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Rio International School

Brazil, Rio de Janeiro

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 3 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 1999
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, British Curriculum
Taught languages Portuguese, French
Strengths Academic Enrichment, STEM, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Rio International School (RIS) is a Christian international day school in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, serving students aged 3 to 18. RIS offers a dual curriculum: an American/International program layered onto the Brazilian curriculum, with a college-preparatory high school and AP courses. About 90% of classes are taught in English, and English is the main language of instruction from Preschool through 12th grade. Portuguese is offered from 1st through 12th grades, and French is a regular subject from 2nd through 8th. RIS is accredited by Cognia and offers the AP International Diploma endorsed by AdvancED. The campus includes a library, a Technology Room, a Science Laboratory, a Jiu-Jitsu room, an Art Studio and Music Room, a cafeteria and 3 playgrounds, plus multisport and sand courts. After-school programs include Super Geeks, NBA Basketball School, American Football and Ballet. The school emphasizes community, character and a supportive, multicultural environment.

Av. Pref. Dulcídio Cardoso, 4351 - Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22793-011, Brazil

The Essentials

Rio International School has instruction in English.

Location
Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The campus is located in a green space in the Lagoa de Marapendi area.

Stages
Pre-K through Grade 12

Type
Christian international day school

Pupil Nationality Mix
More than 30 nationalities represented.

Additional learning support
Support for significant learning needs; assessment determines the available support.

Country affiliation
Brazil

Religious affiliation
Christian
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
RIS does not have any boarding facilities available for students and cannot arrange homestays or studying abroad for international students.

Uniform Requirement
Uniform policy requires the official RIS polo shirt (blue or white). Girls may wear the blue dress (Preschool–5th), the jumper (Preschool–Kindergarten), or skirts with gray undershorts; all must be worn with the polo. Boys wear official RIS sweatshirt shorts (grey or black) with the polo; denim or black jeans are allowed in Grades 3–12 and pants must be long. PE attire includes the official RIS PE shirt (blue or white) with official shorts or sweatpants.

Food Options
RIS has a catering team, including a nutritionist, offering three meals a day, plus morning and afternoon snacks. The main menu includes one main protein (with a protein option), a side dish, four salads, rice and beans, one dessert, and fruit juice.
Fees
Entrance & application fees

- A non‑refundable application/entrance fee is charged for applications from Kindergarten through Grade 12. The application fee is non‑refundable.
- A registration/enrollment fee is charged and is non‑refundable.

Tuition, billing schedule and payment terms

- Tuition is billed for 12 months of the school year, from July through June.
- Tuition payments are due on or prior to the 5th day of each month.
- The first payment following acceptance must be paid by the due date shown on the invoice/contract.
- Sibling discount: families with more than one student enrolled receive a 7.5% discount for each additional child (discounts do not apply to other fees).
- Early payment discount: fees for Preschool–Grade 12 paid in full for the following semester are eligible for a 2.5% discount.
- Academic International Material fee: a separate, non‑refundable charge is due after contract renewal (in July) to cover textbooks and digital learning platforms (the Portuguese book is excluded).
- What is included in tuition: teaching materials and socioemotional learning for Early Childhood; MAP testing, English Language Development (ELD), socioemotional learning and school counselor services for Elementary; MAP testing, ELD, PSAT/NMSQT® from Grade 8, Study Hall and school counselor services for Middle School; AP classes (Grades 11–12), ELD until Grade 9, MAP testing, career and college‑preparation supports, PSAT/NMSQT® and school counselor services for High School.
- What is not included in tuition: uniforms; required student electronics (students in Grade 3–12 must provide a laptop or tablet); AP, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, Cambridge or other external exam fees; daily food plan; after‑school activities; transportation; fundraising activities; repair or replacement of damaged, lost or stolen books or technology; external education programs; camps and travel; and some items on the supply list.

Tuition amounts by year group / per term

- The school does not publish detailed per‑grade tuition amounts or per‑term figures in public school materials. Exact tuition amounts by year group, and per‑term or per‑year totals, are provided directly by the Admissions office and in the student contract/invoice.

Billing schedule details

- Billing period: July–June (12 monthly instalments).
- Due date: on or prior to the 5th of each month.
- Payment timing for first instalment: as indicated on the contract/invoice issued at acceptance or renewal.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not provided. There are no boarding fees.

