Saint Dominic's International School

"Saint Dominic's International School, located in São Domingos de Rana in the scenic Cascais municipality of Portugal, has been a cornerstone of international education in the greater Lisbon area for more than half a century."

Founded in 1954, the school has spent decades welcoming families from around the world, building a reputation as one of Portugal's most respected English-language institutions. Its mission centers on providing a holistic, internationally minded education that prepares young people not simply for academic success, but for meaningful participation in an interconnected world. At the heart of Saint Dominic's academic identity is its status as one of the very few schools in Portugal authorized to offer the full International Baccalaureate continuum. From the earliest years through to university preparation, students follow a seamless IB pathway that encompasses the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme, and the IB Diploma Programme. This unbroken continuum means that a child can enter Saint Dominic's as young as three years old and progress all the way through to age nineteen within a consistent, coherent educational philosophy — one that values inquiry, critical thinking, international-mindedness, and the development of the whole person. For families relocating to Portugal, this continuity offers considerable reassurance, eliminating the disruption that can come from transitioning between different curricular frameworks as children grow. Instruction at Saint Dominic's is delivered in English, making it a natural choice for expatriate families and internationally mobile professionals whose children are educated in English or who are seeking an English-medium environment. At the same time, the school's diverse community ensures that multilingualism and cultural exchange are woven into everyday school life. With students representing more than fifty nationalities, the campus is genuinely global in character, reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of the Lisbon and Cascais region, which has become an increasingly popular destination for international professionals and their families in recent years. The school's setting in São Domingos de Rana places it in one of the most attractive parts of greater Lisbon, within easy reach of the Atlantic coastline and the historic town of Cascais, while remaining well connected to the Portuguese capital. This location combines the appeal of coastal living with practical accessibility, a combination that resonates strongly with the international community the school serves. What ultimately distinguishes Saint Dominic's is the combination of its long institutional history and its forward-looking educational approach. Decades of experience serving internationally mobile families have given the school a deep understanding of the particular needs and challenges that accompany relocation — the importance of a warm, inclusive environment, the value of structured yet flexible programming, and the need for a community where children from diverse backgrounds feel genuinely at home. Families considering a move to the Lisbon area will find in Saint Dominic's International School not only a rigorous academic institution with a globally recognized curriculum, but also a close-knit community that has been quietly nurturing confident, thoughtful global citizens since 1954.