CIS, NEASC, COBIS, IB, Cambridge, DGE — every abbreviation explained in plain language, what each one actually checks, and which schools in Portugal hold them.
In short: an accreditation is independent confirmation that a school has either been recognised by a professional organisation as a quality institution, or holds official authorisation to teach a specific curriculum. It is not marketing — behind every accreditation is an external organisation that carried out a review and made a judgement.
Accreditations matter because they reduce risk, affect how your child's qualifications are recognised worldwide, and say something about a school's stability and transparency. But accreditation doesn't guarantee your child will be happy there — that is always a question of fit, atmosphere, and the specific people.
Accreditations fall into two fundamentally different categories — answering very different questions.
Programmatic accreditations (such as IB or Cambridge) primarily evaluate the delivery and quality assurance of a specific curriculum framework. They say nothing about how the school is run as an organisation.
Institutional accreditations (such as CIS, NEASC, or COBIS) evaluate the overall quality, governance, safeguarding, and operational standards of the school as an organisation. They say nothing about which specific curriculum is used.
The strongest schools hold both: a programmatic accreditation confirming the quality of their curriculum, and an institutional accreditation confirming the quality of the organisation. A school with only an IB authorisation is certified to teach IB — but has not undergone independent scrutiny of how it is run.
Authorisations to teach a specific curriculum, granted by the curriculum body itself. They confirm the programme is genuine and taught to the required standard — but do not evaluate the school as an organisation.
An IB World School authorisation means the school has been evaluated by the IBO and found qualified to deliver one or more IB programmes. Each programme (PYP, MYP, DP, CP) is a separate authorisation. The IBO re-evaluates schools every 5 years.
Note: the IBO uses the word "authorised" deliberately — to make clear this is a curriculum authorisation, not an institutional quality review. It tells you the programme is genuine IB. It does not tell you the school is well-managed, financially stable, or safe.
The IB is not a single programme — it is a family of four programmes for different age groups, each with its own separate authorisation. A school can hold one, two, three or all four.
DP vs CP: Both are for ages 16–19 and both are recognised by universities. The DP is broader and more demanding — six subjects across different fields. The CP is more focused — fewer IB subjects combined with a career-related qualification. Most students aiming for competitive universities choose DP.
Authorised by Cambridge Assessment International Education (part of the University of Cambridge) to deliver Cambridge programmes. The school must maintain a registered examination centre, use Cambridge-trained teachers, and submit to periodic review.
Being "a Cambridge school" does not mean the school offers the full pathway. A school may be authorised for Cambridge Primary only, or for IGCSE only, or for the full pathway through A Levels. Always ask which specific programmes the school holds.
Cambridge is an organisation — Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE), part of the University of Cambridge. When a school says "we are a Cambridge school", it means they are authorised to teach one or more Cambridge programmes. This could mean only primary school, only IGCSE, or the full pathway to A Levels.
IGCSE is one specific programme within Cambridge — the exams taken at around age 14–16. Most parents who have heard of "Cambridge" are actually thinking of IGCSE specifically.
Key point for parents: A school that only goes up to age 11 might be authorised for Cambridge Primary only — with no IGCSE or A Levels. Always ask which specific Cambridge programmes the school offers, not just whether they are "a Cambridge school".
Awarded to schools that implement the Core Knowledge curriculum with exceptional fidelity. Core Knowledge defines a specific, sequenced body of knowledge for each grade level — covering history, geography, science, literature, music and the arts. Extremely rare internationally. TASIS Portugal is one of very few schools outside the US to hold it.
These organisations evaluate the school as a whole. They send independent teams who spend days on campus reviewing documentation, observing lessons, interviewing staff and students, and assessing everything from safeguarding to financial sustainability.
CIS is widely considered the gold standard for international school accreditation globally — specifically created for internationally-minded schools. It evaluates the school's mission and values, curriculum and learning outcomes, teaching quality, leadership and governance, student wellbeing and safeguarding, community engagement, and long-term strategic planning.
Schools go through a multi-year self-study before an independent international team visits campus. Accreditation is awarded for a 5-year cycle with continuous improvement required. CIS is recognised by universities worldwide and by other bodies including COBIS.
One of the oldest accreditation bodies in the world — founded in 1885 for New England schools, now accrediting internationally. Requires a comprehensive self-study followed by an independent team visit evaluating teaching, curriculum, governance, safeguarding, student outcomes and financial health. Cycle is 10 years with interim reviews.
NEASC is particularly valued for families whose children may apply to US universities — American admissions offices know NEASC well. CIS and NEASC frequently conduct joint visits, so many schools hold both simultaneously.
The primary quality assurance body for British international schools outside the UK. The highest tier — Accredited Member (BSO) — requires a full British Schools Overseas inspection by a UK government-approved inspectorate. This is the only international school inspection officially recognised by the UK government.
Lower membership tiers exist (Associate, Patron Member) which do not require a full inspection. For families from the British system, full COBIS accreditation provides strong assurance of familiar standards.
DGE is the Directorate-General of Education within Portugal's Ministry of Education. Schools authorised by DGE have their programmes officially recognised by the Portuguese state — meaning a child's qualifications are valid for Portuguese university applications and transfers to Portuguese schools are straightforward, with official grade equivalencies.
Confirmed DGE authorised schools in Portugal: St Julian's, CAISL, TASIS Portugal, St Peter's International School, Prime School, British School of Lisbon (IGeFE).
Some schools list these alongside accreditations. They cover narrower aspects and are not equivalent to CIS, NEASC or IB.
A general international standard for quality management systems — not education-specific. It certifies that the organisation has documented processes, follows them consistently, and has a system for continuous improvement. In a school context, ISO 9001 says nothing about teaching quality, curriculum or student outcomes.
A recognition programme for schools that deeply integrate Microsoft technologies. It signals investment in digital infrastructure and creative use of technology in teaching. It does not evaluate educational outcomes, teaching quality or organisational health.
A prestigious professional association of heads of leading independent schools — primarily UK with international members. Membership is selective and by invitation only. It is not an accreditation body — no school inspection takes place. The head of St Julian's is an HMC international member — the only school in Portugal with this connection.
Which aspects of a school does each accreditation actually evaluate — and which does it not.
✓ Formally evaluated · ◑ Partially or indirectly considered · — Not evaluated
Five practical principles for reading accreditations:
1. Don't confuse membership with accreditation. Several bodies (CIS, COBIS, ECIS) have different tiers — a school can be a paying member without having passed any inspection. "CIS member" and "CIS accredited" are fundamentally different. Always look for the word "accredited".
2. Look for both types together. The strongest schools hold both institutional accreditation (CIS, NEASC) and programmatic authorisation (IB, Cambridge). One without the other is incomplete — a school with only IB is authorised to teach the programme, but has not been independently inspected as an institution.
3. Candidate status is a positive signal, not a warning. A school actively pursuing CIS or NEASC has committed to a demanding self-improvement process. Many excellent newer schools are simply working through the accreditation cycle for the first time.
4. Match accreditations to your family's destination. For US university applications, NEASC matters. For UK universities, COBIS/BSO and CIS are well-known. For European universities and Portugal specifically, IB and DGE recognition matter most. For Portugal long-term, DGE authorisation simplifies school transfers and university applications.
5. Accreditation doesn't capture everything. A school with no institutional accreditation can still have outstanding teachers and excellent results. And an accredited school can have problems. Accreditation reduces risk — it does not guarantee your child will thrive. Visit the school, speak to current parents, and trust what you observe in person.
Understanding accreditations goes hand-in-hand with understanding the programmes behind them. These guides cover what comes next: