Schweizerschule Sao Paulo vs The British College of Brazil - Cidade Jardim
Schweizerschule Sao Paulo and The British College of Brazil - Cidade Jardim are both in Sao Paulo, about 7 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes. Schweizerschule Sao Paulo also offers Swiss and Brazilian, and The British College of Brazil - Cidade Jardim also offers British, EYFS, IPC, Cambridge IGCSE and Bespoke. Published annual fees are R$65,592 - 125,736 at Schweizerschule Sao Paulo and R$92,000 - 138,000 at The British College of Brazil - Cidade Jardim, which puts The British College of Brazil - Cidade Jardim roughly 20% higher. Schweizerschule Sao Paulo takes pupils from 3 to 18, and The British College of Brazil - Cidade Jardim from 2 to 18. Schweizerschule Sao Paulo is the larger school, with around 760 pupils to The British College of Brazil - Cidade Jardim's 600.
British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
760
Pupils
600
Typical class size
Typical class size
—
Typical class size
22
Instruction language
Instruction language
German, Portuguese
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
—
Opened
2011
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Visconde de Porto Seguro, 391, Alto da Boa Vista, São Paulo/SP - Brazil - CEP: 04.642-000
Location
Two campuses serve families in São Paulo. The Chácara Flora Campus is located at Rua Álvares de Azevedo, 50, Chácara Flora, São Paulo, CEP 04671-040, Brazil. The Cidade Jardim Campus is located at Avenida Engenheiro Oscar Americano, 630, Cidade Jardim, São Paulo, CEP 05673-050, Brazil. Both campuses are in São Paulo, Brazil, with access to local transport and amenities in the Chácara Flora and Cidade Jardim districts.
Stages
Stages
Early Childhood Education to Secondary Education
Stages
Early Years; Primary; Secondary
School type
School type
Non-profit bilingual school
School type
British international school
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
Total students 760; 80% Brazilian; 20% international
Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
—
Additional learning support
—
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Switzerland (recognized and supported by the Swiss Government; Basel Canton; Department of Education for the State of São Paulo)
Country affiliation
United Kingdom
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
—
Religious affiliation
—
School day structure
School day structure
Half-day/full-day regime; Mon-Fri 7:30–16:00
School day structure
Monday–Friday, 7:30 am–4:30 pm
Bus service details
Bus service details
—
Bus service details
—
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application / registration fee - No separate annual registration (matrícula) fee is published for the Escola Suíço‑Brasileira de São Paulo; publicly compiled fee listings have reported no paid matriculation charge.
Tuition fees by school level (monthly and annual figures) - Infantil 1 & 2 (Education Infantil): Monthly: BRL 5,466.00. Estimated annual cost (12 x monthly): BRL 65,592.00. - Fundamental I (1º cycle): Monthly: BRL 9,656.00. Estimated annual cost (12 x monthly): BRL 115,872.00. - Fundamental II (2º cycle): Monthly: BRL 9,656.00. Estimated annual cost (12 x monthly): BRL 115,872.00. - Ensino Médio (High School / IB): Monthly: BRL 10,478.00. Estimated annual cost (12 x monthly): BRL 125,736.00.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Public fee listings present the amounts as monthly (mensalidade). No definitive public schedule (number of instalments per year, early‑payment discounts, or exact billing dates) for the school's tuition billing was located in the available published materials. Families should expect monthly billing practices consistent with Brazilian private‑school norms but confirm the exact instalment count and due dates directly with the school.
Boarding / residence fees - The school operates as a day school (no boarding facilities). There are no boarding fees because boarding is not provided.
Other costs and typical additional charges - Books and materials: A 2026 book list is published for the school; families should budget separately for required textbooks and materials listed by year/grade. - Uniforms: No published uniform price schedule was found; families should expect a uniform purchase cost but must obtain the current uniform list and prices from the school. - Extracurricular activities, school trips, language exam fees and optional services: not listed as fixed national fees — these are commonly charged in addition to tuition and vary by activity and year; specific program fees were not published in the publicly available documents reviewed.
Refunds and cancellations - No publicly available, detailed refund or cancellation policy (for tuition, deposits or optional services) was found in the materials reviewed. Parents should note that private‑school refund policies vary (non‑refundable application fees, prorated refunds in some cases, or forfeiture of a deposit) and should confirm the school's current policy in writing at enrolment.
