Open Learning School

At Open Learning, we break with past practices to offer an education that meets the needs and challenges of the 21st century.

A way of learning that does not separate time from space. A way of teaching that focuses on the children as unique individuals with their own drive, taste, passion, learning pace, and capacity.

At Open Learning, your child will acquire unique values and reach his or her full potential, and be happy.

This is our certainty, this is our proposal.

Crianças a brincar no jardim d'A Quinta Seixal

But why does education need to change?

The only constant is change

Have you ever noticed that the way of teaching has not changed in the last 200 years?

Don’t you think it’s time to update the way children are taught?

Yes, it is possible to offer a better school for our children. A place where they feel free and open to enjoy learning, where everyone wants to be and live together, and grow in harmony with a sense of community.

This is the education we believe in, which links everyday life with school, experiences with learning, that promotes autonomy as well as responsibility, making children the protagonists of their own history.

Join us in changing education.

"An educational model where 21st-century students are 'taught' by 20th-century teachers with 19th-century practices is not acceptable."

José Pacheco, Co-founder of Open Learning School

Why are we different?

Individualized and differentiated teaching methods, tailored to the objectives and potential of each individual

If people are different, why should there be only one way to learn?

At Open Learning we teach in an open and flexible way, allowing your child to build his or her own path, guided by their interests, motivations and needs, developing all the necessary skills to succeed in today’s world and be prepared for tomorrow’s challenges.

With our pedagogy, your child:

Room for exchange between different cultures, languages, countries and communities, while total immersed in nature.

Open Learning
A new way of thinking and doing education.

See what people say about us

Maria Canastra
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What I like most about Open Learning is the plural coexistence between kids and adults of all ages, spending a lot of time outdoors, the learning activities that are everywhere and initiated by them, the autonomy of having an accessible kitchen space for them, and I repeat it, the focus on collaboration rather than competition for good results. The acceptance of error as natural and not as a focus of shame and punishment.

Ana Rita Palma
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Open Learning is a (unfortunately unusual) concept that consists of basic pillars such as respect, integration and affection. It is a space where playing and learning are naturally integrated and respecting the rhythms of each child. We put our son in the Open Learning School because it's the only place we trust.

Maike Tils
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It is particularly noticeable when we are with friends with children of the same age or when we go to the park. My 1 year old plays with 5 year olds and my 4 year old can relate to children twice her age. She reads and writes in 2 languages and speaks 5. She already does math, arithmetic and knows how to manage emotions, conflicts and her day. There's no comparison and it's hard to describe for those who don't see the impact. It's surreal when told. It has to be seen!"

Catarina Beato
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Maria Luiza's big difference is the language. What confirmed Open Learning as a space of enormous attention and investment in the specifics of each child. In September 2020 Maria Luiza barely answered the question "what's your name?" and today (Mar 2021) she even tries to write and tell detailed stories.

Joana Soares
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We changed Rafael because we felt that he was being very conditioned at the previous school, that he needed more freedom to satisfy his body needs (at the time he was 2 years old), that his interests were respected and also, because we felt the lack of an environment of community between school and families. We identified ourselves with the Open Learning values and, for all this, we exchanged./p>

Patrícia Costa
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Open Learning is a space where freedom prevails, where children can explore the world around them and learn from their curiosity. We put her in Open Learning because we thought it met what our daughter needed (needs) for her development. In particular, the fact of being able to have a more differentiated attention.

Luisa Sobral
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My son loves school and only asks when it's Monday again. He develops at an amazing speed and he reads at the age of 3 and a half, something that in a traditional school he would only start to learn at 5 or 6 years of age.

Ricardo Jorge
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I love being able to take my daughter to school and knowing that she leaves there a better person and educated than when she entered. The pedagogy initiated at the time at Escola da Ponte by Professor José Pacheco, now founder of the Open Learning School, should, without a doubt, be the standard in schools around the world, not the exception. I highly recommend it to all families who want a different and better education for their children.

Tiago Tomás
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I never thought that you could learn so much and so fast in a school without classes and tests, as this just proves that we have been doing the wrong thing with children for many years. My child develops their understanding, verbal and non-verbal communication, all while learning from what she loves most. I know this may sound like an exaggeration, but with this pace I think my 10-year-old son will already be independent.

Janete Costa
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I took the decision to enroll him in the Open Learning School because, as a mother and teacher, I read a lot about child development and pedagogy. I identified with your pedagogical approach, and contact with nature is a crucial aspect for me in children's development. It allows them to have significant experiences that contribute to their development, such as unforeseen and challenging situations that stimulate problem-solving and resilience.

Channels where change in education has already made news

Our school is for those who:

Why are we different?

Learn by doing.

At Open Learning School we have a teaching model that stimulates the child’s interest in learning.

We teach by individual or community projects, through research and educational visits, gaining autonomy, technical, cognitive, and socio-emotional skills.

We form organized children with a sense of responsibility, community and respect for others.