The History of the Externato Frei Luís de Sousa

There being no secondary school in Almada, the mayors at the time asked the Patriarchate to create a secondary school in this city.

The Externato Frei Luís de Sousa – Private and Cooperative Education Establishment – with pedagogical autonomy and property of the Diocese of Setúbal – was the answer to this need, establishing itself as the first school with that level of education created in this location, more than 60 years old (founded on October 8, 1956). The City Council provided part of the land for its construction. The Externato was initially linked to the then Lyceum D. João de Castro de Lisboa.

The Externato opened with 290 students in the Primary and Secondary sectors until the 4th year of high school, with physical separation between male and female space. In the following year, the number of students increased considerably, opening up to the 5th year of high school and, later, until the 7th year. Subsequently, the Children’s Garden appeared and, shortly afterwards, to respond to the adults who wanted to value themselves, opened the evening course (preparatory, general and complementary), continuing with the Propedeutic, Distance Learning and 12th grade.

Currently, the Externato houses about 600 students distributed by Pre-School, Basic and Secondary education.

Throughout the ages, the Diocese of Setúbal – Titular Entity of the Externato Frei Luis de Sousa – has always appointed the Directors from among its priests. Since 1994, this situation has changed, and it has also been exercised by laypeople. The director, appointed by the Bishop, is responsible for guiding his action in an Educational Project that includes the Ideário and the Internal Regulations.

Here the different directors of this house are remembered, from its foundation to the present day: Padre Cabeçada, Canon Gonçalves Pedro, Padre Jaime, Padre Hélder, Padre Ismael, Padre Brito, Padre Augusto, Dr. José António Costa and, currently, Dr Fernando Magalhães

Having started its activity with a type of education characterized by the rigid separation of genders and a mentality centered on the teacher, the Externato knew how to adapt to the different educational reforms, always with the concern for innovation and change in the service of integral training. person’s. Today, it is a school that is characterized by an open spirit, of “learning by doing”, concerned with the global education of its students, promoting convivial habits and accountability, nurturing students’ creativity through the support and encouragement of students. their initiatives