King's College School Cascais
Description of King's College School Cascais
- Location: Cascais, Portugal,
- Year founded: 2022,
- Language of instruction: English, Portuguese,
- Type of study: blended.
King's College School Cascais is the only international school in the Lisbon area to provide education in the world-renowned Cambridge curriculum for children from pre-school to 15 years old. The institution expands, adding a senior class every year until it provides for all school-age students - up to the 13th grade. Now King's College School Cascais is on the list of candidates for permission to teach the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB DP), which will become its feature and advantage in the future. IB diplomas are accepted at many universities around the world, including the best and most prestigious.
King's College School Cascais boasts state-of-the-art facilities on a very newly built campus – it opens in September 2024, ready to welcome local and international students. Its location in Cascais creates another advantage: the area is a popular destination for an internationally oriented education. Thanks to its excellent facilities, carefully selected teachers, and premium curricula, King's College School Cascais can be considered a truly first-class school. The climate and welcoming community of Cascais make the school also an ideal place to live and explore the surrounding area.
Educational process
Learning a foreign language is key for internationally-oriented children and families. All students learn the language until the sixth grade. From the third year onwards, students begin to study French and Spanish, and by the fifth year they have the choice of studying French, Spanish or Portuguese in addition to English. For students seeking language fluency, a bilingual course in English and Portuguese is available until fifth grade. In addition to the Portuguese, French and Spanish language curricula, children can attend additional extracurricular activities in a variety of languages to speed up their learning.
The EAL Additional English Language Support Course is aimed at helping foreign students adapt and improve their knowledge in the learning process. Classes are held in small groups under the guidance of a specialist teacher.
Faculties and colleges
King's College School Cascais has several academic departments that teach children in a specific age range: preschool – 1-5 years old, primary – 6-12 years old, secondary – 13-15 years old. In the future, the school will include a senior department offering education in grades 10-13.
Scientific achievements
At King's College School Cascais, students use technology on a daily basis, have access to a variety of tools that are relevant to the task at hand, and give them the opportunity to understand the content more deeply. Technology tools built into the curriculum can dramatically enhance learning and provide students and educators with:
- Access to up-to-date materials and applications from primary sources,
- Methods of data collection and recording,
- Ways to collaborate with students, faculty, and experts around the world,
- Opportunities to express understanding through multimedia,
- The education that is relevant and assessment that is credible,
- Learning how to publish and present your new knowledge.
Starting in fifth grade, all students use personal iPads in class, project and homework.
Things to know about
All students can take part in a global exchange program, gain international study experience at another school for four weeks to an academic year (with a place in a class at King's College School Cascais reserved for the student and awaiting their return). Each exchange offers a unique opportunity to explore new places, improve language skills, make new friends, and experience the cultures of the countries. Students can choose to live in one of the boarding schools around the world or in the home of a local host family. Exchange trips are available to Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, South Africa and New Zealand.
Programs and prices, tuition fees in King's College School Cascais
Early Years Program
- Age – from one to five years,
- The duration of the study is four years.
The Early Years program aims to build an important base of life knowledge and skills that will serve as the foundation for further academic paths.
In the preschool department, lessons are taught in game and interactive formats, which stimulates and reinforces children's thirst for knowledge, quick assimilation of information, motivation and interest in the world around them. Small classes allow teachers to pay a large amount of individual attention to each student, thereby creating a caring, safe and comfortable atmosphere for their development.
The basis of the academic plan is a wide range of classes and subjects that are presented in a research format. Students will learn the connection between the world around them and people, learn about rules and opportunities, gain communication skills, interact with objects and, of course, begin to learn mathematical arithmetic, grammar, spelling. The game-based teaching format is an excellent approach to basic education for children who are not yet able to withstand the rigors of the educational process. In games, younger students learn about the world around them and their abilities, see connections between different areas and spheres, and choose what they like the most.
In the transition to primary school, students will have a sufficient level of language, math and general knowledge, develop and consolidate self-care, communication, decision-making and other skills that can give them wide opportunities.
Primary Years Program
- Age – from 5 to 11 years old,
- The duration of the study is five years.
The Primary Years Program includes two phases: Key Stage 1 in grades one through two and Key Stage 2 in grades three through six.
