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Graded - The American School of São Paulo

Brazil, São Paulo

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees R$153,816 - 190,872
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1300
Type Co-educational
Opened 1920
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, IB (DP)
Taught languages Portuguese, Spanish, French
Typical class size 20
Strengths Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Graded, the American School of São Paulo, is an American international day school serving ages 3 to 18 in São Paulo. Instruction is in English, following an American curriculum, with an international perspective to support a diverse student body. The high school program prepares students for admission to competitive universities and culminates in three diplomas: United States Diploma, Brazilian Diploma, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. All graduates receive the United States Diploma. Graded is NEASC-accredited and an IB World School, offering the IB Diploma in Grades 11–12 alongside a college-preparatory curriculum. The Morumbi campus opened in 1961, and the school celebrated its 105th anniversary in October 2025. Campus facilities include Haddad Center for Performing Arts, a Wellness Gymnasium with a climbing wall, the Graded Learning Lab, and Upper and Lower School libraries. Extracurriculars span performing and visual arts, athletics, and service, with experiential programs such as Classroom Without Walls. Opportunities.

Av. José Galante, 425 - Vila Andrade, São Paulo - SP, 05642-001, Brazil

The Essentials

Graded - The American School of São Paulo has 1,300 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in English.

Location
Graded is located at Av. José Galante, 425, São Paulo, SP 05642-001, Brazil. The campus is served by Graded's bus service, which is operated by Consórcio de Transportadores Escolares. Pickup and drop-off routes are pre-determined across four zones (Zone 1: Morumbi – Vila Andrade – Real Parque – Cidade Jardim; Zone 2: Santo Amaro – Chácara Flora – Chácara Santo Antônio – Alto da Boa Vista – Itaim Bibi – Vila Olímpia – Jardim Paulistano – Jardim Europa – Brooklin – Campo Belo; Zone 3: Moema – Vila Nova Conceição – Paraíso; Zone 4: Alphaville).

Stages
Graded offers a pre-kindergarten through grade 12 program. It is organized into Lower School, Middle School, and High School.

Type
The school is an American school serving an international community.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Nationalities represented: 48.

Additional learning support
Support Services at Graded meet students' diverse learning needs by fostering social-emotional growth, supporting academic development, and promoting English language acquisition; the services include SEL Counseling, English Language Learners (ELL) Program, and Optimal Learning Services (OLS). Graded uses a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework with three tiers of support.

Country affiliation
American

School day structure
The High School uses a block schedule with an eight-day rotation (Day A through Day H). Formal classes begin at 8:10 a.m. and end at 3:10 p.m. on most days (Wednesdays 8:10 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.).

Bus service
Graded's bus service is offered as an optional transportation system via Consórcio de Transportadores Escolares. The service includes 27 routes delivering students to campus and returning them home; morning arrival around 8:00 a.m. and afternoon returns around 3:15 p.m. After-school buses run at 4:15 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Gate passes and schedules are managed by the transportation coordinator; daily bus passes are available.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
The school has an in-house Graded Dining Service offering nutritious, home-cooked lunches daily for students, faculty, and staff. The dining team is led by Executive Chef Renata Ribeiro Danziere and includes a nutritionist, four cooks, two stockists, a dessert specialist, 16 assistants, and an intern; vegetarian and vegan options are available. Lunch includes a salad, a protein (meat and non-meat), a vegetarian main, rice and beans, a side of vegetables, fruit, and desserts twice weekly; refined sugar, additives, or preservatives are not used.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Directors of twelve members; the Board, established in 1931, sets fiduciary policies, the annual budget, and fundraising goals, and hires and evaluates the Superintendent.
Fees

Annual tuition at Graded - The American School of São Paulo ranges from BRL 153,816 to BRL 190,872 for 2026/27.

Tuition (2026–27 academic year) — monthly, quarterly and annual amounts
- Lower School (PK3–Grade 5): BRL 12,818.00 per month. BRL 38,454.00 per fiscal quarter (3 months). BRL 153,816.00 per year (12 months).
- Upper School (Grades 6–12): BRL 15,906.00 per month. BRL 47,718.00 per fiscal quarter (3 months). BRL 190,872.00 per year (12 months).

Application fee
- A one-time, non‑refundable application fee is required. The fee is charged in Brazilian reais for applicants living in Brazil or in US dollars for applicants living elsewhere. Payment methods include online card/PayPal and Pix.

Re-enrollment / enrollment deposit
- To confirm enrollment, families must submit a re‑enrollment deposit equal to 40% of the July tuition for the first child and 40% for each additional child. Example deposit amounts (40% of July monthly tuition): Lower School BRL 5,127.20; Upper School BRL 6,362.40.

Capital fund donation
- A one‑time Capital Fund donation is requested during the enrollment process. The school lists this as a required one‑time donation during enrollment.

