The best way to experience what life is like at Butterflies is to visit us, where you will have the chance to talk to pupils and teachers about what makes our school such a special place, and to answer any questions you have about life here.
Welcome | Bem-vindo
WELCOME TO BUTTERFLIES SCHOOL
Bilingual School From 4 Months to 10 Years Old in Sintra - Cascais
WHY BUTTERFLIES SCHOOL
Bilingual Immersion
At Butterflies, we want everyone to speak Portuguese and English fluently, preparing students to succeed in today’s world
Extended Curriculum
We follow Portuguese National Curriculum, with English as equal, and enriched with project labs, Aloha maths, to develop skills and interests
Learning through play
Outdoor & indoor experiences that are playful, actively engaging, and interactive fosters creativity, problem-solving, and social interaction for our students
Modern Facilities
Butterflies’ bright and spacious learning spaces are thoughtfully designed with modern, child-friendly facilities that blend indoor and outdoor environments, encouraging exploration and discovery.
MODERN FACILITIES
Our designed spaces go beyond what’s expected: they inspire both students and teachers.
Within our classrooms, children can move freely between designated zones for reading, writing, art, construction, imaginative play, science, and math.
BILINGUAL IMMERSION
PORTUGUESE & FOREIGNERS
Bilingual children develop superior cognitive skills, like problem-solving and multitasking, by alternating between two languages.
Our students perform better in academic areas such as reading, writing, and mathematics due to their exposure to two languages. It helps them connect better with different cultures, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of diversity.
CO TEACHING DUOS - POWER OF COLLABORATION
At Butterflies, your child will learn in a bilingual environment, with both English and Portuguese speaking teachers present in all classes. This approach builds a foundation for academic success and helps them become proficient in both languages.
We pride ourselves on our teaching teams, each a carefully paired, experienced teacher and co-teacher. This team provides individualised support, allows for more personalised attention, and fosters a dynamic bilingual learning environment.
"At Butterflies Education, we nurture the unique masterpiece within each student, their individuality and talents."
Teresa de Gruyter – School Director
Enriched Curriculum*
The enriched curriculum is more than just a complement; it is the essence of an excellent education.
We complement the national curriculum with a series of activities, projects, and experiences designed to expand horizons, stimulate creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving, and foster a love of learning.
We adapt and enrich the curriculum to suit the developmental stages of each age group, learn more for Nursery and Preschool to Primary School.
Nursery
Enriched Curriculum*
4 months and until walk unaided (usually 12 to 15 months).
Toddlers – walking stages until they are 3 years old.
Enriched Curriculum objectives: To simulate sensory, motor, cognitive, and social development through play-based activities and immersive experiences.
Languages
Exposure to English and Portuguese through songs, stories, and games, preparing the youngest for bilingualism.
Arts
Art and creative expression: Drawing, painting, modeling, and music to stimulate imagination and self-expression.
Outdoor
Outdoor Discoveries — weekly exploring of our surroundings.
Preschool Enriched Curriculum*
3 years to 5 years old
Enriched Curriculum Objectives: Accelerate cognitive and creative development, alongside a strong focus on developing language, literacy, numeracy, and social skills, through play-based activities and immersive experiences
Languages
Reading and writing skills are taught in Portuguese and English through games and playful activities, stimulating oral communication and comprehension in both languages.
Early phonics Program (5 years)
Arts
Drawing, painting, modeling, and music to develop artistic techniques, representational skills, and collaborative project creation.
Labs program (5 years)
Aloha Maths Program (5 years)
The inventors Club (5 years) guiding children through creative tech challenges.
Outdoor
Weekly investigations of our surroundings, where we ask questions, collect data, document our discoveries, and learn to care for the natural world.
Primary Enriched Curriculum*
From 6 years to 10 years old.
Enriched Curriculum Objectives: Develop a more detailed understanding of their surroundings and communicate verbally with the context. think critically about situations and apply their creativity to solving problems.
Languages
Reading and writing skills are formally taught in Portuguese and English, developing fluency, comprehension, and confident communication in both languages across the curriculum.
Arts & Science
Drawing, painting, modeling, and music are used to refine artistic techniques, explore scientific concepts, and foster independent creative expression through integrated projects.
Labs program (Primary)
Aloha Maths Program (Primary)
Outdoor
Outdoor activities that use science and hands-on action to explore, investigate, and protect the natural world.
Mud Kitchen, Garden Patch, Forest School activities.
UNIQUE PEDAGOGY
Our approach emphasizes curiosity, autonomy, resilience, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, self-awareness, and leadership.
OUR APPROACH
It aims to create a bilingual educational environment that promotes the integral development of the child. The goal is to stimulate the skills of each child, so that they grow in a balanced and integral way, respecting their well-being, their individuality and their pace of development.
Welcome from the School Directors
“At Butterflies, we don’t just teach — we empower.
Our mission is to ignite a thirst for knowledge, foster independence, and build the resilience to overcome any challenge.
We are dedicated to providing our students with the best possible start in life, not only academically, but also by instilling strong character values and principles that will guide them throughout their journey.
Visit us, we look forward to meeting you and your children.”
Nejal Acevinkumar
Teresa de Gruyter