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Oeiras International School

Portugal, Lisbon

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees €14,962 - 24,844
Ages 6 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 463
Type Co-educational
Opened 2010
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages Portuguese, English, German, French, Spanish, Mandarin
Typical class size 16
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Leadership and Professional
Stages Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Oeiras International School (OIS) is a non-profit, parent-founded International Baccalaureate World School offering a full IB Continuum for ages 6 to 18. The curriculum spans the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 6 to 10, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 11 to 16, and the Diploma Programme (DP) for ages 17 to 18. The school is housed on the Quinta de Nossa Senhora da Conceição estate in Barcarena, Oeiras, a historic 17th‑century property with riverine and woodland spaces that support hands‑on learning. Facilities include the Palace library, science labs, art and music rooms, classrooms in the Pavilion and White/Orange Building, and on‑site sports amenities such as a swimming pool, basketball court, football pitch, and a multisport pavilion. The campus also runs social projects from its garden farms and offers diverse co‑curriculars, languages, MUN, and the Duke of Edinburgh award. Students graduate ready for university admissions and global citizenship.

R. Antero de Quental 7, 2730-013 Oeiras, Portugal

The Essentials

Oeiras International School has 463 pupils, typical class sizes of 16, instruction in English.

Location
Oeiras International School is located in Oeiras, Portugal, on land leased from the municipality. Oeiras is about 15 minutes by car from Lisbon and the Lisbon airport.

Stages
Primary Years Programme (Age 5-11), Middle Years Programme (Age 11-16), Diploma Programme (Age 16-19).

Type
Oeiras International School is a non-profit Association (OIS, ASFL) founded by parents and is an International Baccalaureate World School.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Nationalities represented: 48+.

Additional learning support
A learning support programme exists as part of OIS's inclusive IB World School approach. Applicants with severe emotional needs cannot be catered for.

School day structure
School buses arrive with students between 8:00am and 8:15am. Afternoon buses depart at 4:00pm and 5:30pm.

Bus service
The School runs its own bus routes from Cascais, Estoril, Sintra, Parede and the Lisbon area.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The school uniform is required for all students in Years 2 to 11. Everyday uniform for Years 2-11 includes grey trousers or skirt, white polo shirt, grey socks or tights, all black shoes, a light blue jumper, a grey hoodie, a blue fleece, and outerwear as needed. The P.E. uniform, or team uniform and tracksuit, is compulsory for all sporting activities and travel to events; House T-shirts are worn only for House activities.

Food Options
Healthy meals are provided daily through Origem, with vegetarian and vegan options; menus include soup, salad, a main course (meat, fish or vegetarian), fruit or dessert, and a low-sugar juice or water. Microwaves and picnic areas are available for meals brought from home, and an on‑campus coffee shop offers snacks and Portuguese treats.

House System
On joining OIS, families are assigned to one of four Houses—Kingfisher, Phantom, João Baptista or Vulpes. There are house competitions in sport, arts and academics, with points contributing to the end‑of‑year House Trophy.

Governance and Ownership
Oeiras International School (OIS, ASFL) is a not‑for‑profit association founded in 2009 by 30 parents and associates. The Board, elected by the Associates, oversees governance; the school reinvests revenue into facilities and staff as there are no owners or shareholders.
Fees

Annual tuition at Oeiras International School ranges from EUR 14,962 to EUR 24,844 for 2026/27.

Application and Registration Fees
- Application fee (one-time, paid at application): €250.
- Registration fee (one‑time, payable on enrolment according to the schedule below): amounts vary by year group (see Tuition by year group). The registration charge is non‑refundable.

Tuition fees (per term and per year, by year group)
- Years 1–4 (Pre‑PYP and PYP 1, 2 & 3): Registration €1,355; Term €4,064; Annual €13,547.
- Year 5 (PYP 4): Registration €1,413; Term €4,238; Annual €14,127.
- Year 6 (PYP 5): Registration €1,683; Term €5,049; Annual €16,830.
- Years 7–9 (MYP 1, 2 & 3): Registration €1,799; Term €5,396; Annual €17,987.
- Years 10–11 (MYP 4 & 5): Registration €2,127; Term €6,382; Annual €21,273.
- Year 12 (DP 1): Registration €2,171; Term €6,514; Annual €21,713.
- Year 13 (DP 2 — two terms only): Registration €2,171; Term €9,771; Annual €21,713.

