Astoria International School
Astoria International School, also known as Colégio Europeu Astoria, is a private educational institution located in the parish of Alvalade, in Lisbon, Portugal. The institution is owned by the company Colégio Astoria, S.A.
It offers a continuous educational path from nursery school through the end of the 3rd cycle of basic education (9th grade).
History
Astoria International School was created in response to the growing demand for international and bilingual education in Lisbon. In 2009, the school began its activities with a nursery, daycare, and kindergarten at Avenida Almirante Gago Coutinho, no. 88, in Lisbon. In 2012, it opened the 1st cycle of basic education (1st to 4th grade) at the campus on Avenida Almirante Gago Coutinho, no. 73. In 2017, the 1st cycle moved to the campus at Avenida Almirante Gago Coutinho, no. 86, while the campus at no. 73 was expanded and renovated to accommodate the 2nd and 3rd cycles of basic education, completing the school's offering up to the 9th grade.
In 2023, Astoria International School achieved 21st position in the ranking of private basic education schools in the district and municipality of Lisbon, with a score of 66.44 points, according to the national school ranking published by the newspaper Expresso.
In the same year, the institution reached 100th position in the national ranking of all basic education schools, considering both public and private establishments.
Education and curriculum
The educational offering at Astoria International School begins in early childhood education, with a nursery and daycare for children from 4 months to 2 years old, and kindergarten for children aged 3 to 5.
In the 1st cycle of basic education (1st to 4th grade), the school offers bilingual teaching with a strong linguistic component, introducing a third language, German, into the curriculum from the 3rd grade. In the 2nd cycle (5th and 6th grades), the curricular offer is expanded with the introduction of French. The 3rd cycle (7th to 9th grade) ensures the continuity of the academic path, reinforcing linguistic skills, study methodologies, and creative and reflective activities.
The school's pedagogical approach is based on a progressive bilingual and multilingual model, with instruction in Portuguese and English from early childhood, the introduction of German in the 1st cycle, and French from the 5th grade. Pedagogical practices include methodologies inspired by different educational movements, such as the Movimento da Escola Moderna (Modern School Movement) and principles of the João de Deus School Movement, applied to Portuguese literacy and mathematics. The college adopts student-centered methodologies, emphasizing the development of academic, social, and cultural skills within a multicultural learning context.
Recognition and accreditations
Astoria International School is accredited by the competent authorities for its educational activities in Portugal. The nursery and daycare facilities are accredited by the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity, and Social Security via the Carta Social.
Levels from kindergarten to the end of the 3rd cycle of basic education are accredited by the Ministry of Education, through the Directorate-General for School Establishments (DGEstE), for the teaching of the national curriculum.
The school is also accredited by international linguistic certification bodies, including Cambridge Assessment International Education and Trinity College London.
The institution also holds official certifications, including recognition within the Eco-Schools program and the Escola Saudavelmente (Healthy School) certification, awarded by the Order of Portuguese Psychologists.