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Sphere International School

Brazil, São José dos Campos

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The school at a glance
Fees R$10,674 - 14,995
Ages 2 - 18 years
Opened 2004
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages Portuguese, English, Spanish
Strengths Languages, Academic Enrichment, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Cultural and Language, Academic and Intellectual, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Sphere International School, founded in 2004 and part of the SEB Education Group, offers a bilingual education from early childhood through high school. The school is an IB World School authorized to deliver the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP) in Vale do Paraíba. The curriculum blends the Brazilian BNCC framework with an international program, guided by the OPEN Framework, emphasizing inquiry, projects, and socioemotional development. Students engage in more than 40 projects across learning pathways, with a focus on multilingual communication and global citizenship. The school provides Cambridge English and DELE certifications and is a UNESCO Associated School, with partnerships with UNESCO, Cambridge ESOL, and DELE. In high school, Sphere offers the DP and college counseling for study in Brazil or abroad. Extracurriculars include After School program and clubs in Cultural and Language, Academic and Intellectual, and Community and Service, aligned with IB.

Av. Jorge Zarur, 650 - Jardim Aquarius, São José dos Campos - SP, 12242-020, Brazil

The Essentials

Stages
Sphere International School is organized into three learning cycles: Early Childhood, Elementary and Middle School, and High School. The school offers the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for students aged 3 to 11 (Preschool to Elementary School up to Grade 5) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Middle School up to Grade 9; it is a Candidate School for the Diploma Programme (DP).

Type
IB World School
Diving Deeper

Food Options
A balanced diet is provided, with the support of a nutritionist and a specialized team to help students establish healthy eating habits.

Governance and Ownership
Sphere International School is part of Grupo SEB de Educação. In 2015, Sphere was acquired by the SEB Group.
Fees

Annual tuition at Sphere International School ranges from BRL 10,674 to BRL 14,995 for 2026/27.

Academic year

Academic year 2025–2026.

Application and enrolment fees

- New-student admission fee: equivalent to two monthly tuition payments (non-refundable).
- New-student annual registration fee: equivalent to one monthly tuition payment (non-refundable).
- Re-enrolment (current students): annual re-registration fee equivalent to one monthly tuition payment (non-refundable).

Tuition fees by year group (monthly and annual amounts)

Tuition is charged over 11 months (September–July). Amounts below are shown as monthly and annual (11-month) totals.

- Pre-school: EUR 964 per month; EUR 10,604 per year.
- 1st–4th grade (Elementary): EUR 1,126 per month; EUR 12,386 per year.
- 5th–6th grade: EUR 1,291 per month; EUR 14,201 per year.
- 7th–8th grade: EUR 1,355 per month; EUR 14,905 per year.
- 9th–10th grade (IGCSE): EUR 1,500 per month; EUR 16,500 per year.
- 11th–12th grade (A-Levels): EUR 1,526 per month; EUR 16,786 per year.

How admission/registration fees translate to amounts (examples)

- Example — Pre-school: Admission fee = 2 × EUR 964 = EUR 1,928; Annual registration = EUR 964.
- Example — 9th–10th grade: Admission fee = 2 × EUR 1,500 = EUR 3,000; Annual registration = EUR 1,500.

Sibling discounts

- First sibling: 10% discount (applied to the younger sibling).
- Second sibling and any additional siblings: 20% discount (applied to the younger sibling).

Mandatory and recurring additional fees

- Student personal-accident insurance: EUR 50 per year per student.
- Contribution to school materials (annual):
- Pre-school: EUR 20 per year.
- 1st–4th grade: EUR 30 per year.
- 5th–8th grade: EUR 40 per year.
- 9th–12th grade (IGCSE and A-Levels): EUR 50 per year.

Examination and assessment fees (Cambridge / A-Levels / IGCSE)

- IGCSE: EUR 160 per exam per subject; EUR 320 for double-award subjects.
- A-Levels: AS EUR 188 per subject; A2 EUR 188 per subject; Full A-Level (where staged examination is not available) EUR 272. Global Perspectives EUR 303. AICE Diploma EUR 198.
- Internal monthly/supplementary charges listed for academic items (examples in schedule) include items shown as EUR 50 monthly or EUR 5 sporadic — see assessment/administration lines.

What the monthly tuition includes

Monthly tuition (varies by cycle) includes, as applicable: curricular activities; co‑curricular clubs; summer school (except special outdoor activities); organic meals (morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack); day field trips (curricular); Social and Emotional programme (SER); and university and vocational guidance/counselling.

Optional services and other charges

- After-school extension (prolongation from 17:00 to 18:00) is offered as an optional service; the fee schedule lists the service but specific pricing for the extension is not listed in the published fee table.
- Uniform costs are not itemised in the published fee schedule. Contribution to school materials (listed above) is charged annually by year group.

