What if the problem isn't your child?

One child needs to run in order to think straight.
Another needs silence before she can find her words.

Here, we give both of them space to be who they are.

Sementes · Homeschooling Support Center · Liteiros, Torres Novas

The Reality You (Probably) Know

Classes where many children get lost. Lessons where they are expected to memorize and repeat, not to think. Exams that can decide an entire life in minutes.

You know this reality. Perhaps you see it in your child: anxiety before tests, fear of making mistakes, disinterest in learning new things.

Or perhaps it is more subtle. A child who has stopped asking questions, who says “I don't know” before trying, who comes home tired but with nothing to tell.

It's not the teachers' fault. Many are overworked, with classes that are too large and resources that are too limited.

It's not the parents' fault. They've never had so much information available, nor so much uncertainty about what to do with it.

And it's definitely not the children's fault! They do what they can, caught between two worlds: too much stimulation outside school, little to none inside.

A system designed for another era persists. And more and more families are aware of this and looking for alternatives.

Home schooling in Portugal grew by 20% in the last year alone!

Not because it is easy, but because many parents have decided that there must be another way to educate.

What We Try To Do Differently

Small groups, real knowledge

We bring together a maximum of five children per mixed-age group, accompanied by a tutor. We get to know each one in depth. What fascinates them, what frustrates them, the pace at which they process new information, the way they learn best.

When a child needs more time with a concept, we give them that time. When another is ready to move on, we don't hold them back. When someone needs a hug, we welcome them with open arms. When they ask for space, we let them find themselves before offering help.

To this end, we have a multidisciplinary team, which includes one full-time learning coach and two part-time.

Psycho-pedagogical support is part of the routine. Not as an emergency resource, but as part of everyday life.

Learning by doing, results that matter

A project at Sementes begins with a genuine question.
Two children fighting over the swing in the garden become two children inventing a system of turns and priorities.

A stack of pallets turns into a playground with houses and an obstacle course.

Curiosity about a friend's lunch becomes a weekly cooking workshop.

Problems are real. Solutions are too.

And then there are results that no test can measure.

The flooded garden turns into a mud pool. The shyest child in the group jumps, screams and bursts into laughter that can be heard across the field. No judgment. No fear of making mistakes.

All of this is learning.

We prepare for the exams, but without anxiety

Yes, we work based on the Essential Learning of the national curriculum. Our tutors translate the official curriculum into the language of regenerative education and vice versa. Children also work on worksheets and prepare for tests. We don't pretend that exams don't exist.

But we refuse to turn learning into a race fueled by anxiety. In a system where a 19 is perceived as failure, where pressure starts earlier and earlier, where children learn that making mistakes means failing. We try to create a different space.

A child who learns to think, ask questions, persevere when they don't know something and seek answers from various sources will be able to pass exams. And they will be able to do much more.

Skills that last, in an uncertain future

Imagining futures that don't yet exist. Deciding when there is no right answer. Thinking in ways that break the mold. Collaborating with different people. Adapting when everything changes.

These skills are not trained with worksheets, nor are they measured in tests.

They develop when a child resolves a real conflict, invents a solution that no one taught them, or persists in a project they chose because the topic meant something to them.

In a world where artificial intelligence already does the predictable better than we do, these are the skills that will make the difference.

At Sementes, we try to create space for them to grow, in an integrated and comprehensive way.

A Day in Sementes

A day at Sementes does not begin with a bell. Arrival is fluid. Families arrive at their own pace and children start their day without rushing.

The morning begins with a hug. Each child is welcomed at their own pace. It is a moment to see how everyone is doing, who needs space, who has arrived full of energy to share.

Next comes focused learning time. Reading, writing, math, research, the basics of the national curriculum. But the pace respects those in the classroom. One child may need to move around before they can focus. Another may immerse themselves in a task for an hour without interruption.

There is structure, without rigidity.

We eat together outside. The soup is communal, brought by the families in turn. Each child's lunch comes from home, tailored to the one who will eat it.

We are creating an educational garden with the children.

We have orange, apple, pear and medlar trees. Fruit is served at snack time according to its season.

Afternoons are reserved for projects, workshops, arts and movement. Pottery, carpentry, outdoor exploration, games, sports. This is where many children discover what truly fascinates them, because they finally have the time to explore.

The day ends as it began: at each family's own pace.

There is no bell to signal the end of the day. Parents arrive when they can, when it makes sense for their lives. Snacks are available for anyone who wants to eat before leaving. Some children play. Others help tidy up. Still others finish a task they didn't want to leave unfinished.

Parents are invited to come in. To share a snack, a game, a cup of tea. Sometimes they stay for ten minutes. Sometimes they stay for an hour.

Family time matters. And it starts here, before you walk out the gate.

What Families Tell Us

We are still a small community. Six families, growing slowly and carefully.

These families decided to walk this path with us and what we learned from them matters.

What we consistently hear:

“My son started asking questions again.”

