Colégio Santiago Internacional vs Vale Verde International School

	C Colégio Santiago Internacional Algarve, Portugal	V Vale Verde International School Algarve, Portugal
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €5,615 - 8,378	Fees / year €7,143 - 12,408
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 5 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Pupils	Pupils 130	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 18	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Portuguese	Instruction language English, Portuguese
Opened	Opened 2012	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Praça Zacarias Guerreiro, nº29, Tavira, Faro 8800-391, Portugal	Location Estrada do Burgau, 8600-120 Luz-Lagos, Algarve, Portugal
Stages	Stages Primary school and Secondary school, with A-level courses	Stages Primary (Year 1–6) and Secondary (Year 7–13)
School type	School type Independent, coeducational, open-admission	School type International school with bilingual English–Portuguese programme; Cambridge curriculum; IGCSE and AS/A Levels
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix More than 27 nationalities represented; about 130 students.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Limited facilities and resources for students with special educational needs; SEN support available at additional charge after assessment
Country affiliation	Country affiliation England (curriculum model)	Country affiliation Portugal
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Open at 8:30 am. Primary day runs from 8:45 to 4:30 pm with lunch 12:25–14:00; Secondary day runs from 8:50 to 4:30 pm with lunch 10:55–13:10; pickup for both is 3:50–4:30 pm.	School day structure School day starts at 9:00 for Primary (Year 1–6) and 9:00 for Secondary (Year 7–13); Primary ends at 15:30; Secondary ends at 15:45; after-school activities 15:45–16:30; bus service available
Bus service details	Bus service details Private taxi service with two providers: Nuno Taxi and Calea Taxi. Routes cover Tavira to Vila Real de Santo António, Ayamonte (Spain), and Faro.	Bus service details Bus service from Portimão to school daily with stops along the way including Lagos; billed termly with annual commitment
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Registration fees and security deposit - Annual registration (enrolment) fee: EUR 380 (charged each year; non‑refundable). - Security deposit (one‑off, refundable): EUR 700. The deposit is refundable provided the school receives the required term notice in writing; the school may retain all or part of the deposit if notice conditions are not met or there are outstanding debts. Tuition fees by year group (recurring annual tuition and per‑term equivalent) Note: the figures below are the school's published recurring annual fees for the current academic year and the simple per‑term equivalent (annual ÷ 3) shown for convenience. - Kindergarten 3 (age 5): annual tuition EUR 5,235 — termly equivalent EUR 1,745.00. - Grade 1: annual tuition EUR 5,235 — termly equivalent EUR 1,745.00. - Grade 2: annual tuition EUR 5,235 — termly equivalent EUR 1,745.00. - Grade 3: annual tuition EUR 5,235 — termly equivalent EUR 1,745.00. - Grade 4: annual tuition EUR 5,523 — termly equivalent EUR 1,841.00. - Grade 5: annual tuition EUR 5,523 — termly equivalent EUR 1,841.00. - Grade 6: annual tuition EUR 5,930 — termly equivalent EUR 1,976.67. - Grade 7: annual tuition EUR 5,930 — termly equivalent EUR 1,976.67. - Grade 8: annual tuition EUR 5,930 — termly equivalent EUR 1,976.67. - Grade 9: annual tuition EUR 6,730 — termly equivalent EUR 2,243.33. - Grade 10: annual tuition EUR 6,730 — termly equivalent EUR 2,243.33. - Grade 11: annual tuition EUR 7,998 — termly equivalent EUR 2,666.00. - Grade 12: annual tuition EUR 7,998 — termly equivalent EUR 2,666.00. First‑year total (example for new enrolment) - For a new Kindergarten 3 enrolment the school publishes: security deposit EUR 700 (refundable), annual registration EUR 380 (non‑refundable) and tuition for that entry year shown separately; the combined total for the first year (tuition + registration + deposit) for that example is EUR 5,935. Billing schedule and payment terms - Payment frequency options: monthly, termly or annual. Parents/guardians choose the payment frequency. - Monthly payments: the monthly instalment must be paid by the 5th day of the month to which it relates. - Termly payments: term fees are payable before the start of the relevant term (termly payment is an available option). Annual payment attracts a discount if paid by