St. Nicholas School Pinheiros and St. Paul's School - Sao Paulo are both in Sao Paulo, about 1 km apart. Both schools offer IB and Cambridge IGCSE programmes, and St. Paul's School - Sao Paulo also offers British. Published annual fees are R$94,500 - 159,125 at St. Nicholas School Pinheiros and R$104,592 at St. Paul's School - Sao Paulo, which puts St. Nicholas School Pinheiros roughly 21% higher. St. Nicholas School Pinheiros takes pupils from 1 to 18, and St. Paul's School - Sao Paulo from 3 to 18. St. Paul's School - Sao Paulo is the larger school, with around 1,088 pupils to St. Nicholas School Pinheiros's 565.
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St. Nicholas School Pinheiros
Sao Paulo, Brazil
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St. Paul's School - Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo, Brazil
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| Snapshot | Snapshot | |
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Fees / year
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Fees / year R$94,500 - 159,125 | Fees / year R$104,592 |
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Age range
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Age range 1 - 18 years | Age range 3 - 18 years |
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Type
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Type Co-educational | Type Co-educational |
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Curriculum
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Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Cambridge IGCSE | Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP) |
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Pupils
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Pupils 565 | Pupils 1,088 |
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Typical class size
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Typical class size — | Typical class size 20 |
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Instruction language
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Instruction language English | Instruction language English, Portuguese |
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Opened
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Opened 1980 | Opened 1926 |
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Bus service
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Bus service No | Bus service No |
| Essentials | Essentials | |
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Location
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Location Pinheiros Campus is located at Praça Joaquim Roberto, 30, 05423-160 Pinheiros, São Paulo (SP), Brazil. The campus is in the Pinheiros area of São Paulo. It serves Early Years through Diploma Programme as part of St. Nicholas School's IB continuum. | Location Rua Juquia 166, J.Paulistano, Sao Paulo, SP 01440-903 |
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Stages
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Stages Tiny Tots Programme (18 months – 3 years), IB Primary Years Programme (3–11 years), IB Middle Years Programme (11–16 years), IB Diploma Programme (16–18 years). | Stages Early Years (Pre-Prep); Junior School (Pre-Prep & Prep); Senior School; Sixth Form |
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School type
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School type IB World School offering the full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, Diploma). | School type British international school |
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Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix St Nicholas Pinheiros has students from 21 nationalities; staff members from 20 nationalities. | Pupil nationality mix Multicultural community with over 25 nationalities across year groups. |
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Additional learning support
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Additional learning support — | Additional learning support — |
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Country affiliation
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Country affiliation Brazil | Country affiliation British |
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Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation — | Religious affiliation — |
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School day structure
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School day structure — | School day structure — |
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Bus service details
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Bus service details Transportation is provided via Bus Children; contact (11) 3721-3912 / 3731-5930; contato@buschildren.com.br. | Bus service details — |
| Fees | Fees | |
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Fee details