Optional/ancillary fees (what may be added to invoices)
- Education insurance (optional): 1.38% of the monthly tuition; when selected it is included in the monthly bill. Example approximate monthly amounts: Lower School BRL 176.83; Upper School BRL 219.62.
- Activities and materials: tuition covers most books, school materials and lunch, but some activities, special classes and certain materials incur separate charges and will be added to the monthly invoice.
- Middle School Classroom Without Walls and High School curricular trips (Grades 6–12): these trips are required elements of the curriculum and associated program fees are added to the monthly tuition.
- Optional co‑curricular trips and after‑school activities: optional trips and extracurricular activities carry separate fees; parents are billed following approval/registration. After‑school activity charges are published at the start of each semester.
- Additional books/digital resources (Grades 6–12): some classes require students to purchase texts or digital resources; these costs are charged separately.
- International Baccalaureate (IB) examination and registration fees (Grades 11–12): families are responsible for IB exam and registration fees, indicated in the range of USD 565–USD 1,070, and these are billed to families in advance of the examination session.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Standard billing: tuition for the academic year is paid July through June on a monthly basis (12 payments).
- Fiscal quarters: Q1 = July/August/September; Q2 = October/November/December; Q3 = January/February/March; Q4 = April/May/June. For newly enrolling students, tuition is required for the month of entry and for any preceding months within the current fiscal quarter.
- Withdrawals: withdrawals during or at the end of a semester are subject to a penalty in accordance with the school's contractual terms.
- Additional charges: any additional fees (trips, special activities, IB fees, optional insurance, etc.) are normally included on the school's monthly invoice.

Boarding
- Boarding is not applicable; Graded operates as a day school and does not charge boarding fees.

Other typical costs families should expect
- Occasional charges for co‑curricular trips, specific field trips or travel associated with curricular programs (especially for Grades 6–12).
- Optional after‑school activity fees and some semester‑based activity charges.
- Course‑specific additional books or digital resource purchases for upper grades.

Refunds and penalties
- The school states that withdrawals during or at the end of a semester are subject to a penalty under the school's contractual terms. Families are bound by the school's enrolment/contract terms regarding any refunds or penalties.

Fee payment options and currency
- Accepted payment channels for fees and the application payment: online card payment and PayPal, and Pix for BRL payments. Application fees may be charged in BRL (residents) or USD (non‑residents). Monthly invoices are issued in BRL and additional fees are included on monthly statements.

Notes on computations displayed above
- Annual and quarterly amounts shown were calculated from the published monthly tuition (monthly × 12 = annual; monthly × 3 = fiscal quarter). The monthly tuition figures and the deposit rule are stated by the school.
Academics

Graded - The American School of São Paulo teaches American Curriculum, IB (DP) for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
Graded follows an American curriculum with instruction in English. The high school program prepares students for admission to competitive universities. There are three diplomas United States Diploma, Brazilian Diploma, and International Baccalaureate Diploma; Graded is NEASC-accredited and an IB World School. All graduates receive the United States Diploma. The Brazilian Diploma is used for admission to Brazilian institutions and countries with cultural treaties with Brazil. The International Baccalaureate Diploma is earned through external examinations, and course offerings are listed in the High School Course Catalog, with offerings varying by enrollment.

Student Teacher Ratio
1329 students across three divisions and 177 faculty. The student-to-faculty ratio is approximately 7.5 to 1.

Exam Results
The Class of 2025 had 110 graduates. American Diploma was earned by 100% of the class; Brazilian Diploma by 74%; IB Diploma by 78%. Destinations: USA 63%; UK 6%; EU 15%; Brazil 13%; Asia 3%; Canada <1%; Other <1%. The school comprises 1329 students across three divisions.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates matriculate to a broad range of universities worldwide. The matriculation list for the Class of 2025 includes institutions such as Babson College, Barnard College, Baylor University, Brandeis University, Brown University, and Boston College.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Counselors conduct Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) sessions integrated into advisory, mentoring programs, and health classes across all divisions. The SEL counseling team is part of Graded's broader Student Support Services, which also includes Optimal Learning Services (OLS), English Language Learners (ELL), and intervention specialists. Graded uses a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to organize universal, targeted, and intensive supports for students. The counseling program and SEL offerings support students' academic and social-emotional development and promote wellbeing across the school community.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Optimal Learning Services (OLS) supports students with learning differences. Direct services are provided to students with a Student Support Plan, including goals, accommodations or modifications. This service may be delivered in-class or through academic support classes, and there is monitoring for students who previously required support. Graded values neurodiversity and belonging within its learning community.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The English Language Learners (ELL) program values linguistic diversity and aims to ensure belonging for all. The language instruction supports access to core curricular content while developing social and academic language. In Lower School, ELL support is provided in-class and through pull-out sessions. In Middle and High School, support is provided in-class and/or through English for Academic Purposes (EAP) classes, with the ELL teacher sometimes co-teaching with content teachers to ensure accessibility.

