Active Learning and Continuous Innovation
Our educational philosophy is holistic, fostering the individual growth of each student through high teaching standards and a variety of inspiring extra-curricular activities.
We accept a broad range of students to our school yet we are hugely ambitious for them in all areas of life here, many of these be defined by the skills that our international staff bring to the school. I hope that our alumni will be judged by a variety of methods and not just the number of amazing grades they earn in exams.
We have begun to see that intelligence should be measured in a variety of ways and not just exam results. Emotional intelligence will come from living and working within a happy and stimulating environment.
Learning intelligence will come from being shown there are many different ways to learn. Digital intelligence will develop as new skills are learned and safe online habits developed. Finally, global intelligence will be a part of an outward facing and open minded community.
ULIS provides an international educational program in English from age 3 – 18, with a strong focus on the skills and values the next generation will need to be successful in tomorrow’s world and beyond. The school is committed to the purpose of contributing to a sustainable and equitable world.
We do focus strongly on Portuguese as a second language given that we are based in Portugal and we believe that children who graduate from ULIS should have an adequate level of Portuguese to live and work in this country.
United Lisbon is located within one of the most culturally rich and diverse cities in the world and there are many opportunities to enhance the learning experience.
The school welcomes learners from Early Childhood (3 years) to high school graduation 18 years Grade 12; we create a dynamic learning culture where our learners become experts who have deep conceptual understandings, high levels of competencies and a strong positive moral character. Our learning pathway culminates with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program in Grades 11 and 12 in which students graduate with the IB Diploma.
Early Childhood
4 – 5 YO
Elementary
Grade 1 – Grade 5
Middle School
Grade 6 – Grade 8
High School
Grade 9 – Grade 10
IB DP
Grade 11 – Grade 12
3 - 11 Years Old
We believe in giving our youngest students the best possible start in their learning journey. For giving them stimulation and guidance within a nurturing environment now will set them up for a bright future.
Using the highly respected International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) and then the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) as a framework we have developed a stimulating and enriching curriculum that flows seamlessly from year to year, giving continuity and clearly defined targets as they progress through the school. We focus on fostering a love for learning and developing a global perspective from a young age.
By the time our pupils reach the end of the Primary school aged 11, they will be secure.
We recognise that children develop at different rates and speeds and provide extra opportunities for growth for those that need it while supporting growth in those that may struggle at times.
11 - 14 Years old
The middle years are the golden years for learning as children begin to discover their own identities and before the pressures that external exams can bring.
The International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC) engages learners by focusing on the specific needs of the teenage brain, guided by research, and coupled with a progressive pedagogy that encourages teenagers to be informed, globally competent, and future- ready learners.
This is our chance to stimulate students, challenge them with different methods of learning and thinking as well as developing a sense of ambition in all that they do in school. The curriculum has developed and expanded to offer greater experiences in all areas, from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects to developing their creativity through Art, Music and Drama as well as developing linguistic skills, personal awareness and physical activities. During these years we also begin to offer forward thinking lessons in the timetable by providing a rich and diverse lecture program and offering opportunities for children to explore their own interests by utilizing specific skills that our international staff bring to the school.
14 - 18 Years old
United Lisbon adopts a rigorous and challenging High School program that culminates in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme . These years are a chance for students to begin to recognize their own skills and strengths and, with the schools support, to gradually plot a life after school through carefully managed career and university guidance. This takes shape through grades 9 & 10 and helps dictate subject choice at the Diploma stage (grades 11 & 12). While students have a core set of subjects throughout the High School they also have the opportunity to explore areas that capture their imagination and interest.
These years also provide opportunities for students to take on increasing responsibility for their own learning and guidance is given on developing effective learning and study skills.
United Lisbon International School is an IB World School teaching the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme for Grades 11 and 12. IB World Schools share a common philosophy- a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education- that we believe is important for our students.
IB learners are:
The school offers guidance and support through its IB Coordinator and other to all students in developing a strong individual profile, academically and beyond. The IBDP is widely recognized by the highest-ranking universities around the world
The extra-curricular program extends learning beyond the classroom. Following our holistic educational philosophy, it provides our students with wide-ranging choices to pursue their individual ambitions and interests during the school hours as well as afterwards.
Our goal is to inspire and empower our students and raise their awareness of key challenges they will be facing, as part of the global society such as sustainability, change & disruption in the global economy and society, personal health & purpose.
The activities offered are appropriate for the different age groups and cover a wide spectrum of topics as mentioned below.
There is a wide spectrum of activities provided through the United Lisbon Academy.
Examples include individual music lessons in various instruments, music groups, additional language classes, courses in art, design & technology, drama classes, tennis, football, basketball, eco club, chess, model United Nations, being just some of these.