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CLIP Oporto International School

Portugal, Porto

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees €9,140 - 15,190
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1000
Type Co-educational
Opened 1990
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Mandarin
Typical class size 17
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

CLIP – Oporto International School is an international, non‑profit day school in Porto, Portugal, serving learners from ages 3 to 18. The school offers an international curriculum based on the English National Curriculum, with Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge A Levels as the assessment pathway, tailored to CLIP's local context. The campus covers more than 25,000 square metres in a desirable area of Porto, with a multi‑functional layout that supports learning across age groups. Facilities include a 200‑seat auditorium, two 100‑seat amphitheatres, multiple art rooms, a Music Centre, a Drama Room and extensive science labs, plus a 25‑metre heated indoor pool. Outdoor sports facilities feature two tennis courts, a football pitch, basketball court and climbing wall. Extra‑curricular activity emphasises Model United Nations and Community Service, with Fine and Performing Arts integrated throughout. Notable opportunities include OPOMUN 2026, an All Day F8 English Talk Competition, and a CERN trip for senior students.

Rua de Vila Nova 1071, 4100-506 Porto, Portugal

The Essentials

CLIP Oporto International School has 1,000 pupils, typical class sizes of 17, instruction in English.

Location

CLIP – Oporto International School is located at Rua de Vila Nova, 1071, 4100-506 Porto, Portugal. Public transport options include bus lines 501 (to/from Porto's downtown and Matosinhos) and 205 (to/from Foz and Campanhã). The Parque Real Metro Station (Line A - Blue) is about a 12-minute walk from the campus.

Stages

Pre-kindergarten to Form 12 (K-12): Pre-kindergarten; Primary (1st cycle); Middle (2nd cycle); Secondary (9th–12th years).

Type

International school

Pupil Nationality Mix

56 nationalities represented among 1,226 students.

Country affiliation

Portugal

School day structure

Schedule Monday to Friday, from 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement

The school has a compulsory uniform. All students must wear the appropriate uniform at all times, including on field trips; waivers may be granted by the respective school directors and/or Head of School. Uniform items can be purchased from the CLIP Shop or via the CLIP Shop online.

Food Options

The school has a canteen and CLIP Café. The canteen offers a daily choice of four set menus and accommodates vegetarian and dietary options. Lunches are booked in advance on an online booking system; a login and password are issued to each student.

House System

Every CLIP student from Form 5 to Form 12 and all Middle and Upper School teachers are allocated to a House. There are four Houses: Delta, Lambda, Kappa, and Sigma.

Governance and Ownership

The school is governed by the non-profit Associação Gestora do Colégio Luso-Internacional do Porto (AGECLIP), which led the creation of CLIP. CLIP is organized as a public limited company.
Fees

Annual tuition at CLIP Oporto International School ranges from EUR 9,140 to EUR 15,190 for 2026/27.

Registration and application fees

- Pre-registration (non-refundable): €150 (paid on submission of the application form).
- Acceptance fee (paid on acceptance; non-refundable): €600.
- Annual registration fee (renewed yearly; non-refundable): €500.
- Deposit / guarantee (refundable subject to conditions): €1,000. A full refund of the deposit is given only if written withdrawal notice is submitted at least 60 days in advance; the school may retain part or all of the deposit for outstanding debts or insufficient notice. Bank transfer fees for reimbursements may be deducted.

Tuition fees by year group (amounts shown as: per month — 10x; per trimester — 3x; single annual payment — 1x)

First child (standard rate):
- Kinder: €900 (10x) • €2,940 (3x) • €8,640 (1x).
- Form 2: €1,000 (10x) • €3,265 (3x) • €9,600 (1x).
- Form 6: €1,240 (10x) • €4,050 (3x) • €11,905 (1x).
- Form 9: €1,410 (10x) • €4,605 (3x) • €13,535 (1x).
- Form 11 and Form 12: €1,530 (10x) • €5,000 (3x) • €14,690 (1x).

