Cascais · Portugal · Ages 6–14 · Opening September 2027
International Studio
of Innovation
Working with relevant organisations·Towards IB candidacy & full Portuguese licensing
An intimate learning community in Cascais where belonging fuels curiosity, wellbeing and the courage to build what comes next. Opening with three studios in the Primary and Middle Years, built to grow, year by year, with our students.
Small by design
Starting Small.
Thinking Big.
Studio One · PYP · Ages 6–8 · Flexible
The Wonder Studio
Where innovation begins in wonder. Mixed-age inquiry, foundational literacy and numeracy, hands-on exploration, and the first habits of an entrepreneurial mind.
Studio Two · PYP · Ages 9–11 · Flexible
The Venture Studio
Where wonder becomes action. Mixed-age project depth, leadership and real ventures, children ready themselves for MYP and a future they help build.
Studio Three · MYP · Ages 12–14 · Flexible
The Horizon Studio
Where venture becomes vision. Interdisciplinary depth, MYP Personal Project foundations and early specialisation, adolescents belonging, thinking widely, acting purposefully.
For families
Want to know more? Book a call with Nichola.
A relaxed conversation with Nichola, before anything is decided. Ask about the studios, the daily rhythm, the fees, or what your child would find here.
Every enquiry is answered personally, usually within two working days.
Belonging
We meet each child
where they are.
Every learner arrives with their own strengths, rhythms, and story. Our approach is built on research, not one-size-fits-all. Wellbeing, inclusion, and neurodiversity are not add-ons, they are the foundation of how we teach.
Small groups lead their own inquiry, journaling, sketching, collaborating, in a calm, natural studio where wellbeing and nutrition are explored as part of holistic and humanistic learning.
Wellbeing
Whole-child care
Emotional safety, mindfulness, and movement woven into every day. A child who feels secure learns boldly.
Inclusion
Each at their own pace
Differentiated pathways, formative assessment, and flexible grouping so every learner progresses without being left behind.
Neurodiversity
Strengths-first thinking
We recognise and nurture neurodivergent minds, ADHD, dyslexia, autism, giftedness, with research-informed strategies that unlock potential.
Future-proof learning · voices from the field
What the world's researchers say about the next generation.
UNESCO · Futures of Education
Purpose, a renewed social contract
Education must repair past injustices and prepare us to remake the world. The right to learn is a renewed social contract for humanity.
A day in a studio
Quiet rituals. Deep work.
8:30 start · 16:00 pick up
Morning Gather
We open in a circle. Intentions are set, voices heard, the day begins together.
Deep Inquiry
Long, uninterrupted blocks. Children follow questions into literacy, maths, science and the arts.
Make & Build
Hands on the world, workshops, ventures and projects that turn ideas into something real.
Reflect & Share
We close the day in reflection. What grew, what surprised, what we'll carry into tomorrow.
The continuum · ages 6 → 18+
A clear continuum
for each learner.
From the first wonder of a six-year-old to the purposeful future of a young adult, one continuum of learning in Cascais. ISI grows with your child into MYP and Careers Pathway. Every learner finds the pathway they belong in.
Ages 6 – 8
The Wonder Studio
Studio One · PYP
Where innovation begins in wonder, inquiry, foundational literacy, and the first habits of an entrepreneurial mind.
Ages 9 – 11
The Venture Studio
Studio Two · PYP
Where wonder becomes action, project depth, leadership and real ventures that prepare for the next stage.
From age 13, the journey deepens
Ages 12 – 14
The Horizon Studio
Studio Three · MYP
Interdisciplinary MYP inquiry. Personal Project foundations. Early specialisation, held inside a community that still knows every learner by name.
Ages 14 – 16
MYP Continued
Middle Years Programme
The MYP arc completes with the Personal Project, a broad, balanced education that deepens critical thinking and readies each learner for specialisation.
Ages 16 – 18+
Careers Pathway
Vocational & Purpose-Led
Real-world apprenticeships, enterprise projects and industry mentorship. Learners graduate with portfolios, credentials and a clear sense of purpose.
Same building
One home in Cascais, children grow without leaving the community that knows them.
Same philosophy
Balance, discernment, flourishing. Right challenge, right moment, right rhythm.
Every future
Pathways tuned to each learner, neurodiverse strengths supported at every stage.
Our Frameworks
Future-proofing learning
with inspired IB PYP inquiry, starting the candidacy journey.
Concept-driven, inquiry-based learning, with Cascais as our learning hub.