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Fee details Application / Registration fee - Application / registration fee: BRL 9,380.00 (single, payable on enrolment). Tuition fees by year group (monthly and annual amounts) - Tiny Tots I / Tiny Tots II / Nursery (08:00–12:00): BRL 7,560.00 per month — BRL 90,720.00 per year (12 monthly instalments). - Nursery / Primary (Nursery up to Grade 5): BRL 10,320.00 per month — BRL 123,840.00 per year (12 monthly instalments). - Middle & Secondary (Grade 6 to Grade 12): BRL 12,730.00 per month — BRL 152,760.00 per year (12 monthly instalments). Other recurring academic fees - Resource & Technology fee: - Tiny Tots / Primary (Tiny Tots to Grade 5): two instalments of BRL 2,210.00 each — total BRL 4,420.00 per year. - Middle & Secondary (Grade 6 to Grade 12): two instalments of BRL 2,540.00 each — total BRL 5,080.00 per year. Re‑enrolment / re‑registration - Annual re‑enrolment fee: 50% of the current monthly tuition, charged each April as the re‑registration payment. Billing schedule and payment terms - The annual tuition is billed as 12 monthly instalments (the school's annual charge is the sum of 12 instalments plus the re‑enrolment fee). - Fiscal year and quarters: the school's financial year runs from 1 July to 30 June; fiscal quarters are Jul/Aug/Sep, Oct/Nov/Dec, Jan/Feb/Mar and Apr/May/Jun. - New entrants are responsible for the tuition for the month of entry and for any months prior in the current fiscal quarter. Students who leave before the end of the term remain subject to contractual penalties as set out in the school contract. - Discount for full annual payment: a discount is offered for paying the full annual tuition in advance (discount rate shown as 4% for the campus). Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable; the Pinheiros campus operates as a day school (no boarding fees). Other costs and fees - Uniforms: wearing school uniform is required. Uniforms are supplied through the school's approved vendors (contacts and shop details provided by the school). Typical uniform purchases are a separate, one‑off family cost billed through the vendor at the time of purchase. - Transport: contracted school transport is available through the school's approved transport supplier; transport fees are separate and set by the transport provider. - Additional incidental costs: optional extracurricular activities, life‑skills trips, exam fees (IGCSE/IB where applicable) and some specialist materials may be charged separately. (Where a specific mandatory additional fee is listed above, it is already noted.) Refund and cancellation - Students who withdraw before the end of the contracted period are subject to contractual penalties; the school requires payment for the month of entry and may apply further contractual charges for early withdrawal. Refunds and cancellation conditions are administered according to the school's contract terms. Fee payment options and practical notes - Tuition is billed monthly (12 instalments) with the option to pay the full year in advance for the stated discount. Specific payment channels (for example, boleto bancário, bank transfer, credit card acceptance) are handled by the school's finance office and are not listed in the published fee summary; parents should follow the invoice/payment instructions provided by the school's admissions or finance office when completing enrolment. If you require these numbers formatted or integrated into your database fields exactly as listed above, they are ready to be copied as shown. | Fee details Application / Registration Fee - St. Paul's School reports a one‑off registration/placement fee in public reports. A widely cited figure for this fee is R$ 33,768 (one‑off). Tuition fees by year group (reported figures and annual equivalents) - Published public reports do not provide a full official 2026/27 fee schedule on the school's publicly accessible materials. The most recent widely reported fee figures available in the public domain are from press coverage (reported for 2023) and differ between sources; both sets of figures are given below so you have the reported monthly amounts and simple annual equivalents (monthly × 12) for parent budgeting purposes. - Reported (Forbes Brasil, reported as monthly amounts): - Early Years / Educação Infantil: R$ 8,716 per month — annual equivalent R$ 104,592. - Ensino Fundamental (Primary/Lower Secondary): R$ 8,716 per month — annual equivalent R$ 104,592. - Ensino Médio (Senior School / High School): R$ 11,012 per month — annual equivalent R$ 132,144. - Alternative reported figures (other national press reporting the same dataset): - Reported matrícula (registration) R$ 12,182 and mensalidade (monthly tuition) ~R$ 12,104 (reported as a monthly figure for Ensino Médio in some press summaries). Annual equivalent of R$ 12,104 per month would be R$ 145,248. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school's public Terms of Service and parent communications describe that detailed billing, payment schedules and payment information are handled through the school's parent communications channels and portals rather than published as a public fee schedule. The exact billing model (number of instalments per year, whether the school issues an annual invoice/‘anuidade' or monthly invoices, early‑payment discounts, or sibling discount rules in force for 2026/27) is not published in an accessible public fee schedule. Boarding fees - No current boarding programme or boarding fees are listed in the school's public profile. St. Paul's School is described in its school profile as a day school delivering Pre‑Prep through Sixth Form (K–12) on its Jardins campus; therefore boarding fees are not applicable. Other costs and compulsory extras - Publicly reported summaries of St. Paul's fees record the registration/placement fee and monthly tuition only; a published, itemised list of additional compulsory charges (uniform, books/materials, technology fees, school lunch, transport, extra‑curricular programme fees or school trips) for 2026/27 or 2025/26 was not available in the school's publicly accessible documents. Where other schools include separate material/technology charges in reporting, those appear as separate line items; St. Paul's public reporting in the sources consulted did not provide the same line‑by‑line breakdown for uniforms or materials. Refunds and cancellations - The school's public Terms of Service and policies indicate that detailed rules about registrations, payments and related