Accepted payment methods and fee payment options - No definitive public list of accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, bank slip / boleto, credit card) was located in the documents reviewed. Confirm the school's accepted payment methods, billing platform and whether automatic instalment plans or online payment portals are available before finalising enrolment.
Practical notes for parents (concise) - The monthly tuition amounts above are the published monthly figures reported in a recent public compilation of Brazil private‑school fees for the 2025/26 cycle; the school is a bilingual day school offering IB in the upper years. Parents should confirm instalment counts, exact billing dates, whether tuition is billed over 12 or 13 instalments, and any additional mandatory charges (materials, activity fees, insurance, etc.) directly with the school's administrative office.
Brief summary of what was located and what was not published - Located: recent published monthly tuition figures by level (monthly amounts and the school's status as a day school). - Not published in publicly available materials reviewed: a current, line‑by‑line fee schedule that lists an application/registration fee for 2025/26 or 2026/27, the school's formal billing schedule (exact number of instalments or billing months), detailed uniform prices, a formal refund/cancellation policy, and the explicit list of accepted payment methods.
Fee details
Application and Enrollment Fee - Application fee for new applicants: R$ 1,200 (not applicable to students transferring from other Nord Anglia Education schools). - First fixed payment taken as an enrollment fee: R$ 13,000 (paid at acceptance for new enrolments). This initial payment is followed by the chosen instalment plan.
Tuition fees by year group (2025–26 academic year) - Ages 2–3 (Pre-Nursery / Nursery): Yearly fee R$ 92,000; monthly instalment plan shown as 11 x R$ 8,364. - Age 4 (Reception): Yearly fee R$ 104,000; monthly instalment plan shown as 11 x R$ 9,454. - Ages 5–9 (Years 1–5): Yearly fee R$ 118,000; monthly instalment plan shown as 11 x R$ 10,727. - Age 10 (Year 6): Yearly fee R$ 134,000; monthly instalment plan shown as 11 x R$ 12,182. - Ages 11–17 (Years 7–13): Yearly fee R$ 138,000; monthly instalment plan shown as 11 x R$ 12,545.
How fees are billed and payment terms - Billing schedule: tuition and lunch fees are collected on the 25th of each month. The school publishes an 11-month instalment plan for monthly payments. Annual, semester and termly payment plans are also offered. - Instalment structure as published: an initial fixed enrollment payment (R$ 13,000) is taken, followed by 11 monthly instalments as shown in the fee table. Annual, semester and termly plans are available as alternatives. - Discounts and adjustments (applied to fee payments as published): second child 10% off monthly fee; other siblings 5% off monthly fee; yearly payment receives a 6% discount; semester payment 4% discount; termly payment 3% discount. Fees and discounts for families enrolling during the academic year are calculated pro rata. - Leaving/early-termination charge: if a child leaves before the termination of the contract a fine of R$ 15,000 is charged.
Boarding fees - Boarding is not listed among the school's fees; no boarding fee schedule is published. (No boarding charges are provided in the school's published fee schedule.)
Other costs and optional fees - School uniform: sold by an external supplier; approximate annual cost R$ 2,500 (varies by quantity purchased). - English as a Second Language (EAL / ESL) support: R$ 860 per month (optional/additional). - Lunch fees: published as 11 x R$ 960 (i.e., charged across the instalment structure shown). - School bus: not offered by the school. - External examination charges (charged in foreign currency plus taxes and administrative charges): IGCSE exams published at US$ 100.95 per IGCSE taken (plus taxes) or US$ 201.85 for a double award (science) plus tax and a 15% administrative charge and certificate; IB examination fees estimated at US$ 123 per subject (plus taxes) plus a 15% administrative charge and certificate.
Refunds and contract-related charges - The published fee schedule specifies a contractual fine of R$ 15,000 where the child leaves before the end of the contract. The fees page also states that fees and discounts for families enrolling during the academic year will be calculated pro rata. No separate general refund schedule for other circumstances is published in the fees document.
Fee payment options - The published fee information specifies the instalment options (annual, semester, termly, monthly instalments) and the monthly collection date (25th) but does not list specific accepted payment methods (for example, credit card, bank transfer or direct debit) in the published fees document.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
—
Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
—
Uniform requirement
—
Food options
Food options
There is a cafeteria (Mensa) and a snack bar (Imbissstube) on site.
Food options
Nutritious lunches are provided and eaten together with teachers and peers. Lunchtime conversations are a feature of daily life and help students connect with each other.
