Agrupamento de Escolas de Argoncilhe is a state school cluster which includes 5 pre-schools, 6
primary schools, one middle school and secondary school (until the 9th grade).

The number of students is: 

- pre-school: 245 students;

- primary: 482 students; 

- middle/secondary - 496.

 

 In what concerns staff, there are 120 teachers and 62 staff members.

 

The school is located in a rural area, surrounded by rivers, mountains and valleys, with dense forests and small villages, with many opulent baroque churches and a medieval castle, where influences of Arab,Visigoth and Roman cultures can be seen.

The level of instruction of the population is still low. Most students’ families struggle with difficulties and the demand for social protection measures has increased, mainly among segregated groups, such as Roma and emigrants from eastern European countries.

 

Although the high rates of early school-leaving in the county are not surprising, the efforts to reduce them at our school are remarkable and you can state that parents are generally engaged in the school activities, extra-curricular activities and children's progress.

 

Escola Básica de Argoncilhe focuses on providing an education that widens students’ creative, artistic and critical competencies. It encourages pedagogies that also focus on learning through the arts and this includes performing arts (mainly music) and visual arts (crafts, design, animated films and digital arts). Activities at school, both curricular and extra-curricular, are expected to develop students’ cultural and aesthetic awareness and interest in art in general, and music and visual arts in particular, in an effort of integrating disadvantaged groups of students, providing them an inspiring environment where they may express themselves and consequently develop their own potential.

The Animated Film Club, The Special Flavours & Crafts Club (especially designed for boosting the self-esteem of children with special needs) and The Music Club play an important role in the personal development and self-discovery. They are particularly helpful with the work with mixed-background groups. The main aim is, therefore, to bring out the creativity of children, promoting equity, inclusion and respect for all.