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Taught languages Portuguese, English, French, Spanish
Typical class size 18
Strengths Languages, STEM, Performing Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction
Colégio Santiago Internacional (CSI Tavira) is a coeducational independent school located in central Tavira in a 15th‑century building considered a historic landmark. Open to ages 3 to 18, it follows the English National Curriculum with bilingual instruction in English and Portuguese, adapted to meet each student's needs. The community includes more than 27 nationalities and about 130 students. The curriculum emphasizes mathematics and science, with the Arts and Sports component given significant emphasis, and a commitment to fostering an international culture and interest in other languages and cultures. The campus houses 16 classrooms plus facilities including a science laboratory, a music studio, a radio station, a computer room, an art room and a canteen offering healthy, sustainably sourced meals. Class sizes are capped at 18. A-levels are offered in Years 12 and 13. Extracurriculars include Tennis Club, Ballet, Portuguese Arts & Crafts, Egyptian Arabic Classes and Homework Club, supporting personal development alongside academics.
Praça Zacarias Guerreiro 29, 8800-395 Tavira, Portugal
The Essentials
Colégio Santiago Internacional has 130 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English, Portuguese.
Location
Praça Zacarias Guerreiro, nº29, Tavira, Faro 8800-391, Portugal
Stages
Primary school and Secondary school, with A-level courses
Type
Independent, coeducational, open-admission
Pupil Nationality Mix
More than 27 nationalities represented; about 130 students.
Country affiliation
England (curriculum model)
School day structure
Open at 8:30 am. Primary day runs from 8:45 to 4:30 pm with lunch 12:25–14:00; Secondary day runs from 8:50 to 4:30 pm with lunch 10:55–13:10; pickup for both is 3:50–4:30 pm.
Bus service
Private taxi service with two providers: Nuno Taxi and Calea Taxi. Routes cover Tavira to Vila Real de Santo António, Ayamonte (Spain), and Faro.
Fees
Annual tuition at Colégio Santiago Internacional ranges from EUR 5,615 to EUR 8,378 for 2026/27.
Application / Registration fees and security deposit
- Annual registration (enrolment) fee: EUR 380 (charged each year; non‑refundable). - Security deposit (one‑off, refundable): EUR 700. The deposit is refundable provided the school receives the required term notice in writing; the school may retain all or part of the deposit if notice conditions are not met or there are outstanding debts.
Tuition fees by year group (recurring annual tuition and per‑term equivalent)
Note: the figures below are the school's published recurring annual fees for the current academic year and the simple per‑term equivalent (annual ÷ 3) shown for convenience.
- For a new Kindergarten 3 enrolment the school publishes: security deposit EUR 700 (refundable), annual registration EUR 380 (non‑refundable) and tuition for that entry year shown separately; the combined total for the first year (tuition + registration + deposit) for that example is EUR 5,935.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Payment frequency options: monthly, termly or annual. Parents/guardians choose the payment frequency. - Monthly payments: the monthly instalment must be paid by the 5th day of the month to which it relates. - Termly payments: term fees are payable before the start of the relevant term (termly payment is an available option). Annual payment attracts a discount if paid by the published deadline. - Annual payment discount: a 3% discount is available for annual payments if paid by 30 August. - Late payments: payments received on or after the 6th of the month incur a late penalty (the school applies a late fee percentage and may recover outstanding amounts from the security deposit); continued non‑payment can lead to suspension of attendance until fees are brought up to date.
Boarding / residential provision
- There is no boarding provision listed for Colégio Santiago Internacional; the school operates as a day school for ages 5–18.
Other compulsory or recurring costs (meals, transport, exams, extras, uniform, etc.)
- Meals and canteen: meal provision (morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack) is offered as a separate, charged service. The school's fee documents and regulations treat food/canteen as an additional cost outside the recurring tuition line. Parents are charged separately for canteen. - Transport: school transport is charged separately. Transport costs are not included in the published recurring tuition and are billed in addition if the service is used. - External examination charges: public/external examination fees (for Edexcel/GCSE/IGCSE/AS/A‑Level) are charged in accordance with examination board rates; these are billed in addition as required. - Uniform: uniform is compulsory. Uniform items are ordered and purchased directly by parents from the school's supplier; the school does not publish uniform prices on the fees pages. Uniform costs are therefore payable separately to the supplier. - Extracurricular activities, study visits, art supplies and similar additional services are excluded from the core tuition and are charged separately.
