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).
CIV is ranked 4th nationally and 1st in the Algarve for national exam results by Observador (2025). Founded in 1984 by parents and teachers, it offers a rare dual-track choice: British/IB international curriculum or Portuguese national curriculum — on a 27,000sqm campus with a ballet studio, two gymnasia and specialist labs.
“The academic results speak for themselves. Our daughter got into her first-choice UK university. The IB preparation was excellent and the teachers genuinely care about outcomes.”
British family, Vilamoura — IB Diploma Year 13
“We chose CIV because of the dual-track option. Our son does the Portuguese curriculum alongside expat children — it's been brilliant for his Portuguese and for making local friends.”
Dutch family, Loulé area — Year 7
What families tell us — the things the school's own website won't say
CIV is now part of the Inspired Education Group (the same for-profit group that owns King's College Cascais and PaRK IS) — some families who knew the school before the acquisition note a change in culture. The dual-track model is genuinely valuable but requires careful clarification: if your child is on the Portuguese track, some classes will be Portuguese-medium — make sure you understand exactly which stream your child would follow before enrolling. The Vilamoura location is convenient for the central Algarve coast but requires a car from most areas. The fees (€5,385–€12,415) are among the most affordable for a full IB pathway in the Algarve — significantly cheaper than comparable IB schools in Lisbon. The academic ranking (4th nationally, 1st in Algarve) is the strongest argument for CIV and is hard to ignore.
Sítio das Quintinhas, 8125-406 Vilamoura, Loulé
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