, nationality, native language, current school and current year, the correspondence address, and contact information (home and mobile phone numbers, email). A verification field is included for security. The school serves children aged 6 to 12 and the application form is accessed via Registration > Application Form on the St. James' School Cascais site.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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