St. Dominic's International School, Portugal

What St. Dominic's International School, Portugal does

St. Dominic's International School is a private IB World School located in São Domingos de Rana, Portugal, approximately 25 km from Lisbon. Founded in 1975 under the educational philosophy of the Irish Dominican Sisters — whose presence in Portugal dates to 1639 — the school delivers the full International Baccalaureate continuum from Nursery through Grade 12, including the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP), and has been registered across all three programmes since 1997. The student body represents 50+ nationalities, and the school is licensed by the Portuguese Ministry of Education and Culture under Alvará No. 2178. Since January 15, 2010, the school has been owned and managed by Veritas Educatio, SA, and is part of International Schools Partnership (ISP), a global education group operating 112 schools across 25 countries serving 110,000 students.

The school's core products are its Early Years (ages 3-5), Primary Years (Grades 1-5), Middle Years (Grades 6-10), and Diploma (Grades 11-12) academic programmes, complemented by an English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme, Academic and Learning Support staffed by on-site psychologists and special education specialists, an After School Activities programme, an annual Summer School for ages 3-12, and a Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) component with community partners including Habitat for Humanity, Banco Alimentar, and CASA. Pedagogy is anchored in the proprietary "Learning.First" methodology developed in partnership with the University of Cambridge through the Camtree research initiative, and is supported by third-party education platforms — ManageBac for DP curriculum management, Toddle for PYP parent engagement, ACER ISA for assessment, Read Write Inc for phonics, and Singapore Maths methodology. The campus comprises 82+ fully equipped classrooms, two libraries, multiple science/technology/computer labs, dedicated art/music/drama rooms, two gymnasiums, and outdoor sporting facilities.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring annual tuition fees reviewed each academic year, supplemented by one-time non-refundable registration and capital levies, an annual bus service covering Lisboa Este, Lisboa/Algés, Lisboa, Cascais, Estoril, and Odivelas areas (operated by Barraqueiro Transportes), a fee-based Summer School programme, and uniform retail through El Corte Inglés. The go-to-market motion is sales-led: prospective families book campus tours through the admissions team, progress through a five-step admission process with placement tests for Grade 6+, and receive offers based on space availability and application date. Distribution is single-channel through direct enrollment on campus, with no online enrollment platform, no app, and no public API. Marketing relies on the school's website (dominics-int.org), an active Instagram presence (@sdisportugal), alumni-driven word-of-mouth, PTA community events, and ISP network referrals.

Name

St. Dominic's International School, Portugal

Legal name

St. Dominic's International School, Portugal

Website

https://dominics-int.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

St. Dominic's International School is a private IB World School in São Domingos de Rana, Portugal, delivering the full International Baccalaureate continuum from Nursery to Grade 12 to an international student body of 50+ nationalities. Founded in 1975 and now part of International Schools Partnership, it operates a single 82+-classroom campus serving families seeking holistic international education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

International Curriculum Early Learning Academies (e.g., IB Early Years) (EDACADAK)

Keywords

• International baccalaureate education
• Primary school programmes
• Secondary school programmes
• Early childhood education
• Holistic student development

Headquarters

HQ city

São Domingos De Rana

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Annual or termly tuition fees for students aged 3-18 covering Early Years (Nursery to Reception), Primary Years (Grade 1-5), Middle Years (Grade 6-10), and Diploma Programme (Grade 11-12). Fees include school materials, field trips, and school accident insurance. International sports, cultural and academic trips, and IB examinations are charged separately.
2. Registration and Capital Levy: One-time registration fees and annual capital levy required to secure student placement. These fees are non-refundable once paid.
3. School Bus Service: Annual bus service fees for transportation covering Lisboa Este, Lisboa/Algés, Lisboa, Cascais, Estoril, and Odivelas areas. Registration must be for the full year.
4. Summer School Programme: Fee-based summer school programme for ages 3-12 running during July-August with activities including nature explorations, sports, arts and crafts. Includes lunch and snacks.
5. Uniform Sales: School uniforms sold through El Corte Inglés department store for Junior and Senior school students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

St. Dominic's International School is a private IB World School in Portugal delivering the full International Baccalaureate Continuum (PYP, MYP, and IBDP) for students aged 3-18 from Nursery through Grade 12. Core instruction is complemented by a Summer School programme, After-School Activities, English as an Additional Language support, Academic and Learning Support, CAS, Sports, Arts, and an official University Admissions Testing Centre for Cambridge Assessments (BMAT, PAT, MAT, TSA).

