Brazilian International School vs Pan American Christian Academy

	B Brazilian International School Sao Paulo, Brazil	P Pan American Christian Academy Sao Paulo, Brazil
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year R$52,474 - 86,074	Fees / year R$77,964 - 101,200
Age range	Age range 1 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, American Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 340
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 10
Instruction language	Instruction language Portuguese, English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened 1960
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Located in São Paulo, Brazil. Address: Av. Iraí, 1330, Planalto Paulista, CEP 04082-003. Central contact: 11 5502-5555.	Location The PACA campus is located at Rua Cassio de Campos Nogueira, 393, São Paulo, SP 04829-310, Brazil. It is in the city of São Paulo, in the southern region of the city, serving Christian, bilingual, and international families. Preschool through High School programs are offered on this campus, with English as the primary language of instruction.
Stages	Stages Early Childhood Education; Elementary I; Elementary II; High School. The teaching approach is bilingual and combines Brazilian and International curricula.	Stages Preschool; Elementary; Middle School; High School.
School type	School type Bilingual Brazilian school.	School type Non-denominational Christian international day school with a dual American and Brazilian curriculum.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix Four nationalities are represented. The most common nationality is Brazilian (45%). Local to international ratio is 45% local to 55% international (North American 20%, Korean 20%, 15% other). Approximately 370 students are enrolled, with about 180 in PreK–5 and 190 in 6–12.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support A learning lab provides support for students with learning differences.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Brazil	Country affiliation American + Brazilian dual curriculum.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation Christian.
School day structure	School day structure Early Childhood: Half-Period (4 hours) sessions, e.g., 8:00–12:00 or 8:15–12:15 (morning) and 1:15–5:15 or 1:30–5:30 (afternoon); Extended day options from 8:00–16:00 up to 8:00–18:00. Elementary School: Semi-full day, 7:45–3:45. Middle School: Semi-full day, 7:30–3:40. High School: Semi-full day, 7:30–4:30 (Mon–Thu) and 7:30–1:00 (Fri).	School day structure The school day runs from 8:00 am to 3:25 pm; the calendar runs from August to June.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Enrollment fees - Maternal and Infantil (Early Childhood): Enrollment (matrícula) R$ 4,372.83. - Fundamental I (Elementary I): Enrollment (matrícula) R$ 6,431.75. - Fundamental II (Elementary II): Enrollment (matrícula) R$ 6,593.75. - Ensino Médio (High School): Enrollment (matrícula) R$ 7,172.83. Tuition fees by year group (monthly) - Maternal and Infantil (Early Childhood): Mensalidade R$ 4,372.83 per month. Annual equivalent (12 months): R$ 52,473.96 (calculated). - Fundamental I (Elementary I): Mensalidade R$ 6,431.75 per month. Annual equivalent (12 months): R$ 77,181.00 (calculated). - Fundamental II (Elementary II): Mensalidade R$ 6,593.75 per month. Annual equivalent (12 months): R$ 79,125.00 (calculated). - Ensino Médio (High School): Mensalidade R$ 7,172.83 per month. Annual equivalent (12 months): R$ 86,073.96 (calculated). Billing schedule and payment terms - No publicly available detailed billing schedule (for example: number of installments, due dates, early-payment discounts, or late-payment penalties) was found alongside the fee figures. Families should note that the school provides a central contact number for admissions and billing inquiries. Boarding fees - No boarding program or boarding fees are indicated; the school operates as a day school covering Early Childhood through High School. No boarding charges apply. Other costs and mandatory extras - Uniforms: Uniforms are provided through named suppliers associated with the school (Catarina Uniforms and Na Rua da Escola). Specific uniform item prices are not published. - External examination fees: The school offers access to international exams such as TOEFL and TOEIC; fees for those external exams are charged by the exam bodies and are not included in the mensalidade. - Complementary activities and optional extracurriculars: The school lists complementary activities as part of school life; fees for optional activities (if any) are not published with the tuition figures. Refund information - No publicly accessible, itemized refund policy for enrollment, cancellation, or exit (for example conditions for refunding matrícula or mensalidade) was found together with the fee figures. Specific refund terms are not published in the available fee information. Fee payment options - No definitive list of accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, PIX, direct debit) was published with the fee figures. Payment method details should be confirmed with the school's admissions or finance office. Brief summary of findings and missing fee details - Publicly available, itemized monthly tuition and enrollment (matrícula) amounts for each year group were located and are listed above. - The following details were not publicly available together with the fee figures and therefore could not be stated with certainty: the school's billing schedule (number of installments and exact due dates), explicit payment terms and accepted payment methods, itemized prices for uniforms and optional activities, a formal written refund/cancellation policy, and any separate charges for services such as transportation, meals, or extended-day care.	