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St. Francis College

Brazil, São Paulo

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees R$115,200 - 144,000
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 900
Type Co-educational
Opened 2003
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE
Taught languages English, Portuguese, Spanish, French
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

St. Francis College is a two-campus, coeducational IB Continuum international school in São Paulo, Brazil, serving ages 3 to 18. The school delivers a continuous IB education across the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP), while also offering the Cambridge IGCSE. The formal curriculum is guided by the Brazilian and British national curricula and complies with MEC requirements. Portuguese language subjects include Brazilian literature, Portuguese language, and the history and geography of Brazil, with students graduating alongside a Brazilian studies diploma in addition to the IB Diploma. The school operates from two Pinheiros campuses, with extensive libraries housing more than 22,000 items primarily in English, plus titles in Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italian and Korean; resources are accessible via a Follett e-catalog. The IB Continuum is supported by a House System (Condors, Eagles, Falcons), a broad activity programme, and a focus on Service, CAS, arts, sports and international travel. Founders are Mrs Hazell and Mrs Conde; the institution hosts over 898 students from more than 16 nationalities.

R. Joaquim Antunes, 678 - Pinheiros, São Paulo - SP, 05414-012, Brazil

The Essentials

St. Francis College has 900 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
Two campuses in Pinheiros, São Paulo, Brazil. R. Joaquim Antunes, 678 Pinheiros, São Paulo, SP 05415-001 (main gate). R. Cônego Eugênio Leite, 825 Pinheiros, São Paulo, SP 05414-012.

Stages
Early Years and Primary (IB Primary Years Programme); Secondary (IB Middle Years Programme and IB Diploma Programme). Cambridge IGCSE is offered. The Primary and Secondary curricula are based on the British National Curriculum and MEC guidelines.

Type
IB Continuum international school offering Brazilian and foreign pupils an IB education across PYP, MYP and DP; University offers across many countries.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Over 898 students from more than 16 nationalities.

Country affiliation
Brazil

School day structure
A regular day begins at 7:45am for PYP 1–4 and at 8:00am for PYP 5–8. PYP 1–2 have a lunch break; PYP 2–8 have a catered lunch in the canteen. The school day ends between 2:45pm and 3:30pm depending on year level, with students collected by parents or an authorised driver/nanny/friend.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarding facilities: DAY (no on-campus boarding is offered).

Uniform Requirement
The school has a uniform policy. The Uniform List (EN/PT) and DP Dress Code (EN/PT) detail items; uniforms can be purchased at NA RUA DA ESCOLA or Uniforschool in Moema and Pinheiros.

House System
The College has a House System comprising every student from PYP5 to DP2; there are three Houses: Condors, Eagles and Falcons, with students assigned to a House and House competitions.
Fees

Annual tuition at St. Francis College ranges from BRL 115,200 to BRL 144,000 for 2026/27.

Application fees
- Registration / application (matrícula) fee: R$ 700.

Tuition fees by year group
- Early Years (Infantil / Maternal): R$ 9,600 per month.
- Upper Primary / Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary (Fundamental II and Ensino Médio): R$ 12,000 per month.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- The school publishes a formal Tuition & Fees document (Academic Year 2025/26) and a separate Application & Entrance Fees notice for 2026/27; detailed billing schedules and specific payment-term options (for example: annual vs. monthly invoicing, due dates, penalties for late payment) are set out in those official documents.

Boarding fees (if applicable)
- St. Francis College operates as a day school; no boarding fees apply.

Other costs and fees
- Uniform: A uniform list is provided for 2025/26; costs for required uniform items are set out on the school's uniform list.
- Entrance assessments, external examination fees (IB/other exam registration) and extra-curricular activities may incur additional charges; where applicable these are normally listed separately in the school's tuition documents and fee schedules.

Refund information
- The school's family handbook and formal contractual documentation contain refund and cancellation terms (refundability of the registration fee, conditions for partial refunds of tuition, deadlines for withdrawal, and any administrative penalties). Those terms are set out in the school's official policies.

Fee payment options
- The school's tuition documentation indicates the available payment methods and terms; specific accepted payment methods (for example: bank transfer, boleto bancário, credit card, direct debit) and instalment arrangements are described in the official Tuition & Fees and Admissions materials.

Brief note on sources and availability
- The figures above (application fee and the reported monthly tuition amounts) come from recent published summaries and local press reporting. Official, detailed line‑by‑line fee schedules and the school's full billing/payment terms are published by the school in its Tuition & Fees and Admissions documents (Academic Year 2025/26 and Application & Entrance Fees 2026/27), which are referenced by the school's admissions portal; those official documents contain the complete breakdown by year group, term and payment options. The school is listed as a day school with no boarding.
Academics

St. Francis College teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The school offers the IB Continuum Programme with the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). The IB Continuum Programme is applied school-wide, supporting multilingualism, curriculum alignment and smooth transitions between programmes. The formal curriculum is guided by the Brazilian and British National Curricula and meets MEC requirements for students aged 3 to 19. Portuguese language subjects include Brazilian literature, Portuguese language, and the history and geography of Brazil. Pupils graduate with a Brazilian studies diploma alongside the IB Diploma.