Second child (discounted rate):
- Kinder: €845 (10x) • €2,765 (3x) • €8,120 (1x).
- Form 2: €940 (10x) • €3,070 (3x) • €9,025 (1x).
- Form 6: €1,165 (10x) • €3,805 (3x) • €11,190 (1x).
- Form 9: €1,325 (10x) • €4,330 (3x) • €12,725 (1x).
- Form 11 and Form 12: €1,440 (10x) • €4,700 (3x) • €13,805 (1x).

Third child (and subsequent children — further discounted rate):
- Kinder: €765 (10x) • €2,500 (3x) • €7,345 (1x).
- Form 1: €850 (10x) • €2,775 (3x) • €8,160 (1x).
- Form 6: €1,055 (10x) • €3,445 (3x) • €10,120 (1x).
- Form 9: €1,200 (10x) • €3,915 (3x) • €11,505 (1x).
- Form 11 and Form 12: €1,300 (10x) • €4,250 (3x) • €12,485 (1x).

Discounts

- Second child discount: 6% (applied on the 10-month tuition base).
- Third and subsequent children: 15% (applied on the 10-month tuition base).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Monthly payments: due by the 5th business day of each month.
- Trimester payments: due by 5 September (1st), 5 December (2nd), and 5 March (3rd). Trimester payments receive a 2% discount.
- Single annual payment: must be made by 5 September to receive a 4% discount on the total.
- Overdue payments: late payments incur a 5% penalty plus default interest at 1% per month; persistent non-payment may lead to suspension of enrolment or denial of re-enrolment.

Boarding

- CLIP is a day school and does not operate boarding facilities; no boarding fees apply. Students must reside with their parent(s) or legal guardian.

Other costs and fees

- Canteen (lunch): pre-booked lunch €6/meal; same-day (unreserved) lunch €8/meal; lunch charges are invoiced monthly. Meal cancellations must be made before 09:00 on the same day.
- Supervised aftercare / late pick-up: supervised aftercare is available until 18:30; late supervised aftercare is charged at €5/hour and invoiced monthly.
- CLIPClubs / extracurricular activities: charged according to published price lists and invoiced monthly by the 5th working day of the month to which they relate.
- Special programmes: additional charges where applicable — Forum Foundation surcharge €250/month for participating students; Special Individual Support charged according to an agreed programme.
- Repeating students: students repeating Form 12 (up to 2 subjects) pay €350 per subject in addition to registration (monthly fee for repeating does not apply for these subjects).
- External exam fees: Cambridge IGCSE and A‑Level external exam fees are charged separately in accordance with the price list in effect.
- Textbooks: textbooks supplied by the school remain school property; replacement charges apply if books are not returned in reusable condition.
- Student accident insurance: compulsory and included in the annual registration fee.

Refund and withdrawal rules

- Pre-registration fee (€150): non-refundable.
- Acceptance fee and annual registration fee: non-refundable. Deposit/guarantee: refundable subject to 60 days' written withdrawal notice; the school may retain part or all of the deposit for outstanding debts or late notice; bank transfer fees for reimbursements may be deducted.
- Dropouts / withdrawals during a term: the parent or guardian is responsible for full payment of fees for the last term in which the student is enrolled and the last month of any extra-curricular activities; no discounts apply for partial attendance. If annual fees were paid and a refund is due for remaining full future terms, the corresponding amount will be reimbursed (subject to transfer charges).

Fee payment options

- Bank transfer is used for reimbursements and is the method referenced for refunds; related bank-transfer fees may be deducted from refunds. Invoices and the school's finance office provide the payment details used for all payments.

Notes on incidental charges

- Any administrative, banking or legal costs resulting from late or returned payments will be charged to the responsible party.
- Additional services (transport, specialist tuition, other third-party services) are charged separately if used and will appear on the relevant monthly invoice.
Academics

CLIP Oporto International School teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum

The Oporto International School offers an international curriculum based on the English National Curriculum, with modifications to suit the school's philosophical and pedagogical objectives and CLIP's local context in Porto.

