CERTIFICATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS

In order to enrich its educational project, in 2021, Colégio João Paulo II established a partnership with Academica Corporation through the “Dual Diploma / High School Diploma” program. Academica is the leading educational management institution in the United States and a pioneer in virtual education, with over 200 schools, more than 100,000 in-person students, and 15,000 virtual students. Thanks to this program, our 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th-grade students can be enrolled simultaneously at Colégio João Paulo II and at a U.S. High School, following both curricula at the same time. Students are required to complete a total of 6 U.S. credits which, together with the equivalency of their Portuguese studies, will enable them to obtain, in addition to the Portuguese Secondary School diploma, the American High School Diploma.

The Dual Diploma Program allows students:

At Colégio João Paulo II, we believe that implementing teaching, learning, and assessment strategies that are more student-centered — using digital technologies, digital textbooks, and other educational resources — fosters the development of values and skills such as time management, teamwork, leadership, creativity, and precision. These competencies enable students to respond effectively and fully to the complex challenges of this century and to face the unpredictability resulting from the rapid evolution of knowledge and technology.
Thus, in September 2021, Colégio João Paulo II launched a digital transformation project, using iPads and Apple’s educational tools. The versatility and quality of the chosen devices allow both students and teachers to share information in real time, promoting greater collaboration and communication, while enhancing productivity and creativity.

During class, teachers are able to monitor student activity to ensure they remain focused on the assigned tasks and challenges. A digital platform gives teachers the ability to authorize screen sharing via Apple TV during presentations, lock the iPad to a single app, restrict access entirely, or simply check which tasks the student is working on.

Colégio João Paulo II is a member of AEEP – the Association of Private and Cooperative Educational Establishments – which represents and supports private and cooperative schools in Portugal. This partnership reinforces our commitment to educational quality, pedagogical innovation, and the defense of freedom in education.

Through AEEP, the school takes part in national initiatives that promote best practices, continuous professional development, dialogue with public entities, and the recognition of the vital role private schools play in building a pluralistic, demanding, and inclusive education system.

Colégio João Paulo II is a member of APEC, the Portuguese Association of Catholic Schools, which brings together educational institutions committed to the mission and values of Christian education in Portugal. This collaboration strengthens our purpose of forming students with ethical awareness, critical thinking, and openness to the transcendent.

Through APEC, the school participates in projects that promote the identity of Catholic schools, the professional development of educators, inter-institutional dialogue, and the appreciation of holistic education as a pathway to a more just, supportive, and humanistic society.

In Middle School, more specifically in the 2nd Cycle of Basic Education, the school seeks to promote students’ autonomy and self-regulation, with a strong emphasis on fostering effective study methods and habits. Creativity, initiative, and independent work are highly valued, providing exposure to diverse areas that allow the expression of individual aptitudes and interests, with respect for diversity and others.

Believing that study methods and habits form a fundamental foundation in every student’s academic journey, we emphasize their development from an early stage. In this context, the educational team works on skills such as time management, concentration, memory, and the selection and organization of information. Throughout the 2nd Cycle, autonomy and responsibility are key competencies encouraged by everyone, so that students become active agents of their own learning.

Colégio João Paulo II is proud to be part of the Child-Friendly School initiative, a project promoted by CONFAP (National Confederation of Parents’ Associations), the LeYa publishing group, and psychologist Eduardo Sá. This distinction recognizes schools that stand out for developing and implementing extraordinary ideas that contribute to a happier and more enriching school environment for all children. This initiative aims to recognize, share, and encourage good educational practices that promote students’ well-being, personal and social development, and happiness within the school setting. By participating in this project, our school reaffirms its commitment to a child-centered education, involving the entire educational community — students, teachers, support staff, and families — in creating a more humane, creative, and welcoming learning environment. Being a Child-Friendly School is, for us, both an honor and a responsibility: to continue investing in projects that put the student at the center, promote their happiness, and foster their full development.

We are committed to digital education!

In partnership with Microsoft, Colégio João Paulo II provides its educational community with access licenses to Office 365 Education. To do so, each user must have an active institutional email address. The account created is associated with the school and should be used exclusively for school-related content.