Picking a school for children in Portugal can feel like the most stressful part of moving. Websites seldom portray everyday life, and every family has different priorities. This guide centers on practical questions and a straightforward decision framework — especially for families planning a move to Lisbon.
First: Decide what “Good” means for your family
Before evaluating schools, identify your nonnegotiables. Most missteps come from comparing everything at once without a clear priority list.
- Commute: daily drive time matters more than you might assume.
- Curriculum: British / American / IB / local options.
- Language environment: what your child is exposed to all day.
- Support: learning support, ESL support, pastoral care.
- Culture fit: how the structure, discipline, and communication align with your family.
How to Decide Without Feeling Overwhelmed
A pragmatic approach that works well for expat families:
A straightforward process
- Shortlist by location first. In Lisbon, traffic can turn a “good” 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. Trust your observations more than glossy brochures.
Pro tip: Create a concise one-page checklist and rate each school after visiting. It helps prevent the “everything feels the same” problem.
Questions Worth Asking Schools
These questions typically uncover more than generic “tell us about your program” discussions:
- What is the usual class size for this age group?
- How do you accommodate new students mid-year?
- In what ways 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 children who are anxious or adjusting to a new country?
- What is the ESL support policy if needed?
- How is heat managed—indoors vs outdoors—in hotter months?
Costs & Logistics (The Part That Nobody Enjoys)
Choosing a school isn’t only about tuition. Consider the complete daily 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 usually the one that suits your family’s actual routine: location, support, and day-to-day comfort for your child — not the one with the flashiest marketing.
If you'd like help weighing priorities for Lisbon (commute, routines, what to ask), get in touch — or call +351 21 012 3456.