administrative processes are managed through the school's parent channels and formal policies available to registered families. A public, itemised refund or cancellation policy for fee payments (effective for 2026/27) was not published in the publicly accessible documents reviewed. Refund and withdrawal terms are handled in the school's formal documentation for parents. Fee payment options - The public Terms of Service explains that information about payments is provided to parents via the school's parent communications app and admissions office; specific payment methods (for example, bank transfer, boleto, credit card authorisation, direct debit) are not published as a public list. Parents are normally required to use the school's payment channels described in admissions/parent communications. Summary note on the figures above - The figures presented above are taken from the most recent widely circulated public reporting available in the sources consulted; public reports show differing figures in different outlets. The school's public materials (school profile and Terms of Service) describe admissions, communications and where parents receive invoicing information but do not publish a detailed 2026/27 fee schedule on the publicly accessible site. For accurate, binding billing information for a particular application year and for exact instalment schedules, documented refunds, compulsory extras (uniforms, transport, meals), and accepted payment methods, the school issues the formal fee schedule and terms to applicants/registered families through its admissions and parent communication channels. |
| Diving deeper | Diving deeper | |
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Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements — | Boarding arrangements — |
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Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement PE Uniform – From Grade 1 until Grade 10. Uniforms can be purchased from Naruada Escola (Alameda dos Arapanés, 853 - Moema, São Paulo) and Lucia Uniformes (Avenida Pacaembu, 808 - Pacaembu, São Paulo). | Uniform requirement — |
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Food options
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Food options Nutrition Menu provides lunch and snack options at the Pinheiros Campus (Lunch Menu and Snack Menu); Alphaville Campus also offers Lunch Menu and Snack Menu. | Food options — |
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House system
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House system Cambridge, London, and Oxford are the three houses. From Grade 1, pupils are placed in a house, with immediate family members in the same house. Each house has a Head of House (teacher), a House Captain, and a House Vice-Captain (pupils); the system fosters collaboration and leadership through sporting and non-sporting events and assemblies led by House Captains. | House system The school has a house system as part of its enrichment programme, offering ample opportunities to develop skills in creative arts, music and sports both inside and outside the classroom. |
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Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership — | Governance and ownership St Pauls School is a not-for-profit foundation. Governance is the responsibility of a Board of Governors whose members are appointed by representatives (or Trustees) of the British community. Governors and trustees are UK nationals; the UK Consul General sits on the Board and The British Ambassador to Brazil is the honorary President. The Governors appoint the Headmaster who is responsible for the day-to-day running of St. Pauls School and works with the School Executive. |
| Academics | Academics | |
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Curriculum details
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Curriculum details The Pinheiros Campus offers a tiered IB-based curriculum: Tiny Tots (18 months–3 years) with play-based inquiry; Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 3–11; Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 11–16, featuring the 4 Peaks core (Passion, Project, Peer, Play) and a homegrown curriculum, leading to Cambridge IGCSE. The Diploma Programme (DP) for ages 16–18 comprises six subject groups and a DP core (TOK, CAS, Extended Essay). Languages taught include English, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish. | Curriculum details The curriculum is aligned with the English National Curriculum, incorporating the UK National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSEs and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, while also meeting the Brazilian Core Curriculum. It provides a British bilingual and bicultural education across Escola Infantil, Ensino Fundamental and Ensino Médio, with qualified local teachers registered with MEC. Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form structure the programme. The school offers enrichment opportunities in arts, culture and sport, as well as field trips to broaden learning beyond the classroom. The curriculum also emphasizes developing pupils sense of identity, including spiritual, moral, social and cultural aspects of a diverse society. |
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Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio — | Student teacher ratio — |
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Exam results