- Key Stage 1 has a structured approach to the school day – students have a clear schedule of classes and breaks. During these school years, deeper learning is introduced into the curriculum through reading, writing, and mathematics. Students, as in the preschool department, are encouraged to explore the world in a playful format, but now they have the opportunity to express and formulate thoughts using words and numbers in specialized lessons. Mathematics and language learning are not taught in a complicated way, allowing students to master the basics of these subjects at their own pace and use the help of qualified teachers when needed.
- In Key Stage 2, disciplines such as science, art, technology, and history are added to the schedule: they create an interdisciplinary approach that links subjects together and shows students the vastness of areas for research. Because children are naturally curious, in primary school, students are encouraged to learn about things that interest them while reinforcing their numeracy and literacy skills.
Secondary Years Program
- Age — from 11 to 15 years old,
- The duration of the study is four years.
Students in grades 7-9 study the Cambridge International Curriculum, which consists of a wide range of subjects, followed by the IGCSE stage.
IGCSEs are the international equivalent of the British Curriculum exams taken in the UK at the end of Year 11. The content of the International IGCSE is more global in its context, it is a wide range of subjects that make up the curriculum that meets the student's personal needs, strengths and ambitions.
Compulsory subjects are Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. In addition to these, students can choose up to four disciplines that highlight their interests. Exams are taken in each chosen subject.
IGCSE Courses:
- English as a First Language,
- English Literature,
- English as a second language,
- Geography
- History
- Global Perspectives,
- Portuguese, French, Spanish,
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Informatics
- Art & Design,
- Drama, Music,
- Mathematics.
Completion of education at King's College School Cascais is currently the ninth grade.
Accommodation, meals, prices
The state-of-the-art residences, which open in September 2024, will provide students with premium accommodation and a sense of home in a safe and secure environment. The residential buildings will have an excellent team of academic and nurturing staff who will ensure that students feel happy, can succeed and achieve their goals.
The residences offer single and double rooms, accommodating up to 50 students in total. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, storage areas, workstations and single beds.
Students will be able to spend time in the shared living room with a fully equipped kitchenette where they can prepare simple snacks. This area is also used as a comfortable space where students will socialize and take part in evening activities. In the courtyard of the residences, special recreation areas have been prepared: a spacious terrace, a barbecue area and a living room with a beautiful view of the sea. Students will have access to on-site sports facilities, allowing them to make good use of their free time in the evenings and on weekends.
The school provides a healthy, balanced menu with a wide variety of dishes prepared using fresh ingredients. The idea of healthy eating is supported not only by a qualified team of cooks, kitchen staff, but also by the curriculum itself – through the subject "Personal Social Education in Health Education" (PSHE). If the student has special dietary, medical, religious needs, the staff will provide an alternative menu.
Activities King's College School Cascais
King's College School Cascais offers a wide range of activities, allowing each student to find the most suitable activity for their taste and needs. From team sports to personal development activities, a diverse list of events is designed to motivate, educate, and develop students in a well-rounded way. Some of the types of extracurricular activities available to students at King's College School Cascais are:
- Fine Arts: arts and crafts club, fine motor skills club for the youngest students,
- Performing Arts: Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Creative Dance,
- Martial Arts: Judo, Taekwondo,
- Team sports: gymnastics, football, rugby,
- Individual sports: surfing, mini and tennis,
- Personal Development: Botany, Mental Arithmetic, Chess, Yoga,
- Technology: Science Club, Inventors' Community, Lego Club.
Students can supplement their leisure program with one-to-one lessons in playing musical instruments.
The school has implemented a system of four Houses-faculties, each of which has its own color, name and individual characteristics. The House system aims to encourage friendly competition between students and is a fundamental element to teach students healthy competition, teamwork, responsibility and determination.
Advantages
- Bilingual education up to the fifth grade,
- New state-of-the-art campus – opening in 2024,
- Teaching the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in the future,
- Qualified teaching staff providing individual support to each student,
- Comfortable residences, high-quality catering,
- A wide range of extracurricular activities: from themed clubs and sports to creativity and intellectual communities.
Facilities and equipment at King's College School Cascais
Cascais is an ideal place for students, consistently receiving high marks for quality of life. It is a coastal resort town in Portugal, located just 30 minutes from Lisbon, home to one of the country's two international airports. The Old Town is home to medieval monuments and stunning architecture, which provides a great opportunity for weekend walks, broadening horizons, relaxing in nature. Cascais is also known for hosting regular international sporting events in surfing, tennis, horse riding and other competitive sports: Ocean Race, Longines Global Champions Tour, Estoril Open, Cascais Padel Master and Billabong Pro Cascais.
