Family Education Values Assessment
Discovering What Truly Matters in Your Child’s Education Journey
Purpose: This comprehensive assessment helps your family identify and prioritize your educational values before beginning your school search in Portugal. Take time to complete it thoughtfullyโyour answers will guide you toward schools that truly align with your family’s needs and beliefs.
Instructions: Each family member should complete Part 1 individually. Then work with your child(ren) to complete Part 2. Finally, come together as a family for Parts 3 and 4 to align on shared values and create your final school selection criteria.
Assessment Structure
Individual Assessment
Each family member completes separately – educational approaches, preferences, and priorities
Child’s Perspective
Work with your child to understand their learning preferences, excitement, and concerns about their new school
Family Alignment
Family discussion to find shared values, resolve differences, and create final school criteria
Reflection & Application
Connect your values to Portugal move and set evaluation criteria
INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT
Complete this section individually before discussing with family members
Important: Each family member should complete this section separately. Make copies or print multiple versions as needed. Be honest about your preferencesโthere are no right or wrong answers!
A. What Educational Approaches Matter Most to You?
Instructions: For each educational approach, read the scenario carefully, then work through the multi-level questions to explore your preferences in depth.
Traditional academics with structured learning
๐ Scenario: At Escola Tradicional, students follow a rigorous daily schedule. Mathematics begins promptly at 9 AM with students seated in rows, working through textbook problems step-by-step. The teacher explains concepts clearly, assigns homework nightly, and gives weekly tests. Students know exactly what’s expected: complete assignments on time, follow classroom rules, and demonstrate mastery through examinations. Report cards show precise letter grades, and there’s a clear curriculum progression from grade to grade.
Project-based, hands-on learning
๐ฌ Scenario: At Escola Criativa, 4th graders spend three weeks studying water pollution by testing the local river, interviewing environmental scientists, and creating a presentation for city council. Students work in small teams, each taking different rolesโsome conduct experiments, others research solutions, and some create visual displays. Math concepts emerge naturally as they calculate pollution levels, science comes alive through hands-on testing, and language arts develops through research and presentation skills. Assessment is based on the quality of their final project and reflection journals.
What aspects of project-based learning might worry you? How important is it that your child also gets solid foundational skills in reading, writing, and mathematics?
Technology-integrated education
๐ป Scenario: At Escola Digital, each student has a laptop and teachers seamlessly blend technology into learning. History students create virtual museum exhibits, math students use coding to solve problems, and language learners video-chat with peers in other countries. Students learn to research responsibly online, create digital presentations, and use educational apps for personalized practice. However, there are also “device-free” times for discussion, handwriting practice, and outdoor activities. Teachers are trained to use technology meaningfully, not just for entertainment.
How much screen time is appropriate? What should be taught with technology vs. traditional methods?
Arts and creativity emphasis
๐จ Scenario: At Escola Artรญstica, students have daily art, music, or drama classes. Science concepts are explored through painting (mixing colors to learn about chemical reactions), history through theater performances, and mathematics through rhythm and patterns in music. Students regularly share their creative work with the community, and there’s an annual arts festival where every child participates. Teachers encourage multiple ways of expressing knowledgeโsome students might write a traditional essay while others create a song, sculpture, or dramatic performance to show their understanding.
Global/international perspective
๐ Scenario: At Escola Internacional, students learn about water scarcity by connecting with schools in Kenya and Australia, comparing local solutions and cultural perspectives. The school celebrates holidays from many cultures, teaches conflict resolution through studying real-world diplomacy, and offers multiple languages. Students participate in Model United Nations, have pen pals worldwide, and learn geography through current events. Teachers help students understand how local actions affect global issues, and there’s strong emphasis on empathy, cultural competence, and global citizenship.
Environmental/outdoor education
๐ฑ Scenario: At Escola Verde, students spend at least 2 hours daily outdoors, regardless of weather. They maintain a school garden where they learn botany, ecology, and nutrition. Mathematics happens through measuring rainfall and plant growth, science through observing wildlife and weather patterns. Students go on weekly nature walks, participate in beach cleanups, and learn traditional Portuguese nature skills. The school has solar panels and composting systems that students help maintain, learning about sustainability through direct experience. Even reading and writing often happen outside under trees or in the garden pavilion.
Social-emotional learning focus
๐ญ Scenario: At Escola Emocional, each day begins with a “feelings check-in” where students learn to identify and express emotions. When conflicts arise, teachers guide children through problem-solving conversations rather than simply assigning consequences. Students learn breathing techniques for managing anxiety, practice empathy through role-playing, and discuss different perspectives on social situations. The curriculum includes lessons on friendship skills, managing disappointment, and celebrating others’ successes. Teachers are trained to recognize signs of stress and support children’s emotional well-being alongside academic learning.