the published deadline. - Annual payment discount: a 3% discount is available for annual payments if paid by 30 August. - Late payments: payments received on or after the 6th of the month incur a late penalty (the school applies a late fee percentage and may recover outstanding amounts from the security deposit); continued non‑payment can lead to suspension of attendance until fees are brought up to date. Boarding / residential provision - There is no boarding provision listed for Colégio Santiago Internacional; the school operates as a day school for ages 5–18. Other compulsory or recurring costs (meals, transport, exams, extras, uniform, etc.) - Meals and canteen: meal provision (morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack) is offered as a separate, charged service. The school's fee documents and regulations treat food/canteen as an additional cost outside the recurring tuition line. Parents are charged separately for canteen. - Transport: school transport is charged separately. Transport costs are not included in the published recurring tuition and are billed in addition if the service is used. - External examination charges: public/external examination fees (for Edexcel/GCSE/IGCSE/AS/A‑Level) are charged in accordance with examination board rates; these are billed in addition as required. - Uniform: uniform is compulsory. Uniform items are ordered and purchased directly by parents from the school's supplier; the school does not publish uniform prices on the fees pages. Uniform costs are therefore payable separately to the supplier. - Extracurricular activities, study visits, art supplies and similar additional services are excluded from the core tuition and are charged separately. Refunds and deposit handling - General rule: payments for terms, services or other fees are non‑refundable. The security deposit is refundable only if the school receives the required term notice in writing in advance (a term's notice) and there are no outstanding debts; otherwise the school may retain the deposit (or part of it). The registration (enrolment) fee is non‑refundable. Fee payment options and instructions - Accepted payment methods listed by the school include: cash; monthly direct debit to the school's named bank accounts; and bank transfer to the school IBAN accounts. Payment confirmation should be sent to the school email address shown on invoices. The school lists specific IBAN accounts for transfers and direct debit (accounts at Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Crédito Agrícola and Santander). Sibling discounts and other reductions - Sibling discount: second child 5% off tuition; third and subsequent children 7% off tuition. Administrative notes (how fees are treated) - Books provided by the school are school property and must be returned in good condition at year end; replacement cost will be charged if books are not returned. School accident insurance is included within registration/enrolment services. External exam and resit fees are charged as required. (End of fees overview)	Fee details —
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement Uniform is compulsory at Colégio Santiago Internacional. The regular uniform includes a white polo shirt with the CSI logo and dark blue bottoms (skirt/trousers/skort for girls; trousers/shorts for boys) plus a dark blue pullover with the CSI logo and black or dark blue shoes. For sports, students wear a white T-shirt with the CSI logo, dark blue shorts and a dark blue tracksuit; jewellery is restricted, makeup and nail varnish are not allowed, and long hair must be tied; hoodies are forbidden. Uniform items are ordered by parents from the supplier and must be labeled.	Uniform requirement Short sleeve blue polo shirt with School badge; White or black plain socks; Black shorts or trousers (no sweatpants or leggings on its own); knee-length skirt (girls). Shoes must be all-black, sensible, protective and allow for the growth and healthy development of feet; high heels, flip-flops and backless/back-strapped shoes are not allowed. During inclement weather, a vest under or a black/dark coat may be worn over the uniform.
Food options	Food options The canteen serves meals based on healthy and sustainable gastronomy; salt is not used and fats are limited to olive oil. Fresh fruit is bought daily from Tavira market to prepare meals.	Food options Snacks and lunch are available for purchase each day, including vegetarian options. The menu is sent out on a Wednesday and pre-ordering for the following week is needed by Friday evening to prepare accordingly.
