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Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages Portuguese, Spanish
Strengths Performing Arts, STEM, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Elementary, Middle School, Secondary School
Introduction
The American School of Recife is a private, not-for-profit American Overseas School serving Nursery through Grade 12 in Recife, Brazil. It offers an English-language education with an American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and a Bespoke Curriculum designed to meet individual student goals. The school welcomes students aged 2 to 18 and maintains accreditation in the United States by Cognia and in Brazil by MEC, Pernambuco and Recife education authorities. In Secondary, AP courses cover English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, World Languages (French and Spanish), Studio Art, and Computer Science, with the AP Capstone Diploma available for in-depth research. The 8.5-acre campus hosts separate pre-school, elementary, and secondary buildings, 48 classrooms, a modern library and future media center, and dedicated laboratories, arts, and music spaces. Extracurriculars include Arts Club and the Brazilian Studies Program, plus NHS, SGA, athletics, and a Little Theater, enriching a comprehensive campus life for students worldwide today.
R. Sá e Souza, 408 - Boa Viagem, Recife - PE, 51030-065, Brazil
Gallery
The school has not added photos
The Essentials
American School of Recife has 600 pupils, instruction in English.
Location
The school is located at Rua Sá e Souza, 408, Boa Viagem, Recife-PE, Brazil. The postal code (CEP) is 51.030-065. The contact number is 81 3341-4716.
Stages
EAR is organized from Nursery through Grade 12. It comprises an Early Childhood Center (Nursery–Kindergarten), Elementary (Grades 1–5), and Secondary (Grades 6–12).
Type
The school is a private, not-for-profit American Overseas School offering United States and Brazilian accredited programs in an English-language setting.
Additional learning support
ELL support is provided in the Elementary School with a dedicated ELL specialist who collaborates with classroom teachers. The program supports English language development across the curriculum.
Country affiliation
Brazil, as an American Overseas School with U.S. accreditation.
School day structure
Gates open from 7:20 a.m. to 7:50 a.m. Students arriving after 7:50 a.m. must check in at Reception. Dismissal occurs at 3:15 p.m., and students may remain on campus after 3:15 p.m. only if involved in a supervised after-school activity.
Diving Deeper
Food Options
Nutri provides food service under contract with families, offering a hot lunch buffet, sandwiches, snacks and beverages, with a self-service salad/fruit bar; juice, water, and milk are available. Families may bring lunch from home or have home-cooked meals delivered to school no later than 11:20 a.m.; a microwave is provided for heating. ECC has its own lunchroom.
Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of five members: two elected by the General Assembly of parents, two appointed by elected members, and one appointed by the U.S. Consul General of Recife. The American School of Recife is organized as a democratic association where parents, faculty, administration, and staff work together to optimize student learning.
Fees
Application / Reservation Fees - A non‑refundable waitlist/reservation payment of BRL 1,000.00 is collected when a family is placed on the EAR waiting pool; this amount is deducted from the required payment at the time of enrollment.
Enrollment / Entrance Fee - Enrollment is completed only after the enrollment contract is signed and the required enrollment fee is paid. The school requires payment of an enrollment/registration fee as part of finalizing admission (amount not published in the public admissions materials).
Tuition — structure, billing schedule and payment timing - The school year is organized in two semesters (August–December and January–June). Tuition and fees for the coming year are proposed by the Board of Trustees during May and approved by the General Assembly of enrolled parents. Families receive the published tuition and fee schedule following that approval window. - Billing is issued through the school's billing system (bank‑slip / boleto) and family account portal; the school issues payment documents (boletos) for required deposits and fees. The school uses a parent billing portal for bank slips.
Tuition — amounts (publicly available historical figures) - Publicly available comparative data for earlier years lists typical monthly tuition ranges for the American School of Recife in the R$4,040.30 to R$5,455.62 band and an example one‑time entrance/registration charge cited historically as approximately R$13,179.37 (these figures come from published comparative research for the 2022–2023 period and should be treated as historical reference rather than the current school year tariff).
Term / Installment detail - The school communicates the official annual tuition and any installment/term schedule after Board approval in May. Specific per‑grade, per‑term amounts and the number of installments for the 2026/27 (or 2025/26, if 2026/27 is not yet released) academic year are not published in the public admissions pages or family handbook; families receive the exact per‑grade tuition, installment and due‑date schedule directly from the Finance Office during the admissions/enrollment process.
Boarding - The American School of Recife is a private, non‑profit co‑educational day school; no boarding facilities or boarding fees apply.