Other costs and typical additional fees

- Food / Meal plan (annual cost divided into 12 monthly instalments):
- Preschool & Kinder: R$ 490.00 per month (average daily cost R$ 22.27; average per meal R$ 7.42).
- Grades 1–5: R$ 530.00 per month (average daily cost R$ 24.09; average per meal R$ 8.03).
- Grades 6–12: R$ 570.00 per month (average daily cost R$ 25.91; average per meal R$ 8.64).
- Uniforms: uniform purchases are an additional, out‑of‑pocket cost; an official supplier is used by the school.
- After‑school / extracurricular activities: these carry additional fees and are not included in tuition.
- Transportation: charged separately when provided.
- Examination fees (AP, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, Cambridge, etc.): charged separately and not included in tuition.
- Technology replacement or repair, special program fees, camps, travel and some supply‑list items: additional costs borne by families.

Refund information

- The application/entrance fee and the Academic International Material fee are explicitly non‑refundable.
- The registration/enrollment fee is non‑refundable.
- No detailed public schedule of tuition refunds (for mid‑year withdrawals or partial attendance) is published; tuition/refund terms are governed by the student contract and invoice terms.

Fee payment options

- The school's publicly available materials do not specify accepted payment methods (for example, credit card, bank transfer, boleto or PIX). Payment method options and instructions are provided with the invoice/contract by the school's Admissions/Finance office.

Brief summary of limited public details found

- Publicly available materials include billing schedule and payment terms (monthly billing, due by the 5th, billed July–June), the existence and non‑refundability of application/registration and academic material fees, sibling and early‑payment discounts, details of what tuition covers and excludes, meal plan monthly rates, and confirmation that the school does not offer boarding.
- Detailed numeric tuition rates by year group, per term or per year are not published in the school's public materials; those exact amounts are provided directly by Admissions and in the student contract/invoice.
Academics

Rio International School teaches American Curriculum, British Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
RIS offers an academic program based on the U.S. educational model with an American/International curriculum added to the Brazilian curriculum basis. At the high school level, RIS provides an enriched college-preparatory curriculum with a range of elective subjects and Advanced Placement (AP) classes. About 90% of classes are taught in English daily, and English is the main language of instruction from Preschool through 12th grade. Portuguese is offered from 1st through 12th grades, and French is offered as a regular subject from 2nd through 8th grades. RIS is accredited through Cognia (formerly AdvancED) and offers the AP International diploma endorsed by AdvancED.

Higher Education Progression
RIS graduates gain admission to many of the world's most prestigious universities, including Harvard, New York University, and London Metropolitan University. RIS graduates also gain admission to prestigious universities in Brazil such as Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, ESPM, IBMEC, Mato Grosso State University, and PUC Rio.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school pursues integral formation and personal resilience through Christian ethical and moral principles, providing health and personal and emotional balance. It fosters an inclusive, multicultural environment that encourages socialization, friendship, teamwork and a strong sense of community.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
All subjects are taught in English, with Portuguese and French taught as part of the curriculum. English Language Development (ELD) provides extra English classes to support new students; 95% of classes are in English.

Mental Wellbeing
Art and Music provide mental, emotional and educational benefits. Health classes cover topics such as the impact of health choices and recognition of tendencies toward self-harm, contributing to students' mental and emotional wellbeing. RIS emphasizes personal and emotional balance across the learning experience.

Safeguarding
Health education includes recognizing tendencies toward self-harm and emergency care awareness, reflecting RIS's safeguarding and student welfare approach.
Parent Experience

History
Rio International School was founded in 1999 by foreign missionaries who moved to Rio de Janeiro to provide a Christian international education. Since then, RIS has developed its social-emotional and pedagogical approach, forming citizens with high knowledge and solid ethical and moral principles. In 2006, RIS received International School accreditation from Cognia, and the campus expanded in 2006 and again in 2016. In 2018, the Secretary of Education of the State of Rio de Janeiro recognized RIS as an International School and the program began offering Advanced Placement AP courses. In 2021 RIS renovated its facilities and adopted themed rooms, and in 2022 RIS became a member of the Association of Christian Schools International ACSI.