Additional one‑off and recurring fees
- Capital levy (one‑time, non‑refundable for new entrants): one new student €5,000; two siblings starting in the same year €7,500; three or more siblings starting in the same year €8,500. Current families enrolling a new student receive a 10% discount on the capital levy.
- Annual insurance per student: €20.
- Yearbook (per family): €40.
- Examination charges: Year 11 IB‑MYP assessment €900 (billed with Term II); Year 13 IB‑DP assessment €900 (billed with Term II).

Transport and Meals (charged separately, invoiced per term)
- School transportation (invoiced per term): one way €525; two ways €840.
- School meals (invoiced per term; price per meal): €6.30 per day (includes soup, salad, a main course, dessert/fruit and a low‑sugar drink).

Discounts and fines
- Sibling discounts on tuition term fees: second child 5%; third child 15%; fourth child and subsequent children 25%. Annual tuition paid in advance before the posted deadline receives a 2.5% discount (deadline is communicated by the school). Discounts apply only to term fees and are annulled if fees are not paid on schedule.
- Fines and charges: damaged or unreturned library books charged at replacement cost plus a 15% surcharge; lost team equipment €100; lost student card €5. Late payments incur legal taxes of 4% and may lead to suspension of services.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Fees are invoiced by term. Payment deadlines: Registration by February 1; Term I by July 1; Term II by December 1; Term III by April 1. Termly fees are payable within 30 days of invoice. Further delay may result in suspension of services and legal late charges.

Refunds and withdrawal notice
- The registration charge is non‑refundable. Once registration is completed the student is deemed enrolled; if a registered student does not attend, Term I fees remain payable. The school requires one term's written notice to the Principal for withdrawal; without this notice the corresponding term fees remain due.

Boarding
- Boarding is not offered; the school operates as a day school.

Accepted payment methods and payment details
- Bank transfer (details provided by the school; ensure transfers are made net of bank charges and the student's name is given to allocate funds). IBAN and BIC/SWIFT details are used for euro payments.
- Payment by check is accepted (payable to Oeiras International School ASFL).

Other notes on fees
- Application fee is a one‑time mandatory administrative charge for applicants. Capital levy and registration charges are one‑time entry costs and are non‑refundable. Certain exam and event charges are billed with specific term invoices as noted above.
Academics

Oeiras International School teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 6 to 18.

Curriculum
OIS offers the International Baccalaureate Continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 6 to 10 (PYP1 to PYP5), Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 11 to 16 (MYP1 to MYP5), and Diploma Programme (DP) for ages 17 to 18 (DP1, DP2). The school is an IB World School authorised to offer PYP, MYP and DP. PYP is an inquiry-based learning programme for children aged 6 to 10. MYP builds on prior learning and leads to the MYP certificate. The DP is internationally recognised for university admissions.

Student Teacher Ratio
1:6 teacher to student; average class size 16.

Exam Results
IB Diploma Results show high achievement. In 2021, 45 DP candidates with a 100% pass rate and an average DP grade of 5.6; OIS average points were 35, compared with a world average of 32.98. In 2020, 29 DP candidates with a 93% pass rate and an average grade of 5.12; OIS average points 32 versus world average 31.3.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates go to universities around the world, including notable destinations in the UK, the USA and other countries such as King's College London, University College London, Imperial College London, Stanford University, University of Chicago, McGill University, University of Toronto and the University of Auckland.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Belonging, inclusion, and physical and emotional safety are foundational to learning at OIS. The Behaviour Policy aligns with the IB Learner Profile to guide respectful interactions and everyday practice. The school provides equal education opportunities and a non-discriminatory environment. A safe, caring environment supports students' social and emotional development.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
A learning support programme exists as part of OIS's inclusive IB World School approach. Applicants with severe emotional and intellectual needs cannot be catered for.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The language of instruction is English. Portuguese and English are core languages studied. German, French, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese are offered as first languages and as language acquisition options. In the MYP, language acquisition is taught for three lessons per week. All potential students undertake an English placement test to determine language development.