Refunds and deposit handling
- General rule: payments for terms, services or other fees are non‑refundable. The security deposit is refundable only if the school receives the required term notice in writing in advance (a term's notice) and there are no outstanding debts; otherwise the school may retain the deposit (or part of it). The registration (enrolment) fee is non‑refundable.
Fee payment options and instructions
- Accepted payment methods listed by the school include: cash; monthly direct debit to the school's named bank accounts; and bank transfer to the school IBAN accounts. Payment confirmation should be sent to the school email address shown on invoices. The school lists specific IBAN accounts for transfers and direct debit (accounts at Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Crédito Agrícola and Santander).
Sibling discounts and other reductions
- Sibling discount: second child 5% off tuition; third and subsequent children 7% off tuition.
Administrative notes (how fees are treated)
- Books provided by the school are school property and must be returned in good condition at year end; replacement cost will be charged if books are not returned. School accident insurance is included within registration/enrolment services. External exam and resit fees are charged as required.
(End of fees overview)
Academics
Colégio Santiago Internacional teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge A Levels for students aged 3 to 18.
Curriculum
Two-language instruction in English and Portuguese, following the English National Curriculum modified to meet each student's needs. There is a strong emphasis on mathematics and science, embedded throughout the curriculum. The Arts and Sports component is given significant importance, with curricular and extracurricular activities planned inside and outside the school facilities. The commitment is to create an international culture and to captivate students' interest in other languages and cultures.
Student Teacher Ratio
130 students and 17 teachers; maximum class size is 18; approximate student–teacher ratio is about 7.6:1.
Exam Results
Exam results are published in a PDF showing yearly IGCSE results and A-Level results from 2014 to 2024. The data indicate high performance, with 2020 showing 100% in the measured metrics. The school notes that results are above the average of UK schools.
Higher Education Progression
Graduates have gone on to universities including California State University, Long Beach; University of Central Florida, Wembley (UCFB); ATF Flying School in Spain; and universities in Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, England and Portugal. The first student to complete A-Levels at CSI in 2013 was admitted to California State University, Long Beach.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Personal and social development is tracked through observation and ongoing dialogue with students and their parents or guardians. The mentor serves as the primary point of contact for educational or social concerns about each child. Regular updates to student information help monitor progress and well-being. The school emphasizes confidentiality regarding student records and sensitive information. Mindfulness and positive behaviour are integrated into daily routines to support emotional well-being and respectful interactions. The community emphasizes collaboration among teachers, students, and families to support each student's social and emotional growth.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is the primary language of instruction while Portuguese is maintained at grade level proficiency for native speakers and taught as an additional language for non-native speakers. The ultimate instructional goal is to achieve proficiency in both languages. Language instruction is integrated with content, using strategies that support linguistically and cognitively diverse learners. The school aims to cultivate bilingual comprehension and communication to prepare students for global opportunities.
Mental Wellbeing
Mindfulness is scheduled into the school day for both primary and secondary students: primary mindfulness from 3:30 PM to 3:50 PM and secondary mindfulness from 3:50 PM to 4:10 PM. Personal and social development informs wellbeing through ongoing observation and dialogue with students and families. The mentor is the first point of contact for wellbeing concerns, and staff maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
Safeguarding
Zero-tolerance bullying is enforced at Colégio Santiago Internacional. The mentor is the first point of contact for educational or social concerns about a child. Entrance and movement are controlled: visitors must be identified at the main office and some areas are restricted. The school collects information from parents/guardians regarding participation in study visits and activities. Parents/guardians have the right to access information and expect confidentiality from staff regarding private family matters.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Submit enrollment documents. Admissions follow established criteria, and siblings have priority in enrolment. Upon registration, the office provides the following documents: Enrolment Form, Fees and Services, Use of the Uniform Policy, Medical Questionnaire, and School Calendar 2024/2025. Indicate the Expected Starting date and whether transport is needed on the form; transport availability is subject to confirmation, and the pickup point will be arranged with the service provider.