House system	House system —	House system The house system at VVIS consists of four houses: Apollo, Poseidan, Vulcan, Zeus. All students and staff are assigned to one house; students from the same house are encouraged to work together across year groups in various activities throughout the school year. Staff House Leaders, Student Council and Student House Captains from the Sixth Form coordinate and support house events and initiatives.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is independent. The Management Team consists of the Head Teacher, Ana Alves (The Investor), the Deputy Head Teacher responsible for Primary School, and the Assistant Deputy Head Teacher responsible for Secondary School. They set Internal Regulations, implement policies, approve the Annual Plan, manage facilities and staff, timetable, partnerships, and disciplinary matters.	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Two-language instruction in English and Portuguese, following the English National Curriculum modified to meet each student's needs. There is a strong emphasis on mathematics and science, embedded throughout the curriculum. The Arts and Sports component is given significant importance, with curricular and extracurricular activities planned inside and outside the school facilities. The commitment is to create an international culture and to captivate students' interest in other languages and cultures.	Curriculum details Cambridge Lower Secondary leading to IGCSE (Pearson/Cambridge); Cambridge Pathway from Year 1 through Year 13 leading to AS and A Levels; Cambridge Checkpoint assessments at the end of Year 6 and Year 9; Primary is bilingual (60/40 English/Portuguese) with core Literacy, Numeracy and Science taught in English.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio 130 students and 17 teachers; maximum class size is 18; approximate student–teacher ratio is about 7.6:1.	Student teacher ratio 18 students per class (secondary)
Exam results	Exam results Exam results are published in a PDF showing yearly IGCSE results and A-Level results from 2014 to 2024. The data indicate high performance, with 2020 showing 100% in the measured metrics. The school notes that results are above the average of UK schools.	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates have gone on to universities including California State University, Long Beach; University of Central Florida, Wembley (UCFB); ATF Flying School in Spain; and universities in Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, England and Portugal. The first student to complete A-Levels at CSI in 2013 was admitted to California State University, Long Beach.	Higher education progression Advanced Levels offered (minimum of 3 subjects per subject area); Cambridge AS/A Levels are recognised worldwide as a means to enter university; staff provide guidance on applying to universities, personal statements, UCAS deadlines and subject options.
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 Personal and social development is tracked through observation and ongoing dialogue with students and their parents or guardians. The mentor serves as the primary point of contact for educational or social concerns about each child. Regular updates to student information help monitor progress and well-being. The school emphasizes confidentiality regarding student records and sensitive information. Mindfulness and positive behaviour are integrated into daily routines to support emotional well-being and respectful interactions. The community emphasizes collaboration among teachers, students, and families to support each student's social and emotional growth.	Social & emotional learning Vale Verde International School develops students' social, physical and interpersonal skills and a sense of personal responsibility. The school provides a happy, stimulating learning environment where pupils are encouraged to be independent, cooperative, confident and reflective learners. The bilingual curriculum supports cross-cultural learning and communication in English and Portuguese. Core values such as honesty, respect, responsibility, tolerance, effort, and self-discipline guide behaviour and interaction within the school community. The approach encourages students to think critically and engage respectfully with diverse perspectives. The school aims to prepare learners for lifelong learning and to contribute positively to society.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) The school recognises that students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) or medical conditions may have safeguarding issues that require extra consideration. SEND and SENCo terminology appear within the safeguarding framework, indicating formal recognition of SEND in student support. All staff are trained to adopt a child-focused approach and to be vigilant for signs that a student may need help. The policy describes a structured system to monitor students known to be at risk and to provide appropriate support. The school undertakes collaboration with external professionals and services to ensure timely access to specialist help when needed. The school seeks to give every pupil the opportunity to realise their potential by addressing SEN and medical needs within a supportive environment.