WHO WE ARE
The Operator – International Schools Services
International Accreditation and Memberships
It is of utmost importance to us to ensure highest quality in our educational programs. This is achieved through the implementation of rigorous standards and employing faculty and leadership with a long-standing experience and successful track record in international education. To spark a regular reflection how we can still advance and innovated the education at United Lisbon, we measure ourselves at highest external standards set by leading global educational institutions such as:
- The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO): United International School Lisbon is a candidate school* for the Diploma Programme. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. IB World Schools share a common philosophy- a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education- that we believe is important for our students.
- The New England Association of School’s and Colleges (NEASC): We have embarked on the process of receiving accreditation from NEASC, which will be completed once the school starts operating.
- The Common Ground Collaborative (CGC): United Lisbon joins a group of leading international schools around the globe in building a highly innovative learning ecosystem throughout Early Childhood, Primary and Middle School.
- The Mediterranean Association of International Schools (MAIS): United Lisbon is a member of the network of international schools in the Mediterranean that fosters partnerships and creates opportunities for teacher engagement and student learning beyond the school itself.
* Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme (DP), or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes visit http://www.ibo.org.
The Founders – Roman and Chitra Stern
Roman and Chitra Stern have been entrepreneurs in Portugal since 2001. They are the founders of Martinhal, a group of high-class hotels focused on families in Sagres, Quinta do Lago, Quinta da Marinha and Chiado. They are also involved in a series of real estate development projects in the Parque das Nações at Avenida Dom Joâo II, such as the new Ageas Headquarter and the Martinhal Residences, launching in 2022.
Being an international family in Portugal, with four children of their own, Roman and Chitra have a passion for families and care deeply about the next generation growing up and being ready to make a difference in an ever more globalized, volatile and competitive world. In their various engagements and pro bono activities, including as an Executive Committee Member of “Portugal In” (a taskforce to promote Foreign Direct Investments in Portugal), they seek to support Portugal in its effort to further international outreach and economic perspectives.
Founding Leadership Team
Dr. José Azcue has more than 25 years’ experience in international education and is widely engaged with the IB (International Baccalaureate Organization). He holds a Masters from University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and a PhD from The University of Waterloo in Canada. José has served as Headmaster of an international school and held leadership and teaching positions at several international schools in Portugal. In 2000 he was awarded the Diploma of the Principle Training Center for International School Leadership. Jose has been actively involved in teaching, developing teaching material, running workshops and online teacher training.
Dr. Johnson (Dr. J) has almost 50 years of experience in education, most of it internationally, and the vast majority being in various school leadership roles. He has lived and worked in 11 countries (USA, Germany, Greece, Australia, The Philippines, India, Japan, The Netherlands, Indonesia, Morocco and Cameroon), and has consulted in many more working on school development, school board/administration training, and school accreditation for US and international agencies. He has a Doctorate in Educational Administration, a Masters in International Human Services Administration (for agencies like Peace Corps, Save the Children, etc.) and Bachelors Degree in teaching German and Political Science. His wife is also an international educator and administrator, and his two daughters are true “third culture kids” (TCK). He continues to enjoy involvement in education, and fulfilling his goal as a lifelong learner.