Other costs / regularly charged items - Canteen / school lunch: Meals and snacks are provided by the contracted vendor (Nutri). Student purchases are charged to the family account and billed monthly. Families may also send lunch from home. - Textbooks and supplies: The school issues textbooks and published instructional materials; families are financially responsible for lost or damaged textbooks and will be billed for replacements or repair costs. - Field trips, interscholastic travel, extracurricular clubs and certain after‑school activities may require additional participation or trip fees; families are notified in advance when such charges apply. After‑school activities are offered across grade levels and campus supervision / eligibility rules are specified in the Family Handbook. - Supply lists and any grade‑specific required items (e.g., personal supplies, devices) are provided to families once contracts are signed; these items are the family's expense.
Refunds and deposit handling - The waitlist/reservation payment of BRL 1,000.00 is deducted from the amount due at final enrollment (i.e., it is applied to the enrollment package). No separate public refund schedule for tuition, enrollment fees, or other charges is published in the public admissions pages or family handbook; refund/cancellation terms are handled under the enrollment contract and by the Finance Office at the time of enrollment.
Fee payment options - The school issues payment documents via a bank‑slip (boleto) system and a parent billing portal (bank‑slip issuance is explicitly used for the waitlist payment). Families are billed through the school's financial portal. Specific alternative methods (credit card, international bank transfer, PIX, etc.) are not detailed in the publicly available admissions pages; payment arrangements and accepted methods are confirmed by the Finance Office when invoices are issued.
Practical notes for parents (factual guidance) - Expect the school to publish the formal tuition and fee schedule after Board approval each May; plan admissions timing so you receive the official per‑grade figures and installment schedule when the Finance Office issues enrollment invoices. - Anticipate additional monthly charges for cafeteria purchases and possible occasional charges for field trips, after‑school activities, and lost/damaged textbooks; budget accordingly.
Summary of availability of specific numbers - The school's public admissions pages and the 2025–2026 Family Handbook specify the existence of enrollment and billing procedures, the BRL 1,000 waitlist amount, the timing for Board approval of tuition (May), and that the school is a day school, but they do not publish a complete grade‑by‑grade, per‑term tuition table for the 2026/27 (or 2025/26) academic year in publicly accessible pages. A published comparative study listing 2022–2023 historical ranges is available and is stated above for reference. Families receive the exact per‑grade and per‑term amounts, payment dates, and the enrollment fee invoice directly from the Finance Office during the admissions/enrollment process.
Academics
American School of Recife teaches American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 2 to 18.
Curriculum
EAR offers United States and Brazilian accredited programs in an English-language setting. In Secondary School, EAR offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses approved by the AP College Board, across English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, World Languages (French and Spanish), Studio Art, and Computer Science. AP classes can earn college credit; EAR also offers the AP Capstone Diploma, which requires completing four AP courses/exams and two year-long research-focused courses (AP Seminar and AP Research). AP Course offerings include: 10th grade — AP Seminar and AP Chemistry; 11th grade — AP Seminar, AP Biology, AP Language and Composition, AP French, AP Spanish, AP Computer Science, AP World History, AP Studio Art; 12th grade — AP Research, AP Physics, Calculus A/B, AP French, AP Spanish, AP Computer Science, AP Human Geography, AP Studio Art. The school also provides a Brazilian Studies Program and a broad range of electives.
Higher Education Progression
The school prepares students for Brazilian and international colleges and provides College Counseling.
Gifted and Talented
AP coursework, including the AP Capstone Diploma, provides advanced academic opportunities.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is integral to EAR's education. SEL is designed around the CASEL framework, with the five competencies of Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Responsible Decision Making, Relationship Skills, and Social Awareness. The program emphasizes equitable learning environments and coordinated practices across classrooms, families, and communities to enhance social, emotional, and academic learning. EAR coordinates SEL to foster youth voice, agency, and engagement and to establish supportive classroom climates while building adult SEL competence and authentic family and community partnerships. Instruction includes mindfulness, integrity, navigating emotions, and time management, together with extracurricular activities such as sports, clubs, and student government.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Student Support delivers Learning Support (LS), English Language Learner (ELL) services, and Psychological & Counseling Services. The program operates under a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) with data-driven interventions. Support may be delivered in the classroom or in small-group or individualized settings. Support plans are created for students with high abilities, learning differences, diagnosed disorders, language needs, or social-emotional guidance; the team coordinates referrals, designs and monitors Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), provides test accommodations, and adapts curriculum as needed; external professionals may be engaged when appropriate. The Secondary School Counselor coordinates academic achievement, career development, and socioemotional development, with a team that includes a Learning Support Coordinator and school psychologists.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The language of instruction is English in all classes except Brazilian Studies and world language classes. Developing fluency in oral and written English is a priority, and maintaining an English language environment on campus is essential to EAR's mission. Students who are not proficient in English may receive academic support for English language development. English Language Learner (ELL) services are part of EAR's Student Support Services under MTSS to support language development and academic progress.
