· updated monthly
The five schools Sao paulo parents researched most this year, chosen from the 43 international schools in the city. Ranked by how many families opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between July 2025 and June 2026, then the full picture on curricula, class sizes and fees.
The 2026 ranking
Ranked purely by parent interest — the number of families who opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between July 2025 and June 2026.
Chapel School, founded in 1947 to serve American families in São Paulo, offers early childhood through high school with American, Brazilian, IB programs. The campus covers 40,000 m2 and reflects a tradition of diversity and development. The Early Childhood Education program (ages 3 to 5) emphasizes social-emotional, cognitive, and physical growth in a rich learning environment, with Responsive Classroom and Morning Meetings; The Gold Assessment; The Creative Curriculum; Everyday Mathematics; Being a Writer; Visual Arts; Music. The Elementary School (ages 6 to 11) provides literacy and content in English and Portuguese, covering literacy, math, science, social studies, music, arts, religion, and technology, with NGSS for science and technology integrated daily. Chapel Art shows and museum partnerships enrich art experiences. The High School (7th–12th) offers electives beginning in 9th grade and Diploma Program in 11th and 12th grades. The school serves learners from over 30 countries and upholds tradition of achievement.
Brazilian International School (BIS) in São Paulo offers a bilingual education for ages 1 to 18, combining the British and American curricula within a Brazilian context. English is used as a learning tool from Early Childhood to help students become fluent bilinguals, with a dual Brazilian and International diploma awarded at the end of High School. The school follows Brazil's national calendar and covers Early Childhood through High School (Elementary I and II). BIS emphasizes learning through interaction with the environment and peers, developing critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and cultural appreciation. Contemporary infrastructure supports emotional and cognitive development. Cambridge Examinations for Young Learners (Starters, Movers, Flyers) are offered in partnership with Cultura Inglesa, along with KET and PET, with international certificates. From ninth grade, SAT and TOEFL practice supports university admissions worldwide. Extracurriculars include ImaginAction arts and dance, Allégresse Musical Theatre in English, and sport and leadership programs for students.
Maple Bear Alto de Pinheiros is a bilingual Canadian international school in São Paulo that operates across two campuses. The school serves ages 1 to 11, offering Infant Education from 15 months and Elementary education from 1st to 9th grade. The Unit I campus in Alto de Pinheiros (Av. Padre Pereira de Andrade, 575) focuses on Early Childhood, while Unit II (Av. Imperatriz Leopoldina, 1799, Vila Leopoldina) supports Elementary levels. The program follows a Canadian curriculum with English immersion and instruction in two languages, guided by Canadian educators who train and periodically monitor the academic team to uphold Canadian standards. In Elementary (6–14 years), English Language Arts, Mathematics and Sciences are taught in English, with Geography and History taught in Portuguese. In Early Childhood (1.5–5 years), active learning and English communication are emphasized through a Canadian-inspired pedagogy. Bear Care, Toddler, Nursery, Junior Kindergarten, Senior Kindergarten and Year 1 are part of the offering. Canada's presence in PISA reinforces the school's Canadian education standards. Facilities include large, bright classrooms, a dedicated laboratory, a sports court, dining facilities and safe circulation with natural lighting.
Colégio Visconde de Porto Seguro is a private international school in Brazil offering a German International Curriculum, a bilingual curriculum, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. It serves ages 1 to 18, with campuses in Morumbi, Panamby, Valinhos, Vila Andrade and Portinho, each providing learning spaces from early childhood to high school. The Panamby campus is an IB World School for the Diploma Programme. The German Curriculum includes Abitur under an international agreement with the Government of Germany, and the school also offers Cambridge IGCSE. The network traces its roots to 1878 and has grown to multiple campuses with laboratories, libraries, sports facilities, and outdoor spaces across Morumbi, Panamby, and Portinho units. More than 50 extracurricular courses complement the academic program, and the Complementary Education Program develops competencies such as public speaking, teamwork, and interdisciplinary projects. Language learning, arts, and leadership are emphasized through dedicated clubs and inter-disciplinary projects.
Red House International School is an international bilingual school based in Brazil, serving ages 1 to 18. The curriculum includes a bespoke program and the IB Diploma Programme (DP), taught in English within curricular content and aligned to the Brazilian BNCC. The bespoke curriculum is developed by the Educational Design Laboratory (RED Lab) to foster global thinking while preserving Brazilian roots, including focus on Brazilian literature and culture. The school emphasises bilingualism with English delivery across subjects, enabling learners to engage with international perspectives while staying connected to Brazilian heritage. The Villa-Lobos Campus in São Paulo occupies 11,000 m² near Villa-Lobos Park, providing open spaces, multi-sport courts, indoor gym, and social learning lounges. The Jundiaí Campus houses a STEM Lab, library, and art room to support inquiry-based learning. The Extended School Program offers after-school activities such as Ballet, Judo, Chess, Basketball, Capoeira, and Futsal, enriching academics with arts and sport.
What’s on offer
The mix of programmes and teaching languages across all 43 schools. Many offer more than one curriculum, so totals run higher than the school count.
Number of schools teaching each curriculum.
Number of schools teaching in each language.
Size & classes
School size and class size shape day-to-day experience as much as curriculum does.
Schools grouped by total enrolment.
Average school size is 977 students · based on the 18 schools that report enrolment.
Schools grouped by typical class size.
Average class size is 20.0 students · based on the 7 schools that report it.
What it costs
Fees shown are one year for a 12-year-old (or the closest age available), excluding one-time enrolment costs.
Across the 22 schools that publish a price for a 12-year-old. All figures in BRL.
How many schools sit in each annual-fee range.
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