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language English is the primary language of instruction while Portuguese is maintained at grade level proficiency for native speakers and taught as an additional language for non-native speakers. The ultimate instructional goal is to achieve proficiency in both languages. Language instruction is integrated with content, using strategies that support linguistically and cognitively diverse learners. The school aims to cultivate bilingual comprehension and communication to prepare students for global opportunities.	English as an additional language The school runs a bilingual curriculum with English and Portuguese. English Literacy, Numeracy and Science are taught in English throughout the primary curriculum. Bilingual teaching is divided 60/40 between English and Portuguese in Years 1 to 6. The Língua Portuguesa for foreign and native learners programme supports learners who are non-native or native Portuguese speakers. It is the only international school in the Algarve offering these language proportions. Portuguese instruction focuses on arts, culture and sports to support non-native speakers and help them prepare for Portuguese tuition.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Mindfulness is scheduled into the school day for both primary and secondary students: primary mindfulness from 3:30 PM to 3:50 PM and secondary mindfulness from 3:50 PM to 4:10 PM. Personal and social development informs wellbeing through ongoing observation and dialogue with students and families. The mentor is the first point of contact for wellbeing concerns, and staff maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.	Mental wellbeing Mental health and wellbeing are a core focus of VVIS and are addressed through safeguarding and a tailored PSHE curriculum. All staff are aware that mental health issues may indicate safeguarding concerns and are trained to respond appropriately. The school actively promotes the health, wellbeing and resilience of students and staff, including guidance on responsible social media use through a tailored PSHE programme. Early Help identifies and provides support to students as soon as a problem emerges, including prevention, identification and access to early specialist support. If concerns relate to self-harm, eating disorders or suicidal thoughts, they are brought to the senior management team and acted on promptly.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding Zero-tolerance bullying is enforced at Colégio Santiago Internacional. The mentor is the first point of contact for educational or social concerns about a child. Entrance and movement are controlled: visitors must be identified at the main office and some areas are restricted. The school collects information from parents/guardians regarding participation in study visits and activities. Parents/guardians have the right to access information and expect confidentiality from staff regarding private family matters.	Safeguarding Key safeguarding contacts are the Primary Designated Safeguarding Lead Clarissa Conroy, the Secondary Designated Safeguarding Lead Brendan de Beer, and the Principal Ben Riley. Safeguarding covers protecting health, wellbeing and human rights, enabling children to live free from harm, and providing safe care. All staff have a duty to raise concerns and follow reporting procedures, including mandatory reporting when required. The curriculum includes PSHE to promote safety and wellbeing, and online safety education addresses content, contact, conduct and commerce risks. Pastoral care supports students, and the school collaborates with external agencies and families to safeguard pupils. Safeguarding is a shared responsibility across the school.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview Colégio Santiago Internacional is located in the center of Tavira, in a 15th-century building considered a true historical landmark. The school has 16 classrooms, including a science laboratory, a music studio, a radio station, a computer room, an art room, and a canteen. The maximum class size is 18 students. The canteen offers healthy, sustainable gastronomy with olive oil and fresh fruit bought daily from Tavira's market. Teaching is bilingual in English and Portuguese, following the English National Curriculum.	Facilities overview Located in the peaceful Western Algarve, Vale Verde International School sits on Estrada do Burgau in Luz-Lagos, Portugal. The Primary School offers a bilingual curriculum with half the subjects taught in Portuguese and half in English, with core Literacy, Numeracy and Science taught in English. The Cambridge curriculum guides the Secondary School from Year 7 through Year 13, leading to Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced Levels (AS & AL). The school also hosts music education on site, with ABRSM practical and theory examinations available and additional evening and weekend lessons. Limited facilities for students with special educational needs.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Extracurricular Tennis Club is offered. The Arts and Sports component is given great importance, with curricular and extra-curricular activities planned both in and outside CSI facilities. Physical Education is a subject in the curriculum, including options at A level. On-site spaces include a science laboratory, a music studio, a radio station, a computer room, an art room, and a canteen, supporting a broad educational program that includes sports.	