Oeiras International School

"Oeiras International School (OIS) is a private IB World School situated in Oeiras, a vibrant suburb on the western edge of Lisbon, Portugal."

Serving an internationally minded community of families, OIS offers a rigorous and globally recognized educational experience for students from the early years through to university preparation. For expat families and relocating professionals arriving in the greater Lisbon area, the school represents a welcoming and academically ambitious environment where children can thrive during what can often be a significant period of transition. Founded in 2010, OIS has grown steadily into a respected institution within the Portuguese capital's international education landscape. Its relatively recent establishment means the school has been built from the ground up with a coherent educational philosophy at its core, rather than adapting older traditions to a changing world. That philosophy is rooted in the framework of the International Baccalaureate, an approach to learning that is widely trusted by international families precisely because its credentials are recognized by universities and schools around the globe. The school delivers all three foundational IB programmes in sequence, providing genuine continuity of education from childhood through to young adulthood. Younger students follow the Primary Years Programme, which nurtures curiosity, creativity, and a sense of international-mindedness through an inquiry-based approach to learning. As students move into the middle school years, they transition into the Middle Years Programme, which builds greater academic rigour alongside the development of critical thinking and intercultural awareness. The school's oldest students undertake the Diploma Programme, the IB's prestigious pre-university qualification that is widely respected by higher education institutions across the world and opens doors to universities in Portugal, Europe, North America, and beyond. All instruction at OIS is delivered in English, making it a natural fit for English-speaking families relocating to Portugal, as well as for international families who prioritize an English-medium education. This linguistic consistency across all year groups ensures that students can integrate quickly and continue progressing academically without interruption, regardless of when they join the school community. The school's location in Oeiras is a genuine asset for families settling in the Lisbon region. Oeiras sits along the scenic Estoril Coast, offering a high quality of life with easy access to Lisbon's city centre, excellent transport connections, and a strong tradition of welcoming international residents. The area has long attracted multinational companies and diplomatic communities, meaning OIS draws its student body from a genuinely diverse range of nationalities and backgrounds. This international mix enriches daily school life and helps students develop the cross-cultural empathy and communication skills that the IB framework places at the heart of a modern education. What ultimately distinguishes Oeiras International School is the coherence of its offering: a single, internationally respected curriculum delivered consistently in English, within a community of globally mobile families, in one of Europe's most liveable and culturally rich cities. For families making the move to Lisbon, OIS provides not just academic continuity, but a genuine sense of belonging in a new country.