2. Evaluation and interview. Enrollment is subject to an evaluation process; the parents/guardians and the student will be invited for an interview with the Management Team if they have not yet completed one. The interview helps assess readiness and mutual expectations between family and school. A admission decision follows the evaluation.
3. Secure the place and payment. If admitted, the place is secured by paying the Enrollment Fee and a refundable Deposit before monthly/termly/yearly fee payments begin. The school offers 1× annual, 3× per term, or 11× monthly payment options.
4. Fees and inclusions. The Annual Registration fee is 395.00€ and the Security Deposit is 700.00€ (refundable). Meals and Transport are additional: Meals Year 1–9 are 130€; Years 10–13 are 160€. Transport is 180€. Discounts apply: 3% discount for annual payment; 5% discount for the second child; 7% discount for the third and subsequent children. The Annual Registration fee includes School Insurance, Textbooks (CSI's property for student use), Exercise books, Materials for Arts initiation, Library and internet access, and Lockers.
5. Start date, transport arrangements, and calendar. Indicate the Expected Starting date on the Enrollment Form. If transport is needed, indicate this on the form; transport arrangements are subject to confirmation and pickup points are arranged with the service provider. The School Calendar 2024/2025 is provided with registration documents.
FAQs
What curriculum does Colégio Santiago Internacional follow?
Two-language instruction in English and Portuguese, following the English National Curriculum modified to meet each student's needs. There is a strong emphasis on mathematics and science, embedded throughout the curriculum. The Arts and Sports component is given significant importance, with curricul...
Where is Colégio Santiago Internacional located?
Praça Zacarias Guerreiro, nº29, Tavira, Faro 8800-391, Portugal
What age range does the school serve?
Colégio Santiago Internacional serves students from age 3 to 18, covering Primary school and Secondary school, with A-level courses.
How many students attend Colégio Santiago Internacional?
Approximately 130 students are enrolled at Colégio Santiago Internacional.
What are the tuition fees?
Annual tuition ranges from PHP 5,615 to PHP 8,378 depending on year group.
Is the school co-educational?
Colégio Santiago Internacional is co-educational.
When was Colégio Santiago Internacional founded?
Colégio Santiago Internacional was founded in 2012. CSI Tavira opened its doors in September 2012. There are more than 27 nationalities and about 130 students. It is an independent, coeducational, open-admission school with bilingual teaching in Englis...
What languages are taught at the school?
English is the primary language of instruction; Portuguese is maintained at grade-level proficiency for native speakers and taught as an additional language for non-native speakers. The aim is to achieve proficiency in both languages. The bilingual approach fosters cultural and linguistic diversity
What facilities does the school offer?
Colégio Santiago Internacional is located in the center of Tavira, in a 15th-century building considered a true historical landmark. The school has 16 classrooms, including a science laboratory, a music studio, a radio station, a computer room, an art room, and a canteen. The maximum class size is 1
What is the admissions process?
1) Submit enrollment documents. Admissions follow established criteria, and siblings have priority in enrolment. Upon registration, the office provides the following documents: Enrolment Form, Fees and Services, Use of the Uniform Policy, Medical Questionnaire, and School Calendar 2024/2025. Complet
What extracurricular activities are available?
Extracurricular activities are an important part of pupils' lives, developing talents that can be used later in life and leadership skills for participation in the Global Community. They help students strengthen their minds and broaden their social circle. They also promote better time management. H
Does Colégio Santiago Internacional offer a bus service?
Private taxi service with two providers: Nuno Taxi and Calea Taxi. Routes cover Tavira to Vila Real de Santo António, Ayamonte (Spain), and Faro.
Who is the head of school?
The head of school at Colégio Santiago Internacional is Ana Alves.