Student Teacher Ratio
Today there are over 898 students and more than 100 full-time teachers, yielding an approximate student–teacher ratio of about 9:1.

Higher Education Progression
Offers in 19 countries and from over 270 universities worldwide. A Careers Department provides guidance on future education, college majors, applications, scholarships and financial aid, and supports activities such as Careers Day, work shadowing and university fairs. University fairs and visits are held on campus to connect students with higher education opportunities and to showcase where past students have attended university.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The IB Continuum Programme integrates social and emotional learning across the school. The PYP 'Who we are' transdisciplinary theme includes personal, physical, mental and social health. Physical Education lessons promote physical, social and emotional development alongside critical thinking. The Diploma Programme core (CAS, Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge) fosters creativity, activity, service and reflection, supporting holistic development. The Welcome page describes a safe educational environment and attention to individual needs to help students become successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Access and inclusion and multilingualism are school-wide priorities. The curriculum emphasises inclusion and multilingualism across the programme.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Acceptance to the Diploma Programme requires total fluency in English. The Diploma Programme uses English for its instruction and assessment components. The library primarily contains English-language books, with Portuguese resources to support the Brazilian curriculum and books in other languages such as Spanish, French, Italian and Korean. Language acquisition in the MYP includes Spanish and French.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental health is included in the PYP 'Who we are' theme, focusing on personal, physical, mental and social health. Physical Education aims to support mental and emotional development. The Welcome page describes a safe environment and addressing individual needs to support student wellbeing. The Diploma Programme core (EE, TOK, CAS) encourages identity development and reflection, contributing to wellbeing.

Safeguarding
St. Francis College has a safeguarding policy describing how the school keeps children safe and how safeguarding concerns are handled. The policy aligns with Keeping Children Safe in Education principles and Brazilian law (Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente).
Parent Experience

History
Founders of St. Francis College are Mrs Hazell and Mrs Conde. St. Francis College offers the IB Continuum Programme (PYP, MYP, and Diploma Programme). The curriculum is guided by the Brazilian and British National Curricula and follows IB programmes to meet MEC requirements. Authorizations include the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) since 2005, IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) since 2008, IB Diploma Programme (DP) since 2004, Cambridge IGCSE since 2004, and College Board PSAT 10 since 2007. Today St. Francis College has over 898 students from more than 16 nationalities and more than 100 full-time teachers.

Community
St. Francis College has a vibrant school life with events across the year. The International Fair is one of the school's largest events, with booths from numerous countries, cultural performances and foods, organized by HUG association with support from STUCO and school staff. Book Week features bilingual booksellers and activities, concluding with a parade where pupils dress as their favourite book character. End-of-Year Arts and Music Concert brings together Primary and Secondary pupils for performances, and the St. Francis Bazaar in December offers music, food and crafts for the community.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
HUG association organizes the International Fair with support from STUCO and school staff. The International Fair showcases cultures from many countries with country booths, food and performances. Bulletins and Hawk News provide weekly updates on the school's life and events. A PARENTS PORTAL is available for families, and HUG is listed under PARENTS & PROTOCOLS to facilitate parent involvement. These elements illustrate active parent/community participation in St. Francis College's life. Calendar information and school bulletins are published to keep families informed.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
St. Francis College operates from two Pinheiros campuses in São Paulo: R. Joaquim Antunes, 678, and R. Cf4nego Eugeanio Leite, 825. The school maintains two libraries, open Monday to Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a collection of more than 22,000 items. Most books are in English, with Portuguese titles to support the Brazilian curriculum and additional books in Spanish, French, Italian and Korean. There is a Follett e-catalog that allows access to the library resources online. The curriculum includes the International Baccalaureate Continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) and the Cambridge IGCSE, underpinning a strong reading and research focus across the libraries.

Sports Facilities
St. Francis College offers a wide range of physical activities and sports for Early Years through Secondary, within the P.E. curriculum and ECAs. Physical Education emphasizes physical, social and emotional development with differentiated activities and cooperative learning, in a safe and inclusive environment. The school uses a House System (Condors, Eagles, Falcons) to foster teamwork and school spirit, with sports competitions integrated into house life. The extracurricular sports programme includes multi-sports, yoga, fencing, capoeira, judo, artistic gymnastics, skateboarding and football in EY and Primary; Secondary focuses on competitive team sports such as volleyball, basketball and football, with opportunities to participate in festivals, tournaments and international sports trips.

Academic Facilities
Two libraries operate at St. Francis College, open Monday to Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Most books are in English, with Portuguese titles to support the Brazilian curriculum and additional books in Spanish, French, Italian and Korean. The libraries house more than 22,000 items across fiction, non-fiction and reference categories, with access to journals, newspapers and other learning resources. An electronic Follett catalog provides remote access to the library collection. Library staff support teaching and learning, help meet educational needs, and promote reading and the development of independent, lifelong learners.

