Frequently Asked Questions

Santo António International School (SAIS) is a British international school in Estoril, Cascais, Portugal, following the Cambridge International curriculum since it opened in 2013. SAIS welcomes students aged 2 to 19, is a Catholic school open to families of all faiths, and is home to a close community of around 280 students from 49 nationalities. SAIS is expanding from one campus to three by September 2026, while keeping the same Cambridge curriculum and community feel that have defined the school since day one.

SAIS is built around three things: personalised learning, where every pupil is known, guided, and supported throughout their journey; a genuine community, a warm family environment of around 280 students from 49 nationalities where no child is anonymous; and a proven academic record, 87% A*-A at IGCSE in 2024/25, against a Cambridge global benchmark of 52%. SAIS graduates have gone on to universities across 11 countries, following the Cambridge pathway from ages 2 to 19.

SAIS has followed the Cambridge International curriculum, under Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE), since opening in 2013, the foundation of everything SAIS teaches. SAIS is also recognised by the Portuguese Ministry of Education (Governo de Portugal), is a member of AEEP, the Portuguese association of private and cooperative schools, and holds recognition from Cascais Municipal Council.

Yes. SAIS is a Catholic international school, rooted in values of respect, compassion, and community. SAIS welcomes families of all faiths and beliefs, and students of any religious background are fully included in school life. Religious education reflects SAIS’s Catholic identity, while respecting the diverse beliefs each family brings to the school.

SAIS is located at Avenida Saboia 662-A, Monte Estoril, 2765-277, Cascais, on Portugal’s Atlantic coast, just 200m from the ocean and a 4-minute drive from the centre of Cascais. The school sits within one of Portugal’s largest international and expat communities, making it a natural choice for relocating families.

SAIS follows the Cambridge International curriculum (CAIE) from Early Years through to A-Level and AICE, for students aged 2 to 19. This includes IGCSE (Years 10–11) and A-Level/AICE (Years 12–13), the same internationally recognised qualifications used by leading schools across the UK and worldwide. Portuguese is also taught as part of the curriculum, helping international students build local language skills alongside their academic programme.

Both A-Level and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma are globally recognised, but they take different approaches. A-Level lets students specialise early, typically studying 3 to 4 subjects in depth over two years, well suited to students who already know their direction (medicine, engineering, law, and similar fields). The IB Diploma requires breadth: 6 subjects across different disciplines, plus an Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and a community service component. Both are accepted by universities worldwide. SAIS follows the Cambridge A-Level and AICE pathway, giving students the depth and focus to build a strong university application in their chosen field.

IGCSE is studied in Years 10–11 (ages 14–16) and covers a broad range of subjects, building foundational knowledge across sciences, humanities, languages, and maths. A-Level is studied in Years 12–13 (ages 16–18) and narrows to 3–4 subjects studied in depth, the qualification universities use for entry. At SAIS, IGCSE results directly inform A-Level subject choices, giving students a clear two-stage pathway to university.

Yes. Cambridge International qualifications, including IGCSE and A-Level, are recognised by universities in over 160 countries, including leading institutions across the UK, the US, and Europe. A Cambridge A-Level lets students apply to university systems worldwide on the same footing as local qualifications, a genuine advantage for international families who may relocate again before their child finishes school.

SAIS students consistently outperform global benchmarks at IGCSE. In 2024/25, 87% of SAIS students achieved A* to A grades at IGCSE, compared with a Cambridge global benchmark of 52%. These results reflect both the rigour of the Cambridge curriculum and the personal attention each student receives in a school where no child is anonymous.

SAIS graduates have been accepted at universities across 11 countries. A selection of destinations:

SAIS accepts students from age 2 through age 19, across four stages: Early Years, Primary (P1–P5), Middle School (A1–A4), and IGCSE/A-Level (A5–A8).

Your child’s age on the school’s cut-off date determines their year group, using the table above. If your child is transferring from a different curriculum or country, the SAIS admissions team will review their educational history during the school visit and confirm the right year group together with you.

1. Register Your Interest: Complete a short online form telling us about your child and your family’s plans. We’ll be in touch within 24 hours to arrange your visit.
2. Interview & Visit Us: Tour the SAIS campus in person, or meet us online. You’ll meet our team and, in most cases, speak directly with our Head of School.
3. Admission Decision: We review every application personally and carefully.
4. Your Offer of a Place: If accepted, you’ll receive a formal offer letter from our Head of School. Secure your child’s place by accepting within the stated deadline.
5. Enrolment: Complete your child’s enrolment documentation, and you’re ready for an exceptional start at SAIS.

Register online and we will contact you within 24 hours. You can visit in person or meet the team online. Most visits include time with the admissions team and, wherever possible, Head of School Mrs Felipa Gomes da Costa.

Annual tuition fees for 2026–2027, payable across three terms:

 In addition to tuition, all students pay a Yearly Admission Fee of €1,700 (charged annually) and School Insurance of €250 per year. New families pay a one-time, non-refundable School Deposit of €1,250 upon acceptance and a Reservation Fee of €1,350 to secure their child’s place.

Tuition fees cover the full Cambridge academic programme, teaching staff, and core school facilities. Charged separately: the Yearly Admission Fee (€1,700) and School Insurance (€250), both annual, plus CAIE examination fees at cost. Optional extras include school lunches (from €18/day or €250/month for a full meal pack), field trips, homework club, after-school activities, and summer school. Families can reduce costs through a 7% discount for full-year payment upfront, 5% for termly payment, or a 5% sibling discount for the youngest child when two or more siblings attend SAIS simultaneously. Discounts are not cumulative.