Parents who came to us because their children had stopped showing curiosity. Who shrugged their shoulders when asked, “What do you think?”

That want to learn again, because there was space for their questions. That have space to explore dragons, soccer or electricity, even if it isn't on the test.

“She loves coming to school again.”

Families with children who had developed anxiety about school. Who didn't want to get out of the car and cried when left at the gate.

That started getting up early again when they realized that here they have space to be themselves and transition smoothly into the dynamics of the day.

“Finally, someone noticed him.”

Parents of children who went unnoticed. Or who “only caused problems.” Who didn't fit in, or who simply existed in the classroom without anyone asking how they were doing.

They discovered that magic happens when someone notices them and invites them to be who they truly are.

“We haven’t lost our autonomy.”

Families who feared that teaching and learning meant losing their freedom. Who discovered that we can work side by side, as partners, according to each person's reality.

If you would like to speak directly with other families before making a decision, we can facilitate that contact. We prefer that you hear from those who experience this on a daily basis.

Built by Families, for Families

Sementes is a non-profit association.

We exist because a group of families and educators decided to create something different and got to work.

We organize ourselves in a sociocratic manner. Decisions are made by consent, in circles, with the people who are affected by them.

Families who join us become members of the association. And can participate in the governance circles.

Your voice matters so we can build this together.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of school are you?

We are not a school yet. We have an application pending with the Ministry of Education to open as a private elementary school in September 2026.

We operate as a HomeScholing Support Center (HSSC). We offer a practical alternative to traditional schooling, providing tutoring, workshops, and learning space for families with children in grades 1 through 9 and secondary school. We do not issue school certificates. Enrollment remains at the school (public or private) where the child is registered.

How does the HSSC model work?

Sementes operates as a HomeSchooling Support Center (HSSC) under Decree-Law 70/2021.

Each child remains enrolled in a public school, which is responsible for official assessments and certification. We offer psycho-pedagogical monitoring and support to families in preparing portfolios, semester reports and other documentation for the schools where they are enrolled.

We also have an application for authorization as a private primary school currently underway. Once approved, this application will open up new possibilities for us.

What about the official evaluations?

At the end of each semester, or in accordance with the collaboration protocol established with the school of enrollment, children will be assessed by their teacher-tutor. This assessment consists of reviewing their portfolio and conducting an interview, which will be attended by the child and their legal guardian.

Formal assessments, such as attendance equivalence tests and national exams, are only conducted in the final years of each cycle (4th, 6th, 9th, and 12th) at the school where the child is enrolled.

At CAED, we support families in preparing for these tests, ensuring that children master the required content and understand the format in which they are presented.

That said, we believe that there is much more to learn and experience, than what can be covered in a two-hour test, which is why we also promote a series of additional activities aimed at developing other skills, as defined in the Profile of Students Leaving Compulsory Education.

Will my son be able to get into university?

Yes. The Homeschool/Individual Learning route is legally recognized and allows access to any university, both national and international, since the certification is issued by the school of enrollment, with the recognition of the Ministry of Education.

In addition, the skills that children and young people develop in this type of context, such as critical thinking, problem solving, communication, time and workload management and autonomy, prepare them better for higher education (and for life) than simply memorizing content for tests.

Is there specialized mental health support?

Yes. In addition to a primary school teacher and a social worker, our team includes one psychologist who works full-time as learning advisor. Psychopedagogical support is therefore integrated into our daily routine.

Small groups mean that a change in behavior does not go unnoticed. We intentionally create space to talk about how we feel. And we have adults with the time and training to notice, listen and act whenever necessary.

What are the age limits?

We are currently offering support to families with children and young people aged between 5 and 18 (i.e., from the end of preschool to 12th grade) who are homeschooled or receiving individual tuition.

How much does it cost?

Prices vary depending on the type of participation. Please contact us to discuss the available options. As a non-profit association, our goal is not to maximize revenue. We do have costs to cover, but if the financial aspect is a real obstacle, please talk to us. Together, we will try to find solutions.

What is the schedule?

The space opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. Mornings (approximately between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.) are dedicated to focused learning (research, consolidation of learning, reading and writing). Between 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m., there is a shared lunch and free time for a break. Afternoons (between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.) are dedicated to workshops, outdoor activities, or other projects that may arise.

Enrollment and withdrawal are flexible, according to each family's schedule and needs. For homeschooling families seeking partial participation, there is even more flexibility to adapt.

May I visit before I decide?

Yes, you can, and we encourage you to do so! We want you to get to know the space, the team and the other families, if possible. We want you to see how a normal day works, without any staging. And we want you to ask us all the questions you need to ask, especially the difficult ones.

Want to learn more about Sementes?

If you got this far, you're probably looking for something different for your child's education.

Maybe you don't know exactly what yet. Maybe you have a lot of questions. Maybe you just want to see for yourself.

Leave us your details. We will contact you to schedule a visit.

We want you to get to know the space, ask us questions and take your time deciding.

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