Independent school tour — we visit, film and tell you everything a parent needs to know.
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✓ What we like
The only Dutch day school in Portugal affiliated with NOB (Dutch Education Abroad) and approved by the Dutch Ministry of Education
Inspected by the Dutch Education Inspectorate — children can move back into a Dutch school without a gap
Portuguese lessons twice a week for every pupil, plus a strong focus on English, to ease a later move to a Portuguese or international school
Flexible enrolment — for a term, a semester or a full year, which suits families spending the winter in the Algarve
Small mixed-age groups, each with two qualified teachers
◎ Worth noting
Teaching is entirely in Dutch — the school is for Dutch-speaking families
Secondary pupils follow the Dutch distance programme Wereldschool with mentors at school, working towards the Dutch Staatsexamen — not a full in-person secondary school
Short Friday — lessons end at 13:15 (13:30 for secondary)
Fees are not published on the school’s website — the range comes from a third-party directory
Very small school — a directory reports around 50 pupils
Nederlands Onderwijs Algarve Portugal (NOAP) is a Dutch day school in the countryside near Silves, in the western Algarve. It is run by the Dutch foundation Stichting NOAP, with a volunteer board, and is affiliated with NOB (Nederlands Onderwijs in het Buitenland). Since September 2024 the school has been in a larger building on its own grounds.
Primary pupils (groups 1–8) follow the full Dutch curriculum in Dutch, taught only by qualified teachers. All pupils also have Portuguese lessons twice a week and learn about Portuguese culture. Secondary pupils study with the Dutch Wereldschool programme towards the Staatsexamen, supported by mentors and extra subjects such as Portuguese, sport, cooking and project work.
School profile
Ages
4–12 primary · secondary via Wereldschool
Groups 2026/27
1/2 · 3 · 4 · 5/6 · 6/7/8
Teachers
Two qualified teachers per group
Programme authorisations / affiliations
✓ NOB affiliated (primary)✓ Dutch Education Inspectorate
Owner / type
Stichting Nederlandse Onderwijs Algarve Portugal — Dutch non-profit foundation (KvK 75752123) with a volunteer board
Academics
Primary
Dutch curriculum · groups 1–8 · full-day school
Secondary
Dutch Wereldschool programme with mentors, towards the Staatsexamen
Portuguese
Twice a week for all pupils, including Portuguese culture
English
Strong emphasis throughout the school
PE
One hour a week with a qualified PE teacher on the school’s sports field
School day
Primary: Mon–Thu 08:45–15:15, Fri 08:45–13:15 · Secondary: Mon–Thu 08:45–15:30, Fri 08:45–13:30
After school
After-school care (NSO)
Ages 4–12 · Mon–Thu 15:15–17:30 · booked by term, semester or year
Secondary extras
Portuguese, sport, cooking and project education
For parents
Optional Portuguese lessons, once a week, €35/month
Fees · 2025/26
* The school does not publish its fees online; the range above is from published 2025/26 data. Always verify fees directly with the school — they change annually.
Frequently asked questions
What curriculum does Nederlands Onderwijs Algarve follow?
NOAP teaches the Dutch primary curriculum in Dutch (groups 1–8). Secondary pupils follow the Dutch Wereldschool programme towards the Staatsexamen, with mentors at school.
Can my child go back to a Dutch school afterwards?
Yes. NOAP is affiliated with NOB and inspected by the Dutch Education Inspectorate, so pupils can return to the Dutch school system without a gap.
Can we enrol for only part of the year?
Yes. The minimum stay is one term; families can also enrol for a semester or the full year.
Where is Nederlands Onderwijs Algarve located?
The school is in the countryside near Silves, in the western Algarve. Ask the school for the exact address and directions.
Sources: school website (2026)