Mental Wellbeing
The counseling program supports students' academic and social-emotional development. SEL Counseling is part of the broader Student Support Services, which collaborates with teachers, families, and leadership to promote wellbeing. Graded uses a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to provide universal, targeted, and intensive supports for student wellbeing. Support services collaborate with families to promote wellbeing and address student needs.

Safeguarding
Graded's Child Safeguarding Policy is grounded in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Brazilian Statute of the Child and Adolescent. It aligns with international standards endorsed by CIS, ICMEC, and ITFCP. All adults interacting with students sign a Code of Conduct. Counselors conduct annual safeguarding lessons across divisions and engage with parents. Contact designated school counselors and/or principals with any questions.
Parent Experience

History
Graded was founded in 1920 by the American Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with six American companies: Citibank, Dow Chemical, General Electric, General Motors, Ford, and Goodyear. It began as a private, co-educational, non-sectarian, nonprofit day school serving students from the Early Years through Grade 12. The school follows an American curriculum with instruction in English and is governed by a self-perpetuating twelve-member board first established in 1931. The Morumbi campus opened in 1961, and in October 2025 Graded celebrated its 105th anniversary.

Community
Graded maintains a vibrant, multicultural community represented by 48 nationalities among the student body. Family involvement is encouraged through an active PTA, which communicates with the community and coordinates events throughout the year. The school hosts events that celebrate Thanksgiving and Brazilian culture and features a range of world-cultural activities through PTA News and Events. News and events are shared via PTA newsletters and other school channels.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The PTA exists to help parents, administration, and faculty. It communicates with one another and with the community, promotes the Graded experience, its values, educational enrichment, and a healthy environment for students. It engages and is an active participant in school events. It cherishes being part of Graded's unique and diverse community and promotes harmony among the many cultures at Graded. Contact pta@graded.br for volunteering opportunities. The PTA is led by President Priscila Castello Branco Russomanno, Vice President Mercedes Vidal, Treasurer Carolina Queiroz Hallack, and Secretary Ligia Manzano Rosenberg.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Graded's campus offers facilities for academics, arts, and athletics. The Haddad Center for the Performing Arts is a renovated, state-of-the-art facility with increased seating capacity (from 466 to 600), a new mezzanine, redesigned sightlines, state-of-the-art acoustic engineering, multipurpose stage lighting, cutting-edge audiovisual technology, and central air-conditioning. The Wellness Gymnasium houses a fully equipped gym and a climbing wall with nine anchors and seventeen routes. The Graded Learning Lab is a dedicated space constructed from shipping crates that serves as the hub for professional learning and collaboration, with flexible spaces for offices, a meeting space, and an outdoor seating area. The on-site Upper and Lower School libraries provide diverse resources and reading spaces, with hours and staff integrated into teaching and learning.

Sports Facilities
Wellness Gymnasium is a fully equipped gym on campus that supports a wide range of athletic activities. It includes a climbing wall with nine anchors and seventeen routes. The school offers athletic clubs such as swimming, badminton, beach tennis, and cheerleading. A campus skate park area supports skateboarding activities.

Academic Facilities
Established in 2019, the Graded Learning Lab is the school's hub for professional learning, housing two divisions: Teaching and Learning and the Student Growth and Performance departments. The Lab space features flexible, open, bright spaces with offices, a meeting space, and an outdoor seating area built from shipping crates. The Teaching and Learning Department supports curriculum and professional learning, including the libraries. The Upper School and Lower School libraries provide diverse collections and reading spaces, with hours: Upper School 8:00 am–4:30 pm and Lower School 8:00 am–3:00 pm. Classroom Without Walls offers upper school experiential trips four to five days long to complement traditional instruction. The ICT Department provides top-notch infrastructure with a device-agnostic network, cutting-edge presentation tools, and a range of software/hardware resources.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The Haddad Center for the Performing Arts provides a space for theatre, music, assemblies, and graduations, enriching campus life for the entire community. Wall Climbing is a Graded athletics club that uses the Wellness Gymnasium's climbing wall, with safety protocols and instructor-led sessions. The campus also supports skateboarding activities in a skate park area and hosts various arts and athletics events and clubs throughout the year. The Haddad Center and on-campus facilities enable a broad range of extracurricular experiences beyond academics.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Graded offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program for grades 11–12, a rigorous pre‑university program featuring Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS), and the Extended Essay. The IB Diploma Program provides a comprehensive six‑subject framework with Higher Level and Standard Level courses across Groups 1–6. Graded introduced IB courses in 1985 and conferred the first IB diploma in 1988. The school is NEASC‑accredited and is an IB World School offering three diplomas: United States Diploma, Brazilian Diploma, and the IB Diploma, with a college‑preparatory curriculum.