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Exam results The Diploma Programme pass rate is typically over 90%, with some students achieving 40+ points and the school average around 32–33 points. Over 45 learners from Pinheiros sit the Diploma each year. Over 90% of learners at Pinheiros achieve the IB bilingual Diploma. | Exam results IB Diploma Programme: 2023-2024 cohort achieved a 100% pass rate with 75 diploma recipients; average points score was 35.4, higher than the global average of 30.32, with about 22% of grades at 7 and 18 pupils scoring 40 or more. Cambridge IGCSEs: for the year, over half the grades were A*-A, with 9 students achieving all A* and A grades and 75% of grades in the A*-B range. Recent news items include the Class of 2025 IB results announced in August 2025. |
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Higher education progression
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Higher education progression The school provides a robust University Counseling program to guide students to higher education, with graduates studying at universities in more than a dozen countries. The Diploma Programme is widely recognised by leading universities worldwide. | Higher education progression St. Paul graduates enroll in three- to four-year degree programs at colleges and universities worldwide. In the United Kingdom, destinations include Cambridge, Durham, LSE, UCL, Kings College London and Warwick. In the United States and Canada, destinations include Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Penn, Columbia and NYU. In Continental Europe and elsewhere, destinations include IE University (Spain), University of Amsterdam and University of Toronto; in Brazil, Insper, Fundação Getúlio Vargas and Mackenzie. |
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Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented — | Gifted and talented The enrichment program offers a wide range of clubs and societies, trips and activities in sport, music and the arts. Notable programs for high-achieving pupils include Model United Nations and the Duke of Edinburghs International Award. |
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Academic calendar
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Academic calendar — | Academic calendar — |
| Wellbeing & support | Wellbeing & support | |
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Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning The school offers Life & Action, including events, extracurricular activities (ECAs), a house system, life skills trips, service learning, and sports. | Social & emotional learning Healthy emotional development is at the heart of the school. The strong Pastoral Care and PSHE programme is guided by the We Care Programme, a whole-school pupil-focused wellbeing and mental health prevention framework designed to develop social-emotional skills and build respectful relationships. Each school section has a Head of Pastoral to support pupils in behavioural and emotional issues, and a full-time Psychologist works as the School Counsellor, offering individual sessions. The Senior School uses a tutorial system with tutors who oversee pastoral, academic and social development and can arrange one-to-one meetings. The aims of the pastoral framework include belonging, self-esteem and emotional wellbeing, the development of integrity and citizenship, and preparation for leadership and responsible decision-making. |
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN) — | Special educational needs (SEN) — |
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English as an additional language
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English as an additional language — | English as an additional language St. Paul's delivers a British bilingual and bicultural education, with English as the language of instruction in the majority of lessons. In Pre-Prep, home languages are celebrated while most of the day is taught in English, and there is specialist provision for Portuguese and other disciplines. The school uses English Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and National Curriculum (NC) in the early years to ensure key knowledge and skills are developed. Pre-Prep includes dedicated Portuguese specialist teaching in addition to core English-language learning. The curriculum is aligned with the English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSEs and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, while incorporating Brazilian core requirements. |
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Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing — | Mental wellbeing St. Paul's recognises a responsibility to protect and nurture positive mental health by developing skills within our pupils that lead to positive relationships, good decision making and socially minded behaviours that contribute positively to the school community and beyond. The WE CARE programme is a whole-school pupil-focused wellbeing support programme intended to promote the character traits we wish to see in all Pauleans. It provides support and guidance when pupils fail at this, as well as praise and recognition when they succeed, and it does not replace the school's behaviour policies. It is a set of values and a mind-set that promotes a constructive approach to all situations. |
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding Safeguarding & Policies are available. | Safeguarding There is nothing more important than your child's safety. Our wellbeing and child protection policies and procedures follow the ‘getting it right for every child' legislation. We are constantly reflecting on what we could do better, always making sure that the wellbeing and protection of our young people is integral to what we do here. |
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Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy — | Safeguarding policy — |
