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Escola Castanheiras

Brazil, Santana de Parnaíba

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Portuguese, English, Spanish
Fees R$8,547 - 14,088
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 750
Type Co-educational
Opened 2005
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages English, Spanish
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Escola Castanheiras is a private day school in Alphaville–Tamboré, Santana de Parnaíba, SP, Brazil, offering the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the IB Diploma Programme (DP). The school combines an inquiry-based PYP for the younger years with a BNCC-aligned Fundamental II (grades 6–8) and English taught weekly, plus Spanish, supported by the GOA framework to foster self-directed learning. In Ensino Médio, the IB Diploma Programme is available as an option, in a trilingual Portuguese/English/Spanish setting, reinforcing knowledge handling and critical thinking. Castanheiras emphasizes internationalization through expanded English instruction, language study, and global-minded curricula. Facilities include 32 technology-equipped classrooms, a library, multi-purpose laboratories, maker spaces, and open, airy learning spaces guided by knowledge scenography. Sports and arts facilities feature an arena, gym, climbing wall, theatre and dance rooms, and a maker space. The school is a Google Reference School since 2022 and hosts diverse arts, culture, and technology activities globally.

Alameda Castanheiras, 250 - Res. Tambore III, Santana de Parnaíba - SP, 06543-510, Brazil

The Essentials

Escola Castanheiras has 750 pupils, instruction in Portuguese, English, Spanish.

Location
The school is located at Al. Castanheiras, 250, Tamboré, Santana de Parnaíba, SP, Brazil. It is in Alphaville/Tamboré, a suburban area of Santana de Parnaíba. The contact number is (11) 4152-4600 and the email is castanheiras@escolacastanheiras.com.br. A map is available via Google Maps.

Stages
Cycle 1 – 1st to 3rd year; Cycle 2 – 4th to 7th year; Cycle 3 – 8th to 3rd year of Ensino Médio. The school offers Primary, Middle, and High School levels, with expanded English instruction, Spanish language study, and IB Diploma Programme as a possibility.

Type
Private day school

Additional learning support
Pedagogical support and recovery are provided. Differentiated activities in small groups support learning, and GOA (Gestão e Organização da Aprendizagem) develops learning-to-learn skills.

Country affiliation
Brazil

School day structure
Class schedule: 1st–5th years run from 8:00 to 15:10, Monday to Thursday; on Fridays, 8:00 to 12:30. Lunches are provided by Bedin and eaten in the school cafeteria; families may eat in the cafeteria only on Fridays. For younger grades, lunch options include bringing lunch from home or using the Lancheira Castanheiras; the school uses a biometric/cracha system for entry and lunch purchases.

Bus service
Bus service is not provided by the school. Transport is arranged by families, who must inform the Secretariat of the transport details and changes in writing.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
The school runs a nutrition program called Comer Bem that extends beyond the walls of the school to promote a culture of nutrition and well-being, with nutrition education for the whole school community. The Lancheira Castanheiras program provides daily snacks for students in the first through third years, including a drink, a seasonal fruit, and a snack. The Castanheiras restaurant serves lunches prepared by trained staff, prioritizing natural and organic ingredients; cooking uses ovens that steam or cook with dry heat without oil, and a Cantina Day is held weekly to promote healthy choices.
Fees

Annual tuition at Escola Castanheiras ranges from BRL 8,547 to BRL 14,088 for 2026/27.

Application fees
- No publicly posted value for an application, reservation, pre‑matrícula, or matrícula fee was found on the school's public admissions materials. Admissions are handled through the school's online inquiry/matrícula form and admissions portal, but no specific fee amounts are displayed.

Tuition fees by year group (per term / per year)
- The school does not publish a public schedule of tuition amounts by year group, nor per‑term or per‑year breakdowns for the 2026/27 or 2025/26 academic years in its publicly accessible pages. No specific tuition figures for any grade (Infantil, Fundamental I, Fundamental II, Ensino Médio) were available on the school's public pages.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- There is no publicly posted table of billing schedules, number of installments, due dates, or contractual payment terms available on the school's public pages. The school references a family/administration area and a rematrícula system (Sistema GDS) and a student/parent portal where administrative items are managed, which indicates billing and re‑enrollment processes are handled through those systems, but specific billing calendars and payment term details are not published publicly.

Boarding fees (if applicable)
- The school operates as a day school at its Alphaville (Tamboré) address; there is no indication of boarding or residential accommodation and therefore no boarding fees are published.

Other costs or fees (uniforms, meals, activities, materials, transport)
- No publicly posted price list for uniforms, meal plans, extracurricular activities, mandatory materials, or transport was found on the school's publicly accessible pages. The school provides menus and references services for families, but no fixed fee amounts for these items are published publicly.

