Pillars
& Skills
“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think." _Margaret Mead
Diversity
& Inclusion
We believe in inclusion where all students share the same classes and teachers, regardless of their needs.
We are a school that welcomes everyone, with different backgrounds and needs, from staff and teachers to students and parents. Each child is unique, and we try to foster an environment where they feel comfortable and safe for self-expression.
Nature
We see the relationship with nature as one of the great resources of human development.
The school was designed for our students to have daily contact with nature. We seek to embrace the unique rich geography of the Cascais/Sintra area - a biodiverse green outdoor environment that we have right outside our school. For the smaller children we have forest outings every week.
Sustainability
Our students experience and grow aware of how small gestures can make a difference.
Looking after our planet is the best investment in the future. We proudly align our efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By integrating these global objectives into our curriculum, our students apply the concept of sustainability and understand the impact of choosing sustainable actions.
Critical
Thinking
Interdisciplinary and creative dialogue lead to critical thinking.
Critical thinking is a transversal skill we stimulate by challenging our students, in everyday lessons and outside of the classroom. Our students learn and develop the skills of researching, processing and analysing information, to debate and to communicate in a thoughtful and respectful manner.
Creativity &
Leadership
We provide accessible resources and opportunities for adaptable thinkers to explore creative problem-solving solutions.
We support our students to be creative and confident and to experience failure as part of the process of becoming great at something. We empower them to take action, explore the world with empathy and think as enthusiastic innovators. Part of our commitment to cultivating these qualities, we are proud to work in partnership with The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
Collaboration &
Teamwork
Focus on cooperation through healthy competition.
In an even more globalised world, thinking and pulling resources as a group to solve a common problem is a valuable life skill.
By creating the bridge between achievement and collective engagement we grow collaborative problem solvers.
Academic
Mastery
Daily experiences through teaching excellence pushes up the average and benefits everyone's development.
We want our students to perform well in academia and to develop transversal skills, deploying what they have learned, to become an active global citizen.
Essential thinking skills through persistent practice: mental agility, empathy, creativity and critical thinking.
Global
Citizenship
We provide creative and analytical freedom for students to innovate and explore the world with empathy.
Children are challenged to assume active roles within our community and empowered to act locally and globally, to build a more peaceful, tolerant, and inclusive society. Additionally, we collaborate with the Model United Nations (MUN) program throughout the whole school, fostering diplomatic skills and global awareness in our students.
Curriculum
Academic
Path
We have chosen to follow the academic path that we believe offers a wide range of options: Portuguese National Curriculum and Cambridge International Curriculum
Portuguese National Curriculum
In order to help our students achieve their potential we offer curriculum enrichment subjects like Yoga, Cambridge Global Perspectives, Creative Workshops and after school activities.
Pre-School
Pre-School
Kindergarten
3-6 YEARS OLD
Portuguese National Curriculum Orientations*
*enriched
TEACHING LANGUAGE
Main Portuguese
2nd English
In preschool age groups are mixed. Young learners explore and exercise their creative imagination through purposeful play.
Compulsory
Enriched
Curriculum
Music
Meditation
Yoga
English
Physical Education
Activities in the forest
Vegetable Garden
Science Lab Visits
“Oficina dos Sons”
primary reading and writing skills and
phonological awareness
SER
Primary
Elementary
Lower elementary
1ST cycle (1st to 4th grade)
upper elementary
2nd cycle (5Th and 6th grade)
6-12 years old
Portuguese
National Curriculum Orientations*
*enriched
TEACHING LANGUAGE
Main Portuguese
2nd English
Portuguese is the primary language, but the students will hear and practice English on a daily basis.
Compulsory
Enriched
Curriculum
Basic Subjects
LOWER ELEMENTARY
Portuguese
English
Math
Social Studies
Music
Physical Education
Visual Arts
UPPER ELEMENTARY
Portuguese
2 Levels | As 1st and 2nd Language
English
2 Levels | As 1st and 2nd Language
Math
Science
Portuguese History and Geography
Music
Physical Education
Visual Arts
EVERYONE
Brain Gym
Mindfulness
Elective Workshops
to experience themes according to the students interests such as Coding, Handicrafts, Vegetable Garden, Cooking, Storytelling and Outdoor Activities.
LOWER ELEMENTARY
Yoga
Philosophy for kids
UPPER ELEMENTARY
Cambridge Global Perspectives
Creative Workshops
Cambridge International Curriculum
Diverse, flexible and
helpful when it comes
to making future choices
The international curriculum gives our students the possibility to apply to both Portuguese and foreign universities, depending on the student's subject choices and grades.
Through these six years, the curriculum is enriched with Music, Physical Education, and Global Perspectives (in IGCSE). Completion of each of the phases is based on completion of the Cambridge international examinations, which are graded with objective external standards.
Middle School
Middle School
5th to 8th grade
10-14 years old
Portuguese National Curriculum
(5-6)
Cambridge International Curriculum *
(7-8)
*enriched & with equivalence to the Portuguese Educational System
TEACHING LANGUAGE GRADE 5 & 6
Main Portuguese
2nd English
TEACHING LANGUAGE GRADE 7 & 8
Main English
Preparatory years for the IGCSE program offer a flexible environment for students to adapt to the higher academic demands of the later school years.