Mental Wellbeing
EAR supports student mental wellbeing through counseling and psychological services. The School Counselor develops and implements counseling programs in ECC and elementary school to support social and emotional well-being and its carryover into academics. School Psychologists develop programs to assess adjustment needs and plan appropriate supports in collaboration with teachers, administrators, and outside professionals. The Student Support Services department provides MTSS-based interventions to support well-being and academic achievement. A School Nurse is on campus daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to provide medical care and health information, with procedures for medication and illness.
Safeguarding
EAR's Student Protection Policy (SPP) is informed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Brazilian law, and the International Task Force on Child Protection (ITFCP). It recognizes abuse, neglect, and bullying as serious concerns and requires educators to identify and support at-risk students. All EAR employees, After School Activities contractors, and providers read, acknowledge, and adhere to the SPP and annually sign the EAR Code of Conduct. EAR is committed to protecting students and maintaining a safe and secure environment; concerns are reported to a supervisor and the Superintendent, with confidential handling of details. The policy is disseminated to the school community via handbooks, the school website, and includes a Child Protection Policy Appendix with reporting procedures.
Parent Experience
History
The American School of Recife began in the 1956-1957 school year when two missionary mothers started teaching children from four families using the Calvert Correspondence Course at the Madalena Presbyterian Church. EAR formed its first school board with parent members from U.S. government, American missionaries, and business groups. The main sports court was inaugurated as the school grew. EAR began to computerize its operations in 2006, ECC classes started in 2007, JupiterED was adopted in 2012, and Cognia accreditation was renewed in 2013. The parking area was expanded in 2017 as enrollment reached about 500 students, a secondary building expansion followed in 2018, and Covid-19 in 2020 led to distance learning and a virtual graduation.
Community
The EAR community is supported by a School Calendar, a School Handbook, and family communications. Alumni Testimonials reflect the impact of EAR on graduates, and there is an active Parent Teacher Association that involves parents in school life. Governance is through a Board of Trustees elected by the General Assembly of parents, with two members appointed by elected members and one appointed by the U.S. Consul General.
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The school has a Parent Teacher Association.
Facilities
Facilities Overview
The American School of Recife occupies 8.5 acres in a preferred residential area of Recife, with the Pre-School, Elementary, and Secondary divisions in separate buildings. The school offers Nursery through Grade 12 and operates two semesters from August to December and January to June. It is accredited by Cognia (Formerly AdvancED-SACS) in the United States, by the Ministry of Education of Brazil (MEC), and by the Pernambuco and Recife Secretaries of Education. The campus includes 48 classrooms, a fully equipped modern library and future media center, and new purpose-built Secondary School classrooms. New school building projects are underway.
Sports Facilities
Three multi-sport covered courts provide indoor spaces for physical education and games. The campus includes a soccer field and a tennis court for outdoor play and team sports. Two sand volleyball courts provide additional spaces for recreation and competition. These facilities support athletics and intramural activities for students from Nursery through Grade 12.
Academic Facilities
The campus houses a fully equipped modern library and a future media center. There are new purpose-built Secondary School classrooms. There are chemistry, biology, and technology laboratories. An Art Classroom and a Music Room support arts education. The Early Childhood Education area is specially designed, and every classroom has internet-connected computers with wireless connectivity throughout the school.
Extra Curricular Facilities
Five playground areas provide outdoor spaces for recreation. A Little Theater offers performance space on campus. Art Club is offered as an after-school activity.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Academic & Intellectual
The school offers United States and Brazilian accredited programs. The school offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses approved by AP College Board in the United States. The school provides the AP Capstone Diploma pathway for in-depth research and college readiness. The school prepares students for Brazilian and international colleges and the world of work.
Arts & Creative
The Arts Club promotes plastic expression and helps students interpret ideas through different languages and forms, with attention to art history and artists. The Arts Club supports creative thinking through projects in painting, drawing, sculpture, and related media.
Cultural & Language
The Brazilian Studies Program includes mandatory national studies required by the Brazilian Government for MEC accreditation. The program focuses on the Common National Curriculum Base, developing competencies and skills for general academic training and citizenship. The school provides daily Portuguese instruction and weekly Brazilian History and Geography, and emphasizes art and culture, philosophy, and sociology as part of a holistic approach.