The new King's College School Cascais campus will offer state-of-the-art facilities on a sprawling 40,000 sqm site.
- Classrooms with interactive equipment,
- Comfortable residences for 50 people,
- Two gyms,
- Football and rugby fields,
- Tennis courts,
- Paddle tennis courts,
- Pool
- Performing arts halls for dance and drama, music, instrumentation,
- State-of-the-art scientific laboratories,
- Multi-purpose meeting room,
- Classroom for general classes.
The campus courtyard includes many green spaces and shaded areas where students can enjoy the outdoors.
Admission dates and extra charges
The academic year at King's College School Cascais consists of semesters:
- Autumn: September-December,
- Spring: January-March,
- Summer: April-June.
During the year, students attend classes on weekdays, rest on weekends, days of national and international holidays, vacations. A typical school day starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m., interrupted by rest in the morning and at lunch.
The price already includes:
- Academic Studies,
- Daily lunches (up to sixth grade morning and afternoon snacks are also included),
- Basic teaching materials: textbooks, additional literature, notebooks),
- Local Day Trips,
- Student insurance.
An approximate list of additional costs:
- Accommodation in the residence,
- Registration fee upon admission,
- Registration fee for reserving a seat in the class,
- Transportation services provided by external organizations,
- Extracurricular Activities, Communities, Events,
- One-to-one lessons,
- Support for the EAL language course,
- School Uniform: Daily, Sports, Official,
- Personal spending.
Every student must have stationery and their own iPad starting in fifth grade.
Enrolment process
The admission procedure is slightly different for applicants of different ages, but the common steps will be:
- Filling out the application and submitting the required documents,
- Visiting campus or communicating online with admissions staff,
- Payment of the registration fee,
- Obtaining an official admission decision,
- Paying the amount to book a seat in the class,
- Arrive at the campus to start your studies.
The difference between the introductory stages is that the children of the preschool department do not pass any tests. Future students in grades 1-6 communicate with a full-time psychologist when registering. Starting in the sixth grade, all applicants take the CAT4 Cognitive Ability Test, which diagnoses the child's skills, existing knowledge and intelligence level.
Perspectives
Academic excellence is key to the success of your studies at King's College School Cascais. To date, the school offers education up to the ninth grade, and in the future, programs will be provided to complete school education. The knowledge and skills base passed on from teachers to students will allow students to continue their academic path in the best institutions: schools, colleges, universities around the world.
Entry requirements, how to apply, what is required to enrol
For admission to King's College School Cascais , applicants must provide:
- Personal documents: passport, health insurance, visa or residence permit,
- Academic report for the last two academic years, assessment certificates,
- Certificates from specialists: speech therapist, speech pathologist, psychologist or others, if any.
Enrollment in middle school is strongly linked to the level of English proficiency – a student needs to be able to speak and understand the language well in order to keep up with the program. The school provides additional one-on-one EAL classes in order to support the student and improve their level of English in parallel with learning.
Scholarships King's College School Cascais
The Nsouli Scholarship Program is an exciting global initiative that promises to transform the lives of 50 outstanding students by offering full-scholarship attendance at a prestigious school for the duration of their studies. The goal is for the scholarship to provide hundreds of children with a truly valuable, modern and international education.
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about King's College School Cascais
Recommendations on when to apply
| Language courses, schools and children's language camps | Primary and secondary education - private schools | Preparation programmes for entering universities - higher education | Higher education (after completing accredited programs A-level, IB, High School) - Bachelor, Master, MBA |
| - we recommend to apply 6-9 months before the start of the course (some camps and schools offer discounts for early booking or for lengthy study programs) - there are some very popular and high demand children's camps, where the applications need to be submitted 1 year in advance (in particular Switzerland , Great Britain , USA , Canada , Austria) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the training program, - some schools have a specific time frame (September-November - please specify an individual school) - some schools require tests in several stages (UKISET, internal tests of the school: English, mathematics, logics, subjects, interview, some require a personal visit) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the program, - for Foundation and Pathway programs, IELTS and TOEFL certificates are usually required, respectively | - recommended submission one year before the start of the program, - the deadline normally closes in January, for TOP HEIs and, as a rule, in March in other universities - for a bachelor, a Foundation or Pathway preparatory program a completed A-level, IB, High School + IELTS / TOEFL are required - for Masters you need a graduated higher education, in some cases you need a pre-Masters program - MBA requires completed higher education, work experience preferably at least 2-3 years, etc. |