House system
House system
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House system
—
Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
The Swiss-Brazilian School Association, a non-profit organization, operates the Escola Suíço-Brasileira de São Paulo and the Colégio Suíço-Brasileiro de Curitiba. The Association is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the General Assembly for a two-year term, with reelection possible.
Governance and ownership
The school is part of Nord Anglia Education.
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Education levels include Early Childhood Education (Education Infantil), where the emphasis is on learning through play-based activities; instruction is in Portuguese and German. Primary Education I develops fundamental literacy and numeracy (reading, writing, and arithmetic). Primary Education II emphasizes mastery of curricular content while developing study procedures, attitudes of respect and solidarity, and learning to live socially. High School + IB spans four years with national and international focus, preparing for universities in Brazil and abroad. IB Program: In our school, all high school students complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP), whose diploma is recognized by major universities in Brazil and abroad. Language Diploma: To maintain international standards and ensure quality through external assessments, the school offers various language diplomas and certificates.
Curriculum details
The British College of Brazil offers a bilingual program with English and Portuguese in Early Years and Primary, and English, Portuguese, and Spanish in Secondary. The Juilliard curriculum features in music, and students prepare for IGCSEs and the IBDP in the secondary phase. Maker Lab and STEAM laboratories support project-based learning, and there is a university counsellor who provides one-on-one guidance for university applications.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
—
Student teacher ratio
10:1
Exam results
Exam results
—
Exam results
—
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Prepares for universities in Brazil and abroad.
Higher education progression
One-on-one university counsellor provides guidance for university applications and helps students prepare to attend their first-choice university, with IGCSE and IBDP preparation included in the secondary program.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
—
Academic calendar
Academic calendar
—
Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
—
Social & emotional learning
The school tailors classroom instruction to each child's needs and builds confidence, curiosity, and creativity through strong teacher–student relationships.
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
English as an additional language
English as an additional language
—
English as an additional language
Languages taught: Early Years and Primary – English and Portuguese; Secondary – English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
—
Mental wellbeing
Lunchtime conversations with teachers and peers and nutritious meals support social and emotional well-being; nap time in Early Years provides rest; sports tournaments and after-school activities foster resilience, well-being, and engagement.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
—
Safeguarding
—
Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
—
Safeguarding policy
—
Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
The school has spacious classrooms, chemistry, physics and biology laboratories, a computer room, a woodshop, arts and ceramics studios, an experimental kitchen and a forest. It also offers a multimedia library, a sports gym, playgrounds, theatre, a cafeteria, a canteen and a medical clinic.
Facilities overview
The British College of Brazil is organized into Early Years, Primary, and Secondary divisions. Languages taught include English and Portuguese in Early Years and Primary, with English, Portuguese, and Spanish in Secondary. Average class sizes are 16 in Early Years, 18 in Primary, and 18 in Secondary, with a 10:1 student-teacher ratio. The school has two campuses in São Paulo: Cidade Jardim Campus and Chácara Flora Campus.
Sports facilities
Sports facilities
The Sports Gym covers 1,300 m² and enables the practice of various sports. It also has changing rooms and two gymnasia. With the support of the Patron Canton of Basel, a covered lateral grandstand was built, inaugurated in 2006.
Sports facilities
The school has lunchtime play that can include life-size chess, football, basketball, or jump rope. Sports tournaments are held to strengthen skills and teamwork. Stay and Play includes Juilliard dance lessons as part of the performing arts. In addition to sports, active recess supports physical well-being, with activities such as football and basketball.
Academic facilities
Academic facilities
The school has spacious classrooms, science laboratories for Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and two theory rooms, one of which is equipped with a digital whiteboard and multimedia tools. The computer room is used for curricular classes and is available during the day with the ongoing support of a specialized teacher. The library has about 18,000 titles in Portuguese, German, English, Spanish and French. A woodshop, arts and ceramics studios, and an experimental kitchen, plus a forest area, support practical and creative learning.
Academic facilities
The Maker Lab and STEAM laboratories enable hands-on projects beyond typical science and math curricula. The library provides space for reading and study. IB lounges are available for student collaboration. A university counsellor meets students one-on-one to help with university applications and career planning. Juilliard curriculum informs music, drama, and dance offerings across the program.
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
Arts and Music are curricular through the end of secondary education. Students participate in activities and projects in music, cooking, theatre, ceramics, drawing and painting, carpentry and photography in various spaces and studios.
