Schools
Reviews
Independent school tour — we visit, film and tell you everything a parent needs to know.
Coming soon
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 — the only school in Portugal in 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 1988 — over 35 years of operation, one of the most established international schools in Portugal
◎ Worth noting
IB Diploma average was 32 points in 2024 — 2025 results have not been published
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 1988 and located in São Domingos de Rana — between Cascais and Lisbon — the school has over 35 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
Founded
1988
Ages
3–18 years
Average class size
16–20 students
Nationalities
50+
Junior school hours
8:20 – 15:30
Senior school hours
8:40 – 15:50
School bus
✓ Yes
Boarding
No
IB avg score
32 / 45 · 2024 (2025 not published · global avg 30.2)
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
None confirmed
Academics
Programme
Full IB continuum — PYP, MYP, Diploma
Teaching language
English
IB results 2024
Average 32 / 45 (world avg 30.2) · 2025 results not published
Class size
16–20 students
Extra languages
Portuguese
Sport
Main sports
Football · Volleyball · Basketball · Badminton
Sports association
ISSA — International Schools Sports Association. St Dominic's is the only school in Portugal in this 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
Languages
French, Spanish, Portuguese
Music
Music
Other activities
Creative Arts · Hands-on & Creative · Knowledge Hub · Strategic Minds · STEM & Innovation · Leadership and Personal Development
Fees · 2026/27
Nursery (1–2 yrs)
€11,778
Kindergarten (3–5 yrs)
€12,100
Grade 1
€15,000
Grade 2
€15,000
Grade 3
€15,000
Grade 4
€15,777
Grade 5
€15,777
Grade 6
€18,111
Grade 7
€18,111
Grade 8
€18,111
Grade 9
€21,666
Grade 10
€21,666
Grade 11
€23,166
Grade 12
€23,166
* 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?
The IB Diploma average score was 32 out of 45 in 2024, above the global average of 30.2. Results for 2025 have not been published. 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.