Community
Life at RIS brings families together with a calendar of activities that includes reading, singing, dancing, sports, guest speakers, theme days, fairs, competitions and picnics to build belonging. Graduation Day (Seniors) and Graduation Day (Kinder) celebrate milestones, and Family Fun Fest, Christmas Program, Spring Fling, Spirit Week, Fitness is Fun Month, Sports Day, Summer Games on the beach and Easter Program are part of the annual calendar. A 12-hour Lock In is held, and a Snack Shop is prepared by the parents who are part of the PSTC.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
PSTC stands for Parent, Student, Teacher Council of RIS. The Snack Shop is prepared by parents who are part of the PSTC. The PSTC is a formal body described as the Parent, Student, Teacher Council of RIS. This council represents parent involvement within RIS life.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
RIS Campus is at Avenida Prefeito Dulcídio Cardoso 4351, Barra da Tijuca, near Lagoa de Marapendi. It hosts Early Childhood, Elementary and Middle/High School classrooms in modern, flexible layouts. The RIS Library is a contemporary, multi-purpose learning hub. The campus includes a Technology Room, a Science Laboratory, a Jiu-Jitsu room, an Art Studio and a Music Room, plus a cafeteria and three outdoor playgrounds.

Sports Facilities
RIS has a multisport court and a sand court for a range of sports. A Jiu-Jitsu room is available for after-school activities; NBA Basketball School, American Football and Tennis are offered as after-school programs.

Academic Facilities
The RIS Library is the central learning hub with a large book collection available for borrowing and on-site study. The Technology Room houses high-performance computers for Digital Life classes and hosts Super Geeks after-school activities. The Science Laboratory provides hands-on experiments with equipment such as burettes, test tubes and microscopes. Middle and High School Classrooms are modern and flexible.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Super Geeks is an after-school network focused on technology, programming, robotics and computer science. Parkour classes are offered in outdoor spaces. Jiu-Jitsu is available as an after-school activity in a dedicated room. After-school activities using the RIS Sports Court include NBA Basketball School, American Football and Tennis.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
All subjects are taught in English, with Portuguese and French taught as Brazilian-context subjects. The differentiated curriculum includes advanced classes and electives designed to develop talents, entrepreneurship and creativity. The school offers the Advanced Placement (AP) program with courses such as AP English Language & Composition, AP U.S. History, AP Comparative Government, AP Chemistry, AP Physics 1 and AP Calculus AB, with a weighted GPA and College Board approval. English Language Development provides extra English classes to support new students.

Arts & Creative
RIS Art Studio and RIS Music Room support creative pursuits, with a dedicated practice room and instruments, and Ballet is offered as an extracurricular. The Art Studio fosters critical thinking, memory, self-expression and creativity, while the Music Room provides space and equipment for musical practice. Life at RIS includes reading, singing, dancing, performances and artistic events that build school spirit and belonging.

Cultural & Language
The RIS community includes more than 30 nationalities, creating an inclusive multicultural environment. All subjects are taught in English, with Portuguese and French offered within the Brazilian context. English Language Development provides extra English classes to support new students.

Social & Hobbies
The after-school program offers activities such as NBA Basketball School, Rio Football Academy (American Football & Cheerleading), Jiu-Jitsu, PSG Academy Barra da Tijuca soccer, Parkour, and programming with Super Geeks, plus Ballet. Activities are not included in school fees. The program combines sport, technology and arts in a supervised, safe setting.

Community & Service
RIS emphasizes community with close student–teacher relationships and strong ties to families. Graduation Day celebrations for seniors and Kindergarten transitions illustrate community continuity, while Life events such as Family Fun Fest and Spirit Week bring the community together. RIS Chapel is held weekly at Union Church as part of campus life.

Leadership & Professional
Electives develop students' talents, entrepreneurship and creativity. The AP program provides challenging courses and opportunities for college credits. RIS emphasizes teamwork and community, fostering leadership through group work and school activities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
RIS has a green campus in Barra da Tijuca with outdoor spaces for physical education and a multisport court. Three open-air playgrounds are supervised by staff, and the campus includes facilities such as a library, a technology room and a science lab to support healthy, balanced living and learning. RIS Chapel is held on Wednesdays at the Union Church, reflecting the school's Christian foundation.
Languages

Language Provision
RIS adopts Brazilian, American and international curricula. English is the language of instruction for all subjects, with Portuguese and French taught as separate language subjects.

Bilingual Teaching
All subjects are taught in English, with Portuguese and French taught as separate language subjects.
Admissions

Admissions
Rio International School is the only international and Christian school in Rio de Janeiro. The school follows the American educational calendar, with the year starting in August and ending in July of the following year. Admissions are continuous and open year-round; students can start classes at any time during the school year. Because class sizes are limited, a waiting list may be used. The Admissions team guides families through the school's academic proposal and pillars and offers guided campus visits.

Waitlist
A waiting list may be used due to limited class sizes, with admissions continuing throughout the year.
School Events
The school has not added events
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