Why Prime · independent since 2003

An independent Cambridge school, still led by the people who built it.

Since opening its first campus in 2003, Prime has remained faithful to the vision on which it was founded: to provide an outstanding international education while ensuring that every child is known, valued and supported as an individual.

Our leadership team remains actively involved in the daily life of the school, working closely with students, families and staff to foster a culture of excellence, care and ambition. This personal approach ensures that every student is encouraged to grow in confidence, develop their talents and fulfill their full potential.

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Our story

How Prime began.

In 2003, Dr. Edite and Eng. Miguel founded Prime School International in Lisbon, with a clear conviction: that Portugal deserved a school to stand alongside the best in the world, not by copying them, but by building something distinctly its own.

British academic rigour, Portuguese warmth, and a school committed to developing character, not only delivering results.

That conviction became three campuses and one continuous Cambridge pathway from age 3 to A Level, with graduates now at Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Imperial and leading universities across more than 30 countries. And through every year of growth, one thing hasn't changed: Prime is still independent, and still led by the family that started it.

Dr Edite and Miguel

Founders and Executive Directors · since 2003

Mission & values

We exist to inspire confident, compassionate and intellectually curious young people who are ready to thrive in a changing world. We believe education should achieve far more than academic success—it should shape character, broaden horizons and create opportunities that transform lives.

Excellence

Cambridge rigour, externally examined, held to an international standard, not assessed only in-house.

Integrity

We say what we mean and we keep what we promise.

Respect

Every child known as an individual, not reduced to a result, ranking or label.

Innovation

Evidence-led teaching, and progress followed closely for each student.

Community

A school small enough to feel personal, with families from many nationalities.

What we're built on

Three guiding principles.

Every decision at Prime, academic, pastoral, operational, comes back to three founding ideas. They are what makes the school recognisable at any age and on any campus.

British academic
rigour

The full Cambridge pathway, from Early Years to A Level. Analytical thinking, academic discipline and independent enquiry are built systematically from age 3, with external assessment at key stages.

Every child followed
closely

Each students' progress is monitored individually across subjects and wellbeing. Support is delivered early on. Parents follow it through a secure portal, no child quietly slips behind.

Portuguese
warmth

British educational excellence meets the warmth and hospitality for which Portugal is known for. We combine high academic standards with a deeply personal approach, where every child is recognised as an individual and every family is welcomed with care, respect and genuine support. For international families, Prime offers not just an outstanding school, but a community in which to belong.

Pedagogical excellence

Educators who inspire.

At the heart of Prime School International’s success is a highly qualified and experienced teaching team.

We invest significantly in recruiting, developing and retaining outstanding teachers from Portugal and around the world. Our educators bring extensive classroom experience across British, Portuguese, German and international educational systems, and many hold advanced qualifications in their subject areas. Beyond their academic credentials, they share a deep commitment to education and to inspiring every student to achieve their full academic and personal potential.

How we teach

The Prime
Methodology.

A proprietary pedagogical system exclusive to Prime School. It combines personalised mentoring, artificial intelligence and continuous progress; monitoring to ensure every student achieves their full potential, intellectually, emotionally, socially and ethically.

"Every student is viewed as an individual with unique talents, aspirations and potential. We are committed to developing the whole person, ensuring that each child flourishes academically, personally and socially."

Carlos Cordeiro · Executive Director Prime School International · Revista Pontos de Vista, Oct 2025

Individual Profile

Every student begins their journey at Prime with a comprehensive academic and developmental profile. By understanding their strengths, needs, interests and aspirations from the outset, we can shape a learning experience that is both personal and purposeful.

Real-Time Monitoring

Our AI-supported monitoring system provides continuous insight into each student's academic progress and personal development across every subject and area of pastoral care. By identifying patterns and emerging needs at an early stage, teachers can provide timely, personalised support before small challenges become barriers to success.

Personalised Mentoring

Dedicated mentors, tutors and school psychologists support each student’s academic and experience. No child is left unseen.

Continuous Improvement

ISO 9001 governance ensures that every intervention is recorded, evaluated and improved.

Media

What the press says.

The Portugal News · Nov 2025

“Prime School International rises to the ranks of the world’s elite K12 schools, alongside Eton College, Institut Le Rosey, Aiglon College and Collège du Léman.”

Francisco Saraiva, Director of the Estoril Campus

Read the full article →

NiT.pt · Nov 2025

“Prime School: a escola portuguesa ao nível do Oxford College e do Institut Le Rosey.”

NiT · Portugal’s leading lifestyle platform

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Pontos de Vista · Oct 2025

“A Prime School é hoje símbolo de uma nova geração de escolas europeias: tecnológicas, inclusivas e orientadas para resultados mensuráveis, sem perder de vista o desenvolvimento humano.”

Edite Reina, CEO · Revista Pontos de Vista

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Recognition

Recognised and accredited.

Being independent means having the freedom to innovate while remaining fully accountable. At Prime, our educational standards, quality systems and academic provision are recognised and independently audited by the organisations that matter most.

Ministério da Educação

Recognised and certified by the Portuguese Ministry of Education, ensuring full equivalence for students within the national system.

Cambridge International

A registered Cambridge school. The full pathway to A Level, recognised by more than 2,350 universities in 90 countries.

ISO 9001 · SGS

Quality-management systems certified to ISO 9001 by SGS, so the way the school is run is audited, not assumed.

Erasmus+

An accredited Erasmus+ school, funding international experiences for students through EU programmes.

By the numbers

Prime in numbers.

95%

First-choice university destination for 2024 leavers · Cambridge-examined

Campuses · Lisbon,
Estoril & Sintra

51+

Nationalities in the
school community

30+

University destination
countries for Prime graduates

2,350+

Universities recognising
Cambridge qualifications, in over 90 countries

The people behind the school

Our leadership team.

Our Leadership Team brings together outstanding academic expertise, international experience and a shared commitment to educational excellence. It includes specialists in the Cambridge and Pearson curricula, educational leaders, economists, engineers, sociologists, diplomats and senior executives, including professionals with experience at the European Space Agency (ESA). Together, they provide strategic leadership while ensuring that every student is known, supported and inspired to achieve their full potential.

[ Portrait, Dra. Edite Reina ]

Dr. Edite Reina

Chief Executive Officer

"We see each student as a whole person. Our work is academic, but it is also emotional, social and ethical."

[ Portrait, Carlos Almeida ]

Carlos Almeida

Chief Technology Officer

"Technology in education is not the goal. It is the tool that lets us see each child's journey more clearly."

[ Portrait, Melissa Pereira ]

Melissa Pereira

Director

"We are building more than a school. We are building a community where every family has a place."

[ Portrait, Francisco Saraiva ]

Francisco Saraiva

Principal · Campus Estoril

"At Prime, families should feel that their child is known, academically, socially and personally."

[ Portrait, Carlos Cordeiro ]

Carlos Cordeiro

Principal · Campus Lisbon

"A school succeeds when every child feels they belong. That is the standard we set for ourselves every day."

[ Portrait, Ana Magalhães ]

Ana Magalhães

Principal · Campus Sintra

"Good stewardship means every resource is directed where it matters most: towards the children in our care."

See Prime for yourself.

A dedicated admissions adviser will contact you in English or Portuguese to learn about your child's interests, strengths and educational needs, answer your questions and help you decide whether Prime is the right fit for your family.

Book a private tour How admissions work Get the prospectus

+351 219 235 496 · admissions@primeschool.pt