Boarding fees

- No boarding fees are listed in the school fee schedule; the published fees cover day-school tuition and associated charges, indicating there is no boarding provision in the published fee schedule.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Tuition is calculated on an 11‑month basis and billed across September to July. Admission and registration fees are charged as indicated (admission = two monthly payments; registration/re-enrolment = one monthly payment). Admission and registration fees are non-refundable. The fee schedule marks these items as non‑refundable.

Refunds and non-refundable items

- Admission and registration/re-enrolment fees are non‑refundable. No additional refund terms for tuition or other fees are specified in the published fee schedule.

Fee payment options

- The published fee schedule lists billing amounts, timing and the structure of fees but does not specify accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer or credit card) within the published schedule.

Notes on optional exam charges and extras

- Cambridge/IGCSE/A‑Level examination charges apply per subject and are billed in addition to tuition where applicable; these are itemised in the fee schedule above. Additional occasional charges (for specific external exams or staged assessments) are shown as separate fees.
Academics

Sphere International School teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
Sphere follows the BNCC national curriculum base, an international curriculum, and UNESCO projects to provide a highly globalized education. The OPEN Framework guides learning through project and activity pathways, combining investigation with ethical and socioemotional development to address local and global challenges. The model centers on inquiry, with more than 40 projects supporting each student's development and a balanced emphasis on contextualized teaching and academic rigor. Sphere emphasizes multilingual communication and global citizenship, with the Future Leaders student profile describing attributes such as Principled, Caring, Thinkers, Inquirers, Open Minded, Knowledgeable, Risk Takers, Reflective, Communicators, and Balanced. The school is IB-certified in the Vale do Paraíba region and offers the IB Diploma Programme at the high school level, with college counseling to support planning for higher education in Brazil or abroad. The academic goals include developing independence in learning, collaboration, critical thinking, literacy across genres, and digital literacy.

Higher Education Progression
IB Diploma Programme is offered in high school, with personalized learning pathways and tutoring to support students' life projects. Individualized college counseling assists planning for higher education, whether in Brazil or abroad. The DP emphasizes academic rigor and inquiry-based learning to prepare students for university study.

Gifted and Talented
Natural Skills recognizes each student's unique talents and interests. Sphere includes more than 40 projects to accompany student development, enabling exploration of individual interests and talents. The Sphere Student Profile highlights values such as Principled, Caring, Thinkers, Inquirers, Open Minded, Knowledgeable, Risk Takers, Reflective, Communicators, and Balanced to guide gifted and talented learners.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The socio-emotional axis is a central learning focus across all cycles. Students develop balance, empathy, curiosity, perseverance, and flexibility. This supports a positive self-perception and resilience in facing challenges. It fosters problem-solving and collaborative relationships with others. The approach integrates social-emotional growth throughout Sphere's programs and daily routines.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Sphere has a Special Education policy to address the diversity and individuality of its students, ensuring ongoing opportunities and stimuli for learning in a respectful, welcoming environment. Parents of children with disabilities participate in an initial interview with the pedagogical coordination to discuss needs. Students with disabilities are integrated into regular classes and supported by a tutor teacher, an assistant, and, when needed, an individual tutor. They receive an Individual Learning Plan with adaptations and progress pathways across curricular areas, monitored and adjusted over time. Beyond differentiated instruction, students are evaluated based on overall development with qualitative reports tailored to each need. The school emphasizes ongoing teacher training and collaborative planning with families and specialists to support each student.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Cambridge English and DELE are offered as language certifications. English certification begins in the 3rd year of Elementary School, and Spanish certification begins in the 9th year of Elementary II. Both certifications have international recognition. The curriculum is bilingual, with English and Portuguese instruction and language-learning opportunities integrated across cycles.

Mental Wellbeing
Socio-emotional development is prioritized as one of the school's key axes. Students develop balance, empathy, curiosity, perseverance, and flexibility. This supports a positive self-perception and the ability to problem-solve. It also fosters collaborative relationships with others. The approach emphasizes holistic development, including emotional intelligence, across the school journey.

Safeguarding
Sphere emphasizes safeguarding through ongoing dialogue with families and specialists. Involvement may include psychopedagogists, speech therapists, psychologists, occupational therapists, neurologists, psychiatrists, and other professionals as needed. Families meet with the pedagogical coordination to align expectations and share relevant information. Students with disabilities receive an Individual Learning Plan with required adaptations. Meetings are held to review progress and adjust strategies, ensuring the student's well-being and learning needs are addressed by the team.
Parent Experience

History
Sphere International School was founded in 2004, with the mission of contributing to the formation of critical, knowledgeable, and good communicators, capable of working collaboratively and with mobility to interact in national and international contexts. Today, as part of the SEB Education Group, it remains a reference in bilingual education, offering a complete cycle in both the Brazilian and international curricula. We educate children from early childhood education through high school, with the three IB programs—Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). The offering of this continuum certifies our educational quality internationally.

