Selecting a school in Portugal may feel like the most challenging part of moving with children. Websites rarely show what daily life is truly like, and every family has different priorities. This guide focuses on practical questions and a straightforward decision framework — especially for families planning a relocation to Lisbon.
First: Clarify What “Good” Means for Your Family
Before evaluating schools, establish your non-negotiables. Most decision mistakes happen when families weigh everything at once without a clear priority list.
- Commute: the daily driving time matters more than you realize.
- Curriculum: British / American / IB / local options.
- Language environment: the language your child is exposed to all day.
- Support: learning support, ESL assistance, pastoral care.
- Culture fit: structure, discipline, and communication style.
How to Pick Options Without Feeling Overwhelmed
A practical approach that suits expat families well:
A straightforward process
- Start with proximity First narrow by location. In Lisbon, traffic can turn a decent school into a daily headache.
- Confirm availability and the admissions timeline. Waiting lists are common.
- Ask about classroom realities. Class sizes, teacher turnover, communication style.
- Ask about support services. ESL / learning support / transition support for new students.
- Schedule a single visit (or virtual tour) for each finalist. Trust your own observations over glossy brochures.
Pro tip: Create a one-page checklist and grade each school after visiting. It helps avoid the sense that “everything feels the same.”
Questions to Ask Schools
These questions tend to reveal more than generic “tell us about your program” discussions:
- What is the typical class size for this age group?
- How do you handle new students mid-year?
- How do teachers communicate 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, indoor vs outdoor time in hotter months?
Costs & Logistics (The Part Nobody Loves)
School decisions are never just tuition. Factor in the full routine cost:
Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
- Choosing by reputation alone: the daily routine matters more.
- Ignoring commute time: it affects sleep, mood, and family life.
- Assuming “international” means the same everywhere: it doesn’t.
- Not asking about support: transitions are real for kids.
- Waiting too long: admissions timelines can be tighter than expected.
The Bottom Line
The ideal school is typically the one that aligns with your family’s real rhythm: where you are located, the support available, and everyday comfort for your child — not the one flaunting the slickest ads.
If you’d like help sorting priorities for Lisbon (commute, routines, what to ask), get in touch — or call +351 211 234 567.