Oeiras International School: the IB programmes across Barcarena

Oeiras International School (OIS) is a co-educational, not-for-profit day school offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes from primary through the Diploma. It suits families who want to remain within the IB approach as their child progresses, with English as the teaching language.

The practical change for 2026/27 is the three-campus arrangement in Barcarena. The financial distinction is the first-year capital levy: it is additional to the annual school fee. By contrast, the registration amount in the tuition table is already included in its annual total.

The IB programmes

OIS offers the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). The first two organise primary and middle-years learning; the DP is the final two-year qualification programme.

The homepage lists ages 6–10 for PYP, 11–16 for MYP and 17–18 for DP. The 2026/27 tariff also includes Pre-PYP, and the homepage advertises a new Year 1. Ask admissions to confirm placement for a younger child rather than relying on the general age bands.

The fee table maps Years 1–4 to Pre-PYP and PYP 1–3, Years 5–6 to PYP 4–5, Years 7–11 to MYP 1–5 and Years 12–13 to DP 1–2. Year 13 is billed over two terms, although its annual total matches Year 12.

The school says it is not academically selective, but still uses placement tests. It also reports IB results consistently above the world average; that statement is not a published 2026 cohort average.

Three Barcarena campuses

The contact page allocates the sites as follows for the three-campus arrangement from September 2026:

Site and years	Address
PYP campus, Years 1–2	Rua 7 de Junho n.º 5, 2730-174 Barcarena
Quinta campus, Years 3–9	Rua Antero de Quental n.º 7, 2730-013 Barcarena
Horizon campus, Years 10–13	Rua Humberto Madeira n.º 7, 2730-097 Barcarena

The campus description also refers to a PYP building for Years 2–4 at the quinta. That does not match the new contact-page allocation. Confirm the actual building for the child’s year and whether any activities take place at another site.

The school describes the campuses as about seven minutes apart and the location as about 15 minutes by car from Lisbon and the airport. These are school estimates, not dependable rush-hour journey times. Check the route from the intended home, particularly with siblings at different sites.

The quinta has woodland, a river, a kitchen garden, a small farm with donkeys and goats, bees, a swimming pool and a sports pavilion. There is a historic chapel, while the restored palace houses the library, administration and science, art and music spaces. Another building contains dining and computing facilities. Horizon is presented as a senior campus designed for independence and university preparation.

Applying and securing a place

The official registration-of-interest page leads to the application process:

1. Register interest and book a tour through OpenApply, the admissions platform. Families abroad can contact admissions directly.
2. Complete the application and pay the non-refundable €250 fee per applicant.
3. Take placement tests on site or at the current school under examination conditions.
4. If successful and a place is available, upload enrolment documents and pay registration to secure it. If no place is available, the school uses a waiting list.

Applications are considered throughout the year when places exist. The published annual application cycle opens in September of the preceding year.

Contact admissions@ois.pt, +351 211 935 330 or +351 912 603 065. Published office hours are Monday–Friday, 08:00–17:00. Use ois.pt, the domain adopted in 2021, rather than older directory links. OIS does not offer boarding.

Fees for 2026/27

The fees page gives these registration, termly and annual amounts:

Year and programme	Registration	Each term	Annual total
Years 1–4: Pre-PYP / PYP 1–3	€1,398	€4,194	€13,980
Year 5: PYP 4	€1,458	€4,374	€14,580
Year 6: PYP 5	€1,737	€5,211	€17,370
Years 7–9: MYP 1–3	€1,856	€5,569	€18,563
Years 10–11: MYP 4–5	€2,195	€6,586	€21,953
Year 12: DP 1	€2,240	€6,722	€22,406
Year 13: DP 2, two terms only	€2,240	€10,083	€22,406

In this table, registration plus the term payments equals the annual total. Do not add registration again to that total. Books are included according to the admissions FAQ.

Additional first-year and annual charges

The capital levy is a one-time, non-refundable entry charge for new students, intended for facilities:

New pupils joining in the same year	Family capital levy
One	€5,000
Two siblings	€7,500
Three or more siblings	€8,500

Current OIS families enrolling a new pupil receive a 10% levy discount.

Other charges are the €250 application fee, €20 annual insurance per pupil and €40 yearbook per family. Year 11 MYP examinations and Year 13 DP examinations each cost €900, billed with Term II.

For example, one new Year 6 pupil with no discounts has a first-year total of €22,680: €17,370 annual school fee, €5,000 levy, €250 application, €20 insurance and one €40 family yearbook. This calculation excludes meals, transport and any other optional costs. Registration is already within the €17,370.

Payment, discounts and withdrawal

The school distinguishes invoice dates from payment deadlines:

Charge	Invoice date	Payment deadline
Registration	1 February	1 February
Term I	1 June	1 July
Term II	1 November	1 December
Term III	1 March	1 April

It also states that term fees are payable within 30 days of invoicing. Ask accounts for the dated schedule attached to the child’s offer, especially for a mid-year application.

Once registration is completed, registration is non-refundable and Term I remains payable even if the child does not attend. Withdrawal requires one term’s written notice to the Principal; otherwise the corresponding fees remain due.

Discounts apply only to term fees: 5% for the second child, 15% for the third and 25% for the fourth and subsequent children. Advance payment of the full year before 1 July 2026 qualified for 2.5%. The deadline extended to 31 August only for families registering between 1 July and 31 August 2026. Both deadlines have passed.

Missing the payment schedule cancels discounts. The school states that late payment attracts a 4% charge, described on the page as a legal tax, with possible suspension of services after further delay. It also says non-payment can lead to reports and examination results being withheld for all pupils linked to the family or employer account. Clarify the contract implications before signing.

Transport and meals

F. Irmãos operates routes from Cascais, Estoril, Sintra, Parede and the Lisbon area. Published morning arrivals are 08:00–08:15; afternoon departures are 16:00 and 17:30.

Transport per term	Zone 1	Zone 2	Zone 3
One way	€450	€500	€550
Return	€770	€845	€880

Confirm the stop and campus served. The later departure is intended to accommodate after-school activities.

Thomas Franks is the named catering partner. A €7 meal includes soup, a main course with meat, fish or vegetarian options, fruit and a salad bar. The total depends on the meals used, not merely the annual tuition band.

Our view

OIS is a relevant choice for a family that wants the IB programmes throughout schooling and is comfortable with the Barcarena locations. A green historic campus is attractive, but the child may attend the separate PYP or Horizon site: visit the assigned building.

Friendly orientation, not an application. Dates, fees, and programme details move. Confirm everything with the school.