Social & Hobbies
The school offers After School Activities including Art Club, Knowledge Bowl, Eco Club, and a Study Club. These clubs foster creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and cross-disciplinary learning through projects and competitions.
Community & Service
The National Honor Society (NHS) at EAR recognizes students for Academic achievement, Service, Leadership, and Character. The NHS chapter at EAR is named the Jangadeiro Chapter. The School also runs a Student Government Association (SGA) that organizes student activities and community service projects. Fundraising and service activities are coordinated through both NHS and SGA to engage the EAR community.
Leadership & Professional
The NHS recognizes leadership alongside academics, service, and character and supports leadership opportunities through its programs. The SGA elects officers annually to lead clubs and represent student voices. The school offers College Counseling to help students plan for higher education and select AP courses that align with college goals.
Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The infirmary is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and provides first aid, medications, and health guidance. The infirmary tracks health events and follows CDC-aligned protocols; an isolation area is available for suspected COVID-19 cases and routine care is provided. The campus has two cafeterias and extensive athletic facilities, and extracurricular activities start after school from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Languages
Language Provision
The school teaches in English.
Reputation
Awards
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
The American School of Recife (EAR) is an American Overseas School offering United States and Brazilian accredited programs in an English-language setting, with two recognized diplomas and graduates who study at universities in the United States, Europe, and Brazil. Admission is based on an evaluation of academic records, questionnaires, and recommendations from the former school, a personal interview with the student, and the availability of class space. Enrollment can begin at the start of either semester during the school year, August or February. For Elementary candidates onward, extensive tests assess needs in English, Math, Portuguese, and other areas, and families may schedule a visit to view the community. For ECC (Early Childhood Center) grades, age eligibility is by July 31: Nursery 2 (2 years old by July 31), Pre-Kindergarten 3 (3), Pre-Kindergarten 4 (4), Kindergarten (5). ECC applicants must submit: completed application, copy of birth certificate, two 3x4 photos, Health Information form, copy of updated immunization card, blood type and RH factor, and any psychological or special needs reports if applicable; Kindergarten reports must be apostilled. Parent requirements include a copy of ID, CPF and proof of residence (Brazilian parents); foreign parents must provide a copy of RNE or passport with valid visa, CPF, and proof of residence. Enrollment is complete when contracts are signed, the enrollment fee is paid, and the health form is submitted. Grades 1–12 require: completed application, birth certificate, two 3x4 photos, Health Information form, immunization card, blood type/RH, psychological and/or special needs reports if applicable, Official School Transcript (transcripts from abroad must be apostilled or validated by the nearest Brazilian Embassy/Consulate if not Hague, and translated to English by a certified translator; Brazilian students must also have translations to Portuguese). The Grade Level System may require placement tests or age-based decisions, and a Grade Equivalence table is provided; questions about placement can be clarified via the equivalence information. Enrollment decisions are subject to class space availability, and families may schedule a visit to observe the EAR community. Address: Rua Sá e Souza, 408, Boa Viagem, Recife, PE 51.030-065.
School Events
The school has not added events
FAQs
Where is the American School of Recife located and how can I contact the school?
The school is at Rua Sá e Souza, 408, Boa Viagem, Recife-PE, CEP 51.030-065. You can contact the school by phone at 81 3341-4716 and the Head of School is Peter Klam.
What ages and grade levels does the school serve?
The American School of Recife serves students aged 2 to 18 and is organized from Nursery through Grade 12, with an Early Childhood Center (Nursery–Kindergarten), Elementary (Grades 1–5), and Secondary (Grades 6–12).
What curriculum does the school follow and what diplomas are offered?
EAR delivers an English-language American curriculum that is also accredited in Brazil, offering United States and Brazilian accredited programs. In Secondary, the school provides Advanced Placement (AP) courses and the AP Capstone Diploma pathway to support university preparation.
How do I apply and what documents are required for admission?
Admission is based on academic records, questionnaires, recommendations, a student interview, and space availability; enrollment can begin at the start of either semester (August or February). Required documents vary by grade: ECC applicants submit a completed application, birth certificate, photos, health and immunization forms, and ID/visa details for parents; Grades 1–12 require transcripts (apostilled/translated if from abroad), health forms, and any psychological or special needs reports if applicable.
Is there a waitlist or reservation payment and how does it work?
When a family is placed on the school's waiting pool a non‑refundable waitlist/reservation payment of BRL 1,000.00 is collected, and this amount is deducted from the required payment at the time of final enrollment. The payment is issued via the school's bank‑slip (boleto) system and parent billing portal.
