Prime School - Lisbon vs Theodore International Startup Academy (TISA Lisbon)

	P Prime School - Lisbon Lisbon, Portugal	T Theodore International Startup Academy (TISA Lisbon) Lisbon, Portugal
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €9,253 - 22,160	Fees / year €18,000
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 12 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type —
Curriculum	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Bespoke Curriculum	Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary)
Pupils	Pupils 900	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 17	Typical class size 16
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Portuguese	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened 2023
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location —	Location The Lisbon campus is located at R. São Sebastião da Pedreira 27, 1050-010 Lisbon. The campus operates Monday to Friday, 7:30 to 18:30. The school also has a campus in Leiden, the Netherlands.
Stages	Stages —	Stages TISA Lisbon is a private international primary school for ages 3–12, offering an inquiry-based core curriculum with a kids-Business program and STEM (Science & Business) / CAD (Creative Arts & Design) tracks.
School type	School type —	School type Private international primary school
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix 20+ nationalities represented; international community.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Our inclusive approach provides tailored support to children with learning differences, ensuring every student can reach their potential.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure The school day begins at 08:30. The Core Programme runs until 13:00. The afternoon tracks run 13:00–17:30. The day ends at 17:30, with optional after-school swimming on Wednesday afternoons.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details —	Fee details Application fee - No separate application fee is published. Families submit an online application and confirm a place by paying a deposit and signing the School Fee Agreement; the deposit holds the child's place for one week. Tuition fees (by year group / age band) - TISA Lisbon charges a single all‑inclusive annual tuition for all year groups (ages 3–12): EUR 18,000 per year. There is no different published annual tuition by year group — the same annual fee applies across the school's age range. Included in the annual tuition are books, school meals, and the school uniform. Per-term / per-installment detail - The school offers two payment options: annual payment or monthly installments. An annual payment receives a 5% discount. - For reference calculation only: dividing EUR 18,000 by 12 results in EUR 1,500 per month if a 12‑month monthly schedule is used; the school states tuition is payable in monthly installments but does not publish the exact number of installments in the public fee summary. The 5% annual discount on EUR 18,000 equals EUR 900, so an annual prepayment with discount would be EUR 17,100. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is payable either in monthly installments or annually in advance. A deposit and a signed School Fee Agreement are required to confirm a place; the deposit holds a place for one week while the Fee Agreement is signed. Specific billing dates, the deposit amount, late‑payment penalties, and the detailed billing schedule are set out in the School Fee Agreement and by the Admissions Office. Boarding fees - TISA Lisbon operates as a day primary campus (ages 3–12); no boarding provision or boarding fees are published. Optional services (transport, wraparound activities) are offered separately at additional cost. Other costs and optional fees - Uniform: included in the annual tuition. - School meals and books: included in the annual tuition. - Optional extras charged in addition to tuition and priced on request: pick‑up & drop‑off (transport), swimming lessons, tennis lessons, museum visits and school trips, and other optional programmes. These items are listed as “price on request” and are billed separately when selected. - Sibling discounts: 10% for the second child and 15% for the third child (applies to tuition). Refunds and withdrawal - The contractual terms for deposits, refunds, withdrawals, and any liability for unpaid fees are governed by the School Fee Agreement signed at enrolment. A deposit is required to confirm a place; the School Fee Agreement defines the specific refund or withdrawal conditions. No separate refund schedule is published in the school's public fee summary. Fee payment options (methods) - The school's public fee summary states the available payment frequencies (monthly or annual) and the 5% discount for annual payment. Specific accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, direct debit, or credit card) are not listed in the published fee summary and are confirmed in the School Fee Agreement and by the Admissions Office.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement Uniform is included in the annual tuition.