Mental Wellbeing
Wellbeing is a central focus, with Wellbeing Awareness Year celebrating wellbeing topics monthly and involving school psychologists in talks on resilience and mental health. One Tribe Week explicitly focused on belonging and mental health, with mixed-age activities and staff support. Tutors, teachers, the nurse, student support and the psychologist are available to help as needed.

Safeguarding
The school protects the rights of all children, following Portuguese law and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. A Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy guides how safeguarding concerns are handled, with mechanisms to react and respond if abuse is noticed or reported.
Parent Experience

History
Moved to Barcarena, Oeiras in September 2011, Oeiras International School is housed in the Quinta de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, a 17th-century estate built by João Baptista Sinel de Cordes. The Sinel de Cordes family coat of arms is visible at the main gate. The property remained in the family until 1969 when it was sold to a Belgian, later becoming part of the Oeiras Council estate and ultimately the home of OIS. OIS is committed to nurturing a learning community to shape a sustainable world.

Community
Oeiras International School has an active community with Alumni, Student Houses, Uniform, Co-curricular Activities, and a Student Council, plus a broad After-School Activities (ASA) program offering music, arts, sciences and sports. The ASA program includes a Camp Go outdoor-education partnership to provide hands-on experiences outside the classroom. The school's Parents Club coordinates social and cultural events, including coffee mornings, cultural trips, Winter Wonderland, Arraial and Halloween, as well as fundraisers and wellness activities for families.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The school has a Parents Club run by parent volunteers, which organizes social and cultural events, coffee mornings, cultural trips, family events such as Winter Wonderland, Arraial and Halloween, bake sales and fundraisers, and monthly cultural trips. The school also has a Parent Council, introduced in early 2023 to provide a representative voice for parents and guardians, and to partner with teachers and school leadership. The Parent Council operates the OIS Community Portal for proposals; its mission is to strengthen communication, provide mentorship opportunities, and create community-driven solutions. Representatives are elected annually to ensure a diverse and inclusive team.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Quinta is the main campus, a 17th-century Portuguese farm with a river, woodlands and green spaces. The Palace houses the library, science labs, and art and music rooms. The Pavilion contains exam classrooms, and the White/Orange Building includes the assembly area, a small gym, classrooms, staff rooms, a cafeteria and computer labs. The PYP building hosts Years 2–4, and campus gardens grow food for social projects while resident goats, donkeys and bees are part of the farm. There is a swimming pool on site, and future plans include a science and technology suite and a purpose-built PYP block. Outdoor spaces include a basketball court, football pitch and a multisport pavilion.

Sports Facilities
There is a basketball court, a football pitch and a multisport pavilion. A swimming pool is on site. The campus offers tracks for mountain biking, as well as skateboarding and rollerblading. A cross-country course hosts inter-school tournaments.

Academic Facilities
The Palace houses the library, science labs, and art and music rooms. The Pavilion is the latest building with several classrooms. The White/Orange Building contains the main assembly area, a small gym, classrooms, staff rooms, a cafeteria and the computer labs.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Co-Curricular Activities run on Wednesdays (MYP) and Thursdays (PYP) with choices that change each term. Learn-to-Swim uses the Barcarena pool. CCAs include Robotics, Game Development, Arts Therapy, Mix It Up, Board Games, Ceramics, Multi Sports, Skateboarding, Yearbook Club, Parkour, Entrepreneurs' Club, Percussion, Journalism/Valley Times and School Production.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers a range of co-curricular activities that develop academic and intellectual skills, including Robotics and Game Development, as well as Journalism/Valley Times and the Yearbook Club. PYP CCAs include Arts Therapy, General Motor Skills, Mix it Up, and Learn-to-Swim, while MYP CCAs include Art Club, Entrepreneurs' Club, Percussion Club, Parkour, Journalism, Multi-Sports, School Production, Skateboarding, and Yearbook Club. The Duke of Edinburgh Award provides a structured program focusing on volunteering, physical activity and skills, with expeditions, and OIS participates in Model United Nations activities.

Arts & Creative
Arts-focused activities include Arts Therapy, Ceramics, Film Making & Creative Writing, Art Club and School Production. Sewing Club, Creative Jewellery Club, and Strings Club are also offered as part of the ASA program, along with a range of music-related sessions.

Cultural & Language
English and Portuguese are core languages; German, French, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese are offered as additional language options both as first language and language acquisition. Global citizenship and intercultural learning are integrated into OIS's approach, with wellbeing, ethics and respect for diverse contexts. OIS participates in Model United Nations activities, including COP Oeiras Valley simulations and MUN conferences.

