The International Christian School of Cascais is the North American Christian option among the schools on our Lisbon city hub. Founded in the early 1980s, ICSC teaches a United States style curriculum from pre kindergarten to grade twelve, grounded in Christian principles, and is one of the longer established English medium schools on the Cascais coast. It draws a small and international community and is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International.
This profile is independent and unpaid. GlobalSchoolGuide does not take money from schools and ICSC appears here on merit. We researched the detail below from the school and public sources when writing. Reported founding dates differ slightly between sources, so we describe the opening as the early 1980s rather than fix a single year we cannot confirm.
At a glance
Curriculum and academics
ICSC teaches a North American style American curriculum from the early years to a High School Diploma at grade twelve, woven through with a Christian ethos that shapes the pastoral life of the school as much as the academic programme. As an English medium school it offers a continuous route for families moving from American or international systems, and its membership of the Association of Christian Schools International situates it in a recognised network of faith based schools.
The model is a clear fit for a specific family: those who want a values driven, Christian education in English and a familiar United States style transcript. Because it is a smaller school, families should ask directly about the breadth of senior subjects and any advanced or college level options for grade eleven and twelve, and our American curriculum guide explains how the High School Diploma and its components read to universities at home and abroad.
Is a Christian, American school the fit?
Compare ICSC side by side with the other Cascais and Lisbon schools on curriculum, stage and fees in our three school comparison tool.
ICSC fees
ICSC sits in the mid band of the Lisbon market rather than at the premium end occupied by the largest internationals. Place its tuition against the mid tier in our Lisbon international school fees guide, and confirm the current schedule directly, since a smaller school sets its fees annually and they rise by grade towards the High School years.
Plan beyond tuition. Expect a registration or enrolment charge and a deposit, and budget for lunch, books and materials, uniform where required, and trips and activities. Transport on the Cascais coast is usually a family arrangement rather than a large bus network, so factor the daily commute into the real cost. Use our fee tools to model the full first year before committing.
Admissions
Admission is built around an August or September start, with places filled from the preceding spring and the early years the most natural points of entry. As a smaller school, ICSC can fill year groups quickly, so families planning a move should make contact early and ask about availability in the specific grade.
Entry typically rests on prior school records and a conversation or assessment to confirm a child can access the year group and is comfortable in an English medium, Christian setting. Families moving from abroad should ask how the school supports a new arrival academically and pastorally, and confirm what documents are needed for enrolment.
Location and who goes there
ICSC is in Cascais, west of central Lisbon, in the coastal belt that has become the heartland of the international community since the recent expatriate boom. The location places it among the families it serves and within reach of the wider Cascais and Estoril area, though as a smaller school its daily catchment is more local than the bus heavy suburban campuses.
The community is international but intimate, drawing families who specifically want a Christian, English medium education on the coast. To see how ICSC compares with the larger American, British and international schools nearby and where each communities families settle, start from the Lisbon city hub and our best international schools in Lisbon shortlist.
Reviews
We do not yet have verified parent reviews for this school. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish reviews only once we can confirm they come from real families. If your child attends or has attended this school, we would value your first hand account. Share your experience through the school reviews hub and help the next relocating family decide with better information.
Frequently asked questions
How much are ICSC fees?
The International Christian School of Cascais sits in the mid band of the Lisbon market. It sets its tuition annually and fees rise by grade towards the High School years, so confirm the current schedule and budget for registration, a deposit, lunch, books and trips on top.
Is ICSC a good school?
It is a North American style Christian school in Cascais teaching pre kindergarten to grade 12, a member of the Association of Christian Schools International. It suits families who want a values driven education in English. Whether it fits depends on your child and priorities. We do not publish a rating without verified reviews.
What curriculum does ICSC follow?
ICSC teaches a North American style American curriculum to a High School Diploma at grade twelve, grounded in Christian principles, taught in English.
When was ICSC founded?
Reported dates differ slightly between sources, placing the opening in the early 1980s. We describe it that way rather than fix a single year we cannot confirm.
Where is ICSC located?
It is in Cascais, west of central Lisbon, in the coastal belt where much of the international community lives.