Food options	Food options —	Food options School meals are included in the annual tuition.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership The school is a private international primary school.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details —	Curriculum details The school offers an international, English-medium, inquiry-based curriculum. The Core Programme covers Mathematics, English, Science, Sports, Arts, and Digital Literacy. The TISA Business Programme presents 24 modules for entrepreneurship from age 4 to 17, with students building real startups. There are two professional tracks: STEM (Robotics, Programming, 3D Modelling, Electronics, Advanced Mathematics) and Creative Arts (Visual Arts, Music, Drama, Graphic Design, Creative Writing). Cambridge Exams are administered for early-year students (G0–G6/7) annually. The program emphasizes full immersion in English and small class sizes, with a maximum of 16 students per class.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio Max class size is 16 students per class.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	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 —	Social & emotional learning The inquiry-based curriculum develops inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who create a better world through intercultural understanding. Emotional Intelligence is a dedicated module within the 24 Kids-Business Modules.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) Special Needs Support: Our inclusive approach provides tailored support for children with learning differences, ensuring every student can reach their potential.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language English is the primary language of instruction and the environment is English-medium. Full immersion in English prepares students for global opportunities.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing is supported through Emotional Intelligence modules and a caring, inclusive community that fosters wellbeing and intercultural understanding.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview Lisbon campus is at R. São Sebastião da Pedreira 27, 1050-010 Lisbon, open Monday to Friday from 7:30 to 18:30. English is the primary language of instruction, and the school hosts students from 20+ nationalities. The curriculum blends a rigorous Core Programme with STEM and Creative Arts tracks, supported by spaces such as a 3D Design & Maker Lab and an Inventor Lab. The Kids-Business Programme offers 24 modules across four age bands, from ages 4–17. The Lisbon site is part of a two-campus model with Leiden in the Netherlands.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities After-school swimming is available on Wednesday afternoons. Jiu Jitsu is included as a core subject under the academic program, reflecting the school's incorporation of physical activity within the Core Programme. The core curriculum also includes sports as part of its Academic Subjects.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities STEM Track includes Robotics, 3D Modelling, Programming, an Inventor Lab, and Advanced Mathematics. Creative Arts Track includes Instrument Music, Graphic Design, Animation, Creative Writing, Theatre, and Dance. The school features a 3D Design & Maker Lab for hands-on projects (e.g., 3D-printed items) and a Maker Lab portfolio. The Kids-Business Programme comprises 24 modules across four age bands, from ages 4–17, and Cambridge Exams are administered for relevant levels. The Lisbon campus serves ages 3–12 as an International Primary School, with the broader program spanning ages 4–17 across tracks and modules.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities Students participate in world-level competitions such as World Robotics Olympiad and International Math Olympiad, with listed rankings and projects. Chess tournaments are part of school activities, including Leiden Chess Ranking placements. Jiu Jitsu is highlighted among martial arts championships with medals earned across grade groups. Cambridge Exams are administered for Mathematics, Literacy, Reading, and Spelling, as part of the program's assessment activities.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History Founded by educators and entrepreneurs, TISA International School's story began in the Netherlands. In 2023, that approach expanded from Leiden to a new campus in central Lisbon. Artem Tolmachev is the founder and CEO of TISA International School, which grew out of Teddy Kids in Leiden. The Lisbon campus is located in the centre of Lisbon and operates as a full-day school with classrooms, a gym, cafeteria, reception, library, and outdoor terrace. The school teaches in an English-medium environment and combines core academic subjects with a kids-Business program.
Community	Community —	Community TISA Lisbon's community participates in international competitions and academic events, with 2023–2024 achievements in the World Robotics Olympiad, the International Math Olympiad, and chess tournaments. Students develop real projects, such as a Trash Skimmer robot and a Portable Laboratory for water testing. Cambridge Exams are administered annually for learners across early years, covering mathematics literacy, reading, and spelling. Life at TISA is showcased in the Yearbook 2025-26 and includes student voices and campus event highlights.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual The school offers a rigorous, inquiry-based core curriculum in Mathematics, English, Science, Sports, and Digital Literacy. In the afternoon, students select a professional track: STEM focuses on robotics, programming, 3D modelling, electronics, and advanced mathematics; Creative Arts & Design focuses on Visual Arts, Music, Drama, Graphic Design, and Creative Writing. The Kids-Business Programme runs 24 modules across four age bands—from ages 4 to 17—allowing students to build real startups. Full immersion in English supports global opportunities while connecting to a diverse international community.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative The Creative Arts & Design track covers Visual Arts, Music, Drama, Graphic Design, and Creative Writing. The Arts Programme includes Arts & Craft, Music (Choir and Solfeggio), and Drama, while the afternoon track offers Instrument Music, Graphic Design, Animation, Theatre, and Dance. The track encourages experimentation and creative expression.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language English is the primary language of instruction. The school provides full English immersion to prepare students for global opportunities. The international community includes students and families from more than 20 nationalities, fostering intercultural understanding and collaboration.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies Choreography, Chess, and Jiu Jitsu are part of the core programme, with robotics and programming featured in the STEM track. Lunch is a shared, unhurried meal, and swimming is available as an after-school activity on Wednesdays.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional The TISA Business Programme teaches real business skills from age 4, including marketing, finance, and leadership, and students launch their own ventures. The curriculum comprises 24 modules across four age bands, developing entrepreneurship from early childhood through adolescence. Sample modules include My First Project, Financial Literacy, International Economics, and My Startup.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing The school day runs from 08:30 to 17:30, with a shared core in the morning and a specialised afternoon track. The schedule blends academics with physical activity and creative pursuits, supporting a balanced daily routine. Swimming is available as an after-school activity on Wednesdays, and the programme includes other sports and wellness-related activities.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision English is the primary language of instruction. Portuguese is taught daily by native speakers.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The school uses English as the primary language of instruction. Portuguese is taught daily by native speakers.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions —	Admissions 1. Application: Submit your child's application with basic family and school information to confirm registration. The Admissions Team reviews the application and may request supporting documents. Required documents include birth certificate or passport copy, previous school records, immunization records, recent passport-sized photos, and parent or guardian identification. Applications are accepted year-round with rolling admissions; apply about three months ahead of your child's start date. 2. Tour & Meeting: The Admissions Team reviews your application and schedules a campus visit. Visit the Lisbon campus at R. São Sebastião da Pedreira 27 to meet the team and see the learning environment. English is the language of instruction and English Language Support (ELS) is available for non-native speakers. The visit helps families understand the program and next steps for placement. 3. Deposit & Fee Agreement: Confirm the place with a deposit and sign the School Fee Agreement. Placement confirmation is issued after signing. Your spot is held for one week pending the deposit while you review and sign. Tuition is paid monthly or annually in advance.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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