Education and Schools in Sao Paulo

Expats will find that there are many options when it comes to education and schools in São Paulo. As a multicultural melting pot, the city has a variety of schools catering to a multitude of nationalities and education levels.

Public schools in São Paulo

Public schooling in São Paulo is free to all permanent residents and is compulsory between the ages of six and 17. São Paulo’s public education system boasts more than 1,500 schools throughout the city.

The standard of education at public schools in São Paulo varies. It often depends on the specific location of a particular school. Children attending public schools will usually go to the school closest to their place of residence. Parents wishing to enrol their child in a public school need to visit the school in person to start the registration process.

Due to the high demand for space, schools in São Paulo typically run three separate school sessions per day (7am to 12pm, 12pm to 5pm, and 5pm to 10pm) to accommodate all the students, but children are only required to attend one session per day.

Classes at public schools in São Paulo are taught in Portuguese, so parents wanting to enrol their child in a public school will need to consider this option carefully.

Areas and Suburbs in São Paulo 

Read more: Education and Schools in Brazil

Private schools in São Paulo

São Paulo’s private schools generally follow the Brazilian national curriculum. Some private schools have a Christian foundation, and many offer bilingual instruction. Some expats prefer to send their children to these schools due to the higher standard of education compared to public schools and lower fees compared to international schools. As classes may be predominantly taught in Portuguese, expat children should have at least some proficiency in the language.

Most private and international schools contract private bus companies to transport children to and from school, which is an additional expense that parents will have to contribute to.

International schools in São Paulo

There are over 30 international schools in São Paulo that follow a variety of international curricula, including British, American, Japanese, French, German, and Italian. They are often supported in some way by their home governments or embassies. Some international schools in São Paulo are locally run and offer the Brazilian curriculum. Many of these schools also offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, with over 10 schools currently providing IB programmes.

As the demand for places at international schools is high, parents should begin the application process as soon as possible.

 While fees at some of the best international schools in São Paulo can be pretty expensive, most of these institutions will have first-class facilities and teaching standards. Added to the already high cost of living in São Paulo, international school fees can stretch an expat’s budget to the limit, so factor this in when negotiating your relocation contract. On top of the hefty fees, other expenses may include textbooks and stationery, extracurricular activities, uniforms and school lunches.

As can be expected in such a densely populated and sprawling city, heavy traffic congestion can affect commute times to and from school. Expats should therefore carefully consider their proximity to their child’s school when deciding where to live in São Paulo. The top schools tend to be in the more affluent areas, where housing will be expensive.

Other factors to consider include the language of instruction, general academic standards and the quality of the school’s facilities and extracurricular programmes offered. It is a good idea to visit the school in person to request a tour and meet with the headteacher to have any questions answered.

Best International Schools in São Paulo

Special educational needs in São Paulo

In São Paulo, as in Brazil as a whole, state-supplied resources for children with special educational needs in São Paulo are very limited, and any support that does exist is offered in Portuguese. Such services are easier to find, and often in English, at international schools. The level of support and cost involved does vary from school to school. Parents are advised to research options thoroughly to ensure their children will be well catered for.

Useful links

• US State Department: Graded American School Special Needs Profile
• Disability:IN Brazil: Disability Support Information

Tutors in São Paulo

There are plenty of tutors and tutoring companies in São Paulo to choose from. Expats and locals alike can benefit in many ways from hiring a tutor. For example, even those with some knowledge of European Portuguese may not find it as easy to pick up Brazilian Portuguese as expected, as the two variants differ significantly in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. A tutor is an ideal way to bridge the gap in these cases.

For students, tutors can help them prepare for big exams, adjust to their new curriculum, tackle a problem subject, learn Portuguese, or maintain fluency in their mother tongue. Both in-person and online tutoring options are widely available through various platforms and local services.

Useful links

• MyPortugueseTeacher
• IntoBrazil Portuguese Hub: Cultural Immersion Language School
• Preply