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✓ What we like
The only school in Portugal offering the American High School Diploma — essential for families planning US university
Non-profit school — all tuition is reinvested into education, not profit
Founded in 1956 — one of the oldest international schools in Portugal, with nearly 70 years of track record
Publishes full exam results: IB, SAT and MAP scores are publicly available and consistently strong
Exceptional variety of after-school activities across sports, arts, music and digital
Strong sports focus — athletics embedded in the curriculum, not just optional
Outstanding facilities: library with 40,000 books, 450-seat theatre, large sports fields
◎ Worth noting
Located in Sintra — further from central Lisbon than most schools, though the school runs buses across the Lisbon area
School is very popular and has a waiting list — apply early
Carlucci American International School — known as CAISL — is the only US State Department-sponsored school in Portugal, and the only international school in the country offering the American High School Diploma. For families with children planning to study at US universities, this is a significant differentiator.
The campus in Linhó, Sintra is one of the largest and best-equipped of any international school in the Lisbon area — a library with 40,000 books, a 450-seat theatre, large sports fields, and dedicated arts and music facilities. The school is non-profit: all tuition fees are reinvested directly into education.
One of CAISL's strongest points is how much is included in the tuition. Sport — basketball, soccer, swimming, volleyball, cross country, track and field, softball — is part of the curriculum, not offered as paid extras. The after-school activity offering on top of that is equally broad, covering music, arts, coding, and more.
School profile
Founded
1956
Ages
3–18 years
Students
~755
Average class size
Up to 20 students
School hours
8:20 – 15:45
School bus
✓ Yes (own network)
Boarding
No
IB avg score
34.3 / 45 (global avg 30.2)
Curriculum
American curriculum (EC–Grade 12) · US High School Diploma · IB Diploma Programme
Programme authorisations
✓ IB World School — Diploma Programme (since 2000)
Institutional accreditations
✓ MSA Accredited (Middle States Association, until 2029)
✓ US State Department Sponsored School
Portuguese education licence
✓ Permanently licensed by Ministério da Educação (since 2003)
Owner / type
Non-profit · Fundação Escola Americana de Lisboa
Academics
Programme
American / IB Diploma
Teaching language
English
Extra languages
Portuguese
IB results 2025
Average 34.3 / 45 · Pass rate 98% (world avg 30.58 / pass rate 81%)
SAT results 2025
Reading & Writing 640 · Math 627 · Composite 1267 (US avg 1029)
Sport & activities within curriculum
Sport
Basketball, Soccer, Cross country, Volleyball, Swimming, Track and field, Softball
Fine Arts
Rich fine arts curriculum from Early Childhood through Grade 12 — Visual Arts, Music, and Drama with a focus on exploration, technique, and positive self-expression. Secondary students choose from Choir, Orchestra, Musical Theater, Drama, and Film. Two major school-wide performances per year; Grade 12 Art Exhibition; advanced students participate in international programmes including AMIS Honor Choirs and ISTA.
Extra language
Portuguese
After school activities
Sports
Ballet, Gymnastics, Hip-hop, Yoga
Music
DJing, Drums, Choir, Guitar, Piano, Voice
Languages
Chinese, Portuguese
Digital / coding
Digital design & programming, Robotics
Other activities
Ceramics, Arts, Chess, Cooking, Film makers club, Eco club, Fashion design
Fees · 2026/27
✓ Data current May 2026
Kindergarten
€12,128
Grade 1
€14,060
Grade 2
€14,060
Grade 3
€15,632
Grade 4
€15,632
Grade 5
€15,632
Grade 6
€17,756
Grade 7
€17,756
Grade 8
€17,756
Grade 9
€23,532
Grade 10
€23,532
Grade 11
€23,532
Grade 12
€23,532
* Always verify fees directly with the school — they change annually.
Frequently asked questions
Is CAISL the only American school in Portugal?
Yes — CAISL is the only US State Department-sponsored school in Portugal and the only school offering the American High School Diploma. It is the natural choice for families planning a return to the US or targeting American universities.
What is included in the CAISL tuition?
Sport is embedded in the curriculum — basketball, soccer, swimming, volleyball, cross country, track and field, and softball are all part of the programme, not paid extras. This is relatively unusual among international schools in Portugal. Lunch is not included and costs approximately €1,212/yr optionally.
How much does CAISL cost per year?
Annual tuition ranges from €12,128 (Kindergarten) to €23,532 (Grades 9–12). There is a one-time enrollment fee of €600 and an annual re-enrollment fee of €1,935 for Grades 1–5. Always verify current fees directly with the school.
Where exactly is CAISL located?
CAISL is in Linhó, in the municipality of Sintra — approximately 30 minutes from central Lisbon by car. The school runs its own bus network covering the main residential areas of the Lisbon metro area, including Cascais, Oeiras, and Lisbon itself.
Does CAISL offer the IB Diploma?
Yes — in addition to the American High School Diploma, CAISL offers the IB Diploma at the senior level. The school's IB average is 34.3 out of 45, above the global average of 30.2.