Refund information
- There is no publicly available, detailed refund or cancellation policy (for application fees, matrícula, or tuition) on the school's public pages. General consumer protection rules applicable in Brazil require that pre‑payments integrated into the annual tuition be treated according to consumer law, but no school‑specific refund terms were published.

Fee payment options (credit card, bank transfer, boleto, etc.)
- The school's public pages list administrative systems (Portal do aluno, Sistema GDS) and contact channels but do not publish accepted payment methods or banking details on publicly accessible pages. No explicit list of payment options (credit card, bank transfer, boleto bancário, PIX, etc.) was posted publicly.

Summary statement for parents
- As of March 18, 2026, the school's publicly accessible pages do not include a fee schedule or numeric values for application, tuition, uniform, boarding (not applicable), meal, activity, refund, or payment‑method details. Administrative and billing functions are referenced as handled through the school's parent/student systems and rematrícula processes, but no itemized fee amounts or formal billing calendar are available on those public pages.
Academics

Escola Castanheiras teaches IB (PYP), IB (DP).

Curriculum
The school integrates the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) into the curriculum. The PYP is an international, inquiry-based program for the early years that unites mathematics, languages, sciences, arts, history and geography around big ideas and real-world problems, promotes interdisciplinary learning, and fosters global citizenship and IB Learner Profile attributes. Fundamental II (6th–8th grade) follows a BNCC-aligned curriculum with English taught in five weekly classes and Spanish as well, and includes the GOA (Gestão e Organização da Aprendizagem) to support self-directed learning. The 6th–8th grade cycle emphasizes interdisciplinarity aligned with BNCC, including Mathematics, Portuguese, Humanities, Natural Sciences, English and Spanish, and uses Learning Lab environments as a 'third teacher' to support deep, interconnected learning. In Ensino Médio (high school), the IB Diploma Programme is offered as an option to complement the curriculum; it is a trilingual program (Portuguese/English/Spanish) lasting four semesters and emphasizes developing knowledge-handling and critical thinking. The IB Diploma Programme is globally recognized for its quality and for opening doors to universities worldwide. The program is part of the school's internationalization approach, which includes expanded English instruction, Spanish language study and the IB Diploma Programme. Extracurricular activities broaden horizons, including sports, games, circus, art, culture and technology, with spaces such as arena, gym, climbing wall, theatre and dance rooms, and a maker space to support projects. The school is a Google Reference School since 2022, recognizing technology-enabled, active learning and staff certification as Google Level 1 and Level 2 specialists.

Higher Education Progression
The IB Diploma Programme is globally recognized for its quality of education and for opening doors to universities worldwide, supporting students in university admissions both in Brazil and abroad.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Choice and Voice Education centers on encounters with ideas, differences, dreams, and questions, in a safe space to dare, take risks, err, discover, and prototype. Choice represents the freedom to make responsible, meaningful decisions; from the early years, experiences cultivate curiosity, dialogue, and intentional choices. Voice is about authenticity and expression, trusting every idea has value and that learning gains purpose when we position ourselves in the world. We believe in critical thinking, genuine questioning, and, above all, diversity; we respect rhythms and celebrate differences, helping each student develop autonomy, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Education is freedom, not conforming to a script; it prepares individuals to contribute meaningfully to society. It is an integral education that enhances the life projects of students, combining Brazilian and international dimensions.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Expanded English language instruction, Spanish is offered, and the IB Diploma Programme is available. Internationalization and language learning go beyond basic communication, enabling students to access information, connect with people from different backgrounds and cultures, and broaden future academic and professional opportunities.

Mental Wellbeing
Physical education is central to holistic development, treating body movement as a universal language. This approach goes beyond promoting a healthy, active life, enabling students to develop physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional skills in an integrated way. Students engage in sports, dances, and dynamics, progressing through grades and deepening activities such as athletics. They explore their bodies, understand capacities and limits, and develop motor skills like coordination, balance, and flexibility, supporting daily activities and sports. The program strengthens the mind-body connection, improving concentration, memory, and learning, while fostering teamwork, communication, and leadership essential for social life.

Safeguarding
The School Guardian is the system used to control student entry and exit, allowing guardians to authorize third-party pickups and ensuring greater safety in the school environment. Fire safety training is a key preventive measure to guarantee a safe environment. Training for educators, conducted in partnership with Sharror, enhances safety and promotes a culture of security and protection, with active involvement of families in safety initiatives.
Parent Experience

History
Located in Alphaville – Tamboré, Santana de Parnaíba, SP, Castanheiras is an integral private school with a semi-integrated schedule, a humanist approach, and a commitment to social responsibility, attentive to the transformations of our time, combining academic rigor with the formation of citizens prepared to contribute to social progress in all its diversity. When we opened the doors of our school for the first time in 2005, we began an innovative approach to promoting learning, inspired by a living pedagogy model that is continually evolving. More than just a school, Castanheiras is a living pedagogical conception for meaningful learning. It is a place designed to empower the life projects of its students.

