Compare American Curriculum International Schools in Portugal

NYsKOOL - Lisbon blends an American curriculum with Finland's mastery-based methods for children aged 5 to 17. Students follow an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) shaped by strengths, pace, and goals, with teachers personalizing lessons and projects. U.S. standards are paired with adaptive technology and AI-supported learning to ensure comprehension before progressing. MiAcademy Curriculum provides the full program, with Reading Eggs supporting English. Half of each day is devoted to life skills and future readiness—teamwork, creativity, problem-solving, communication, and resilience—delivered through project-based challenges. Hybrid options include Online-Only, Hybrid (Online + Hub), or Full-Time Hub to suit families' needs. The Lisbon Learning Hub opened in September 2024, in Campolide by NOVA University, with project tables, a library, outdoor spaces, and a co-working area for parents and volunteer opportunities. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, field trips, forest school once a week, and daily outdoor activity, with virtual collaboration with peers worldwide in a network.

Colégio de São José International School in Coimbra offers a bilingual education combining a national Portuguese curriculum with an international option. The on-site Portuguese curriculum uses the VOAR Pedagogical Model and serves Jardim de Infância through Basic Education (1st to 3rd cycles), while a Domestic/Individual Education option supports families to meet legal requirements. Since 2018, the CLONLARA program provides Grades 1–12 under an American Michigan framework, with Personalized Educational Plans and the Full Circle Learning model. Classrooms are multi-age to encourage collaboration, and teaching is inquiry- and project-based, with substantial English language use through CLIL. The school is bilingual in Portuguese and English, and daily English instruction is provided by a language teacher. Facilities include a Kindergarten with learning centers and a range of materials, open-learning environments, and spaces for CLONLARA projects. The school emphasizes democratic dialogue, community involvement, field trips, volunteering, and student-led initiatives across campaigns, debates, and events.

Brave Generation Academy - Algarve is a hybrid international school in Portugal offering British IGCSEs and A-Levels, American, and Portuguese+ curricula for learners aged 12 to 18. It combines online study with in-person Hubs guided by Learning Coaches, with 24/7 access to a digital platform and Hubs in Lagoa, Lagos, Loulé, Tavira, Vila Sol, and Madeira (Funchal) or online. Curricula are accredited and internationally recognized; the Portuguese+ track uses Portuguese materials and assessments, includes Exames Nacionais preparation, and enables direct entry to Portuguese universities while allowing study abroad. Higher Education is delivered through Unique Pathway Degree Programmes in Business Management, Computing Science, Hospitality, and Sports. Founded in Cascais in July 2022 by Tim and Lidia Vieira, the network has expanded beyond Europe to Africa, the USA and Asia, aiming to democratize access to international education through learner-centered hubs. Learners benefit from flexible pathways and a supportive community.

Brave Generation Academy – Braga delivers a hybrid secondary education for learners aged 12 to 18, with online study complemented by in-person Hubs. In Portugal the school offers British (IGCSEs and A-Levels), American Core, and Portuguese+ curricula. The Portuguese+ option uses all learning materials in Portuguese, includes preparation for Exames Nacionais, and meets direct-entry requirements for Portuguese universities, while being delivered in English-speaking Hubs to develop both Portuguese and English communication. Learners benefit from 24/7 access to a robust online learning platform and guidance from Course Managers, plus Offline Hubs with Learning Coaches for in-person collaboration. Curricula are accredited and internationally recognised, with qualifications accepted by universities worldwide. Unique Pathway Degree Programmes provide fast, flexible, career-driven options in fields such as Business Management, Computing Science, Hospitality and Sports. The program emphasises life skills like adaptability, collaboration, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning. This approach is practical and future-focused.

Brave Generation Academy – Leiria is a hybrid school for learners aged 12 to 18. It combines online study with in-person Hub-based learning, with Leiria as a hub location. The school offers British, American, and Portuguese+ curricula, including Cambridge IGCSEs and A Levels, and bespoke pathway. Hubs provide co-learning spaces where learners work with Learning Coaches and Course Managers in a personalised, transformative learning model. Students have 24/7 access to a digital learning platform and study through a flexible timetable, balancing breaks and shared meals. The Portuguese+ curriculum is delivered in Portuguese, supports Exames Nacionais, and enables direct entry to Portuguese universities, while continuing to develop English skills in English-speaking Hubs. The Unique Pathway Degree Programmes offer fast, flexible, career-driven options in Business Management, Computing Science, Hospitality and Sports, with a university diploma earned. Hubs operate 08:00–18:00, serving 30–45 learners per Hub, with a 1:15 coach-to-learner ratio and community well-being.