Subjects Grade 5 & 6
Portuguese
As 1st or 2nd Language
English
As 1st or 2nd Language
Maths
Natural Sciences
History & Geography of Portugal
Visual Education
Technological Education
Music
Physical Education
Cambridge Global Perspectives
Physics & Chemistry
SER (Social & Emotional Re-design)
Subjects Grade 7 & 8
Portuguese
As 1st or 2nd Language
English
As 1st or 2nd Language
Spanish or French
Maths
Biology
Physics & Chemistry
History & Geography
Arts & Design
Physical Education
ICT
Information and Communication Technologies
Cambridge Global Perspectives
SER (Social & Emotional Re-design)
Everyone
Workshops
music, performance, cooking, arts, sports, magic, school magazine, fashion & crafts, MUN.
Study Support Clubs
Class Assembly
Student Assembly
Secondary: IGCSE
Secondary
IGCSE
9th to 10th grade
14-16 years old
Cambridge International Curriculum *
*enriched
International Cambridge Exams
TEACHING LANGUAGE
Main English
2nd Portuguese
Cambridge IGCSE helps students to develop skills in creative thinking, enquiry and problem solving. It is the perfect foundation to the advanced study of AS & A-Level.
Compulsory
Subjects
Portuguese
2 levels | As 1st or 2nd language
English
2 levels | As 1st or 2nd language
Mathematics
Combined Sciences
At least 3
Optional
Subjects
Spanish or French
History
Business
Environmental Management
Art & Design
Design & Technology
Music
ICT
Information and Communications Technology
Compulsory
Enriched
Curriculum
everyone
Cambridge Enriched Curriculum
Global Perspectives
Aprendizes Enriched Curriculum
Physical Education
Brain Gym
Mindfulness
Secondary: Advanced As &
A-Level
Secondary
Advanced As & A-Level
11th to 12th grade
16-18 years old
Cambridge
International
Curriculum *
*enriched
International Cambridge Exams
AICE diploma
A-level
TEACHING LANGUAGE
Main English
2nd Portuguese
The structure of the Cambridge International A/AS-Levels Curriculum in these last two years of the Cambridge pathway, is the AICE Diploma, based on the student's attendance of a diverse and comprehensive range of subjects, that shall be aligned with the university path that the student chooses.
In case students choose to take A-levels rather than AS-levels, they must pass A-level exams in at least three subjects at the end of the course. In this case there is no obligation to choose one subject from each group presented.
Compulsory
Enriched
Curriculum
FOR AICE DIPLOMA
Global Perspectives
Combined
Subjects
FOR AICE DIPLOMA
7 credits . At least one subject of each group.
Core | AS subjects = 1 credit
Extended | A-Level subjects = 2 credits
FOR A-LEVELS
At least 3 subjects on extended level
* Only AS
** Only A-Level
1. Math, Biology, Chemestry, Physics, Environmental Management, IT, Design & Technology, Psychology,
2. English Lang, English Lang & Lit*, Portuguese Lang*, Portuguese Lang & Lit**, Spanish
3. Art & Design, History, Business, Psychology, Environmental Management, English Lang & Lit*, Literature in English
100% PASS RATE
A-LEVELS (2023/24)
Yoga
Yoga nurtures one’s inner strength and self-acceptance. This nourishing atmosphere encourages students to relax and have fun while developing not only strength, coordination, flexibility and balance, but also body awareness, improved focus, concentration and self-confidence.
Meditation
Meditation is done through exercises that focus on the internal being, complemented with creativity exercises that opens children and adolescents to new realities and achievements. They increase knowledge about themselves and become more aware of their thoughts and emotions. The benefits of meditation are felt in terms of self-esteem, self-discipline, self-affirmation, inner peace and creativity.
Creative Workshops
Coding
Handcrafts
Vegetable Garden
Music
Drama
Work in the Florest
We value outdoor activities and cherish contact with nature. We take the pre-school to the beautiful forest behind our school every week and promote regular forest outings for older students as well.
Extra
Curricular
Activities where students can explore different areas of interest.
Extra-Curricular Activities may vary from quarter to quarter and depend on the inscription number.
Our after-school activities are carefully designed to allow students to grow their passions in a stimulating environment, and to continue to learn beyond the classroom.
We strongly believe that these activities provide opportunities for our students to gain essential life skills, build self-esteem, create broader perspectives and further their independence in addition to extending their social groups beyond the classroom.
Available Extra Curricular Activities
To sign up, email activities@aprendizes.pt from September 9th until October 9th.
Find more information and fees here.
Our Partnerships for children's activities.
Parents interested can contact them directly.
See HERE all contacts
Well Being
Aprendizes Well-being Team has as its main purpose to be available to support students, parents and staff in their growth and roles. A solid team of psychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists and learning support technicians are aligned with schools and families to support and intervene in behavioural, emotional, language, social, learning and systemic issues.
Therapies
Prevention & Development - SER
Behavioural Care
Learning Support
The team has several lines of action:
Observe students in all school contexts
Assist teachers and staff in their role and needs
Guide teachers in student management
Workgroup/class dynamics
Deliver the class Social and Emotional Redesign
Therapeutic assessments
Therapeutic interventions
Through empathetic and firm boundaries, the team also aims to:
Ensure and develop a balance between your child’s cognitive, emotional, physical and social school life.
Ensure students are self-reliant through the development of self-confidence and self-awareness, with an empathetic and knowledgeable perspective on others and the world.
Support and enhance the learning process and enable it to be transferred outside of the class room.