Extra Curricular Facilities
In Early Years and Primary, students have access to a wide range of physical activities as part of ECAs, including multi-sports, yoga, fencing, capoeira, judo, artistic gymnastics, skateboarding and football. In Secondary, ECAs take on a more competitive edge with participation in festivals, tournaments and championships in international and Brazilian leagues. Individual sports such as judo, fencing and gymnastics are growing, while team sports like volleyball, basketball and football remain central. International sports trips and tournaments in Argentina, Sweden, Finland and the USA are part of the St. Francis International sports trips programme.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The IB Continuum Programme is offered with Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). The formal curriculum is guided by the Brazilian and British National Curriculum and follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes for students aged 3 to 19. The IB programmes nurture active, compassionate, lifelong learners and encourage inquiry, knowledge, thinking, communication, principled and open-mindedness, caring, risk-taking, balance and reflection. The curriculum also includes Portuguese language subjects and Brazilian studies, and addresses students' social, emotional and physical well-being.

Arts & Creative
Art is an integral part of the school curriculum. Specialist art educators have crafted an art curriculum that inspires, motivates and educates, encouraging creative thinking and visual communication. Drama provides meaningful opportunities to express themselves and participate in substantial annual Primary and Secondary productions. Music has a strong tradition with choirs, orchestras, ensembles and bands, with musicals performed annually. Dance explores expression through movement, rhythm and ensemble work, building confidence.

Cultural & Language
Portuguese language subjects include Brazilian literature, Portuguese language, and the history and geography of Brazil. Multilingualism is a deliberate element of the curriculum. St. Francis is currently the only school in São Paulo to offer the IB Continuum Programme.

Social & Hobbies
Starting from PYP 2 through DP 2, Beyond the Classroom offers activities and field trips that complement the classroom-based curriculum. These programmes broaden interests and develop physical, emotional and social development, fostering a community of learners through increased and diverse interaction between staff and students.

Community & Service
Action, Service & CAS are integral components of the IB learning at St. Francis. Action involves students reflecting, choosing and acting to make a difference in their communities. Service and Action provide opportunities to connect with others beyond the classroom, building local and global links. Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) is a leadership programme that helps pupils plan complex projects, communicate with a range of people, motivate peers and make a lasting positive difference, with CAS advisers guiding portfolio development.

Leadership & Professional
Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) is a leadership programme designed to create students who can plan complex projects, communicate effectively with a range of people, motivate peers to follow, and lead. A CAS adviser supports students by helping develop their CAS portfolio and guiding learning through the CAS cycle: investigate, prepare, action, reflect and demonstrate.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The IB Continuum addresses students' social, emotional and physical well-being. Beyond the Classroom activities support physical, emotional and social development, fostering a holistic community of learners and broadening experiences to enhance well-being.
Languages

Language Provision
The IB Continuum Programme supports multilingualism. English is a language of instruction in the Diploma Programme (Block 1: English Language and Literature) and Portuguese is a language of instruction in Block 2 (Portuguese Language and Literature; Portuguese B). Spanish Literature and Spanish B are available in Block 6. Portuguese language subjects include Brazilian literature and the history and geography of Brazil; students aged 3 to 19 follow IB courses.

Bilingual Teaching
St. Francis College offers bilingual education within the IB Diploma Programme, with English and Portuguese language instruction. In the Diploma Programme, English is taught in Block 1 (English Language and Literature) and Portuguese is taught in Block 2 (Portuguese Language and Literature; Portuguese B). Spanish is offered as a Diploma Programme option (Spanish Literature; Spanish B). The school serves students aged 3 to 19.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Admission overview. St. Francis College is an IB Continuum school serving Brazilian and international pupils, and admission is determined after evaluations and interviews. DP1 eligibility requires completion of the IGCSE programme or MYP eAssessments. Applicants from abroad may be accepted at different times during the year, contingent on vacancy. 2. Second semester 2026 deadlines. Applications for the second semester (January 2026) must be completed by Monday, November 3rd, 2025 for PYP 2 - MYP 5. Openings for international applicants are handled on vacancy basis; evaluations and interviews are conducted before acceptance. 3. Next academic year deadlines. Applications for the next academic year (August 2026) must be completed by Friday, February 13th, 2026 for PYP1 (26/27) and by Friday, May 11th, 2026 for PYP 2 - DP 1 (26/27). Open Days for PYP1 occur in October and March, and entrance assessments for EYP & Secondary take place in May and November. 4. DP1 eligibility and year-abroad policy. Applicants for DP1 must have completed the IGCSE or MYP eAssessments to be eligible. Evaluations and interviews are conducted prior to acceptance. Students wishing to study abroad for a year are not eligible to do so in MYP 5, DP 1, or DP 2.
School Events
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