| Facilities | Facilities | |
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Facilities overview
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Facilities overview The school has modern and safe infrastructure across Pinheiros and Alphaville campuses. The school has Innovative Classrooms that foster curiosity and research. The school has Science and Technology Laboratories equipped for practical experiences. The school has Libraries with extensive resources for learning and research. The school has Recreational Areas and outdoor spaces for physical and social development. The school has Interactive Learning Environments designed to be explored and to support growth. | Facilities overview St. Paul's School is located in the Jardins district of São Paulo. The campus has undergone extensive refurbishment and extension. Notable additions include a new sports centre, a Sixth Form centre, and a new learning resources centre. The Pre-Prep School area has been fully refurbished to provide updated facilities for early years. |
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Sports facilities
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Sports facilities The school includes a structured sports program integrated into the timetable. Primary pupils may participate in futsal; Secondary pupils can choose futsal, football, and basketball as team options. Students train under teachers and coaches and compete in fixtures and tournaments. Inter-House Festival and PE events foster teamwork, leadership and sportsmanship. The school has a pool on site used for events and recreational activities. | Sports facilities A new sports centre is on campus. The school offers a broad programme of sport including swimming, badminton, rowing, rugby, volleyball, basketball, football, futsal and table tennis. |
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Academic facilities
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Academic facilities The school has Innovative Classrooms that foster curiosity and research. The school has Science and Technology Laboratories equipped for practical experiences. The school has Libraries with extensive resources for learning and research. The school has Interactive Learning Environments designed to be explored and to support growth. The school offers IB-aligned programmes (PYP, MYP and Diploma Programme) across age ranges. All programmes draw from IB philosophy and practice, promoting agency, inquiry and problem solving. | Academic facilities The Sixth Form centre provides facilities for senior study and a dedicated learning resources centre supports research and study. Digital learning spaces include classrooms with interactive whiteboards and Apple TVs, a 1:2 iPad programme for Prep and Senior School pupils, and a BYOD environment for older students. There is a creative space for hands-on work with 3D design, robotics and carving. Pre-Prep has purpose-built rooms for Physical Education, Music, Art and Portuguese. |
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Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities The school has a broad variety of Extra Curricular Activities in sports, arts and recreational activities. ECAs take place at lunchtime and after school. ECAs are led by teachers, parents, outside agencies and Secondary School learners. ECAs provide opportunities to create new friendships, develop existing passions and discover new ones. ECAs help learners develop IB attributes such as risk-taking and inquiry. | Extra curricular facilities St. Paul's offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities designed to extend learning beyond the classroom. Sport is central to school life, with activities across swimming, badminton, rowing, rugby, volleyball, basketball, football, futsal and table tennis. The enrichment programme provides opportunities across arts and clubs and extends into school events and celebrations. London College of Music exams have been offered since 2016 as part of the school's extra-curricular opportunities. |
| Parent experience | Parent experience | |
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History
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History — | History The school originated from the British community in São Paulo in the early 20th century. It opened in February 1926 with 88 pupils under Headmaster J.A. Dodd and moved to Rua Juquiá in 1928. The school is overseen by trustees and governors as a not-for-profit Fundação Anglo-Brasileira de Educação e Cultura (FABEC), with statutes agreed in 1961. In the 1960s and 1970s it became a wholly co-educational day school for pupils aged 4–16, and in the 1980s it registered as Escola Britânica de São Paulo and introduced the International Baccalaureate Diploma; Sixth Formers received their Segundo Grau in 1983 and the first IB Diplomas were awarded in 1987. The curriculum is British and Brazilian; the UK Consul General sits on the Board of Governors and the British Ambassador to Brazil is honorary President; the school is a member of the Headmasters' Conference (HMC), the Council of British International Schools (COBIS) and the Latin American Heads Conference (LAHC). |
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Community
