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✓ What we like
One Cambridge pathway in English from age 2 all the way to IGCSE and the AICE Diploma, in a small school of around 280 students from 49 nationalities
Moderate fees for Cascais and Estoril — €10,950–€14,700 a year, with 7% off for paying the year upfront
From September 2026 each stage has its own campus in Estoril: Early Years and Primary, Middle School, and a separate site for the final years
Sports clubs included in the fees — volleyball, football, basketball, badminton and padel, with tournaments against Portuguese and international schools
◎ Worth noting
A Catholic school: religious education reflects its Catholic identity, though families of all faiths and none are welcome
Results dipped in 2025: the AICE Diploma pass rate fell to 85% and 77% of pupils got four or more IGCSE A*–C grades — below the comparison figures the school itself publishes
On top of tuition: a €1,700 admission fee every year, €250 insurance, and for new families a €1,250 deposit plus a €1,350 reservation fee (all non-refundable). Meals are €250 a month and Cambridge exam fees are extra
Classes are larger than at many international schools — around 23 on average, up to 26
No school bus
No international accreditation (CIS, NEASC, COBIS) found
Santo António International School (SAIS) is an independent Catholic school in Monte Estoril, between Cascais and Estoril. It opened in September 2013 and has followed the Cambridge International programme since the start. Around 280 students from 49 nationalities attend, from toddlers aged 2 to sixth-formers; Portuguese families are the largest group.
Early Years and Primary follow the English National Curriculum with Cambridge Primary, Middle School leads to Cambridge IGCSEs in Years 10–11, and the final two years lead to A Levels and the Cambridge AICE Diploma. Teaching is in English, with Portuguese in the curriculum and Spanish, French and Mandarin as further languages. From 2026/27 the school runs on three campuses in Estoril: Campus I (Rua Dr. António Martins) for ages 2–11, Campus II (Avenida Sabóia) for Middle School and Campus III (Rua de Nice) for ages 16–19. Graduates go on to universities in the UK, the USA, Portugal and elsewhere in Europe.
School profile
Programme
British · Cambridge
Students
~280 · 49 nationalities
Class size
Average 23 · max 26
School hours
Open 7:45–18:00 · lessons 8:15 to 15:05–16:00
Programme authorisations
✓ Cambridge International (CAIE) since 2013 · IGCSE, A Level, AICE DiplomaAEEP member
Institutional accreditations
Portuguese education licence
✓ Recognised by the Ministry of Education · private school network, Cascais
Owner / type
Private · independent Catholic school
Academics
Early Years (2–5)
English National Curriculum · Toddler and Nursery at Campus I · outdoor learning
Primary P1–P5 (5–10)
English National Curriculum + Cambridge Primary · Years 1–5
Middle School A1–A4 (10–14)
Cambridge Lower Secondary · Years 6–9
IGCSE A5–A6 (14–16)
Cambridge IGCSE · Years 10–11
A Level A7–A8 (16–18)
Cambridge A Levels & AICE Diploma · subjects include sciences, maths, languages, Global Perspectives, Environmental Management, Marine Science, Psychology, Media Studies, Travel & Tourism, PE
Extra languages
Portuguese · Spanish, French, Mandarin
Religion
Catholic · religious education covers world religions
IGCSE results
2025: 77% of pupils with 4+ A*–C · 87% of exams graded A*–A
AICE Diploma results
Pass rate 85% (2025), 100% (2024), 95% (2023), 100% (2022), 100% (2021), 100% (2020)
Sport & activities within curriculum
Sports clubs
Volleyball, football, basketball, badminton, padel — included in fees
Competitions
Tournaments with Portuguese and international schools, including in Spain
Extra
Homework club, after-school activities, Summer School, field trips — charged separately
Fees · 2026/27
Primary P1–P5 (Years 1–5)
€11,850
Middle School A1–A4 (Years 6–9)
€12,900
IGCSE A5–A6 (Years 10–11)
€13,800
A Level / AICE A7–A8 (Years 12–13)
€14,700
* From the school’s Tuition & Fees 2026/27. Tuition is paid in three terms (or yearly with 7% off). Always verify fees directly with the school — they change annually.
Frequently asked questions
How much does SAIS cost?
For 2026/27, tuition is €10,950 – €14,700 a year depending on age. Families also pay a €1,700 admission fee each year and €250 insurance; new families pay a €1,250 deposit and a €1,350 reservation fee. Meals (€250 a month) and Cambridge exam fees are extra.
Is SAIS a Catholic school?
Yes. SAIS is an independent Catholic school; religious education reflects that identity and also covers world religions. Families of all faiths and none are welcome.
Does SAIS offer the IB?
No. SAIS follows the Cambridge pathway — IGCSE, then A Levels and the AICE Diploma. To compare the two systems, see our guide
IB vs Cambridge.
How do admissions work?
Families fill in a pre-enrolment form, then visit the school for an interview with the head or a coordinator and send recent school reports. Tests in English, maths, science and Portuguese may be required. Applications are accepted all year, subject to places; there is a waiting list.
Source: school website (2026) — Tuition & Fees 2026/27, FAQs, campus pages, IGCSE and A Level / AICE results