Best International Schools and Bilingual Schools in Funchal

Funchal, the capital city of Portugal's Madeira archipelago, offers a serene and picturesque setting for expats and digital nomads. While Funchal is not a large metropolis, it does provide a selection of international and bilingual schools catering to the expatriate community. Among the most popular are the International School of Madeira and the Madeira Multilingual School, both known for their diverse student bodies and international curricula. Here are some of the schools in and around Funchal where expat children can receive a quality education in a multilingual environment.

International School of Madeira

Grades: Preschool through Grade 9
Location(s): Funchal
Website: www.madeira-international-school.com

The International School of Madeira is well-established and offers a British-style education. The school follows the English National Curriculum leading to IGCSE examinations. With a range of facilities and extracurricular activities, the school provides a well-rounded education for its international student body.

Madeira Multilingual School

Grades: Preschool through Grade 6
Location(s): Funchal
Website: www.madeiramultilingualschool.com

Madeira Multilingual School offers a bilingual education in English and Portuguese. The school focuses on developing students' skills in both languages, alongside a curriculum that promotes critical thinking and creativity. Facilities and activities are designed to support students' academic and personal growth.

Escola da APEL

Grades: Preschool through Grade 12
Location(s): Funchal
Website: www.apel.pt

Escola da APEL is a private Catholic school that offers a bilingual program in Portuguese and English. The school provides a comprehensive education with a strong emphasis on moral and ethical values. It is equipped with modern facilities and offers a wide range of extracurricular activities.

St. George's School

Grades: Preschool through Grade 6
Location(s): Funchal
Website: www.st-georges-school.com

St. George's School is a private institution that offers a bilingual English-Portuguese education. The school follows a curriculum that encourages international-mindedness and intercultural understanding. With small class sizes, students receive personalized attention to support their learning journey.

Escola Internacional da Madeira

Grades: Preschool through Grade 4
Location(s): Canico, a short drive from Funchal
Website: www.eimadeira.com

Escola Internacional da Madeira is located in the nearby town of Canico, easily accessible from Funchal. The school offers an international curriculum with instruction in English, while also teaching Portuguese as a second language. The school aims to foster a global perspective among its students.

Escola Básica e Secundária da Quinta das Flores

Grades: Preschool through Grade 12
Location(s): Quinta Grande, within a 40-minute drive from Funchal

Escola Básica e Secundária da Quinta das Flores provides a bilingual education with a strong focus on language development. The school offers a Portuguese curriculum with additional English language instruction, aiming to prepare students for both national and international academic pathways.

Escola Básica e Secundária de Machico

Grades: Preschool through Grade 12
Location(s): Machico, within a 40-minute drive from Funchal
Website: www.ebsmachico.pt

Located in Machico, this school provides a bilingual program in Portuguese and English. It offers a range of educational stages from preschool to secondary education, with a curriculum designed to integrate language learning with other academic subjects.