Community
The Encontro de Arte, Ciência e Tecnologia shares student work across knowledge areas with the community, involving collective displays or grade- or class-specific gatherings where students can exhibit projects and research. The Encontro de Leitores is an annual event celebrating the love of reading and the importance of literature in student development, featuring author talks, reading circles, creative workshops, and storytelling sessions. The Festival de Circo occurs at the end of the school year with a different theme each year, celebrating creativity, dexterity, and the fun of circus arts as students perform as actors, clowns, acrobats, jugglers, dancers and more. The Festa Junina embraces Brazilian tradition, bringing together students, parents and staff in a festive atmosphere with traditional foods, games, live music, and folk dances, promoting family unity and cultural enrichment in a playful, communal setting.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
32 spacious classrooms are equipped with computers, digital whiteboards, wireless connectivity, and the technology infrastructure necessary for the best use of lessons. Additional spaces complement classroom work, including a large wooden play structure, a library, a multipurpose laboratory, and maker spaces. Knowledge scenography guides the school's design, with spaces fully planned to support learning and to inspire development in a natural, fluid way. Open, airy, and well-lit spaces support learning and collaboration.

Sports Facilities
Physical education is a core part of the curriculum, integrating sports, dance and movement across the program. Facilities for movement and performance include an arena, a gym, a climbing wall, a martial arts room, a theatre and dance room, a maker space, and art studios.

Academic Facilities
There are 32 spacious classrooms with computers, digital whiteboards, wireless connectivity, and the technology infrastructure needed for teaching. The school includes multipurpose laboratories to support science and technology activities and maker spaces for hands-on projects. A library provides study and research resources for students. Additional spaces accommodate varied academic activities and projects.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extracurricular activities broaden horizons, deepen knowledge and experiences, promote social interaction and appreciation of diverse bodies and practices. In addition to sports, games and play, activities include martial arts, dances, adventure physical activities, circus, art, culture and technology. The Circus Big Top is used for many classes, and the school provides arena, gym, climbing wall, martial arts room, theatre and dance room, maker space, and art studios to support these offerings.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school provides an integral education that centers curiosity, autonomy, an investigative spirit, and collective, responsible thinking from the early years through the upper grades. Fundamental I (1st to 5th year) begins this journey, with classrooms designed for diverse experiences such as individual and group activities, workshops, interdisciplinary projects, recreation, and art, guided by educators. Different languages are used in classroom content, with literacy, culture, art and science taught through varied methods, and a digital culture supporting responsible, purposeful learning. Assessments are guided by didactic-pedagogical practices aimed at advancing the student as a human being, with a focus on meaningful learning and growth.

Arts & Creative
Arts and creativity are integrated through activities in leisure and art, with personal and group projects, workshops, and interdisciplinary work, including opportunities for artistic expression. The school emphasizes experiential and project-based learning that weaves creativity into multiple subjects. Students engage in showcases and collaborative projects that highlight artistic and cultural exploration within the curriculum.

Cultural & Language
Education International is emphasized with an expanded English program, the inclusion of Spanish, and the possibility of an IB Diploma Programme. Intercultural experiences are promoted through student exchanges, partnerships with international schools, and cultural immersion programs, aiming to develop multilingual literacy and global understanding. The international dimension fosters empathy, critical thinking, and the ability to engage with diverse cultures.

Social & Hobbies
The school hosts events that encourage creativity, collaboration, and cultural engagement, such as the Encontro de Arte, Ciência e Tecnologia which showcases student work across disciplines; the Encontro de Leitores, celebrating reading with author talks, discussions, and workshops; and performances like the Circus Festival and Festa Junina, which involve students, families, and staff in cultural activities and celebrations.

Community & Service
Events and programs involve families and the wider community, promoting shared experiences and collaborative learning. Community-focused activities and exhibitions foster a sense of belonging and collective learning, strengthening ties between the school and its supporters.

Leadership & Professional
The school cultivates a collaborative culture among educators and ongoing professional development. The Centro de Estudos Castanheiras (CECA) and REA Cast (Recursos Educacionais Abertos) support educator training and the sharing of teaching practices, theses, and educational resources to enhance student learning.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The Comer Bem nutrition and wellbeing project promotes healthy eating and nutrition education as part of the school's approach to holistic development. It empowers students to connect food choices with culture, health, social issues, and the environment, and involves the school community in improving meals, menus, and healthy habits.
Languages

Language Provision
Portuguese is developed through the curriculum as the primary language of study, and English and Spanish are offered as additional languages. The English language component is expanded, and cultural immersion experiences are part of the program. The school offers the IB Diploma Programme as part of its internationalization focus.

Immersion Programs
Immersion programs and student exchanges are offered; there are partnerships with international schools and cultural immersion experiences.
School Events
The school has not added events
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