When relocating with children, especially school aged children, one of the essential steps of creating a soft landing is finding the right school for your offspring.
There are two basic options in Tavira and surroundings: Portuguese public schools or international private ones (there are a few private Portuguese crèches/pre-schools).
The international schools in general do not adhere to the Portuguese curriculum. They may teach a curriculum that follows the curriculum of another country, or a more general curriculum that is widely accepted. Many of the international schools have an emphasis on global citizenship and international education.
An international school may focus on one specific language that is not that of the host country, or they may teach and welcome multiple languages within their school. Some will mainly teach in one specific language, mostly English, but also provide classes in other languages, often Portuguese, French or Spanish.
The Portuguese School System
The three tiers of the school system:
Educação Pré-Escolar (Pre-school): Ages 3–5 (optional but popular)
Ensino Básico (Basic education): Ages 6–15, split into three cycles:
1st Cycle (1º Ciclo): Grades 1–4
2nd Cycle (2º Ciclo): Grades 5–6
3rd Cycle (3º Ciclo): Grades 7–9
Ensino Secundário (Secondary education): Ages 15–18 (Grades 10–12), with options for general, technological, or vocational tracks
Education is obligated from age 6 to 18, and public schools are free.
Most international schools focus on education for elementary through secondary aged children. There are a few exceptions like Eden Montessori International School with a focus on pre and primary education, and Brave Generation Academy with a focus on older children age 12 and up.
International Schools normally operate their grades system based on that of the primarily instructed language (British schools operate a British grade system, etc.).
School term times are similar to that of the Portuguese national schools.
Tuition Fees
Fees vary from school-to-school and depending on what grade level your child attends.
Fees at Algarve International Schools vary from around €5,000 to €16,000 depending on which school and grade. The fees for lower years are usually less.
Operations
International Schools operate in a similar manner to those in the UK as many follow the British Curriculum
Similar extracurricular activities offered include sports, drama, music, arts, and crafts.
Many international schools in the Algarve have very good sports facilities including indoor sports halls and outdoor pitches/courts.
The difference between international schools and Portuguese schools is that they tend to focus more on global citizenship and global politics/history rather than that of one’s native country.
Subjects are largely the same as they follow the curriculum of the native country.
External examinations are also the same as the primarily instructed language curriculum (IGCSEs and A-Levels for English speakers).
However, international primary schools tend to stick to in-house assessments .
Class sizes are usually smaller, around 10-20 students on average per class.
Almost all international schools in the Algarve accommodate other languages, and offer classes taught in different languages.
Public schools:
Creche/Pre-school
Associação Jardim Escola Infantário O Pimpão
Ages: 3 months – 6 years
Location: Porta Nova, Tavira (Rua do Óculo 18)
Tavira Childhood JI – O Eco
Location: Historic center (Rua da Comunidade Lusíada 17)
Phone: 281 105807
Agrupamento de escolas D. Manuel I
JI de Infancia de Tavira – O Eco
Primary
EB Escola No.1 de Tavira (Escola da Estação)
Kindergarten – 4th grade/year 4
Traditional Portuguese curriculum
Location: historic center of Tavira (Av. Dr. Mateus Teixeira de Azevedo)
EB Escola Horta do Carmo
Kindergarten – 4th grade/year 4
Traditional Portuguese curriculum
Location: Porta Nova, Tavira (Rua Jorge Corvo n.º 2)
https://cm-tavira.pt/site/educacao/parque-escolar
Escola EB 2/3 D. Manuel I
5th – 9th grade/years 5-9
Traditional Portuguese curriculum
Location: historic center Tavira (Rua Dr Fausto Cansada)
https://www.aejactavira.pt/contactos
Escola EB 2/3 D. Paio Peres Correia
5th – 9th grade/years 5-9
Traditional Portuguese curriculum
Location: Porta Nova, Tavira (near municipal sports pavilion and pool)
Secondary
https://www.aejactavira.pt/contactos
Escola Dr. Jorge Augusto Correia
10th – 12th grade/years 10-12
Traditional Portuguese curriculum
Location: Historic center
PRIVATE SCHOOLS:
Creche/Pre-school
Pinoquio Kindergarten
Ages: 3 months – 6 years
Capacity: 75
Location: Historic center near Lidl
https://www.facebook.com/p/Centro-Infantil-O-Pinóquio-100063538184646
Jardim Escola João de Deus
Kindergarten and 1st cycle
Location: Mato Santo Espírito (off N125)
Phone: +351 281 325 121, email: tavira@escolasjoadeus.pt
In addition, there are some day cares and pre-schools in Tavira that are associated with local churches.