Individualized/personalized learning
๐ค Scenario: At Escola Individual, teachers know that Sofia learns math best through movement and music, while Joรฃo needs quiet spaces and visual organizers. Students work at different pacesโsome 3rd graders read at 5th grade level while others still need phonics support, and that’s perfectly normal. Teachers use various assessment methods: some students show knowledge through presentations, others through written work, and some through projects. There are flexible seating options, and students have some choice in their learning activities. Teachers regularly conference with each child to set personal goals and celebrate individual growth rather than comparing students to each other.
Strong community/cultural identity
๐๏ธ Scenario: At Escola Comunidade, education is deeply connected to local culture and community. Students learn Portuguese history through local landmarks, interview elderly community members for oral history projects, and participate in traditional festivals. Local artisans teach traditional crafts, parents regularly volunteer and share their expertise, and the school partners with local businesses for real-world learning. There’s strong emphasis on civic responsibility, community service, and understanding one’s place in the larger community. The school celebrates cultural diversity while also building shared community values and traditions.
Multilingual education
๐ฃ๏ธ Scenario: At Escola Multilingue, students learn core subjects in both Portuguese and English, with additional instruction in Spanish or French. Native Portuguese speakers help international students with language, while international students share their languages and cultures. The school recognizes that multilingual children may need extra time to express complex ideas but celebrates the cognitive benefits of multiple languages. There are cultural exchange programs, international literature in multiple languages, and celebration of various cultural holidays. The goal is true bilingualism, not just language classes, with students becoming comfortable thinking and learning in multiple languages.
B. What Kind of Learning Environment Do You Prefer?
Instructions: For each pair, select the statement that better reflects your preference for your child’s education.
C. Must-Haves vs. Nice-to-Haves
Instructions: Think carefully about what is absolutely essential versus what would be beneficial but not deal-breaking.
My Top 5 Non-Negotiable “Must-Haves” in a School:
These are features or characteristics that a school MUST have for you to consider it.
5 “Nice-to-Have” Features That Would Be Wonderful But Aren’t Essential:
These would make a school more appealing but wouldn’t eliminate it from consideration if missing.
3 Characteristics That Would Be “Deal-Breakers” for Me:
These would make you rule out a school entirely, regardless of other positive features.
YOUR CHILD’S PERSPECTIVE
Work together with your child to complete this section (typically ages 8+, adapt for younger children)
๐ Hey there! We want to learn about YOU and what makes school fun and interesting for you. There are no right or wrong answers – we just want to know what you think! Take your time and ask a grown-up for help if you need it.
๐ How Do You Like to Learn?
๐ Imagine this: Your teacher wants to teach you about dinosaurs. She could teach you in different ways:
- Sofia’s way: Look at lots of pictures and colorful books about dinosaurs
- Miguel’s way: Listen to stories and songs about dinosaurs
- Ana’s way: Build dinosaur models and dig for “fossils” in the sandbox
- Joรฃo’s way: Work with friends to make a dinosaur presentation
- Maria’s way: Read quietly by herself and write in a dinosaur journal
๐ซ What Kind of Classroom Do You Like?
๐จ Picture this: You’re visiting different classrooms. Which one sounds most comfortable to you?
- The Quiet Room: Everyone sits at desks, raises hands to talk, and the teacher shows lessons at the front
- The Busy Room: Kids move around, work in groups, and there are lots of different activities happening
- The Nature Room: Big windows, plants everywhere, sometimes lessons happen outside under trees
- The Tech Room: Everyone has tablets, there are smart boards, and you can research anything online
- The Art Room: Colorful decorations, art supplies everywhere, and music playing softly
๐ซ Making Friends and Working Together
๐ค Think about this: You’re starting at a new school in Portugal where some kids speak Portuguese, some speak English, and some speak other languages too.
๐ญ Fun School Activities
๐ Imagine your new school has all these cool activities! Which ones make you most excited?
๐ต๐น Learning Portuguese
๐ฃ๏ธ Big adventure! You’re going to learn a new language – Portuguese! It’s what people speak in Portugal.
๐ญ Your Thoughts About Your New School
FAMILY ALIGNMENT
Family discussion after completing Parts 1 & 2 – find common ground and resolve differences
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Connect your educational values to your Portugal move and establish success criteria
Pro Tip: Bring this completed assessment with you when visiting schools and refer to it during your decision-making process. It will help you ask better questions and make more informed choices!
Workflow: Complete Part 1 individually โ Work with child on Part 2 โ Family discussion for Parts 3 & 4