Fee details Application & Entrance Fees - Entrance Evaluation Fee: BRL 350.00 (due on the day scheduled for the entrance evaluation; non‑refundable). - Grade placement / testing materials fee (charged for evaluation services at application): BRL 250.00 (non‑refundable). Tuition — New Student Rates (July 2025 – June 2026) PK & Elementary (Pre‑K1 – Grade 5) - Initial payment (on acceptance): BRL 9,775.00. - Remaining payments: 11 monthly payments of BRL 6,199.00. - Total annual tuition (sum): BRL 77,964.00. Middle School (Grades 6–8) - Initial payment (on acceptance): BRL 9,960.00. - Remaining payments: 11 monthly payments of BRL 6,916.00. - Total annual tuition (sum): BRL 86,036.00. High School (Grades 9–11) - Initial payment (on acceptance): BRL 10,075.00. - Remaining payments: 11 monthly payments of BRL 8,031.00. - Total annual tuition (sum): BRL 98,416.00. High School (Grade 12) - Initial payment (on acceptance): BRL 10,318.00. - Remaining payments: 11 monthly payments of BRL 8,262.00. - Total annual tuition (sum): BRL 101,200.00. Corporate (Company‑Sponsored) Rates (July 2025 – June 2026) Preschool & Elementary (Pre‑K1 – Grade 5) — corporate rate - Initial payment: BRL 29,246.00. - Remaining payments: 11 monthly payments of BRL 11,913.00. - Total annual tuition (sum): BRL 160,289.00. Secondary School (Grades 6–12) — corporate rate - Initial payment: BRL 30,712.00. - Remaining payments: 11 monthly payments of BRL 13,381.00. - Total annual tuition (sum): BRL 177,903.00. Billing schedule and payment terms - School year and due dates: The PACA school year starts July 1. Tuition invoices (boleto) are issued in advance and are payable at the bank by the 5th of each month. New students enrolling during the year are responsible for the tuition of the current month and for previous months of the current semester. Tuition costs include book fees and academic & technological fees. - Payment frequency options: Tuition may be paid monthly, per semester, or in a single annual payment. New students pay an initial enrollment payment followed by 11 monthly payments; returning students may divide annual tuition into 12 consecutive monthly payments. - Invoicing: Tuition invoices (boletos) are emailed to parents five days before the due date. All fees must be paid by the due date at the bank; daily late fees apply to overdue payments. Boarding (residential) fees - Not applicable: PACA operates as a day school and does not offer boarding; no boarding fees apply. Other mandatory and optional costs - Meal plans (optional): - Individual meal (per day): BRL 40.00. - Pre‑K – Grade 5 semester plan: BRL 2,800.00 (or 5 monthly payments of BRL 560.00). - Grades 6–12 semester plan: BRL 3,000.00 (or 5 monthly payments of BRL 600.00). - Early examination fee (for exams taken before scheduled dates): BRL 200.00 per exam. - Early departure fee (K–8 students leaving more than 10 school days before semester end): BRL 200.00. - Graduation fee (seniors): a monthly charge (July–June) is added to the tuition bill to cover graduation‑related expenses; the amount is billed on the tuition statement. - AP / PSAT / standardized testing fees: Advanced Placement (AP) and PSAT exam fees are charged in USD; equivalent BRL amounts will be added to the student's tuition bill. - Field trips and tournaments: Costs for field trips and interschool tournaments are passed to parents and added to the student's tuition bill when applicable; parents will be informed in advance. - School uniform: School uniforms are mandatory; purchases are arranged through the school's approved uniform supplier (contact via the listed WhatsApp number). - Transportation: School transportation is provided by third‑party contractors and is paid separately. For corporate plans, meal plan and transportation may be included (optional); otherwise transportation costs are obtained directly from the service providers. Contact information for transport providers is used to arrange service. - Transcripts: A second copy of the transcript costs BRL 100.00. Refunds and withdrawal rules - No reimbursement is made for tuition paid for the month in which a student withdraws. If tuition has been paid in advance, a refund will be issued for unused full months following the student's withdrawal. New students who withdraw before completing the registration process receive an 80% refund of the initial payment. Parents must notify the school office in writing at least 15 days prior to the official withdrawal date and complete the withdrawal form; official school documents are issued within 30 days following withdrawal. Fee payment options - Boleto (bank payment): Tuition invoices are issued as boletos and are payable at the bank by the 5th of the month. - Credit card (on‑site): Individual meals and other small items may be paid by credit card at the school reception; meal charges may alternatively be added to the tuition bill.