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Community Parents, teachers and the Senior Leadership Team together form a team who work side-by-side to promote liaison between families, the school and the community. The PTA engages in dialogue to foster interpersonal relations between community members, promotes the communication of the school's educational projects and philosophy, supports the work of our children and brings social, professional and environmental institutions into the school. Funds from events such as International Day, Festa Junina, Uniform Swap Bazaar and Toys Bazaar are used to support charity projects created and led by students as well as lectures organised for the school community with the objective of raising awareness on a variety of topics. The Representative Committee is formed by President, Vice-President (Head of School), Members and Collaborators. | Community The St. Paul's community centers on the Parent and Teacher Association (PTA), which aims to foster a strong school community, improve communication between school and parents, enrich pupils' learning experiences, and promote fundraising for charities in Brazil. The PTA's flagship event is International Day, a multicultural celebration with country stands representing cultures from around the world and extensive parent volunteer involvement. Charity and community service are integral, with pupils undertaking outreach activities across the school and through the IB Diploma's Creativity, Action and Service program. The school collaborates with organizations such as Fundação Britânica de Beneficência (FBB), Mão Amiga and Liga Solidária, and pupils participate in visits and service projects. |
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Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association The PTA brings together parents, teachers and the Senior Leadership Team to promote liaison between families, the school and the community. The PTA engages in dialogue to foster interpersonal relations between community members, promote the communication of the school's educational projects and philosophy, support the work of students and bring social, professional and environmental institutions into the school. PTA funds from events such as International Day, Festa Junina, Uniform Swap Bazaar and Toys Bazaar are used to support charity projects created and led by students as well as lectures for the school community to raise awareness on a variety of topics. The Representative Committee is formed by a President, a Vice-President (Head of School), Members and Collaborators; PTA general meetings take place once a month, as do meetings with Class Representatives; PTA service is voluntary, not remunerated, and does not confer any benefit to volunteers. Please contact PTA Pinheiros at pta.pin@stnicholas.com.br or PTA Alphaville at pta.al@stnicholas.com.br. | Parent teacher association The PTA plays an important role in the school community, with volunteers from parents, teachers and staff. The PTA fosters strong communication between school and parents, enlivens pupils' learning experiences, and promotes fundraising events to support charities and other institutions in Brazil. The PTA's flagship event is International Day, a multicultural celebration with country stands representing global cultures; sponsors and brands provide funding to ensure proceeds go to charities. Charity and community service are central, with activities that involve visiting partner organizations and supporting community projects. The PTA can be contacted at pta@stpauls.br. |
| Extra-curricular | Extra-curricular | |
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Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual IB-based programmes promote agency, inquiry and problem solving. More than 90% of students earn a bilingual IB Diploma on graduating in Year 12. | Academic & intellectual The St. Paul's curriculum is aligned with the English National Curriculum, incorporating the UK National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSEs, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. It also incorporates the Brazilian Core Curriculum. Every pupil is inspired to take advantage of enrichment opportunities beyond the academic curriculum and to understand the wider world around them. The school provides a British bilingual and bicultural education, integrating elements of Brazilian education across the Escola Infantil, Ensino Fundamental and Ensino Médio with qualified local teachers registered with MEC. |
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Arts & creative
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Arts & creative Extra Curricular Activities (ECAs) include arts, as well as sports and recreational activities. ECAs take place at lunchtime and after school and are led by teachers, parents, outside agencies and Secondary School learners. | Arts & creative The Arts are central to the enrichment program, with visual arts, drama, and film encouraging creativity and self-discovery. Pupils are encouraged to express themselves through these artistic activities and to learn about themselves. The enrichment program includes a wide range of clubs and societies—from dance to astronomy, knitting to robotics—with Model United Nations and the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award also offered. |
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Cultural & language
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Cultural & language First language instruction at Diploma Level is offered in English, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish. | Cultural & language The school offers a British bilingual and bicultural education. St. Paul's integrates elements of Brazilian education across the Escola Infantil, Ensino Fundamental and Ensino Médio. Qualified local teachers, fully registered with the Brazilian Ministry of Education (MEC), are part of the teaching staff. |