When will I receive the official tuition and fees for the coming year?
The Board of Trustees proposes the tuition and fees in May and the school publishes the formal tuition and fee schedule after Board approval in that month. Families receive the exact per‑grade amounts, installment schedule, and payment documents from the Finance Office during the admissions/enrollment process.
Does the American School of Recife offer boarding?
No. The American School of Recife is a private, non‑profit co‑educational day school and does not operate boarding facilities.
What Advanced Placement (AP) courses and Capstone options are available?
EAR offers AP courses across English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, World Languages (French and Spanish), Studio Art, and Computer Science. The school also offers the AP Capstone Diploma pathway, with AP Seminar and AP Research and multiple grade-specific AP options from Grade 10 through Grade 12.
How does the school support students preparing for university?
The school provides College Counseling to help students plan for Brazilian and international universities and to select AP courses aligned with their goals. AP courses can earn college credit and the school's curriculum aims to prepare graduates for study in the United States, Europe, and Brazil.
What is included in the Brazilian Studies Program?
The Brazilian Studies Program covers mandatory national studies required for MEC accreditation, including daily Portuguese instruction and weekly Brazilian History and Geography, and emphasizes art, culture, philosophy, and sociology to support citizenship and academic competencies.
What are the main campus facilities and learning spaces?
The 8.5-acre campus has separate Pre‑School, Elementary, and Secondary buildings with 48 classrooms, a modern library and future media center, chemistry, biology and technology labs, an Art Classroom, a Music Room, and internet‑connected computers with wireless campus coverage. New purpose‑built Secondary School classrooms and ongoing building projects support expanding academic spaces.
What sports and recreational facilities are available on campus?
The campus features three multi‑sport covered courts, a soccer field, a tennis court, and two sand volleyball courts, plus five playground areas. These facilities support PE classes, intramurals, and school athletics for Nursery through Grade 12 students.
What extracurricular activities and clubs does the school offer?
After‑school activities include Arts Club, Knowledge Bowl, Eco Club, Study Club, and additional elective and enrichment options; the school also fields athletics programs and operates a Little Theater. National Honor Society (Jangadeiro Chapter) and the Student Government Association (SGA) provide further extracurricular and service opportunities.
How can my child get leadership and service experience at EAR?
Students can take on leadership roles through the Student Government Association, election to SGA officer positions, and membership in the National Honor Society, which recognizes service, leadership, character, and academic achievement. These organizations coordinate community service and fundraising projects that engage students in leadership and civic activity.
What support is available for students who are learning English or have additional learning needs?
EAR provides English Language Learner (ELL) support—an ELL specialist works in Elementary and Student Support Services offers ELL, Learning Support, and Psychological & Counseling Services under a Multi‑Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). The team creates Individualized Education Plans, provides classroom and small‑group interventions, coordinates test accommodations, and engages external professionals when appropriate.
How does the school address student mental health and medical needs?
The school provides counseling and psychological services, with school psychologists and counselors developing programs to assess and support adjustment and socioemotional needs. The infirmary operates daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and a School Nurse is on campus to provide first aid, medications, and health guidance.
What safeguarding policies are in place to protect students?
EAR's Student Protection Policy is informed by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Brazilian law, and international child protection guidance, and it requires staff and contractors to read and annually sign the school Code of Conduct. The policy sets out procedures for identifying and reporting abuse, neglect, and bullying, and concerns are handled confidentially by supervisors and the Superintendent.
Who provides school lunches and what options do families have?
Meals and snacks are provided by the contracted vendor Nutri, which offers a hot lunch buffet, sandwiches, snacks, beverages, and a self‑service salad/fruit bar; juice, water, and milk are available. Student cafeteria purchases are charged to the family account and billed monthly, and families may also send lunch from home or have home‑cooked meals delivered to school by 11:20 a.m.; ECC has its own lunchroom and a microwave is available for heating.
How is the school governed and how can parents be involved?
The school is governed by a five‑member Board of Trustees—two members elected by the General Assembly of parents, two appointed by elected members, and one appointed by the U.S. Consul General of Recife—operating as a democratic association that involves parents, faculty, administration, and staff. An active Parent Teacher Association supports family engagement and the General Assembly of parents participates in school governance.
What is the history of the American School of Recife?
EAR began in the 1956–1957 school year when two missionary mothers taught children from four families using the Calvert Correspondence Course, forming the first board with parents from U.S. government, missionary, and business communities. Over time the school expanded its campus and programs, added ECC classes in 2007, adopted online systems in 2012, renewed Cognia accreditation in 2013, and completed facility expansions through 2018.
