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United Lisbon International School

Portugal, Lisbon

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees €11,800 - 24,000
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 615
Type Co-educational
Opened 2020
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), IMYC (International Middle Years Curriculum)
Taught languages Portuguese, Mandarin, French, Spanish, English
Typical class size 16
Strengths STEM, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

United Lisbon International School (ULIS) is a private day school in central Lisbon, Portugal, serving ages 3–18. The curriculum runs from the IEYC (Early Years) to the IPC (Primary), IMYC (Middle), and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for Grades 11–12. Instruction is in English, with Portuguese as a second language. ULIS centers learning on five pillars—Technology, Global Citizenship, Entrepreneurship, Performing Arts, and Sports. The Park of Nations campus houses science and technology labs, STEAM and maker spaces, a library and media center, arts and performance spaces, and 6,500 square meters of outdoor space. A 2024 renovation and a 2025 expansion added a sports hall and auditorium. The school has over 600 students from around 50 nationalities. Founded circa 2020, ULIS is part of the Dukes Education family, delivered its first IB graduates in 2024, and is a NEASC candidate as well as an IB World School, with diverse students worldwide.

Av. Mar. Gomes da Costa No 9, 1800-255 Lisboa, Portugal

The Essentials

United Lisbon International School has 615 pupils, typical class sizes of 16, instruction in English.

Location

Located in central Lisbon at Avenida Marechal Gomes da Costa No 9, 1800-255 Lisbon, Portugal. The campus is centrally located in downtown Lisbon, next to the Park of Nations (Parque das Nações).

Stages

K-12 school for children aged 3-18.

Type

Private day school.

Pupil Nationality Mix

Over 50 nationalities are represented.

Country affiliation

Portugal
Fees

Annual tuition at United Lisbon International School ranges from EUR 11,800 to EUR 24,000 for 2026/27.

Academics

United Lisbon International School teaches IB (DP), IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), IMYC (International Middle Years Curriculum) for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum

ULIS provides an international educational program in English for ages 3–18. In Early Years and Primary, IEYC and IPC frameworks guide the curriculum. In Middle School, the IMYC framework shapes learning. The High School program culminates in the IB Diploma Programme for Grades 11–12. Portuguese is taught as a second language to ensure students reach an adequate level of Portuguese for life in Portugal.

Exam Results

IB Diploma Programme results for 2024: average total score 32.2 with an 89.7% overall pass rate. Four students scored 40 or above, with a high score of 42. The average grade across subjects was 5.1 and the TOK/EE matrix averaged 1.8, with no core components failing.

Higher Education Progression

Graduates progress to a broad range of international universities worldwide. Destinations include University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, Brown University, UC Davis, King's College London, University of Edinburgh, University of Amsterdam, University of Toronto, ESCP Business School, The University of Auckland, IE Business School, and EHL.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

ULIS embeds social and emotional learning in its approach. The educational philosophy is holistic and aims to develop the whole child through high standards and a range of extra-curricular activities. Emotional intelligence is a key aspect of learning, arising from a happy and stimulating environment rather than exams alone. The school emphasises global citizenship, empathy, collaboration and personal reflection as part of education.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Learning support is provided for students who need it. The school recognises that children develop at different rates and offers extra opportunities for growth for those who require it, while continuing to support those who may struggle at times.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

ULIS provides an international educational program in English from age 3 to 18. The language of instruction is English, and Portuguese is taught as a second language.

Mental Wellbeing

Wellbeing is central to ULIS, described as a safe and thriving community where wellbeing and support for everyone is paramount. Emotional intelligence is cultivated as part of the learning experience, supporting resilience and collaborative skills.

Safeguarding

There is a Canal de Denúncias (whistleblowing channel) listed on the site for reporting safeguarding concerns.
Parent Experience

History

United Lisbon International School is a modern K-12 international school in central Lisbon. It is a member of the Dukes Education family of schools. Founded around 2020, ULIS delivered its first IB graduates in 2024 and is an accredited IB World School as well as a candidate school for NEASC. The school centers its program on five pillars—Technology, Global Citizenship, Entrepreneurship, Performing Arts, and Sports—supported by a state-of-the-art Maker Space and modern facilities, including science laboratories and art spaces, with over 6,500 square meters of outdoor space. The campus hosts a diverse community with over 50 nationalities and more than 600 students as of January 2024.

Community

ULIS cultivates a safe and thriving school community that aims to develop the whole child into a well-rounded, confident citizen known for collaboration and integrity. The community includes more than 50 nationalities, creating a truly international atmosphere. The school partners with local clubs and institutions, such as the Lisbon Racket Centre and Sporting Athletic Club, to enrich student life. Being a member of the Dukes Education family provides access to international exchange, summer camp opportunities, and cross-school collaboration.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

The campus is located in central Lisbon's Park of Nations and comprises 6,500 sqm of outdoor spaces and play areas. The urban campus blends innovative learning environments with green spaces and is designed to support 21st-century learning across classrooms, shared hubs, science and technology labs, STEAM and maker spaces, a library and media center, performance and arts spaces, and outdoor sport facilities. The campus has expanded since its origins in 2019, with a 2024 renovation of a historic electronics factory and a 2025 expansion including a new sports hall and auditorium.

