International Studio of Innovation

International Studio of Innovation is a planned school in Cascais, Portugal, opening in September 2027 for children ages 6–14. It operates as an IB Candidate School licensed by the Portuguese Ministry of Education, organized into three learning studios: the Wonder Studio (ages 6–8), the Venture Studio (ages 9–11), and the Horizon Studio (ages 12–14). The school offers mixed-age inquiry-based learning covering PYP and MYP programmes with an emphasis on belonging, wellbeing, inclusion, and neurodiversity.

The school is organized into three specific learning studios: the Wonder Studio for ages 6–8 focusing on foundational literacy and numeracy; the Venture Studio for ages 9–11 emphasizing project depth and leadership; and the Horizon Studio for ages 12–14 providing interdisciplinary depth and MYP Personal Project foundations. Each studio uses flexible age groups designed to bend around the child rather than forcing the child to fit a rigid age bracket.

The school is located in Cascais, Portugal, and is currently in the planning phase with an opening scheduled for September 2027. It is managed by a multidisciplinary team from DeMontaigne Life Design, which has been supporting the school's growth and development for three years already.

To get started, families can book a 'Discovery Conversation' or a call with the founder, Nichola de Montaigne, to discuss the studios, daily rhythm, fees, or what their child would find. The school also encourages starting a conversation on WhatsApp, where every enquiry is answered personally, usually within two working days.

The school targets children ages 6–14 and is specifically designed for those who thrive in mixed-age inquiry environments. It aims to serve families seeking an intimate learning community where belonging fuels curiosity, wellbeing, and the courage to build what comes next.

The curriculum includes foundational literacy and numeracy, project-based work, leadership, and entrepreneurship concepts, preparing students for the MYP Personal Project. The approach integrates wellbeing, inclusion, and neurodiversity as foundational elements rather than add-ons, with small groups leading their own inquiry, journaling, and sketching.

The school emphasizes a 'strengths-first thinking' approach to recognize and nurture neurodivergent minds, including those with ADHD. Wellbeing, inclusion, and neurodiversity are woven into the daily rhythm through emotional safety, mindfulness, and movement, ensuring every learner progresses without being left behind.

The school is working with relevant organizations to ensure IB candidacy for both PYP and MYP programmes and to achieve full licensing with the Portuguese Ministry of Education. This partnership strategy is central to its development and accreditation path.

The school is built to grow year by year with its students, starting with an initial cohort of 150 students. It is one of two independent companies founded and led by Nichola de Montaigne, alongside DeMontaigne Life Design, sharing one founding head and one philosophy.

The school's philosophy is built on the belief that children flourish when they are deeply known, with belonging serving as the ground everything else grows from. The team includes advisors and consultants in wellbeing, neuroinclusion, licensing, and sustainability, supported by a proprietary framework called PPPP™ and WEITS™.

The school aims to create an intimate community where emotional safety allows children to learn boldly. It differentiates itself by using differentiated pathways and formative assessment to ensure each learner moves at their own pace within a calm, natural studio environment.

The school is part of a broader ecosystem that includes DeMontaigne Life Design, which offers future-proof pathway design for families. The school is also developing in partnership with Openbook Group, which spans architecture, real estate, studio, engineering, and design.

The school is founded by Nichola de Montaigne, a British-born individual raised in Cascais with over two decades of international education leadership. She holds a Master's in International Education and Leadership and has a background in Developmental Psychology.

The school operates as a planned entity with a specific opening date of September 2027, targeting the Cascais market. It is designed to scale from an initial cohort of 150 students, with a focus on building a community that thrives when the child belongs.

The official website of International Studio of Innovation is in-s-in.com.