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Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro

Brazil, Rio De Janeiro

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees R$89,280 - 131,424
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1350
Type Co-educational
Opened 1937
Bus Service No
Part of
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum
Taught languages English, Portuguese, French, Spanish
Typical class size 20
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Leadership and Professional
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro (EARJ) is an independent, non‑profit, English‑medium day school with two Rio de Janeiro campuses, Gávea and Barra. Founded in 1937, it serves ages 3–18 as an IB World Continuum School offering the IB Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme, and it awards the American High School Diploma and Brazilian Ensino Médio Diploma upon completing the full DP. The Diploma Programme includes Group 1 and Group 2 languages (English, Portuguese, French, Spanish) along with core components Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity, Service. EARJ also offers a Brazilian Accredited Program and university counseling. The school is recognized by the U.S. Department of State under the Assisted Schools program. Facilities include Gávea's MuseOn, a recently renovated auditorium, libraries and dedicated science and arts spaces, plus Barra's MakerSpace, high‑tech libraries, science labs, gym, field and outdoor courts. A broad co‑curricular program features RioMUN and a range of ASA activities delivered in English within an inquiry‑ and project‑based learning environment.

This campus is part of Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro

R. Colbert Coelho, 155 - Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22793-313, Brazil

The Essentials

Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro has 1,350 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in English.

Location

EARJ operates two campuses in Rio de Janeiro: Barra Campus at Rua Colbert Coelho, 155, Barra da Tijuca (CEP 22793-313; phone (55) 21 3747 2000) and Gávea Campus at Estrada da Gávea, 132, Gávea (CEP 22451-263; phone (55) 21 2125 9000). The Gávea Campus sits at the edge of Tijuca National Forest with views of Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf and the Christ the Redeemer statue. The Barra Campus is located in the heart of the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood.

Stages

Preschool (Nursery - Pre-K); Lower School (Kinder - Grade 5); Middle School (Grade 6 - 8); High School (Grade 9 - 10); IB Diploma Programme (Grade 11 - 12).

Type

Independent, non-profit, English-medium day school; IB World Continuum School; two campuses (Barra and Gávea).

Pupil Nationality Mix

32 nationalities represented.

Additional learning support

Learning Support is available for students with diagnosed disabilities, with Early Intervention in Preschool/Kindergarten and services for Grades 1–12. English as Academic Language (EAL) supports students developing English proficiency. Counseling is provided, supported by an Educational Psychologist and Gifted Planning.

Country affiliation

United States (EARJ is recognized by the U.S. Department of State under the Assisted Schools program).

Bus service

Transportation is optional; buses are provided by Santa Rosa Transportation for the Gávea Campus and by Psiu Transportes for the Barra Campus.

Fees

Annual tuition at Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro ranges from BRL 89,280 to BRL 131,424 for 2026/27.

Fee schedule (academic year 2025 / 2025–2026 reporting)

Application / registration fees
- No fixed, publicly published non‑refundable application or registration fee amount is listed for EARJ for the 2025 reporting year. For new-student admissions the school requires completion of the application process through its application platform.

Tuition — monthly fees by year group (amounts shown are monthly “mensalidade” figures reported for 2025)
- Maternal (Nursery): BRL 7,440 per month.
- Infantil 1–2 (Early Childhood): BRL 10,952 per month.
- Fundamental 1 (Kinder – Grade 5): BRL 10,952 per month.
- Fundamental 2 (Grades 6–9): BRL 10,952 per month.
- Ensino Médio / High School (Grades 10–12 / Diploma years): BRL 10,952 per month.

Notes on tuition presentation and capital contribution
- Tuition at EARJ is presented as a monthly fee (mensalidade) in reporting for 2025; the school also states that a Capital Fund contribution is required for all new students, without a fixed publicly published amount. This Capital Fund contribution supports campus facilities and capital projects and is required at enrollment.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- The amounts reported above are described as monthly tuition (mensalidade). No detailed public schedule showing exact invoice dates, installment plans, annual vs. monthly billing cycles, late‑payment penalties, or reimbursement timelines is published in the school's public admissions material. Families should note that some ancillary services (for example, cafeteria) are billed monthly based on consumption.

Boarding / residential fees
- No boarding or residential program applies at EARJ; the school operates as a day school with two campuses (Gávea and Barra). There are no boarding fees.

Other required or optional costs
- Capital Fund contribution: required for all new students; amount not publicly listed.
- Physical Education uniform: mandatory for Grades 6–12 (school‑branded PE attire). Families must purchase the required PE uniform.
- EAL (English as an Academic Language) fees: applicable to selective students placed into EAL after the start of Grade 2 through Grade 12. Amounts are charged where placement is required.
- Cafeteria / food service: optional; Sodexo provides food service and charges are billed monthly based on consumption.
- Transportation / school bus: optional; bus services are provided by third‑party vendors and billed separately by those transport providers. Families arrange and pay transportation providers directly.
- After‑school activities and vacation camp: optional and billed separately when used.
- IB exam fees: the International Baccalaureate program incurs per‑subject exam and registration fees charged to families as applicable (IB fees).
- School supplies / personal devices: core academic materials are included in tuition except that personal devices required for Grades 6–12 are not included and must be provided by families. Additional costs for electives, field trips, special programs or individual instrument/music tuition may apply.

Refund and withdrawal information
- There is no detailed, publicly posted refund policy or a published schedule of refunds for withdrawal/early termination in the school's public admissions or FAQ pages. The school's admissions material directs families to the Admissions team for up‑to‑date tuition and fees details; explicit refund rules (timing, prorating, or non‑refundability of registration, capital contribution, or tuition installments) are not publicly listed.