Sports Facilities

Outdoor play areas and sports facilities are set within a green environment, with a new sports hall opened in 2025 as part of campus growth.

Academic Facilities

State-of-the-art science and technology labs, dedicated STEAM and maker spaces, light-filled classrooms and collaborative hubs, a multifunctional library and media center, and performance/arts spaces including a flexible auditorium support the curriculum. The campus also features Maker Space facilities for hands-on work.

Extra Curricular Facilities

The extra-curricular program includes music lessons (individual and group), additional language classes, art, design & technology, drama, tennis, football, basketball, eco club, chess and Model United Nations, among other activities via the United Lisbon Academy.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

The United Lisbon Academy provides programs that extend academic learning into real-world applications. The Maker Space teaches coding, robotics, 3D printing and Minecraft to develop digital literacy and problem-solving. Venture Tracks 2.0 connects middle and high school students with entrepreneurship projects, enabling teams to develop real-world solutions and present to companies in demonstrations and investor events. The Inventors and Happy Code programs offer hands-on engineering, arts and creativity and STEAM activities to foster innovation.

Arts & Creative

The Performing Arts are integrated through the Music Academy, which runs Kindergarten to Grade 12 and offers individual, group and ensemble instruction, with exams and diplomas issued by the Music Teachers Board. Students learn to sing and play instruments, with a structured pathway to certification. Arcade Dance Center provides street and performance dance across age groups, with styles including Creative Dance, Ballet, Hip Hop, Popping and Whacking. Fencing is offered to Grade 1 through Grade 12 as a modern sport emphasizing technique, discipline and sportsmanship.

Cultural & Language

Language Academy with Speakwell provides language teaching with native or bilingual teachers and CEFR-aligned materials, including a nonbinding assessment before starting. The school has a Global Citizenship pillar that emphasizes cultural awareness, empathy and responsibility toward local and global communities. The current and future collaboration with the United Lisbon Edu Hub enriches learning in arts, entrepreneurship, shadowing and internships.

Social & Hobbies

A broad range of after-school activities complements the curriculum, including football at the Academy with Sporting CP for ages 4–17, acrobatic gymnastics, and cycling. The Music Academy and Arcade Dance Center offer ongoing artistic opportunities, while language and entrepreneurship programs provide additional social and creative outlets. Partnerships with local clubs, such as Lisboa Racket Centre for tennis and paddle, extend extracurricular options beyond the classroom.

Community & Service

Global Citizenship fosters cultural awareness, empathy and responsibility toward local and global communities. The school connects students to real-world experiences through internships and shadowing opportunities via the United Lisbon Edu Hub and the Dukes network, which also provides career counselling and university guidance. The diverse community includes students from around 50 countries, reflecting a globally-minded educational environment.

Leadership & Professional

Entrepreneurship is a pillar that encourages students to think creatively, take initiative and solve real-world problems. Venture Tracks 2.0 enables middle and high school students to develop projects, work with companies and present solutions in Demo Day and Investor Day. Through the Dukes education family, students gain access to internship and college counselling services and broader career development opportunities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Sports form a core pillar, emphasizing physical fitness, teamwork and sportsmanship through a variety of athletic programs. The campus includes over 6,500 square meters of outdoor space to support sports and outdoor activities in an urban setting. The academy's partnerships, including with Sporting CP and local sport centers, provide structured opportunities for football, tennis, cycling and other physical activities.
Languages

Language Provision

English is the language of instruction for all schooling ages (3–18). Portuguese is taught as a second language. ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and Intensive English Learning (IEL) are available to support students with English-language needs, with IEL arranged if required and sometimes at the parent's expense. Additional language classes are offered through the extracurricular program.

Bilingual Teaching

The school teaches in English; Portuguese is taught as a second language.
Admissions

Admissions

Enquire: submit an Enquiry form; responses provide information about eligibility and spaces. Visit: schedule a campus tour (in person or virtual). Apply for a Place: complete the online application for each student and submit required documents, including school transcripts; an application fee is payable online. Prepare your documents: passport-sized photo; academic transcripts from the past two years and the current year (official translations if not in English or Portuguese); documentation for special needs (if applicable); copies of student and parents' IDs. Assessment and Interview: depending on age, assessments and/or family interviews may be required; remote assessments are available for overseas applicants. Receive an Offer: after review, the admission decision is communicated by email; if accepted, an offer to join is issued. Enrolment: secure your child's place by completing the enrolment process, signing the enrolment contract, and paying the enrolment fee; confirmation within 10 working days. Prepare for the First Day: admissions team will assist with preparations. Rolling admissions: applications are accepted year-round, depending on space availability. Language: language proficiency requirements vary by grade level per CEFR; English language support is available for non-native speakers.
School Events
The school has not added events