Community
Sphere participates in national educational events and student projects. On September 4, 2025, Sphere took part in a national meeting on mental health in schools in São Paulo, bringing together representatives from more than 40 institutions to discuss protocols for psychological support and preventive actions; bilingual education was highlighted as a path to broaden cultural repertoires and strengthen socio-emotional skills. Sphere students participated in CubeSAT, a 10 cm, 1 kg satellite project, with the launch on August 6 at Univap's Observatory in São José dos Campos, with technical support from BRENG and in partnership with INPE and regional schools; the seven-minute flight collected climate data for classroom use and ongoing research. These activities illustrate Sphere's engagement in practical, interdisciplinary projects that connect classroom learning with real-world applications.
Facilities

Extra Curricular Facilities
The After School program consists of activities divided into three areas: ICT (Information and Communications Technology), SCM (Skills, Coordination & Movement) and CAE (Creativity, Arts and Expression). The activities develop physical, social and intellectual skills, individually or in groups, with the support of expert teachers.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school uses the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum across Early Childhood, Elementary, and High School. It offers Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). The learning approach emphasizes project-based learning, conceptual understanding, and rigorous assessments. The Open Framework guides the development of soft and hard skills, with ongoing teacher training to keep practices current.

Arts & Creative
The school integrates arts and technology into the curriculum. Technology is used across classrooms to support research and enable differentiated student productions. The international program exposes students to arts and technology as part of multilingual, global learning.

Cultural & Language
Sphere offers multilingual education, exposing students to English, Spanish, Portuguese, and additional languages. Cambridge English and DELE certifications are offered. The school is a UNESCO Associated School and maintains partnerships with UNESCO, Cambridge ESOL, and DELE. The IB World School designation covers PYP, MYP, and DP (DP candidate).

Social & Hobbies
The After School program runs from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm, with learning tracks and activities chosen to fit family needs. Activities are organized as learning paths that support ongoing development beyond the regular day.

Community & Service
Sphere is a UNESCO Associated School, acting with the mission and purposes of the United Nations. The curriculum emphasizes interculturality and global citizenship as a core aspect of learning. It is part of the IB network, connecting to international standards across PYP, MYP, and DP.

Leadership & Professional
In High School, Sphere is authorized to offer the IB Diploma Programme and provides in-depth mentoring and counseling. Elective learning itineraries give students autonomy to develop their areas of interest and create pathways for future education. The curriculum emphasizes international mindedness and preparation for universities, with pathways for study in Brazil or abroad.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Socioemotional development is a central axis; students develop balance, empathy, curiosity, persistence, and flexibility. The program emphasizes self-awareness, emotional regulation, and collaborative problem solving. Core school values include humanization, respect, and teamwork. The BNCC framework and Sphere's Pedagogical Proposal guide a holistic approach to learning.
Languages

Language Provision
The school exposes students to English, Spanish, and Portuguese as part of a multilingual program. English certifications begin in the third year of Elementary School; Spanish certifications begin in the ninth year of Elementary II. Cambridge English and DELE certifications have international recognition. The school is certified by Cambridge ESOL as an Exam Preparation Center and by DELE.

Bilingual Teaching
The school offers bilingual education.
Reputation

Accreditations
IB World School — Sphere International School São José dos Campos is authorized by the IB to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for students aged 3 to 11 (Preschool to Elementary School up to Grade 5) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Middle School up to Grade 9; it is a Candidate School for the Diploma Programme (DP).
UNESCO Associated School — As a UNESCO Associated School, Sphere disseminates the mission and purposes established by the United Nations.
Cambridge English and DELE — English certifications begin in the 3rd year of Elementary School; Spanish certifications begin in the 9th year of Elementary II; both certifications have international recognition.
Multilingual education — The school delivers multilingual education; languages include English, Spanish, and Portuguese; the international curriculum combines best practices from around the world.
OPEN Framework — Sphere uses its OPEN Framework pedagogical model to develop soft and hard skills early on, forming confident, empathetic, emotionally intelligent and socially conscious graduates.
After School — The After School program runs from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM, with learning trails and customizable activities.
Learning cycles — Early Childhood (IB PYP); Elementary and Middle School (IB PYP and MYP); High School (IB DP).
Location — Av. Jorge Zarur, Jardim Aquarius, São José dos Campos, SP; Phone (12) 3322-1255.
School Events
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