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The school follows the National Curriculum of England with bilingual instruction in English and Portuguese. Teaching emphasizes mathematics and science within the curriculum. Facilities include 16 classrooms, a science laboratory, a music studio, a radio station, a computer room, an art room, and a canteen. A-level is offered in Years 12 and 13 with subjects such as English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Portuguese, Spanish, Sociology, Psychology, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Business, Physical Education, and Art.	Academic facilities Vale Verde follows the Cambridge curriculum from Year 1 through Year 13, leading to Cambridge International Examinations and Edexcel/Pearson AS and A Levels. In Primary, it is bilingual with Portuguese and English, with core literacy, numeracy and science taught in English. Lower Secondary (Years 7-9) follow Cambridge subjects; Years 10-11 offer IGCSE, and Years 12-13 offer AS/A Levels. A wide range of subjects is offered at Advanced Level, including Business Studies/Economics, History/Geography, Computer Science, Mathematics, Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Marine Science, English, Portuguese and Psychology. Vale Verde is an ABRSM examination centre for practical and theory examinations and follows the Cambridge Checkpoint assessment pathway.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Extracurricular activities include Tennis Club, Ballet, Portuguese Arts & Crafts, Egyptian Arabic Classes, and Homework Club. These activities help pupils develop talents they can use later in life and foster leadership skills. They also expand social circles and promote better time management. The program supports personal development alongside academics and provides opportunities for collaboration among students.	Extra curricular facilities After school activities run Monday through Thursday from 15:45 to 16:30. Clubs include Chess, Capoeira, Animation, Volleyball, Football, Arts & Crafts, and Portuguese and French. Additional evening and weekend music lessons are available. Vale Verde International School is an ABRSM examination centre for practical and theory examinations.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History CSI Tavira opened its doors in September 2012. There are more than 27 nationalities and about 130 students. It is an independent, coeducational, open-admission school with bilingual teaching in English and Portuguese, following the National Curriculum of England. It is located in central Tavira in a 15th-century building considered a historic landmark, with 16 classrooms and facilities including a science laboratory, a music studio, a radio station, a computer room and a canteen. Class sizes are capped at 18, and the staff includes 17 teachers, 2 classroom assistants, and 6 support staff. Student results are above the UK average; the first A-Level student in 2013 was admitted to the California State University, Long Beach, and graduates have gone on to universities in Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, England and Portugal.	History —
Community	Community CSI Tavira has a diverse international community with more than 27 nationalities and around 130 students. The school is independent, coeducational, open-admission, and bilingual in English and Portuguese, following the National Curriculum of England. The school day runs from 8:30 to about 3:50 with 8:45 registration, breaks, and after-school activities; a canteen provides snacks and students participate in extracurricular activities. Life at CSI includes a School Calendar and a Newsletter for families, and the campus hosts projects and visits as part of student life. The school is located at Praça Zacarias Guerreiro 29, Tavira 8800-391, Portugal.	Community The school has students from 27 nationalities. Diversity is key; every pupil is valued as a unique individual and encouraged to work as a team. It promotes honesty, respect, responsibility and integrity as core values. Its aims include celebrating the joy of learning, developing lifelong learning, and fostering inter-cultural awareness.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Extracurricular activities are an important part of pupils' lives, developing talents that can be used later in life and leadership skills for participation in the Global Community. They help students strengthen their minds and broaden their social circle. They also promote better time management. Homework Club supports study skills and organization.	Academic & intellectual The Primary School offers a bilingual curriculum with half of the subjects taught in Portuguese and half in English, following the UK National Curriculum. Core subjects of Literacy, Numeracy and Science are taught in English throughout the year. The Secondary School follows the Cambridge Lower Secondary curriculum, with Year 7 to Year 11 and class sizes limited to eighteen students to enable individual attention. VVIS leads students along the Cambridge Pathway from Year 1 to Year 13, culminating in AS and A Level examinations, with a broad range of subjects and Cambridge Checkpoint assessments to monitor progress.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Ballet and Portuguese Arts & Crafts are offered. These activities promote creative expression and performance. They help students develop discipline and collaborative skills. They contribute to personal growth beyond classroom learning.	