Arts & Creative
Creative expression is a vital component of Graded's education. The mission is to provide the richest experiences in visual and performing arts through Fine Arts and Performing Arts programs. The Arts Curriculum runs from Lower School through High School, including courses in Art, Music, Drama, Digital Art, Photography, Film, and theatre production, with numerous clubs and extracurriculars such as Theater, Dance, Music ensembles, and Visual and Digital Arts activities.

Cultural & Language
Graded is an IB World School with language offerings aligned to IB Groups. Group 1 includes Literature HL/SL in English and Language & Literature HL/SL offered in English, Portuguese, and Spanish; Group 2 covers Language Acquisition with Language B HL/SL in Portuguese and Spanish and AB initio SL in Spanish; Group 3 includes Brazilian Social Studies SL; Group 4 covers the sciences, Group 5 Mathematics, and Group 6 The Arts (Visual Arts and Theater). Brazilian Studies is part of the IB framework. The school also supports international‑minded experiences through activities such as Model United Nations.

Social & Hobbies
Graded's Activities Program includes sport, performing and visual arts, and languages, offering a wide range of after‑school opportunities. Club Corner features regular club spotlights in The Graded Gazette, such as Makers Grand Prix, book clubs, and other interest groups. Clubs and extracurriculars run PK4–12, including Theater, Dance, Music ensembles, and Visual/Digital Arts, with offerings like orchestra, jazz band, and theatre productions.

Community & Service
Service Learning is a community service program designed to enrich students' learning while aiding the broader community. The aim is to raise awareness, foster reflection, and promote citizenship. IB Diploma students participate in the CAS component, and High School Service Clubs include Bricks for Community, Casa Maria Helena, Casa Venezuela, Comida Sem Mesa, Crescer Sempre, FALA, Femolution, FLOW, GASA, Graded Animal Alliance, Hearty Bowls, Makers Grand Prix, Recre(ação), and SOAR.

Leadership & Professional
Student leadership is cultivated through student ambassadors and student government structures (STUCO). Graded also hosts Graded Model United Nations, which develops leadership, negotiation, and public‑speaking skills. The Office of College Counseling (OCC) supports leadership and professional development through college planning, college representatives visits, and programming to prepare students for postsecondary paths.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Graded provides Health Services and robust Student Support Services focused on social‑emotional growth, including SEL Counseling, English Language Learners (ELL), Intervention, and Optimal Learning Services (OLS) within a Multi‑Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction at Graded. Portuguese is taught as a core language in the Lower School, with instruction in reading, writing, speaking, and listening aligned to BNCC standards. In High School, PAL (Portuguese as an Additional Language) and SAL (Spanish as an Additional Language) are offered; IB language options include Portuguese B and English A for eligible students. English Language Learners (ELL) support is provided, with in-class and pull-out services in the Lower/Middle/High School, and English for Academic Purposes (EAP) I and II are available.
Reputation

Accreditations
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC); Secretaria de Educação do Estado de São Paulo (SEDUC-SP); The International Baccalaureate (IB)
Admissions

Admissions
Graded – The American School of São Paulo offers PK3 through Grade 12 with English as the language of instruction. The school awards the American high school diploma and provides the option to pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and/or the Brazilian Diploma. To apply, families complete the online application via the Admissions Portal and upload required documents, including assessment results; PK3–Grade 1 candidates are assessed on campus, and Grades 2–11 require MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) results or may take online assessments if needed; some candidates may be asked to complete the online WIDA Screener for English-language learners. For the 2026–2027 school year, PK3 entry requires the child to be age 3 by September 30, 2026, and a readiness assessment is conducted prior to admission; specific age guidelines exist for PK3–Kindergarten entry. The 2026–2027 timeline is: application deadline February 2, 2026; admissions assessments February–March; admissions decisions communicated early April to mid-May; enrollment must be confirmed within 7 days of notification; enrollment occurs May–July. English is the language of instruction; exceptions apply to world language courses and to the Brazilian Social Studies requirements for the Brazilian Diploma; ELL courses are available for a small number of students. The Graded Scholar Program provides life-changing, full-tuition scholarships to gifted Brazilian students living in under-resourced communities, with Graded Scholars enrolling full-time from grade 7 through graduation, and the program aims to enhance socio-economic diversity within the school community.

Scholarships
The Graded Scholar Program provides life-changing, full-tuition scholarships to gifted Brazilian students living in under-resourced communities; Graded Scholars enroll full-time from Grade 7 through graduation; the program is designed to enhance socio-economic diversity within Graded's student community and operates under a formal selection process that supports a select group of scholars.
School Events
The school has not added events
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