Extra curricular facilities
After-school fun includes a range of extracurricular activities such as rock band, hand-sewing, arts, reading, or sports. Stay and Play offers activities like Lego building, puppet shows, art making, or Juilliard dance lessons. Sports tournaments are part of the extracurricular experience, emphasizing teamwork and sportsmanship. Juilliard-inspired music rehearsals support stage performances and talent development.
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
The Escola Suíço-Brasileira de São Paulo was founded on 20 August 1965 by the Swiss community in São Paulo. Classes began on 28 February 1966 in Brooklin, at Rua Pedro Taques, with 53 students. The cornerstone for the current building on Rua Visconde de Porto Seguro was laid in 1969, and the 1970 school year began in the new building. The school was recognized by the Swiss Government in 1967, and the first Swiss Maturité diplomas were presented in 1984; the first graduation of Brazilian secondary education occurred in 1975. Since 1996 it has been a member of the International Baccalaureate Organization, and in 1999 the first IB Diploma was awarded. The Swiss-Brazilian School Association, a nonprofit entity, sponsors the Escola Suíço-Brasileira de São Paulo and the Colégio Suíço-Brasileiro of Curitiba, with a Board of Directors elected by the General Assembly for a two-year term, with possible re-election.
History
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Community
Community
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Community
BCB Sao Paulo offers Early Years, Primary, and Secondary education with bilingual instruction. Languages taught: Early Years English and Portuguese; Primary English and Portuguese; Secondary English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Nationalities: Early Years 17+, Primary 14+, Secondary 23+. Average class size: Early Years 16; Primary 18; Secondary 18. Student-teacher ratio: 10:1. A typical day includes daily greetings, themed learning, lunchtime conversations, literacy development, and after-school activities. The Juilliard curriculum supports music, drama, and dance in Secondary. There is one-on-one university counsellor support for university applications, and students may shadow professionals, attend career fairs, or participate in workshops with BCB parents. The school has two campuses: Cidade Jardim Campus (Avenida Engenheiro Oscar Americano, 630) and Chácara Flora Campus (Rua Álvares de Azevedo, 50), São Paulo, Brazil. The school operates Monday–Friday, 7:30 am–4:30 pm.
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
Curricular Focus Week (SEC) runs with interdisciplinary activities for students from Early Childhood through high school in multiple cities. A Curricular Focus Day dedicates a full day to an interdisciplinary project, with activities that may take place off campus. Economy Week is sponsored by the Ernst-Schmidheiny Foundation and has students form companies, develop business plans, and manage departments, with the annual company report presented in a foreign language during a General Assembly. The Research Project begins in ninth grade and continues into the first year of Upper School, comprising a creative project, a written report up to 3,000 words, and an oral presentation with visuals under teacher supervision; the Professional Experience program introduces High School students to the labor market by connecting them with professionals in diverse fields.
Academic & intellectual
Maker Lab and STEAM laboratories offer projects beyond standard science and math curricula. Students engage in hands-on challenges that require problem-solving and creative thinking, applying what they have learned to real-world scenarios. They use the latest technology and tools to build and demonstrate their thinking. These activities foster inquiry, experimentation, and collaboration.
Arts & creative
Arts & creative
Arts are integrated into the curriculum through music, cooking, theater, photography, and woodwork, with projects developed in dedicated ateliers. Extracurricular offerings include theater, ballet, rhythmic motricity, and music lessons taught by specialized instructors. The school's Experimental Kitchen hosts weekly cooking classes and also offers a German cooking course.
Arts & creative
Music, drama, and dance are offered through the Juilliard curriculum, integrating performing arts into the program. Students participate in Juilliard-inspired music rehearsals and drama experiences, developing musical and dramatic skills. There are opportunities to perform on stage for families and the school community.
Cultural & language
Cultural & language
Language diplomas are offered to maintain international standards, and German language courses are available at Basic German I and II levels for students. The library contains approximately 18,000 titles in Portuguese, German, English, and French to support language and cultural studies. The Secondary Education + IB program integrates languages within the international diploma.
Cultural & language
Languages taught include English and Portuguese in Early Years and Primary; Secondary adds Spanish. Spanish or Portuguese lessons are integrated into everyday learning, with opportunities to practice in conversation and through related activities. This multilingual approach supports communication across the curriculum.
Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
Extracurricular courses include sports such as Artistic Gymnastics (training), Initiation Volleyball (mixed), and Skate, taught by specialized instructors. Music programs offer individual and group lessons led by professional instructors. Theatre and Rhythmic Motricity provide performance and movement options, alongside robotics courses that develop coding and problem-solving skills.
