Overview and School Profile
Oeiras International School operates from a modern campus in Paço de Arcos, serving approximately 600-700 students from ages 3 through 18. Founded in 1983, OIS has established itself as a distinctive option in Portugal's international school landscape through its comprehensive International Baccalaureate pathway.
The school holds accreditation from the Council of British International Schools, Cambridge Assessment International Education, and the International Baccalaureate Organization for all three IB programmes. This triple accreditation reflects OIS's unique positioning as both a British curriculum school and a full IB World School.
The IB Continuum Advantage
OIS stands alone in Portugal as the only school offering the complete IB continuum across all three programmes: Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme. This creates a seamless educational pathway from early childhood through university preparation.
Early Years Foundation Stage (Ages 3-5): Play-based learning framework integrating IB Primary Years Programme philosophy prepares youngest students for inquiry-based education from the start.
Primary Years Programme (Years 1-6, Ages 5-11): British National Curriculum structure combined with IB PYP's six transdisciplinary themes develops internationally-minded learners through inquiry-based methodology. Students explore concepts across subject boundaries while maintaining strong academic foundations.
Middle Years Programme (Years 7-9, Ages 11-14): British curriculum continues integration with IB MYP's eight subject groups and interdisciplinary learning approach. Students develop critical thinking skills and personal project capabilities preparing them for diploma-level work.
IGCSE Programme (Years 10-11, Ages 14-16): Cambridge IGCSE examinations provide internationally recognized qualifications while maintaining MYP philosophical approach. Students typically take 8-10 IGCSE subjects.
IB Diploma Programme (Years 12-13, Ages 16-18): Full IB Diploma Programme represents the culmination of the IB continuum. Students complete six subjects at higher and standard levels plus Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service requirements.
The continuum advantage means students never face curriculum transition challenges. Families planning long-term Portugal residence with IB-focused university aspirations find this pathway particularly valuable.
Complete Cost Breakdown 2024-2025
Understanding OIS's complete financial picture requires examining all fee components, including the significant capital levy introduced mid-cycle in January 2025.
Annual Tuition by Grade Level:
- Early Years 1-2 (Ages 3-4): €13,547
- Primary Years (Ages 5-11): €16,700
- Middle Years (Ages 11-14): €18,953
- Diploma Programme (Ages 16-18): €21,713
Capital Levy (One-Time, Non-Refundable):
OIS introduced a capital levy in January 2025 ranging from €5,000 to €8,500 depending on grade level. This mid-cycle introduction affected families already enrolled and created significant first-year cost increases for new families. The capital levy funds facility improvements, expansions, and capital maintenance projects.
Current families enrolling additional siblings receive a 10% discount on the capital levy, reducing the per-child impact for multi-child households.
Application and Enrollment Fees:
- Application Fee: €250 (non-refundable)
- Enrollment Fee: €1,000-€3,000 (non-refundable, varies by circumstance)
First-Year Total Costs:
- Early Years: €23,297-€25,297
- Primary Years: €26,450-€28,450
- Middle Years: €29,703-€31,703
- Diploma Programme: €32,463-€34,463
These first-year totals represent the complete financial commitment including tuition, capital levy at maximum €8,500, application fee, and enrollment fee at maximum €3,000.
Subsequent Year Costs (after first year):
Once capital levy is paid, subsequent years include only tuition plus annual increases:
- Early Years: €14,547
- Primary Years: €17,700
- Middle Years: €19,953
- Diploma Programme: €22,713
Annual tuition increases typically range 3-4%, consistent with Portugal's international school sector averages.
Additional Annual Expenses
Beyond base tuition and one-time fees, families should budget for essential additional costs.
Lunch Programme: Approximately €1,200 annually (€4-7 per meal, 190 school days). Nutritious meals prepared on-site with dietary accommodation for vegetarian, allergies, and religious requirements.
Transportation: School bus service costs €2,500-€3,000 annually depending on distance and route. Multiple routes serve greater Lisbon area including Lisbon city center, Cascais line communities, and Oeiras neighborhoods. Families living near Paço de Arcos train station can alternatively use public transportation at significantly lower cost (€40-60 monthly for train passes).
Uniforms and Materials: Initial uniform purchase typically costs €250-400. Annual replacement and growth-related purchases add €100-200 in subsequent years. School supplies and materials vary by grade but average €150-300 annually.