Arts & creative Music, Drama and Art and Design form part of the curriculum, with Music on the timetable up to Year 9 and opportunities for instrumental study in the evenings and weekends. The school is an ABRSM examination centre for practical and theory examinations, supporting students pursuing music qualifications. In Upper Secondary, Art and Design and other creative subjects are offered as part of the IGCSE/AS/A Level options.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Egyptian Arabic Classes are offered. They provide language learning and cultural exposure. These classes broaden linguistic abilities and cultural awareness. They support intercultural understanding among students.	Cultural & language Vale Verde Primary provides a bilingual curriculum with 60/40 English/Portuguese in Years 1 to 6, with core Literacy, Numeracy and Science taught in English. Portuguese instruction focuses on arts, culture and sports to support non-native speakers and prepare pupils for later Portuguese tuition. The Estudo do Meio programme and the Língua Portuguesa for foreign and native learners programme underpin bilingual teaching, making VVIS the Algarve's only international school offering these proportions.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Tenis Club is offered. Homework Club is available to support study and social engagement. These activities help students socialise and pursue interests outside the classroom. They expand social networks and provide extracurricular leisure opportunities.	Social & hobbies Leadership skills are developed as part of the curriculum and the values of International Education are promoted. Students cooperate with others and engage in social issues within the national and international community. Diversity is celebrated with 27 nationalities represented, and every pupil is valued as a unique individual within a caring school community. The curriculum encourages cross-curricular learning and teamwork.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service Social responsibility is promoted as pupils cooperate with others and engage in social issues within the national and international community. Diversity is a central aspect of the community, with inclusion across backgrounds, races and religions. The school aims to develop a responsible community through care, encouragement and inspiration.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Extracurricular activities develop talents that students can use later in life and leadership skills. They enable students to participate in the Global Community. Participation supports applying these skills beyond school. The program focuses on developing leadership and professional capabilities.	Leadership & professional Leadership skills are developed as part of the curriculum and the values of International Education are promoted. The Cambridge Pathway guides study from Year 1 to 13, culminating in AS and A Levels, with subject choices aligned to university aims. The school provides guidance on applying to universities, including personal statements, UCAS deadlines and subject options. Advanced Level subjects are offered based on demand to tailor study to strengths.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Tennis Club and Ballet are among the physical activities available. These activities promote physical fitness and wellbeing. They help students build routines and resilience. Participation broadens social circles.	Lifestyle & wellbeing A healthy balance in life, including hygiene, nutrition and physical activity, is a core goal. Physical Education is a compulsory, timetabled subject for all pupils. The school fosters a caring, supportive environment that promotes wellbeing across the curriculum. Music and other after-hours activities further support students' physical and mental well-being.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English is the primary language of instruction; Portuguese is maintained at grade-level proficiency for native speakers and taught as an additional language for non-native speakers. The aim is to achieve proficiency in both languages. The bilingual approach fosters cultural and linguistic diversity and prepares students for global opportunities.	Language provision Languages taught are English and Portuguese. English is the language of instruction for core subjects, while Portuguese is taught across the curriculum with emphasis on arts, culture and sports; other Portuguese-taught subjects include Cooking and Food, Physical Education, Theatre, Culture and Traditions, EVT, Arts, FPS/ER and Music. In Years 7–9, Portuguese is part of the Cambridge curriculum; in Years 10–11, Portuguese is offered as an optional subject, and Portuguese is included among Advanced Level subjects.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching English is the primary language of instruction, while Portuguese is maintained at grade-level proficiency for native speakers and taught as an additional language for non-native speakers. The ultimate instructional goal is to achieve appropriate levels of proficiency in the two languages, taking into account the factors that affect language acquisition and development. The bilingual approach promotes an appreciation of cultural and linguistic diversity, and CSi students become international and independent thinkers and communicators. CSi also values bi/multilingualism among its students for the educational and professional opportunities it may open up for them in a global community.	