The Lisboan International School opens in September, representing a €75 million investment
A new international school is opening in Lisbon’s iconic Alcântara neighbourhood this September. Set in a fully restored former pasta factory dating back to 1908, The Lisboan International School is led by Artemis Education, an international school group with experience in Europe and the Middle East.
Backed by a €75 million investment, the school will offer a state-of-the-art learning environment for up to 1,200 students, with the first intake expected to range between 150 and 300 pupils.
Designed by renowned Portuguese architect Frederico Valsassina and built by San Jose Construction with project management from Engexpor, the 11,500m² campus includes science and tech labs, a STEM hub, art and design studios, dance and music rooms, a 170-seat theatre, sports facilities, a gym, a canteen, and open collaborative classrooms.
The Lisboan’s curriculum will blend the British international programme in early years with the International Baccalaureate (IB), culminating in the full Diploma Programme by 2027. The school will open for students aged 3 to 14, expanding to 18 over the following years.
Outside of the classroom, students will participate in the Lisboan Experience programme, which will include a wide range of activities such as robotics, photography, debates, Mandarin lessons, community service and sports like rowing, surfing and climbing. Internships, art projects and volunteering are also part of the experience. Under the motto “The City is Our Classroom”, students will also engage with Lisbon itself – from exploring the Tagus River ecosystem and collaborating with local artists, to delving into archives, startups, and nearby markets.
The campus is also designed with sustainability at its core, featuring carbon-neutral systems, solar panels, passive cooling, LED lighting, water-saving tech, and green drainage systems.
Meanwhile, the school’s values – Belong, Own, Act (BOA) – aim to promote a “culture of inclusion, responsibility and active participation” in which “each student is valued, encouraged to be autonomous and challenged to contribute positively to the school, Lisbon and the world.”
At the helm is Guðmundur Hegner Jónsson, a veteran head with international experience from Dulwich College Seoul and UWC Red Cross Nordic.
“It is a privilege to continue the legacy of this extraordinary building,” said Jónsson, adding that the goal is to create a school with a “progressive spirit, rooted in strong values.”
“In September 2025, we won’t just open doors: we will cultivate open minds, inspired by kindness, curiosity and courage to question, explore and lead,” he said.
Niall Brennan, CEO of Artemis Education, added that a “great school isn’t just built with bricks and mortar, but with people.”
“The Lisboan International School features an exceptional academic staff, which says a lot about the community we are creating. It will be a space where each student will be recognised, valued and prepared for life. I feel great pride in the project we are building in Lisbon and I am excited to see the impact it will have in Portugal and abroad.
Applications for the 2025–2026 school year are now open. Visit www.the-lisboan.school or contact Admissions Manager Lexi Lloyd Owen at lexi.lloydowen@the-lisboan.school for more information.