Social & Hobbies
The After-School Activities (ASA) and Musical Instrument Lessons (MIL) program offers a wide range of pursuits across music, arts, sciences, life skills and combat sports. Current ASA activities include Instrument Clubs, Arts Therapy, Board Games, Ceramics, Film Making & Creative Writing, Robotics & Beyond, Surfing, Skateboarding, OIS Orcas Swimming Academy, and more. Registrations open after the ASA Fair, with a late bus available for eligible students.

Community & Service
The Student Council emphasizes service and charity, organizing food bank collections, fundraising and community events. The council engages in school-wide social events and campaigns, and funds improvements for the school community as needed.

Leadership & Professional
The Duke of Edinburgh Award offers Bronze, Silver and Gold levels focusing on volunteering, physical and skills, with expeditions. Leadership is also developed through the Student Council, sports captains, House Captains and Head Students, with annual elections to select student leaders.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sports are a core part of OIS, with competitive and non-competitive activities and participation in CHESS and ISSA leagues; offered sports include football, volleyball, basketball, and cross-country. Physical and Health Education is integrated into the MYP curriculum, and the Diploma Programme offers Sports, Exercise and Health Sciences as an option. The Quinta grounds provide space for recreational activities, trekking tracks, skating, and inter-school tournaments.
Languages

Language Provision
Portuguese and English are core languages; they are taught as first language or Language and Literature in IB terms. German, French, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese are offered as first language and for language acquisition. Most students study three languages, with the level of study matched to fluency rather than age. In the MYP, language acquisition is taught for 3 lessons per week.

Bilingual Teaching
Portuguese and English are core languages; in IB terms they are Language and Literature or first language. German, French, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese are offered as first language and for language acquisition. Most students study three languages.
Admissions

Admissions
Students aged 5 to 18 may be admitted, with OIS beginning in Year 2 (PYP1) for typically 6-year-olds. The school is over-subscribed in most year groups, so applying early is advised. A placement test assesses cognitive ability and learning style; there is no pass or fail mark, and staff determine whether they can support the student, with the Student Support Department assisting if extra help is needed. Priorities for admission are: first current students, staff and founding/associate members; second siblings of current students; other applicants are considered as space allows; under equal conditions, offers go to the student with the best previous academic record. There is a learning support program, but applications with severe emotional needs cannot be catered for. Documentation and an interview are required. OIS accepts applications throughout the year (Rolling Admissions) if space becomes available. English language requirements vary by grade; a minimum level is advised, fluency is not compulsory for admission to certain year groups, and full proficiency is required for Years 10–13 and will be assessed during admissions. The admissions steps are: register your interest; complete the application form and pay the €250 application fee; schedule placement tests; attend an interview with the programme coordinator; Admissions Committee reviews the application; upon successful completion, upload the required documentation and pay the registration fee to secure the place; if there is no space, the applicant will be placed on the waiting list.

Scholarships
The school offers scholarships for outstanding students. Scholarships may be awarded to students who live or study within the Oeiras area who otherwise may not have the opportunity to benefit from an OIS education. Scholarships are awarded on merit by the Scholarship Selection Council and are weighted by need, with partial or full scholarships possible. They cover all yearly registration and fees and required educational activities, with no other discounts applied. Open to students ranked in the top 10% of their year (Year 7 through Year 12) who live or study in the municipality of Oeiras. Ten full scholarships exist, and automatic yearly renewal is based on continued high academic achievement and significant involvement in wider school activities. The online application must be submitted by 14 March at 17:00 and includes: a letter from the applicant's parents in English or Portuguese, a short video in English outlining why they wish to join OIS, the applicant's Curriculum Vitae, reports from the previous three years including grades, three recommendation letters (one from Head Teacher/Principal and two from current teachers), and a declaration from the Head Teacher/Principal that the applicant is ranked in the top 10%. The Scholarship Selection Council is composed of one representative from Câmara Municipal de Oeiras (CMO) and at least three OIS representatives. Submissions deadline for Academic Year 2026/27 is Closed.

Waitlist
If there is no available place, the applicant will be placed on the waiting list.
School Events
The school has not added events
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