Product overview

St. Dominic's International School is an IB World School offering a comprehensive educational programme from Nursery to Grade 12 through the International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP, MYP, and DP). The school provides a holistic education comprising core academic programmes including the Early Years Programme, Primary Years Programme (Grades 1-5), Middle Years Programme (Grades 6-10), and Diploma Programme (Grades 11-12). Beyond academics, the school offers supplementary services including Summer School, After School Activities, English Language Support, Academic & Learning Support, a Sports Programme, Arts Programme, and CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) programme. Support services include university admissions testing, school bus transportation, and catering. The school is part of the International Schools Partnership (ISP) network operating across 25 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Years Programme (Nursery, Kindergarten & Reception) IB Primary Years Programme for children aged 3-5 (Nursery, Kindergarten, Reception), focusing on play-based learning and foundational cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development with weekly swimming lessons.
• Primary Years Programme (PYP) IB programme for students from Nursery to Grade 5, using a transdisciplinary inquiry-based approach across six themes including Who We Are, Where We Are In Place And Time, and How The World Works.
• Middle Years Programme (MYP) IB programme for students aged 11-16 (Grades 6-10), encouraging creative, critical and reflective thinking through eight subject groups with Service as Action and Personal Project components.
• Diploma Programme (IBDP) IB programme for students aged 16-19 (Grades 11-12), offering six subject groups with Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) core elements.
• Summer School Programme Annual summer camp programme for children ages 3-12 featuring outdoor and indoor activities, sports, arts and crafts, nature explorations, and interactive games, including morning and afternoon snacks and lunch.
• After School Activities Programme Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities including Creative Arts, Music, STEM, Sports, Leadership Development, and Knowledge Hub offerings led by school teachers and external coaches.
• English as an Additional Language (EAL) Language support programme helping students integrate into English-speaking environment through in-class support, differentiated lessons, and separate English skills classes for Grades 1-10.
• Academic & Learning Support Specialized support including psychologists and special education specialists providing counselling services and psychoeducational support tailored to individual student needs across all grade levels.
• Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)

Quantifiable outcome

• IB DP highest score of 45 points achieved consistently across recent years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Schools Partnership (ISP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2010ISP is the parent organization owning and managing St. Dominic's since January 15, 2010 through Veritas Educatio, SA. ISP is a global network of 112 schools across 25 countries serving 110,000 students with 14,000 staff. St. Dominic's benefits from global best practices, evidence-based Learning.First strategies developed with University of Cambridge, international opportunities, and continuous learning improvement frameworks.
• International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial IB World School authorized to offer Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). Registered with all three programmes since 1997. IB authorization enables school to deliver IB curriculum, conduct IB examinations, and use IB branding and resources.
• University of Cambridge (Camtree)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership with University of Cambridge through Camtree initiative. Learning.First approach developed from evidence-based research to accelerate academic achievement and nurture leadership and wellbeing. Research underpins school's teaching methodology.
• Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Award framework available to students for personal development through service, expeditions, skills, and physical recreation. Complements IB CAS programme.
• International Schools Sports Association (ISSA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSports association with 13 international schools including Aberdeen (Scotland), London (England), Madrid & Barcelona (Spain), Ankara (Turkey). St. Dominic's is the only school in Portugal and one of only three with both male and female teams in all sports. ISSA tournaments for football, basketball, volleyball, badminton for ages 14-18.
• Council of Heads of English Speaking Schools (CHESS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation of English-speaking international schools participating in national and international sports competitions and academic events.
• International MUNminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerModel United Nations culture and participation providing students opportunities to develop diplomatic skills, public speaking, and global awareness through simulated UN conferences.
• Habitat for HumanityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational housing organization. CAS students participate in building houses with Habitat for Humanity in Braga as part of service learning programme.
• Banco Alimentar (Food Bank)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational food bank organization. CAS students participate in food collection and support activities for the national food bank as part of service learning.
• Centro de Apoio Sem-Abrigo (CASA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomeless support organization. CAS students organize Street Stores for the homeless and engage in community service activities.
• UNHCRminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN Refugee Agency partnership for CAS programme providing students opportunities to support refugee causes and understand global displacement issues.
• SemearminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal community organization partnered with CAS programme for student service activities.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Oeiras International School: International school located in Oeiras along the Lisbon western corridor, directly competing for the same families seeking international education west of Lisbon city center.
• Carlucci American International School of Lisbon: Established IB World School in Lisbon offering an American-style curriculum with IB programmes. Competes for the same internationally mobile families seeking English-language international education with strong university placement records.
• Lycée Français Charles Lepierre: French international school in Lisbon with long-established presence serving both French and broader international community. Competes for internationally mobile families in Lisbon and offers an alternative international curriculum pathway.
• St. Julian's School: IB World School located in Carcavelos, just minutes from St. Dominic's São Domingos de Rana campus. Offers a comparable IB continuum with similar student demographic and is the closest direct competitor for expat and internationally-minded families in the western Lisbon corridor.
• United Lisbon International School: Newer international school in central Lisbon offering IB programmes from early years through secondary. Represents a newer entrant targeting the same premium international education segment in the Lisbon market.
• The British School of Lisbon: British international school in the Lisbon area offering English-language education with international curriculum. Targets the same pool of internationally mobile families and competes on similar academic outcomes and university placement.
• International Christian School of Lisbon: International school in the Lisbon area serving primarily international and English-speaking families. Competes for the same expat, diplomatic, and mission-family segment in the Lisbon international education market.
• Prime School International: International school group with campuses in the Cascais/Estoril area, directly competing with St. Dominic's for families in the western Lisbon corridor. Offers English-language international curriculum with similar target demographic.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/sdisportugal
• Xx.com/stdominicspt

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about St. Dominic's International School, Portugal