Fee payment options
- The school uses an online application platform (OpenApply) for applications; the public admissions pages do not list a comprehensive set of accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, boleto, credit card) for tuition, capital contributions, or other fees. No public statement listing accepted payment channels or merchant terms is available in the school's admissions pages.

Summary of actionable points for parents (factual)
- The monthly tuition amounts reported for 2025 are: Maternal BRL 7,440; Infantil through High School BRL 10,952 per month.
- A Capital Fund contribution is required for new students; the amount is not published.
- Mandatory items (PE uniform for Grades 6–12) and variable optional charges (cafeteria, transportation, IB exam fees, after‑school activities) apply in addition to tuition.

What I checked and where detail was not publicly available
- Tuition figures by year group (monthly) for 2025 are reported in published school‑fee listings used in media rankings and in the 2025 reporting of school fees. Exact published registration/matriculation amounts, the specific Capital Fund amount, an itemized public fee schedule with invoice dates, detailed payment methods, and a formal public refund policy were not available in the school's public admissions pages and FAQs. For those specific items no public numeric detail was listed.
Academics

Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum

EARJ is an IB World Continuum School serving Preschool through Grade 12. EARJ offers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), and IB Diploma Programme (DP). Graduates earn the American High School Diploma and the Brazilian Ensino Médio Diploma in addition to the IB Diploma when completing the full DP. The Diploma Programme features Groups 1–6 courses, with English and Portuguese in Group 1 and French and Spanish in Group 2, and core components Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). EARJ also provides a Brazilian Accredited Program and University Counseling as part of its academics.

Student Teacher Ratio

7.37

Exam Results

IB Diploma Programme results for Class of 2024 include 40 Diplomas awarded and an 88% diplomas pass rate. The class earned 35 bilingual Diplomas and achieved a range of college placements at universities in the United States and around the world.

Higher Education Progression

EARJ Class of 2024 earned acceptances to numerous universities in the United States and worldwide, including University of Chicago, Northwestern University, New York University (NYU), Purdue University, Tulane University, and multiple UC campuses, as well as institutions in Australia, Canada, Europe, and Brazil.

Gifted and Talented

EARJ identifies and supports high achieving students through a roadmap and programs as part of the school's strategic plan to support strengths-based development.

Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

EARJ provides social and emotional learning through a comprehensive Counseling Program across Lower, Middle, and High School. The Lower School Counseling Program supports personal growth, self-esteem, and positive interpersonal relationships, and helps students understand themselves and their world. The Middle School program offers bi-weekly guidance classes addressing anti-bullying and general well-being, and advisory programs that foster social-emotional development. The High School program focuses on social-emotional well-being and academic planning, with ongoing advisory, individual and group counseling, and workshops for students and parents.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Learning Support is available for students with a valid diagnosis of disability, with intensity based on need. An inclusive model provides classroom accommodations and assistive technology to access the general curriculum, and supports independence through self-advocacy. Early Intervention is available for Preschool and Kindergarten; Learning Support for Grades 1-5 and Grades 6-12 includes direct instruction in the Learning Lab; Gifted Planning offers individualized extension and mentorship.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

EAL services support students from diverse language backgrounds when English proficiency is not yet sufficient to access core content in English. EAL teachers use WIDA language development assessments and standards to provide differentiated small-group and in-class support, integrating listening, speaking, reading, and writing within a content-rich curriculum.

Mental Wellbeing

The Counseling Program supports students' mental well-being and resilience, with guidance classes, individual and group counseling, and advisory activities. It emphasizes social-emotional development, early identification of personal difficulties, transitions between grade levels, and collaboration with families and teachers to support student well-being.

Safeguarding

EARJ has designated Child Protection safeguarding leads on each campus who monitor compliance with international safeguarding standards. All staff are trained to identify and respond to signs of abuse, and all adults are mandatory reporters. The school endorses the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and maintains policies to ensure a safe, secure environment for every student.

Admissions

Admissions

1. Submit Your Application. The EARJ online application is submitted through OpenApply. Digital copies of required documents include the child's birth certificate, a JPEG headshot photo, and the vaccination record (including the cover page). After submission, the Admissions Office provides the next steps and required academic information. Proceed to Step 2. 2. Upload Academic Documents & Information. Upload the last 3 end-of-year report cards (if applicable) and provide contact information (email) for your child's current teacher, coordinator, or school principal depending on the grade level. Our team will guide you, and an email will be sent to the contact person to complete the EARJ Online Confidential Recommendation Form. 3. Scheduling Your Meeting. Once all documents are received, the Admissions Office will reach out to book a meeting (online or on campus). During this meeting, any necessary assessments and a campus tour will be planned for you and your child. Assessments typically include MAP for mathematics and reading and WIDA for English language proficiency; Preschool applicants may also have an observation to support placement. The meeting is an opportunity to discuss your child's goals and ask questions. 4. Admissions Committee Review. After the documents and assessments are complete, the applicant's file is reviewed by the EARJ Admissions Committee. A final decision is communicated and next steps provided. Only full applications will be considered by the Admissions Committee.

Waitlist

Waiting Pool: An applicant who has been accepted for admission can be placed in the waiting pool if no seat is currently available due to high demand. If a seat becomes available, the applicant will be notified promptly. The student remains in the waiting pool until a seat becomes available or the family requests removal. The waiting pool is maintained for the current school year (July to June) only. Applicants interested in enrollment for the following school year must update documentation and reapply.

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