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Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies ECAs provide opportunities to form friendships and discover new passions. They cover arts, sports and recreational activities. | Social & hobbies Sport is an essential ingredient of the school's culture and is embraced as an opportunity for growth, shaping pupils' character. The Clubs & Societies range from dance to astronomy, knitting to robotics, mathematics Olympiads and debating, including the Model United Nations and the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award. Field trips and residential visits extend learning beyond the classroom. |
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Community & service
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Community & service Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) is part of the Diploma Programme and includes service to the local community. | Community & service The Parent and Teacher Association (PTA) coordinates volunteer work to foster a strong school community, enhance communication with parents, and support charities in Brazil. The International Day is the PTA's flagship event, a multicultural celebration with country stands representing cultures from around the world. Charity and community service are central; pupils engage with institutions such as Liga Solidária, Mão Amiga, Fundação Britânica de Beneficência, and, in Sixth Form, Creativity, Activity and Service as part of their IB Diploma. |
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Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional Careers and Entrepreneurship is one of the seven global umbrella themes under the 4PEAKs. | Leadership & professional Pupils in the Senior School, and especially in the Sixth Form, participate in a full programme to prepare for university applications, including lectures, workshops, talks by former pupils, and Morrisby Psychometric Testing. There is practical ACT (American College Testing) and SAT preparation on Saturdays, and one timetable period dedicated to university guidance where representatives of leading universities provide advice. Two university and professional guidance fairs are held each year. 100% of leavers enroll in three- or four-year courses at colleges or universities around the world. |
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing Health and Wellness is one of the 4PEAKs. CAS (Creativity, Activity and Service) includes physical activity and well-being, and promotes the well-being of learners. | Lifestyle & wellbeing Healthy emotional development is at the heart of St. Paul's, supported by strong pastoral care and a PSHE – personal, social and health education – programme guided by the We Care principles. A full-time psychologist acts as School Counsellor, and each school section has a Head of Pastoral to support students' social and emotional development. Safeguarding follows the ‘getting it right for every child' approach to ensure pupil safety. The aims of the tutorial system include belonging, self-esteem, leadership, and responsible citizenship, with kindness, integrity and inclusion as core values. |
| Language provision | Language provision | |
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Language provision
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Language provision English is the main language of instruction across the curriculum, and the Diploma Programme is taught in English. Portuguese is taught as part of the language program, including Portuguese as an Additional Language (PAL) from Grade 6 to Year 12 for non-native speakers, with overseas learners receiving Portuguese instruction on arrival. Learners may study their mother tongue during the Diploma, and the school supports multilingual development with English and Portuguese language learning across the continuum. | Language provision The curriculum is aligned with the English National Curriculum, the UK National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSEs and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, while incorporating the Brazilian Core Curriculum. It is a British bilingual and bicultural education integrating elements of Brazilian education at Escola Infantil, Ensino Fundamental and Ensino Médio. Local teachers are qualified and registered with the Brazilian Ministry of Education (MEC) and are part of the teaching staff. |
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Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching The school aims for every learner to complete a bilingual IB Diploma at the end of their secondary education. English is the main language of instruction, with development of proficiency in at least two languages. | Bilingual teaching The school provides a British bilingual and bicultural education. |
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Immersion programs
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Immersion programs Learners are immersed in an intercultural environment by learning with peers from diverse linguistic backgrounds. English and Portuguese are used across the curriculum, with translanguaging practices to support language development. | Immersion programs — |
| Reputation | Reputation | |
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Awards
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Awards — | Awards — |
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Accreditations
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Accreditations — | Accreditations — |
| Admissions | Admissions | |
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Admissions
