Secondary Schools in Lisbon for Expat Families

Secondary school is where the stakes start to feel real. Curriculum choice now shapes which exams a child sits, which subjects they specialise in and how they will apply to university. For internationally mobile families, choosing a secondary international school in Lisbon means weighing pathway, fit and continuity carefully. This guide sets out the options and what to look for, for families arriving from anywhere.

The two main pathways

At secondary level, Lisbon's international schools largely split between two routes:

• The British pathway — lower secondary on the English National Curriculum, IGCSEs taken around ages 14–16, then A-Levels at sixth form (around 16–18). Offered at schools such as St. Julian's, The British School of Lisbon and Astoria.
• The International Baccalaureate — the Middle Years Programme (MYP) through the middle years, then the two-year IB Diploma Programme (DP) at around 16–18. Offered at schools including St. Dominic's, United Lisbon and St. Julian's.

In addition, CAISL in Sintra offers a US high-school diploma alongside the IB Diploma. Some schools run a single pathway; others let families choose, particularly at sixth form. Our GCSEs and A-Levels in Lisbon and IB schools in Lisbon guides go into each route in detail.

British or IB?

This is the question most secondary families wrestle with, and there is no universal answer:

• A-Levels let a student specialise early in three or four subjects — ideal for a child with a clear academic direction, and the familiar route into UK and many international universities.
• The IB Diploma keeps a broader spread of six subject areas plus the extended essay, theory of knowledge and creativity, activity and service. It suits well-rounded students and is highly regarded globally.

Both are recognised worldwide and processed through UCAS and equivalent admissions systems. The decision should rest on your child's strengths, interests and likely university destinations rather than a blanket judgement that one is "better". Our university admissions guide explains how each route feeds into applications.

What to look for at secondary level

• Subject breadth and depth — does the school offer the A-Level or IB subjects your child wants, including sciences, languages and the arts?
• Exam track record — ask about results and university destinations, while treating any single year's figures with care.
• Pastoral and university guidance — strong careers and university counselling matters enormously at this stage.
• Continuity — a school running through to 18 means no further move before exams.
• Settling-in support for teenage arrivals, who can find moving harder than younger children.

Timing a move

Where possible, avoid moving a child in the middle of an exam course — the IGCSE, A-Level or IB Diploma years. Aligning a move with the start of an academic year or a new key stage gives the smoothest transition. Schools will advise on the best entry point, and mid-year places do exist. For applications and waiting lists, see our how to apply and waiting lists guides, and for the earlier stage, primary schools for expats. Return to the international schools in Lisbon hub for the full landscape.

How Global Investments Can Help

The secondary years often coincide with bigger family financial decisions — funding several years of fees, planning for university costs and structuring wealth across borders. Global Investments has advised internationally mobile families for more than three decades and can help you plan the financial side of these years with confidence. Contact us for a confidential, no-obligation conversation.

This guide is general information as of 2026, not educational advice; curricula, subjects and results change — confirm current details with each school directly.