General FAQ’s

  • LIS is a member of ECIS and we are authorized by Cambridge Assessment International Examinations to offer all stages within the Cambridge pathway: Early Years, Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE, and AS/A Level. LIS does not follow the Portuguese educational curriculum and is therefore not accredited by the Portuguese Ministry of Education (MEC). In spite of it, MEC recognizes LIS as an authorized school, able to guarantee equivalence between Cambridge and Portuguese Educational Curriculum.

  • Yes, students who follow an international curriculum are eligible to apply to Portuguese universities.

    At Leiria International School (LIS), students are guided through a clear and structured process to ensure eligibility for higher education in Portugal. To meet the academic requirements, students must either:

    Obtain the AICE Diploma (Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education), which is officially recognized and considered equivalent to the Portuguese grading scale, or Complete three A Levels, which are also accepted for university admission in Portugal.

    In addition to academic qualifications, students must meet certain residency requirements. To apply under the same terms as students from the national education system, they must have lived in Portugal for at least two years.

    At LIS, we offer personalized support throughout this process, working directly with the Direção-Geral da Educação (DGE) to ensure all academic records are properly recognized and that students can transition smoothly and compliantly into the Portuguese higher education system.

  • From Early Years through Grade 5, students are placed in the grade appropriate for their age. The age cutoff date is December 31. For example, to apply for Grade 1, students must turn six on or before December 31.

  • English proficiency is not required for students applying to Grade 9 or below. However, students applying to Grade 10 or above must demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to take the Cambridge exams. During the admissions process, each student’s English proficiency will be assessed in an oral interview with the coordinator, after which an admission decision will be made.

  • LIS is a day school and does not have boarding facilities.

  • LIS has a full-service cafeteria operated by an external company. Parents pay for this service separately.

  • Yes. At LIS we believe that wearing the school uniform encourages a sense of belonging, helping everyone to feel included, while strengthening the community spirit and identity of the school.

  • The school operates a bus service. We will have Leiria and Coast Routes. A form is available on our website, so you can let us know the transport route that suits you.

  • Technology is an integral part of both our present and future, and digital tools are available in and around the classroom. LIS has a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program beginning in Grade 3, and students in Grades 3–12 are required to have a personal device. Kinderpedia is used as a communication platform among families, teachers, and students.

  • Extracurricular activities are available after school lessons end.

  • CCAs are structured, specialist‑led activities offered after school and usually involve an additional cost, while LIS clubs are school‑based, play‑based activities led by LIS staff that focus on shared interests and social interaction.