Student Teacher Ratio

1:6

Higher Education Progression

The vast majority of CLIP graduates continue their studies at Portuguese and other foreign universities, mainly in the United Kingdom.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The school believes there is a strong link between social and emotional competence and learning outcomes. A student's well‑being is central to their learning and academic success. Students who behave in pro-social ways and demonstrate high levels of social competency also achieve highly and are more likely to have productive relationships with peers, teachers, family and community. The development of social competencies requires self‑regulation in the form of: managing negative emotions; goal setting; thinking about the rights of others; being flexible; and being resilient.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

CLIP is committed to supporting students with special educational needs and those requiring additional assistance with English. The school has significantly adapted its teaching and non‑teaching structures to respond to students' needs, but capacity to meet all needs is limited by the number of students requiring support, the type of support measures needed, and the constraints of the Cambridge International Programmes and Qualifications. Admission decisions are made by the School Director in consultation with the Head of School and relevant academic staff to ensure each child can fully benefit from the curriculum. Where external support is necessary, parents may be required to provide or contribute to those resources, and CLIP reserves the right to deny admission or review enrolment if necessary external support cannot be guaranteed.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

English is the language of instruction at all year levels. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available. Before offering a place, applicants are assessed, and EAL support is considered as part of the admissions process.

Mental Wellbeing

Wellbeing is central to CLIP's approach to learning, with an emphasis on the link between social and emotional competence and learning outcomes. The school promotes development of social competencies and self‑regulation skills, including managing negative emotions, goal setting, consideration of others' rights, flexibility, and resilience, to support students' mental well‑being.

Safeguarding

CLIP is committed in safeguarding pupils and promoting their welfare.
Parent Experience

History

CLIP was founded in 1986 by the Fundação Luso-Internacional for Education and Culture in the North of Portugal. The non-profit AGECLIP (Associação Gestora do Colégio Luso-Internacional do Porto) was created in 1990-1991 to lead the international school, and its first class consisted of 24 students. CLIP became a public limited company in 1993-1994 and opened that school year with 140 students. The school moved to its current premises in 2002-2003, joined the Violas Group in 2004-2005, and achieved full accreditation by the Council of International Schools in 2013-2014. In 2019-2020, the school rebranded as CLIP – Oporto International School and began the year with more than 1,200 students.

Community

CLIP recognises the importance of families and promotes a supportive, open relationship with parents and ongoing communication between families and the school. The CLIP Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) is elected by parents and aims to promote CLIP's vision and values, foster cooperation among parents, students, the Head, and staff, develop understanding of educational matters, and support school life through cultural, social, sports, leisure and charitable activities. The CLIP Alumni Association (CAA) is the official alumni body recognised by the Portuguese Ministry of Education and the Portuguese Youth Institute, and alumni participate in school life through events such as Alumni Talks. The Events pages show ongoing activities and opportunities to join the CLIP spirit.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

The Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) is the elected board formed by CLIP parents. The PTA aims to promote CLIP's vision, mission and values, and to foster permanent cooperation among members, students, the Head, the Senior Leadership Team and CLIP staff to advance the students' educational project. It seeks to develop understanding of educational matters among its members and to collaborate with the Head and Senior Leadership Team to define or carry out projects for the students and CLIP. It protects the interests of members and students, communicates parents' views on health, security, fees, catering and school uniform, and participates in, sponsors or promotes cultural, social, sports, leisure and charitable activities to strengthen the CLIP community and raise funds for CLIP projects.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

CLIP's premises are in a desirable area of Porto and cover more than 25,000 m2. The space is multi-functional and built with advanced techniques to provide a safe, efficient, and comfortable environment for users of all ages. Ground Floor features a 200-seat auditorium, two 100-seat amphitheatres, two canteens with an industrial kitchen, a café, a Music Centre, a Drama Room, and three Art Rooms, together with offices and meeting rooms, plus a 25-metre heated indoor swimming pool. Floor 1 includes an entrance hall, classrooms, a 500-seat multi-purpose pavilion, offices, two Physics laboratories, a preparation room, a photocopy centre and the CLIP Shop. Floor 2 houses administration offices, a staff room, Biology laboratories (two) and Chemistry laboratories (two), a preparation room, two Media Resource Centres and classrooms. Outdoor facilities include two tennis courts, a football pitch, a basketball court, a climbing wall and play areas.

Sports Facilities

Outdoor facilities include two tennis courts, a football pitch, a basketball court, a climbing wall and play areas. The Ground Floor also houses a 25-metre heated indoor swimming pool.

