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Eden Montessori International School

Albufeira, AlgarveAges 3โ€“12
๐ŸŒ IBEnglishPortuguese
IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)Montessori
Annual fees from
โ‚ฌ6,340 โ€“ โ‚ฌ9,090
Nationalities
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Max class size
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Campus size
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About the school

Eden Montessori International School is Portugal's first school to combine the Montessori educational philosophy with the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) โ€” a genuinely unusual and thoughtful approach that blends two of the world's most respected child-centred educational frameworks. Montessori methodology emphasises independence, self-paced learning, hands-on discovery and intrinsic motivation. The IB PYP adds inquiry-based transdisciplinary learning and an international perspective. The school teaches in English with Portuguese as a second language. For families who value progressive, child-led education over traditional academic structures, Eden is the only option of its kind in the Algarve. The school serves children from ages 3 to 12 (preschool through primary). Families will need to plan secondary school separately after age 12.

Key highlights

  • Portugal's first school to combine Montessori philosophy with IB Primary Years Programme
  • Montessori + IB PYP: two of the world's most respected child-centred educational frameworks
  • English-medium with Portuguese as second language โ€” central Albufeira location
Portugal's first Montessori + IB PYP school โ€” a genuinely unique combination

Eden is the first school in Portugal to combine the Montessori educational philosophy with the IB Primary Years Programme โ€” blending two of the world's most respected child-centred frameworks. For families who value progressive, child-led education, it is the only option of its kind in the Algarve.

Curriculum & qualifications

PrimaryMontessori Method
SecondaryIB Primary Years Programme (PYP)
Language of instructionEnglish, Portuguese
Age range3โ€“12 years

What families say

โ€œOur daughter had been in a traditional school and was miserable. At Eden she blossomed โ€” the Montessori approach suits her completely. The IB PYP adds structure without killing the child-led spirit.โ€

American family, Albufeira โ€” Year 2

โ€œThe combination of Montessori and IB is genuinely thoughtful. The teachers understand both frameworks deeply. Our son is curious, independent and loves learning โ€” which is all we wanted.โ€

Dutch family, central Algarve โ€” Year 4

Things to know before applying

What families tell us โ€” the things the school's own website won't say

Strengths
  • Portugal's first school to combine Montessori philosophy with IB PYP โ€” unique in the country
  • Two of the world's most respected child-centred educational frameworks in one school
  • Montessori: independence, self-paced learning, hands-on discovery, intrinsic motivation
  • IB PYP: inquiry-based transdisciplinary learning, international perspective
  • English-medium with Portuguese as second language
  • Central Albufeira location โ€” accessible from much of the central Algarve
  • Fees from โ‚ฌ6,340 โ€” competitive for an IB-affiliated school
Consider carefully
  • Primary only (ages 3โ€“12) โ€” families must plan secondary school separately
  • Montessori/IB approach not suited to all children โ€” less structured than traditional schools
  • No secondary pathway within the school
  • Smaller school โ€” limited extracurricular range
  • Verify current fees directly โ€” may have changed
Portugal Nest practical note

Eden is a primary-only school โ€” families will need to plan secondary school separately after age 12. The Montessori/IB PYP combination is genuinely distinctive but not for every child โ€” children who thrive with more structured, traditional academic approaches may not suit this environment. If you are drawn to progressive, child-led education, Eden is the only option of its kind in the Algarve and worth visiting. Verify current fees directly with the school as they may have changed.

Annual fees 2025/26
โ‚ฌ6,340 โ€“ โ‚ฌ9,090
Fees โ‚ฌ6,340โ€“โ‚ฌ9,090/year. Verify current fees directly with the school.

Contact details

Address
Albufeira, Algarve

Albufeira, Algarve

Key facts

TypePrivate, non-profit
Ages3โ€“12
Studentsโ€”
Nationalitiesโ€”
Max class sizeโ€”
School busCheck with school
BoardingNo โ€” day school

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