CAISL’s campus is comprised of three academic buildings as well as a covered gymnasium of 15,000 sq. ft, more than 100,000 sq.ft. of exterior sports fields which include an official soccer pitch as well as a junior one, a snack bar, cafeteria and a Fine Arts Center with dedicated classrooms for music, art and drama and a 450-seat fully equipped theater. The other two academic buildings consist of 2 classroom buildings, one for the Early Childhood and Elementary (EC-3 through Kindergarten and Grades 1-5) and the other for Middle School (Grades 6-8) and High School (Grades 9-12) that includes four science labs. Connecting these two buildings is the Library Media Center (with over 40,000 items including print, non-print, audio-visual and electronic resources). The entire school has wireless internet. The buildings were purpose-built with the needs of children and young adolescents in mind. For example, the Early Childhood and lower Elementary classes have their own toilets and hand basins in the classrooms. There is also a Library Media Center for younger students.

The classrooms for all students are spacious and functional with ample room to support the American philosophy of “inquiry-based active learning" - students are often up and doing activities in the classroom rather than sitting placidly in rows listening to teachers.

Students in Grade 1 learn in a 2:1 laptop environment and laptops are provided as a tool for learning.  Students in Grades 2-5 have an assigned laptop which is kept in the classroom.  In Grades 6-12 students are assigned a laptop for use in school and at home. All HP laptops have appropriate software installed corresponding to IT needs for varied classes. 

To view photos and see more of our campus, click here.

The school day is 8:20 – 3:45 for all students at CAISL.
Early Childhood (3, 4, and 5 year olds) and Elementary Classes (Grades 1 through 5) and the first year of Middle School (Grade 6) are self-contained for core classes (reading, writing, spelling, math, social studies, science). Specialists teach Portuguese as a Foreign Language (PFL), Portuguese as a Native Language (PNL), Music, Art, Computers, and Physical Education.

In the Middle School, 6th grade students are taught in a “homeroom” environment for their core subjects, to ensure they get the academic and emotional support they need as they make the transition to the Middle School. Students in 7th and 8th Grades change classes and teachers for all of their subjects. Teachers in the Middle School also serve as Advisors for students, working with them in small groups on the academic and personal challenges specific to this age.

In the High School (Grades 9 through 12), students have different teachers and classes for all of their subjects.

The Secondary School runs an “alternating block” schedule, with each student having 4 periods per day on a four-day rotation (A, B, C and D days).

Following its mission statement of providing an enriching, varied and effective program of academics, arts and athletics, CAISL offers a variety of extracurricular activities, both without an extra fee and for-pay. For a complete list of both free and for-pay after school activities available, please click here. Contact events@caislisbon.org  if you have any questions.

CAISL students engage as well in community service activities, vocal music, drama, yearbook, and active chapters of Student Council (both Middle School and High School) and National Honor Society.

CAISL High School students are also active participants in the Model United Nations Program. CAISL hosts each November the Iberian Model United Nations and attends each January The Hague International MUN.

Learning takes place in a variety of environments. CAISL regularly takes students on field trips during the school day so the students can see and experience what they are learning in class. The school provides transportation for these events. Admission fees for these day-trips are included in the tuition fees and there is no additional charge.

Additionally, there are overnight trips, beginning in Grade 5, where students spend a week in Gredos, Spain at an Environmental Education Center.