Extracurricular Activities: Optional activities including sports, music, drama, and clubs typically cost €200-500 per activity per term. Most students participate in 1-3 activities annually.
IB Examination Fees: Diploma Programme students face examination fees of approximately €800-1,200 for final DP assessments. These fees cover external IB marking, moderation, and diploma certification.
Realistic Annual Budget Planning
First-Year Complete Budget (including all components):
- Early Years: €25,000-€28,000
- Primary Years: €29,000-€32,000
- Middle Years: €32,000-€35,000
- Diploma Programme: €35,000-€38,000
Ongoing Years Complete Budget (years 2+):
- Early Years: €17,000-€19,000
- Primary Years: €20,000-€23,000
- Middle Years: €22,000-€25,000
- Diploma Programme: €25,000-€28,000
These realistic budgets include tuition, lunch, transportation, uniforms, materials, and moderate extracurricular participation. Families should add 3-5% annually for fee escalation.
Capital Levy Impact Analysis
The January 2025 capital levy introduction represents a significant policy change affecting family financial planning. For families enrolling multiple children, the cumulative impact becomes substantial.
Single Child Scenario: €5,000-€8,500 one-time increase in total education costs over 15-year K-12 enrollment period.
Two Children Scenario: €10,000-€17,000 total capital levy cost. If enrolling simultaneously, both children pay full capital levy. If enrolling sequentially with first child already enrolled (current family status), second child receives 10% discount: €9,000-€15,300 total.
Three Children Scenario: €15,000-€25,500 total capital levy cost. Current family sibling discount applies to second and third children enrolled after first: €13,500-€22,950 with discounts.
The capital levy significantly impacts family budgeting, particularly for families entering OIS with multiple children requiring simultaneous enrollment.
Geographic Location and Accessibility
OIS's Paço de Arcos location in Oeiras municipality offers several advantages for Lisbon-area families.
Central Positioning: Approximately 15-20 minutes from central Lisbon, 10 minutes from Cascais, and 15 minutes from Sintra. This central location serves families across western Lisbon metropolitan area.
Transportation Infrastructure: Paço de Arcos sits along the Cascais train line, providing excellent public transportation access. The train station lies within 5-10 minutes walking distance from campus. Families can choose between school bus service and public transportation based on residence location and budget considerations.
Neighborhood Considerations: Families often choose housing in Oeiras, Paço de Arcos, Carcavelos, Cascais, or western Lisbon neighborhoods to optimize school proximity. Living within walking or short bus distance eliminates €2,500-€3,000 annual transportation costs.
Curriculum Progression and University Pathways
OIS's IB continuum creates specific advantages for university admission, particularly to international institutions.
IB Diploma Recognition: Portuguese universities recognize the IB Diploma for direct admission without additional national examinations. This unique advantage eliminates the Exames Nacionais requirement affecting students from other curriculum systems. OIS students apply directly to Portuguese universities using IB scores.
International University Access: IB Diploma holders receive preferential consideration at many top universities worldwide. The rigorous DP curriculum, Extended Essay research component, and Theory of Knowledge critical thinking emphasis prepare students exceptionally well for university-level work.
UK University Pathway: British curriculum foundation through IGCSE plus IB Diploma provides strong preparation for UK universities. Many UK institutions offer advanced standing or course credit for high IB scores.
US University Pathway: American universities value IB Diploma highly. Many institutions award college credit for higher-level IB subjects scoring 5 or above. The holistic CAS component aligns well with US admission emphasis on extracurricular engagement.
Admission Process and Timeline
OIS maintains rolling admissions throughout the academic year, though certain grade levels experience higher demand requiring earlier application.
High-Demand Entry Points:
- Early Years and Reception (Ages 3-5): Apply 12-18 months in advance
- Year 7 (Age 11, middle school entry): Apply 12-18 months in advance
- Year 12 (Age 16, IB Diploma entry): Apply 12-18 months in advance
Application Requirements:
- Completed application form and €250 application fee
- Previous school records and report cards (2 years minimum)
- Teacher recommendations
- English language assessment (for non-native speakers)
- Parent and student interview
Assessment Process: Students complete age-appropriate academic assessment in English and mathematics. Younger students participate in play-based assessment activities. Older students complete written assessments and may need to demonstrate English proficiency for academic success.