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Admissions 1. Documentation submission and initial visit. The admissions procedure begins with documentation submitted to the admissions department. After submitting the documents, an appointment for the applicant and family to visit the school, either face-to-face or online, is arranged to present the school's philosophy, mission and pedagogy. The family will meet with the Admissions team during this visit to discuss the admissions process and requirements. 2. Visits with pedagogical teams and specialists. An appointment is scheduled with the relevant pedagogical department to discuss the applicant's learning journey. Depending on age and profile, the applicant may also meet with personalised learning support specialists, university advisors or language specialists. Interviews may be conducted in the applicant's home language where applicable (Japanese and Korean when appropriate). 3. Age-group specific admissions requirements. Early Years (Tiny Tots through Kindergarten 2) require the EY application form, a school report from the last year, and an interview with the EY Pedagogical Team (scheduled by Admissions). Primary (Grade 1 to Grade 5) require the Primary application form, school references from the current teacher and the parents, and school reports for the last three years, plus an interview with the Primary Pedagogical Team. Secondary (Grade 6 to Year 12) require an application form, a self-assessment by the applicant, a written parental application, a school reference, and school reports for the last three years; Admissions and Pedagogical teams meet to discuss each applicant based on documentation, visits, interviews, and spaces available. 4. Decision and placement. The Admissions and Pedagogical teams meet to discuss each applicant based on documentation, visits, interviews, and spaces available. The Admissions Department informs the family of the outcome; on acceptance, the relevant information is transferred to SchoolBase and the biography is completed. If the application is rejected, the final decision rests with the head of the section. 5. Enrollment and onboarding. Enrollment guides families through the enrollment process including the relevant documentation for registration with the Brazilian authorities. Documentation includes birth certificate, RG/ID and passport details with a photo; medical health certificate and eyesight/hearing tests from age 4; vaccinations and proof of address. For children coming from Brazilian schools, Histórico Escolar, Carta de Transferência and Declaração de Adimplência are required; for children from international schools, a copy of transcripts/reports for the last three years translated into Portuguese, English, or Spanish is required. Onboarding includes New Family orientation day and sharing of information (Handbooks, PTA information, House Form, Seesaw, IsCool App & School Portal); if enrolling mid-term, the admissions department will share relevant information prior to start. A follow-up meeting with the family is planned within the first month. | Admissions PP1 entry (3 years old). Stage 1: Enquire. Read about St. Paul's values and policies. Stage 2: Visit St. Paul's — Open Mornings for Pre-Prep 1 Admissions. Open Mornings are held several times each term and include a guided school tour led by Student Admissions Ambassadors and a leadership presentation to give insight into daily life and the educational approach. Open mornings are for parents; international families can request a personalised session, subject to availability. Do not book visits more than a few months in advance. Stage 3: Application. After an Open Morning, families receive detailed instructions to begin the application. Complete the form and pay a non-refundable application fee of R$800; payment does not guarantee a place. Stage 4: Informative meeting with Admissions team. All Pre-Prep 1 applicants are invited to a meeting with the Admissions Team to learn about life in the Pre-Prep, daily routines, curriculum, and educational approach; parents may ask questions; children do not attend. Stage 5: Stay & Play session. The Stay & Play session is held on different days in February and March of the year of entry and observes children in a group classroom setting in an English-speaking environment; no preparation is needed and detailed information is provided in advance. Outcomes. After all stages, the school notifies families of the outcome. Applications are frequently oversubscribed; if a place is offered, families receive a list of enrolment documents and detailed information about fees. |
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Scholarships
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Scholarships The school does not provide bursaries or scholarships. | Scholarships St. Paul's Scholarship Programme includes the St. Paul's Endowment, established to expand financial assistance and advance towards a target of 10% of Senior School pupils receiving financial aid. The Endowment supports the St. Paul's Foundation Scholarship Programme, which offers fully funded places for talented Brazilian children whose families cannot cover the costs of an international education. The Bursary Fund provides partial fee assistance for British families, funded by FABEC. Eligibility requires the child and one parent to hold UK passports and the British parent to have lived in the UK for at least 10 years; assistance is means-tested, up to 40% of tuition, not time-limited but reviewed, and involves submission of school reports and financial documents. The application process includes an assessment day, submission of income documents, and a decision by a Bursary Subcommittee. |
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Waitlist
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Waitlist — | Waitlist If there are no places available for the year group, families are asked whether they would like to be placed on our contact list for future vacancies. |
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