WEITS™, Five Pillars
Wellbeing
Entrepreneurship
Innovation
Technology
Sustainability
PPPP™, Four Dimensions
Curiosity, lit up. Our unique PPPP™ compass is how learning stays relevant, meaningful, significant and challenging for every child.
Philosophy
When the Child Belongs,
the Community Thrives.
Purpose • People • Place • Practice
Learning
Learning Beyond Walls.
Three mixed-age studios. Inspired IB PYP inquiry, working towards IB candidacy. Jo Boaler's youcubed mathematics. Writers Workshop. Project-Based Learning. Outdoor Learning. Design Thinking. Portuguese. English. Visual Arts. Music. Movement. Toddle portfolios. Human-centred technology (Harvard Project Zero · Common Sense Media).
Explore the learning modelCascais as Our Classroom
The town itself becomes
an extension of the studio.
Every place around Cascais is mapped to a WEITS pillar, creating real-life, future-proof learning opportunities grounded in published research. Tap any tile to explore the places at our disposal.
W · Wellbeing
Beaches
W · Wellbeing
Beaches
- Praia da Rainha
- Praia da Conceição
- Praia da Duquesa
- Praia do Guincho
“Regular time in coastal “blue space” is linked to higher wellbeing and lower psychological distress in children.”
Source · BlueHealth, Univ. of Exeter, 2019
E · Entrepreneurship
Marina
E · Entrepreneurship
Marina
- Marina de Cascais
- Clube Naval de Cascais
- Sailing Cascais
“Mentorship inside real enterprises develops agency and a future-ready entrepreneurial mindset in learners.”
Source · OECD Learning Compass 2030
E · Entrepreneurship
Markets
E · Entrepreneurship
Markets
- Mercado da Vila
- Saturday Farmers’ Market
- Local artisan stalls
“Early, hands-on exposure to money, exchange and negotiation strengthens long-term financial capability.”
Source · OECD/INFE Financial Literacy Framework
I · Innovation
Museums
I · Innovation
Museums
- Casa das Histórias Paula Rego
- Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães
- Farol Museu de Santa Marta
- Centro Cultural de Cascais
“Sustained museum-based inquiry measurably improves critical thinking, empathy and creative reasoning.”
Source · Crystal Bridges / Univ. of Arkansas study, 2014
S · Sustainability
Nature
S · Sustainability
Nature
- Sintra-Cascais Natural Park
- Boca do Inferno
- Cabo da Roca
- Quinta do Pisão
“Place-based environmental learning builds ecological literacy and pro-environmental behaviour across childhood.”
Source · Stanford / NAAEE meta-analysis, 2020
T · Technology
Businesses
T · Technology
Businesses
- Nova SBE
- DNA Cascais incubator
- Local tech & design studios
“Authentic industry partnerships are among the strongest predictors of durable future-of-work skills.”
Source · WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025
I · Innovation
History
I · Innovation
History
- Cidadela de Cascais
- Casa de Santa Maria
- Forte de São Jorge de Oitavos
“Engaging with heritage sites deepens historical reasoning and the capacity to imagine alternative futures.”
Source · UNESCO Reimagining Our Futures Together, 2021
W · Wellbeing
Culture
W · Wellbeing
Culture
- Cool Jazz Festival
- Cascais Cultural Centre
- Bairro dos Museus events
“Active participation in the arts is associated with improved mental health and social connectedness in young people.”
Source · WHO Arts & Health scoping review, 2019
W · Wellbeing
Community
W · Wellbeing
Community
- Junta de Freguesia activities
- Intergenerational volunteering
- Neighbourhood projects
“Strong social belonging in childhood predicts long-term wellbeing, resilience and academic engagement.”
Source · Harvard Study of Adult Development
For families
Want to know more? Book a call with Nichola.
A relaxed conversation with Nichola, before anything is decided. Ask about the studios, the daily rhythm, the fees, or what your child would find here.
Every enquiry is answered personally, usually within two working days.
Our Journey
We are intentionally starting small.
Because relationships matter.
01
Opening September 2027
Three studios, Wonder, Venture, Horizon. A highly personalised environment where every child is known.
02
IB Candidacy Pathway (PYP & MYP)
Working with relevant organisations to ensure IB candidacy and full licensing. Professional development and systems aligned to IB standards from day one.
03
Growing Community
Additional cohorts, deeper community partnerships across Cascais, and a maturing MYP programme in Studio Three, the Horizon Studio.
04
Full Continuum Vision
PYP · MYP · Careers Programme. A purpose-built campus and global pathways.
Admissions
Finding the right fit matters.
Admissions at ISI are relational, not transactional. We take time to understand every child and family because belonging begins long before the first day.