Social & hobbies
After-school activities include Stay and Play with Lego building, puppet shows, art making, and Juilliard dance lessons. Extracurricular options include rock band, hand-sewing, arts, reading, and sports that let students explore personal interests. Lunchtime and after-school play feature activities such as life-size chess, football, basketball, and jump rope.
Community & service
Community & service
Community Service is developed through actions such as building educational toys to donate to charitable institutions. The 'Storytelling' project visits partner nurseries to share stories. Musical performances are organized in hospitals and nursing homes.
Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
Professional Experience program introduces High School students to the labor market by connecting them with professionals in diverse fields. Economy Week fosters entrepreneurship as students form companies, develop business plans, and assume roles across departments, with reports presented in a foreign language during a General Assembly. It also encourages leadership and collaboration among students.
Leadership & professional
There is a university counsellor for one-on-one guidance to plan university pathways and applications. Students can shadow professionals, attend career fairs, and participate in workshops with BCB parents to broaden their perspectives. These experiences help students develop professional awareness and make informed choices about their futures.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Sports Day is dedicated to physical activities, including rock climbing, sailing, and windsurfing, integrating social and interdisciplinary aims. Integration Day brings together parents and students from Early Childhood through Elementary for joint activities on Saturdays, once per year per class. Afternoon Follow-up is an after-school program for children from Early Childhood to 5th grade, available from 12:00 to 17:30, one to five days per week, and tailored to age and mother tongue.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Sports tournaments strengthen physical skills and teamwork and contribute to well-being. Lunchtime play and after-school activities provide opportunities to be active and social. The daily rhythm includes rest and play opportunities that support energy and well-being for learning.
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Portuguese and German are the languages of instruction. English, French and Spanish are taught as additional languages within the curriculum. Education is provided from early childhood through high school.
Language provision
Languages taught across the school are English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Early Years and Primary teach English and Portuguese; Secondary teaches English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
The school offers bilingual education in Portuguese and German. The curriculum also includes English, French and Spanish.
Bilingual teaching
BCB offers bilingual teaching in English and Portuguese in Early Years and Primary; Secondary also teaches English and Portuguese, with Spanish offered as an additional language.
Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Step 1. Register interest. The office hours are 7:30 to 16:30. The school will respond and arrange a visit.
Step 2. Educação Infantil admissions. Enrollment is conducted in order of application with priority for siblings, based on age bands and vacancy availability. The minimum ages are Jardim I four years old completed by March 31 of the school year and Jardim II five years old completed by March 31.
Step 3. Ensino Fundamental 1 (1st–3rd grades). From 1st to 3rd grade, enrollment is by order of application with priority for siblings, based on age and vacancy. The minimum age for admission to 1st grade is 6 years completed by March 31. Beginning in 4th grade, admission is defined by individual interviews with the Coordination, a pedagogical assessment, and classroom visits. If needed, students without fluency in Portuguese or German receive a special adaptation program.
Step 4. Ensino Fundamental 2 (4th–9th grades). Admission is defined by interviews with the Coordination, visits to classes, and a pedagogical assessment in Portuguese and Mathematics. Depending on the grade, assessments in English and French are also required. A German assessment is conducted for applicants who have German language fluency. If admitted, the school offers a special adaptation program in German or Portuguese as needed.
Step 5. Ensino Médio (high school). To be admitted, all candidates must undergo interviews with the Coordination, visits to classes, and pedagogical assessments in Mathematics, Portuguese, English, German, and other subjects at the school's discretion.
Step 6. Documents required for enrollment. Educação Infantil requires: copies of the student's birth certificate; copy of the student's RG or RNE; copy of RG or RNE and CPF of the financial guardian; and an updated vaccination card. Ensino Fundamental and Ensino Médio require: copies of the birth certificate; copy of RG or RNE of the student; copy of RG or RNE and CPF of the financial guardian; a Transfer Certificate from the previous school; the student's Transcript; a Declaration of Financial Clearance from the previous school; and the updated vaccination declaration (DVA).
Step 7. Application form. The application form (Ficha de Inscrição) notes that submission does not guarantee a vacancy. The form collects information such as the intended grade, year of entry, student details, parental contacts, and language information, among other fields, to support the admissions review.
Admissions
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Scholarships
Scholarships
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Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
The admissions process is conducted in order of application with priority for siblings and vacancy availability. A place is not guaranteed by submitting an application, and enrollments occur as vacancies arise.