Bilingual teaching Pupils in Primary School follow a bilingual curriculum with half of their subjects in English and half in Portuguese, following the UK National Curriculum. Core subjects of Literacy, Numeracy and Science are taught in English throughout the academic year. Bilingual teaching is 60/40 between English and Portuguese in Years 1 to 6.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations Cambridge Assessment International Examinations – Cambridge Lower Secondary curriculum and IGCSE qualifications (Pearson and Cambridge variants) administered by Cambridge Assessment International Examinations. Edexcel/Pearson – AS and A Levels are recognised worldwide for university entry. ABRSM – Vale Verde International School is an examination centre for ABRSM practical and theory examinations. AEEP – Member of AEEP (Associação de Estabelecimentos de Ensino Particular e Cooperativo). Cambridge Checkpoint Assessments – Checkpoint assessments are internationally recognised, externally set and marked, and used by Cambridge International schools worldwide.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Submit enrollment documents. Admissions follow established criteria, and siblings have priority in enrolment. Upon registration, the office provides the following documents: Enrolment Form, Fees and Services, Use of the Uniform Policy, Medical Questionnaire, and School Calendar 2024/2025. Indicate the Expected Starting date and whether transport is needed on the form; transport availability is subject to confirmation, and the pickup point will be arranged with the service provider. 2. Evaluation and interview. Enrollment is subject to an evaluation process; the parents/guardians and the student will be invited for an interview with the Management Team if they have not yet completed one. The interview helps assess readiness and mutual expectations between family and school. A admission decision follows the evaluation. 3. Secure the place and payment. If admitted, the place is secured by paying the Enrollment Fee and a refundable Deposit before monthly/termly/yearly fee payments begin. The school offers 1× annual, 3× per term, or 11× monthly payment options. 4. Fees and inclusions. The Annual Registration fee is 395.00€ and the Security Deposit is 700.00€ (refundable). Meals and Transport are additional: Meals Year 1–9 are 130€; Years 10–13 are 160€. Transport is 180€. Discounts apply: 3% discount for annual payment; 5% discount for the second child; 7% discount for the third and subsequent children. The Annual Registration fee includes School Insurance, Textbooks (CSI's property for student use), Exercise books, Materials for Arts initiation, Library and internet access, and Lockers. 5. Start date, transport arrangements, and calendar. Indicate the Expected Starting date on the Enrollment Form. If transport is needed, indicate this on the form; transport arrangements are subject to confirmation and pickup points are arranged with the service provider. The School Calendar 2024/2025 is provided with registration documents.	Admissions Step 1: Opening an Application File. Submit an application form with the non-refundable application fee of €50 to initiate the process. An email confirms receipt of the forms, but receipt does not imply admission. A student's admission is provisional until the final step in the process has been concluded and the relevant fees have been paid. A place is guaranteed only once all steps in the admissions process are completed. Step 2: Placement Testing. Students complete the Cambridge Insight placement test to determine placement. English placement is required for students for whom English is not their mother tongue. Additional language lessons may be recommended at the parents' expense to cope with the curriculum. Subject-specific placement tests may be required for mathematics, foreign language and science, and a personal interview is required prior to commencement. Step 3: Completing the Application File. Complete the Application File by submitting the documents listed: copies of recent school records, health records and vaccination certificates, Language Background Form, any prior assessment reports, declaration of special needs (if applicable with SEN charge), a copy of the child's passport, a passport-size photo, the parent's tax card, a signed Financial Regulations, and the initial €500 non-refundable registration fee. Submit these forms to VVIS Admissions by mail or email. Documents must be submitted prior to admission. Step 4: Acceptance. After the Application File is complete, it is reviewed by the Head of the relevant division for final decision on acceptance and grade placement. VVIS admits on a space-available basis; if no space is available, the applicant may be placed on a waiting list. For previously wait-listed students, the Admissions Office will call as soon as a space becomes available and an acceptance letter will be emailed to welcome the family. A student will be admitted only after all admission policies are complied with, including vaccination records and the tax number.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist Admission is on a space-available basis; applications are not considered more than two years in advance of entry. If a class is full, the applicant's name may be placed on a waiting list. The Admissions Office will call as soon as a space becomes available and an acceptance letter will be emailed to welcome the family.
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