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The Brazilian International School offers bilingual education from Early Childhood. English is used as a learning tool, and the Brazilian and International curricula complement each other to provide a complete education. From Early Childhood, students incorporate English into daily life and develop fluency, becoming natural bilinguals. The school follows the national calendar and covers all stages of Basic Education: Early Childhood Education, Elementary I, Elementary II, and High School. The program emphasizes learning through interaction with the environment and peers. At the end of High School, students receive a dual diploma—Brazilian and International—preparing them to apply to universities in Brazil or abroad.	Curriculum details The school offers a dual American and Brazilian curriculum with English as the primary language of instruction. Portuguese is taught as a first language and as a foreign language. The curriculum is biblically integrated across subjects, including Language Arts, Science, Social Sciences, Bible, Physical Education, Technology, and Fine Arts; Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered to support college preparation.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates are prepared to pursue higher education in Brazil or abroad. The dual diploma—Brazilian and International—facilitates university applications in Brazil and internationally. English fluency acquired through the bilingual program supports admission to many international universities.	Higher education progression 80% of graduates attend universities in North America (e.g., Duke, Cornell, Notre Dame, NYU, Wheaton, Biola) and 20% attend universities in Brazil (e.g., Insper, Mackenzie, FGV, USP, Einstein Medicina).
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Accessibility and interview: BIS seeks accessibility and diversity in admissions. Requests for the new school year can be made at any time to reserve spots. The admission process emphasizes an interview as the most important and decisive part of the selection, aligning the school's proposal with the expectations of students and families. The interview can occur at any time during the year. 2. Reservation after admission: After admission, reserving a spot requires paying a reservation fee, which is deductible from the enrollment fee. This arrangement helps secure a place for the student's enrollment. 3. Enrollment steps: Enrollment is completed upon the submission of the necessary documentation required by law and the payment of the first installment of the annual fee. Completing the enrollment form and finalizing the online process through the BIS website is essential. 4.	Admissions 1. The admissions process is designed to be clear, caring, and family-friendly. The Admissions Office reviews academic records, language proficiency, social-emotional development, teacher recommendations, and the family's commitment to the educational journey. Most families participate in an interview to discuss curriculum, expectations, and school fit. 2. Assessments & Interviews: Applicants for 1st grade through High School complete an entrance assessment in English and Mathematics. Preschool and Kindergarten candidates participate in a developmental interview. If space is available after an application is received, the admissions team schedules the assessment. Space is limited and multiple candidates may be assessed together during high-demand periods. 3. Age Requirements: Pre-K1 is 3 years old by August 31; Pre-K2 is 4 by August 31; Kindergarten is 5 by August 31. 4. Important Application Dates: For August entry, submit applications by March 1; for January entry, submit applications by October 1. Space is limited and all required documents should be submitted by the deadline. 5. Application Steps and Documents: To apply, families submit a completed Student Application Form along with the required documents. If applying from outside Brazil, email the completed Student Application Form and attach the photo, birth certificate, passport or Brazilian ID, a letter of recommendation, and school records from the past two years. If applying from Brazil, include the same items plus Declaração de Escolaridade. Official transcripts from the two previous years are required for transfer consideration; homeschool or alternative programs require curriculum documentation. Final admissions decisions are made after space is available, assessment results, and a review of materials. 6. Transfer Students and Homeschoolers: PACA accepts credits from accredited high schools. Official transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution before credit can be granted, and copies should be presented at enrollment. Applications from U.S. homeschooling families are welcome; provide curriculum documentation and assessment results. 7. Next Steps: If space exists, PACA will contact families to schedule the entrance assessment or interview. After reviewing assessment results and application materials, families meeting academic and English proficiency requirements are invited to a family interview with school administration. Final admissions decisions are confirmed once all requirements are met.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships Limited financial aid and scholarships are available for students who have been enrolled for more than 12 months. Assistance is awarded based on demonstrated need and a formal application. Financial aid and scholarships are awarded to current families who are in good financial standing, need financial assistance, and whose children contribute to the welfare of the school.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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