Acceptance Timeline: Applications typically receive decisions within 4-6 weeks. Families must confirm acceptance within specified timeframe and pay enrollment fee to secure placement.
Financial Aid and Sibling Discounts
OIS offers limited financial aid on a case-by-case basis. Families requiring tuition assistance should inquire directly with the admissions office during the application process.
Sibling Discount Structure: Current families enrolling additional children receive 10% discount on the capital levy for each subsequent sibling. This represents savings of €500-€850 per additional child, meaningful for multi-child households.
Payment Plans: OIS accommodates various payment schedules:
- Annual payment (often includes small discount for early payment)
- Termly payment (three installments)
- Monthly payment (spread across 10-12 months)
Portuguese Tax Deductions: Portuguese tax residents can claim education expense deductions through e-Fatura. Families may deduct 30% of education expenses up to €800 maximum annual benefit per household. This applies to tuition, fees, school meals, and materials purchased from the school.
Comparing OIS to Other Lisbon International Schools
Understanding OIS's positioning relative to other Lisbon-area international schools helps families make informed decisions.
IB Continuum Comparison: St. Julian's School offers PYP, MYP, and DP but with British curriculum primary focus. CAISL offers American curriculum with IB Diploma option. TASIS offers American curriculum with IB programmes. OIS remains unique in providing full British-IB integration across all grade levels.
Cost Comparison: OIS first-year costs (€23,297-€34,463) position in the mid-to-upper range among Lisbon international schools. St. Julian's first-year costs (€21,088-€22,584) run slightly lower. CAISL first-year costs (€20,093-€22,985) also run slightly lower but include annual building fees for first five years.
Curriculum Philosophy: Families committed to IB methodology from early years through diploma find OIS's complete integration compelling. Families preferring pure British curriculum or American curriculum should consider St. Julian's or CAISL respectively.
When OIS Makes Sense for Your Family
OIS represents the optimal choice for specific family profiles and educational priorities.
Ideal Candidates for OIS:
- Families committed to IB educational philosophy from early childhood
- Families planning long-term Portugal residence (10+ years) through university admission
- Families prioritizing curriculum continuity without school transitions
- Families living in or willing to relocate to Oeiras/western Lisbon area
- International families seeking globally-portable IB qualifications
- Families with children already in IB programmes at previous international schools
Consider Alternatives If:
- Budget constraints make first-year capital levy prohibitive
- Family prefers pure British curriculum without IB integration
- Family prioritizes American curriculum and diploma
- Residential location makes daily commute impractical
- Family timeline in Portugal uncertain (shorter than 5 years)
- Children thrive better in smaller, more intimate school environments
Recent Policy Changes and Parent Community Response
The January 2025 capital levy introduction generated significant discussion within the OIS parent community. The mid-cycle implementation affected current families enrolling siblings and new families beginning their OIS journey.
OIS administration communicated that capital levy funds support facility expansion, technology infrastructure improvements, and campus development necessary to maintain competitive positioning and accreditation standards. The 10% sibling discount acknowledged multi-child family concerns.
Prospective families should request current fee schedules directly from OIS admissions to verify all applicable costs. International school fee structures can evolve annually based on institutional needs, enrollment patterns, and market positioning.
Making the Decision
Choosing OIS requires weighing the unique IB continuum advantage against significant first-year financial commitment and location requirements.
Calculate Your Complete Budget: Use the realistic annual budgets provided in this guide. Add 3-5% annual escalation for long-term planning. Factor in capital levy for each child enrolling.
Visit the Campus: Schedule a school tour to evaluate facilities, meet faculty, observe classroom environments, and assess cultural fit. OIS conducts regular open days and welcomes prospective family visits year-round.
Verify Current Policies: Contact OIS admissions directly to confirm all fees, policies, and admission requirements. School policies evolve, and direct verification ensures accurate information for your family's specific circumstances.
Consider Long-Term Value: For families committed to IB education and long-term Portugal residence, OIS's curriculum continuity eliminates multiple school transitions and provides seamless progression to IB Diploma. The capital levy represents one-time cost spread across potentially 15 years of enrollment.
Compare Alternatives: Review other Lisbon international schools to ensure OIS aligns with your family's educational philosophy, financial capacity, and practical logistics. St. Julian's, CAISL, and TASIS each offer distinct advantages for different family profiles.