For thousands of local families, teachers, and alumni across Cascais, September 2026 marks a historic turning point. After more than five decades of operating out of temporary prefab cabins, Cascais High School (Escola Secundária de Cascais, formerly Alcabideche High School) has officially opened its brand-new permanent campus, representing a total investment of €18 million.
Key Figures of the New Campus
The state-of-the-art educational complex was designed from the ground up to meet modern academic and environmental standards:
- €18 Million: Total public investment in construction, infrastructure, and equipment.
- 1,200 Students: Overall capacity for middle and high school students.
- 40 Classrooms: Including fully equipped physics, chemistry, and biology laboratories, alongside digital art studios.
- Sports Complex: Full-sized indoor gymnasium with modern locker rooms and outdoor athletic fields.
- Green Energy: Solar photovoltaic panels and high-grade thermal insulation to minimize energy consumption.
Half a Century of “Temporary” Living
The school’s origins date back to 1973, when the first prefabricated metal and wooden cabins were installed to absorb the rapid population growth in Alcabideche and surrounding areas. What was initially pitched as a temporary 2-to-3-year stopgap solution ended up lasting for over 50 years.
Generations of Cascais residents completed their secondary education inside these cabins. Over the decades, aging structures led to severe daily challenges: freezing temperatures in winter, overheating in summer, and persistent roof leaks. Despite these conditions, the teaching staff and student body consistently maintained high academic standards.
The Path to a Permanent Home
The turning point came with the decentralization of educational infrastructure management, shifting authority from Portugal’s central government directly to the Municipality of Cascais. Following decades of rallies, petitions, and advocacy from parent-teacher associations, the local council took charge of funding and overseeing construction.
The opening of this €18-million campus is far more than a new concrete-and-glass facility; it settles a half-century-old debt to the local educational community of Cascais.