Primary and Secondary
Colégio Santiago Internacional Algarve (CSI)
Ages: 5-18, primary through secondary
Global citizenship focus with National Curriculum of England
Language: English with additional languages
Max. class size: 18 students
Traditional learning
Offers tennis club, ballet, arts and crafts, Egyptian Arabic, homework club
Summer camps offered
140 students
Yearly fees: €5,000 – €8,000
Location: Historic center (Praça Zacarias Guerreiro 29)
https://www.ischooladvisor.com/view/colegio-santiago-internacional-algarve
Nobel Algarve British International School
Ages 3 – 13
Curriculum: English National Curriculum
Language of teaching: English
Extra-Curricular Activities: Sports; Music & Drama; Mindfulness and Adventure
Maximum class size: 20
Yearly fees: Approx. €6,600 – €12,000 per year
Location: Almancil/Loulé (45km, 34 min)
Eden Montessori International School
Curriculum: Montessori and IB (International Baccalaureate) with a Christian approach
Languages: English and Portuguese
Accommodated Languages: English, Portuguese and French
Ages: 3 to 12
Extra-Curricular Activities: Yoga, Dance, Horseback Riding and Piano
Maximum class size: 21 (18 average)
Yearly fees: €6,340 – €9,090
Location: Albufeira (57km, 45 min)
Colégio Internacional De Vilamoura
Curriculum: Global citizenship with the British National and Portuguese National and Cambridge National curriculum
Language: English, Portuguese with French and Russian accommodated
Ages: 3 to 18, Kindergarten – 12th grade/year 12
Extra-Curricular Activities: Art, sports, dance, music, drama
Maximum class size: 26
Number of pupils: 650
Yearly fees: From €6,000 – €10,000
Location: Loulé (55km, 45 min)
Bright International School
Curriculum: British Cambridge with a holistic approach
Language of teaching: English (main), Portuguese, French and Spanish
Accommodated Languages: Fully integrated program for new language learners
Ages: Kindergarten – 10th grade/year 10
Number of pupils: over 150
Yearly fees: From €2,600 to €16,000
Location: Loulé (44km, 33 min)
Brave Generation Academy (BGA)
Curriculum: British National, American and Portuguese curriculum
Language: English, Portuguese
Learning hubs with Learning Coaches (LC) and Course Managers (CM, remote), self-motivated, online
Ages: 13-18 years
External exams: IGCSE, A Levels, Pre IGCSEs
Recognized by top international institutions such as Harvard, MiT, Oxford, Imperial College London and more
Year round calendar with breaks over Christmas and easter holidays plus chosen flexible holiday time
Hubs operate with a min. of 6 Learners to a max. of 30 Learners
Yearly: €7,000
Locations: Tavira, Loulé, Vilamoura, Lagoa, Lagos (2 locations), and numerous other locations in Portugal and around the world
https://bravegenerationacademy.com
Aspire International School
Curriculum: IGCSE
Ages: 3 -19 years
Mx. class size: 12 students
Yearly fees: €6,600 – €14,000
Location: Almancil (49km, 36 min)
https://www.aspireinternational.school
Colégio Bernadette Romeira
Curriculum: Cambridge education
Languages: English and Portuguese in primary, 6th -9th grade Portuguese instructions with choice of a 3rd language (Spanish, French, German)
World citizenship outlook, well rounded with physical and artistic education approach
Ages: 6 months – 9th grade/year 9, Kindergarten – 3rd cycle
School bus offered for an extra fee
Yearly fees: Approx. €6,000 – €8,000
Location: Olhão (28km, 28 min)
https://colegiobernardetteromeira.pt
It’s always advised to visit the schools that speak to you, as well as to your children’s learning style. Speaking to current parents and students and trusting your instincts is also helpful. Local expat groups on Facebook can be of great help or connecting with relocation consultants who specialize in helping families settle in Portugal.
At Lemon Tree Homes, we have experience with the local public school system and the varied international schools and are here for you to find the perfect home within proximity to the school of your choice.
After all, the happiness of your children in their new country aides to a softer landing for both parents and children in your new home in Tavira.
If you’re thinking about a move to Tavira or the Algarve and have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out at hello@lemontreehomes.pt. We’d also love to know what topics would be most useful for you, so we can shape future content around your needs.
The Lemon Tree Homes Team, written by Alexandra Hischen
