Choosing a school in Portugal can feel like the most stressful part of moving with kids. Websites rarely show you what daily life is really like, and each family has different priorities. This guide focuses on practical questions and a straightforward decision process — especially for families moving to Lisbon.
First: Define What “Good” Means for Your Family
Before comparing schools, identify your non-negotiables. Most decision mistakes happen when families compare everything at once without a clear priority list.
- Commute: daily drive time matters more than you might expect.
- Curriculum: British / American / IB / local options.
- Language environment: what your child is exposed to throughout the day.
- Support: learning assistance, ESL support, pastoral care.
- Culture fit: structure, discipline, and the way the school communicates.
Choosing Wisely Without Getting Overwhelmed
A practical method that suits expat families well:
A simple process
- Shortlist by location first. In Lisbon, traffic can transform a decent school into a daily grind.
- Confirm availability and admissions timeline. Waiting lists are common.
- Ask about the classroom reality. Class sizes, teacher turnover, communication style.
- Ask about support. ESL / learning support / transition support for new students.
- Do one visit (or virtual tour) per finalist. Visit each finalist once and trust your observations more than glossy brochures.
Pro tip: Create a one-page checklist and rate each school after a visit. It helps avoid the “everything feels the same” problem.
Questions Worth Asking Schools
These questions tend to uncover more than generic “tell us about your program” discussions:
- What is the usual class size for this age group?
- How do you handle new students mid-year?
- How do teachers keep in touch with parents (weekly updates, apps, email)?
- What does a typical day look like (start/end times, breaks, homework expectations)?
- How do you support kids who are anxious or adjusting to a new country?
- What is the policy for language support (ESL) if needed?
- How do you manage heat and indoor/outdoor time during hotter months?
Costs & Logistics (The Part No One Enjoys)
Choosing a school involves more than tuition alone. Consider the total ongoing expenses of daily life:
Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
- Deciding based on reputation alone: the everyday schedule matters more.
- Overlooking commute time: it impacts sleep, mood, and family routines.
- Assuming “international” is uniform across places: that isn't the case.
- Failing to inquire about support: transitions are real for children.
- Delaying too long: admission timelines can be stricter than you anticipate.
The Takeaway
The ideal school typically aligns with your family’s actual routine—location, support, and everyday ease for your child—not the school with the brightest advertising.
If you'd like assistance weighing priorities for Lisbon (commute, daily patterns, what to inquire), get in touch — or call +351 21 234 5678.