SAIS accepts applications throughout the year with no fixed deadline. However, popular year groups can fill before the academic year begins, so families are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Because admissions run year-round, students can also join mid-year when a place is available in their year group, making SAIS an ideal choice for families relocating to Portugal outside the usual September start.

SAIS is open from 07:45 to 18:00 each school day. This covers before-school care, the full academic day, and an after-school programme of clubs and activities, giving working parents genuine flexibility around drop-off and collection.

No. SAIS is a day school. All students return home at the end of the school day or after their chosen after-school activities.

SAIS is expanding from one campus to three by September 2026: dedicated Primary, Middle School, and Upper School campuses across Estoril, Cascais. Having already invested in teaching quality, academic standards and student outcomes, SAIS is now investing in purpose-designed learning environments to match, supporting growth toward 600 to 800 students while preserving the same Cambridge curriculum and close community feel.

SAIS offers a wide range of extracurricular activities designed to support each child’s interests and personal development. These include sports such as football, volleyball, basketball, badminton and swimming, as well as arts, music, drama and academic clubs. After-school activities run until 18:00, with further details available from the admissions team.

Yes. SAIS organises field trips and educational visits throughout the academic year, both locally in Portugal and internationally, giving students learning experiences beyond the classroom.

Yes. SAIS offers three meal options to suit different family needs:

1. Monthly Meal Pack: €250 per month, including a morning snack, hot lunch and afternoon snack.
2. Monthly Packed Lunch: €50 per month, allowing students to bring their own lunch and use the dining facilities.
3. Hot Lunch: €18 per day, available as a daily option.

Additional services such as Homework Club, After School Activities and Summer School are available at an additional cost.

No. SAIS does not currently operate its own school bus service. However, the Admissions Team can recommend trusted external transport providers used by many SAIS families.

Yes. With students from 49 nationalities, SAIS is built around international families, many of whom relocate to Portugal mid-career or mid-school-year. The Cambridge curriculum is taught in English, so students transferring from other English-medium or international schools can integrate quickly. SAIS’s rolling admissions process means your child does not need to wait for a new academic year to start.

Yes. SAIS regularly welcomes students transferring from other national and international curricula, including German, French, IB, American, and Portuguese national system schools. During the admissions visit, the team reviews your child’s academic history and recommends the right year group, with support available to help your child settle into the Cambridge curriculum.

Three things stand out. First, academic results: 87% of SAIS students achieved A*–A at IGCSE, against a global benchmark of 52%. Second, community: around 280 students from 49 nationalities in a school small enough that every child is known by name. Third, value: SAIS delivers these outcomes at fees that are meaningfully lower than comparable British international schools in the Lisbon and Cascais region. Graduates have gone on to universities across 11 countries, from the University of Exeter and Lancaster in the UK to Bocconi School of Economics in Italy and IE Madrid in Spain.

Yes. SAIS’s 2026–2027 annual tuition fees range from €10,950 (Early Years) to €14,700 (A-Level/AICE). With 87% of students achieving A*–A at IGCSE against a 52% global average, SAIS delivers Cambridge-standard outcomes at a meaningfully lower cost than comparable British international schools in the region. Based on its combination of academic performance, personalised education and tuition fees, SAIS offers one of the strongest quality-to-price propositions among British international schools in the Lisbon and Cascais area.

SAIS is particularly well suited to internationally mobile families, professionals relocating to Portugal, and parents seeking a British Cambridge education in a caring, community-oriented environment with high academic expectations. Families who value strong teacher-student relationships, personalised attention and outstanding academic outcomes consistently find SAIS to be an excellent fit. With 49 nationalities represented in a school of 280 students, no child arrives as an outsider.

Yes. SAIS is an excellent choice for students with strong academic ambitions. 87% of students achieved A*–A at IGCSE, against a global average of 52%. The Cambridge A-Level and AICE pathway prepares students for leading universities worldwide, and SAIS graduates have been accepted at institutions across 11 countries, including the University of Exeter and Lancaster University in the UK, Bocconi School of Economics in Italy, Universidade de Lisboa and Instituto Superior Técnico de Lisboa in Portugal, and IE Madrid in Spain.

The expansion reflects growing demand from families seeking the SAIS educational approach. Having invested first in teaching quality, academic standards and student outcomes, SAIS is now investing in purpose-designed learning environments: three dedicated campuses for Primary School, Middle School and Upper School, opening September 2026. The expansion supports growth toward a community of 600 to 800 students while preserving the close-knit character and personalised education that have defined SAIS since 2013.

This statement reflects the philosophy that defines SAIS. Being a smaller school means every child is known personally by teachers and school leaders, allowing individual strengths, interests and ambitions to be recognised and developed. At the same time, SAIS offers the rigour of the Cambridge International curriculum, outstanding examination results, and clear pathways to universities in 11 countries. The combination of genuine personal attention and serious academic outcomes is what this phrase represents.

Both are globally recognised university pathways, but they suit different students and learning styles.

The Cambridge pathway allows students to specialise earlier, typically studying three or four subjects in depth through A-Level. This makes it an excellent choice for students who have identified their strengths or future career interests in areas such as science, engineering, business, humanities or the arts.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma takes a broader approach, requiring students to study six subjects alongside core components such as Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS).

At SAIS, students follow the Cambridge pathway from Early Years through to A-Level and AICE, benefiting from personalised teaching, small class environments and outstanding academic outcomes. In 2024/25, 87% of SAIS students achieved A to A grades at IGCSE*, compared with the Cambridge global benchmark of 52%. SAIS graduates have progressed to universities across 11 countries, including the United Kingdom, Portugal, Italy, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United States, South Africa, the Czech Republic and Georgia.

Families who value subject specialisation, personalised education and a clear pathway to leading universities around the world often find the Cambridge approach at SAIS to be an excellent fit.