Academic Facilities

Academic facilities include classrooms, Physics laboratories (two), Biology laboratories (two) and Chemistry laboratories (two), two Media Resource Centres and a 500-seat multi-purpose pavilion.

Extra Curricular Facilities

Extra and co-curricular activities include Model United Nations and Community Service, which are encouraged and form a major part of school life. The Fine and Performing Arts are integral to the programme.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

OPOMUN 2026 is a student debate conference that brings together young delegates to discuss humanitarian crises, climate security, economic development, disarmament, health, and governance. The event emphasizes diplomacy, collaboration, and global problem-solving, developing critical thinking and public-speaking skills. The school also hosts an All Day F8 English Talk Competition to develop English-language presentation skills. Forms 11 and 12 participate in a CERN trip to explore science in real-world contexts.

Arts & Creative

An Evening Solidarity Concert and a Forms 3 & 4 Play provide cultural and artistic opportunities. The school supports music and theatre through extra-curricular activities, including performances and artistic expression.

Cultural & Language

OPOMUN is a Model UN-style conference that promotes intercultural understanding and diplomacy. The All Day F8 English Talk Competition develops English-language presentation skills. An Evening Solidarity Concert and Forms 3 & 4 Plays offer opportunities to engage with culture and language in collaborative settings. Students also participate in international experiences such as a CERN trip.

Social & Hobbies

CLIP Teams runs sport programs including football, basketball, and swimming. The facilities include a heated 25m indoor pool and a synthetic football pitch. Students compete in inter-school events and have recorded athletic achievements in swimming. CLIP also hosts cultural events such as concerts and theatre performances that contribute to student life.

Leadership & Professional

OPOMUN 2026 fosters leadership, diplomacy, and public-speaking through a conference-style setting. Participation in debates and team activities builds collaboration and professional communication. The school's emphasis on student-led, collaborative activities provides opportunities to develop leadership and teamwork.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Sport programs are central to CLIP's wellbeing, including football, basketball, and swimming. Facilities include a heated indoor pool and a synthetic football pitch. The school also offers active after-school and summer options, including events such as the Easter Camp.
Languages

Language Provision

The Oporto International School offers an international curriculum based on the National Curriculum for England, with modifications to fit the school's philosophical and pedagogical objectives and its local context in Porto, Portugal.
Reputation

Accreditations

Council of International Schools; Cambridge School; Educational Collaborative for International Schools; Eco-Schools; UNESCO associated Schools Network; Escola Azul; Instituto Confúcio
Admissions

Admissions

1. Admissions for the 2026/27 academic year are open for Pre-K (Born 2023), Reception (Born 2021), and Form 5. Admissions for Kindergarten (Born 2022), Form 1, Form 2, Form 3, Form 4, Form 6, Form 7, Form 8, Form 9 and Form 11 will open on March 16, 2026, 14:00 GMT+0. Form 10 and Form 12 are not accepted. Applications for 2027/2028 and beyond are currently closed.

2. The application form will be available when admissions open on March 16, 2026, 14:00 GMT. Vacancies are limited, and the pre-registration fee (non-refundable) does not guarantee a place. You must attach to the application form a photocopy of the applicant's ID/Passport, the latest school report and specialist reports (if applicable). If you are re-applying, you do not need to pay the pre-registration fee again.

3. All applicants are considered, regardless of ethnicity, religion, sex, or national origin. If a place is available, applicants are interviewed and assessed by the respective Director of the relevant School or their representative. Each candidate's profile is developed, including quantitative data (testing results, school records, exam results, etc) and qualitative data (interviews, home assessments). English is the language of instruction in all year groups, and English as Additional Language (EAL) support is available within the academic programme.

4. CLIP will reach out to your child's current school to obtain a reference. We look forward to getting to know you and your family and helping you embark on this exciting educational journey with us.

5. Scheduling visits: Access to the school is restricted; book your visit using the admissions visits platform. You can learn more about CLIP on the virtual School Tour.

6. Our Admission Officers will notify you about availability and provide guidance on next steps.

Waitlist

Vacancies are based on the number of students who leave; admissions operate on a first-come, first-served basis depending on availability.
School Events
The school has not added events