Brave Generation Academy Lisbon is an international hybrid school for ages 12–18, offering British IGCSEs and A-Levels, American, and Portuguese+ curricula. Learning occurs in a blended model: 24/7 online access via a digital platform and in-person Hub sessions with Course Managers and Learning Coaches. The Portugal hub blends online study with co-learning hubs that support collaboration and ongoing guidance. The Portuguese+ track provides Portuguese-language materials and Exames Nacionais preparation, enabling direct entry to Portuguese universities while classes run in English-speaking Hubs, developing both Portuguese and English skills. Qualifications are internationally recognised. Students progress at their own pace and build life skills through a Skills for Life approach, emphasising adaptability, collaboration, and critical thinking. Higher Education pathways offer degrees in Business Management, Computing Science, Hospitality, and Sports, delivering practical, globally recognised qualifications and pathways to university study. The school emphasises a collaborative, inclusive community and supports flexible pacing to suit learners everywhere.

Brave Generation Academy - Madeira is a hybrid international school hub in Madeira for learners aged 12 to 18. It offers British IGCSEs and A-Levels, American, and Portuguese+ curricula, all accredited for university entry worldwide. The learning model blends online study with in-person Hub experiences guided by Learning Coaches; learners have 24/7 access to the online platform, with Course Managers providing ongoing support. The Portuguese+ track delivers all materials and assessments in Portuguese, includes Exames Nacionais preparation, and meets direct-entry requirements to Portuguese universities, while instruction occurs in English-speaking Hubs to build both Portuguese and English skills. Higher Education features Unique Pathway Degree Programmes in Business Management, Computing Science, Hospitality, Sports, delivering a university diploma and practical experience. In Madeira, the hub offers spaces for internships, environmental initiatives, and clubs across Cultural and Language, Community and Service, and Leadership and Professional. Hubs operate weekdays with year-round study and flexible scheduling.

Brave Generation Academy Porto is an international school in Portugal serving learners aged 12 to 18. It offers a choice of British Curriculum (IGCSEs and A-Levels), American Curriculum, and Portuguese+ curricula, all accredited and internationally recognized. The school operates a hybrid online and in-person hub model, with 24/7 access to the learning platform and daily guidance from Course Managers. In Portugal, Hubs are co-learning spaces where learners collaborate with peers and are supported by Learning Coaches. The Portuguese+ option provides materials and assessments in Portuguese, aligned with Exames Nacionais and direct-entry requirements for Portuguese universities while enabling study at institutions worldwide. The learning model emphasizes knowledge, skills, and community through project-based activities within the hub environment. This approach combines flexible online study with hands-on, collaborative in-person experiences to prepare students for international higher education pathways. Students access Portuguese+ materials and English-speaking hubs alongside a diverse peer community across hubs online.

Carlucci American International School of Lisbon (CAISL) is a nonprofit, non-denominational day school serving students from age 3 through 18. It offers both the American curriculum (EC3–12) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma, under a Portuguese Ministry of Education license that authorizes awarding the American High School Diploma and the IB Diploma. English Language Arts and Mathematics align with the Common Core, Science follows the Next Generation Science Standards, and Social Studies uses the C3 Framework. Portuguese is taught from Grade 1 to 9 in Native/Fluent Speakers and Portuguese as a Foreign Language tracks. CAISL is affiliated with the U.S. Office of Overseas Schools. The Linhó campus hosts Pre‑School to High School with science labs, arts spaces, 400-seat theatre, a main library, and athletics facilities including a soccer field, fields, basketball courts, a track, indoor gym, and a fitness room. CAISL offers Model United Nations and arts, athletics, and service programs.

International Christian School of Cascais (ICSC) offers a North American PreK–12 education in Cascais, Portugal, grounded in Christian principles. The school serves the children of missionaries and the international community, with ages from 3 to 18. ICSC is fully accredited by the National Association of Private Schools (K-12) and is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). The high school program is diploma-granting and partners with the University of Nebraska High School (UNHS), which provides U.S.-style graduation options and is Cognia/NCAA-accredited. Facilities include enclosed sports and play areas (basketball court, foursquare, grass play area, children's play area), a dining service, vending, microwaves, and a bus/door-to-door transport network within Cascais, Estoril, Sintra, and Lisbon. Technology usage includes Google Classroom and Gradelink for attendance and grades. Weekly chapel and charitable events emphasize community service, while clubs cover arts, sports, and robotics, with language support in English, Portuguese, Chinese, and Afrikaans. For global families.

Sintra International Christian Academy is a K5–12 international Christian school affiliated with Liberty University in the United States. The school delivers an online hybrid American curriculum designed to meet US and UK standards while expanding toward 21st-century learning goals. Teaching is delivered by qualified educators within a Christian framework, with Bible study integrated across all grades. The program emphasizes intensive English as a Second Language support and STEAM-inspired learning to build problem-solving skills across subjects. In grades 9–12, students can access an online-hybrid program with Liberty University for dual enrollment and higher education preparation. The Learning Day runs from 8:20 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with small class sizes of 10–12 students and technology allowed in classrooms. Athletically, students participate in volleyball, basketball, football (soccer), field hockey and badminton, while many join local federated clubs for gymnastics, swimming, and surfing. The school also features an International Student Center and a diverse community representing 25+ nations, supporting spiritual and personal growth.