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Schools Reviews assessment
✓ What we like
One of very few schools in Portugal offering the complete IB continuum — PYP, MYP and IB Diploma in unbroken sequence from age 3 to 18
Strong sports culture — member of the International Schools Sports Association (ISSA), with both male and female teams competing in all sports
Part of International Schools Partnership (ISP) global network since 2025 — adds professional governance and peer school resources
Founded in 1964 — over 60 years of operation, one of the most established international schools in Portugal
◎ Worth noting
IB Diploma average 30.6 points in May 2026, with an 83.3% pass rate — close to the global average of around 30
One-time enrollment fee of €5,250 is high relative to many comparable schools in the area
St Dominic's International School is one of the few schools in Portugal to offer the full International Baccalaureate continuum — Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and IB Diploma (DP) — all under one roof. For families committed to the IB pathway from the start, this removes the risk of a curriculum change mid-schooling.
Founded in 1964 and located in São Domingos de Rana — between Cascais and Lisbon — the school has over 60 years of history in Portugal. It is genuinely international: more than 50 nationalities are represented in the student body. The campus sits within 7,000m² of private gardens and outdoor space.
Teaching is in English, with Portuguese offered as an additional language. Class sizes are kept small — between 16 and 20 students — and the school runs its own transport network across the Lisbon area.
School profile
Average class size
16–22 students
Junior school hours
8:20 – 15:30
Senior school hours
8:40 – 15:50
IB avg score
30.6 / 45 · 2026 (pass rate 83.3%)
Curriculum
Full IB continuum — PYP · MYP · IB Diploma Programme
Programme authorisations
✓ IB World School — PYP
✓ IB World School — MYP
✓ IB World School — Diploma Programme
Institutional accreditations
✓ NEASC accredited
✓ CIS accredited
Owner / type
International Schools Partnership (ISP) — member since 2025
Portuguese education licence
Academics
IB since
Diploma 1994 · MYP 1995 · PYP 1997 — among the first schools in the world to offer the full IB continuum
IB results May 2026
Average 30.6 / 45 · pass rate 83.3% · 47% gained the bilingual diploma
Extra languages
Portuguese
Sport
Main sports
Football · Volleyball · Basketball · Badminton · Athletics
Sports association
ISSA — International Schools Sports Association
ISSA distinction
One of only 3 ISSA member teams with both male and female teams participating in all sports
After school activities
Sports
SDIS Sports programme
Other activities
Creative Arts · Hands-on & Creative · Knowledge Hub · Strategic Minds · STEM & Innovation · Leadership and Personal Development
Fees · 2026/27
Kindergarten (3–5 yrs)
€12,100
* Always verify fees directly with the school — they change annually.
Frequently asked questions
Does St Dominic's offer the full IB continuum?
Yes — St Dominic's is one of the few schools in Portugal to offer the complete
IB continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and IB Diploma (DP) in sequence. This means children can follow a single, uninterrupted IB pathway from age 3 through to graduation — with no need to change schools or curricula at any point.
What are St Dominic's IB results?
In May 2026 the IB Diploma average was 30.6 out of 45, with a pass rate of 83.3%; 47% of students gained the bilingual diploma. The global average is around 30. Always verify the most recent results directly with the school.
How much does St Dominic's cost per year?
Annual tuition ranges from €11,778 (Nursery) to €23,166 (Grades 11–12). There is a one-time enrollment fee of €5,250 and an annual re-enrollment fee of €1,178–€2,316 depending on the year group. Lunch is not included and costs approximately €1,450/yr. Always verify current fees directly with the school.
Where is St Dominic's located?
The school is in São Domingos de Rana, in the municipality of Cascais — approximately 25 minutes from central Lisbon and 10 minutes from Cascais. The school runs its own bus network serving the main residential areas of the Lisbon metro.
What is the school community like?
St Dominic's has a highly international student body with more than 50 nationalities represented. Class sizes are kept small — between 16 and 20 students — and the campus includes 7,000m² of private gardens and outdoor space.