Vilamoura International School (CIV)
About the school
Vilamoura International School (Colégio Internacional de Vilamoura / CIV) was founded in 1984 by a group of parents and teachers who wanted something different — and that community-founded ethos still shows in the school's reputation today. With ~660 students from 30+ nationalities, CIV offers two distinct curriculum pathways: the English Studies track (British National Curriculum → Cambridge IGCSE → IB Diploma) and the Portuguese Studies track (Portuguese national curriculum). This dual-track model makes CIV popular with both local Portuguese families and international expat families. The school is ranked 4th nationally and 1st in the Algarve for national exam results by Observador (2025) — the academically highest-ranked school in the region. The 27,000sqm campus includes science labs, a music room, art room, ballet studio, two gymnasia, astroturf, basketball/tennis/volleyball courts, library and dining hall. CIV is an accredited Cambridge examination centre and Alliance Française centre. EAL (English as Additional Language) support is available for non-English speakers. Alumni have studied at universities in Portugal, UK, Japan, USA, Brazil, Australia, Czech Republic and Spain. CIV is now part of the Inspired Education Group (115+ schools across 28 countries).
Key highlights
- Ranked 4th nationally and 1st in the Algarve for exam results — Observador 2025
- IB Diploma Programme — the only IB school in the Algarve alongside Nobel Almancil
- Two curriculum tracks: British/IB international OR Portuguese national curriculum
- 27,000sqm campus — ballet studio, two gymnasia, science labs, astroturf
- Founded 1984 by parents and teachers — community-founded ethos still felt today
- Fees from €5,385/year — among the most affordable for a full IB pathway in the Algarve
- EAL support available — structured English as Additional Language programme
- Alumni at universities in UK, USA, Japan, Australia, Brazil and beyond
CIV is the academically highest-ranked school in the Algarve and 4th in all of Portugal for national exam results (Observador 2025). Founded in 1984 by parents and teachers — that community-founded ethos still shows today. One of the very few schools in Portugal offering a genuine choice between the Portuguese national curriculum and the British/IB international track, making it popular with both local families and expats. The IB Diploma here is the internationally recognised gold standard. Alumni have gone on to study at universities in the UK, USA, Japan, Australia, Brazil and beyond.
Curriculum & qualifications
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Get the Pack NowNow part of Inspired Education Group (same group as King's College Cascais and PaRK IS) — a for-profit group. Some families who knew the school before the Inspired acquisition note a cultural shift. The Portuguese track means some classes are taught in Portuguese — make sure you clarify which stream your child will be in before enrolling. Vilamoura requires a car from most Algarve locations — factor in transport. No boarding option — day school only.
Honest assessment
What families tell us — the things the school's own website won't say
- ✓Ranked 4th nationally and 1st in the Algarve for exam results (Observador 2025)
- ✓Two curriculum tracks: British/IB international OR Portuguese national — rare flexibility
- ✓IB Diploma Programme — internationally recognised gold standard qualification
- ✓Founded 1984 by parents and teachers — strong community-founded ethos
- ✓Extraordinary 27,000sqm campus with ballet studio, two gymnasia, specialist labs
- ✓Fees among the most affordable for a full IB pathway in the Algarve (from €5,385)
- ✓EAL support for non-English speakers
- ✓Cambridge examination centre + Alliance Française centre
- ✓Alumni at universities across UK, USA, Japan, Australia and beyond
- →Now part of Inspired Education Group (for-profit) — some families note cultural change post-acquisition
- →Portuguese track means some classes are Portuguese-medium — clarify stream carefully
- →Vilamoura location requires a car from most Algarve areas
- →No boarding option — day school only
- →~660 students — smaller than Nobel, fewer extracurricular resources
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