Selecting a school in Portugal may seem like the most stressful part of moving with children. Websites seldom describe daily life accurately, and every family has its own priorities. This guide centers on practical questions and a straightforward decision framework — particularly for families planning a move to Lisbon.
First: Define What “Good” Means for Your Family
Before evaluating schools, establish your non-negotiables. Most choosing mistakes occur when families compare everything at once without a clear set of priorities.
- Commute: how long you drive each day matters more than you realize.
- Curriculum: British / American / IB / local options.
- Language environment: what your child is exposed to throughout the day.
- Support: learning assistance, ESL support, pastoral care.
- Culture fit: the level of structure, discipline, and how communication happens.
How to Decide Without Feeling Overwhelmed
A practical 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 struggle.
- 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 one-page checklist and rate each school after visiting. It helps avoid the “everything feels the same” issue.
Questions Worth Asking Schools
These questions tend to uncover more than generic “tell us about your program” discussions:
- What is the typical class size for this age?
- 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 and 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 handle heat/indoor/outdoor time in hotter months?
Costs & Logistics (The Part Nobody Loves)
School decisions go beyond tuition alone. Include the full routine costs:
Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
- Picking by reputation alone: the everyday routine matters more.
- Overlooking commute time: it impacts sleep, mood, and family life.
- Assuming “international” means the same everywhere: it does not.
- Not asking about support: transitions can be real for kids.
- Delaying too long: admission timelines can be tighter than anticipated.
The Bottom Line
The right school is typically the one that matches your family’s actual routine: its location, the support it offers, and the everyday comfort for your child — not the one with the loudest marketing.
If you’d like help thinking through priorities for Lisbon (commute, routines, what to ask), get in touch — or call +351 21 234 5678.