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Graded - The American School of São Paulo

Brazil, Sao Paulo

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees R$153,816 - 190,872
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1300
Type Co-educational
Opened 1920
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, IB (DP)
Taught languages Portuguese, Spanish, French
Typical class size 20
Strengths Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Graded, the American School of São Paulo, is an American international day school serving ages 3 to 18 in São Paulo. Instruction is in English, following an American curriculum, with an international perspective to support a diverse student body. The high school program prepares students for admission to competitive universities and culminates in three diplomas: United States Diploma, Brazilian Diploma, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. All graduates receive the United States Diploma. Graded is NEASC-accredited and an IB World School, offering the IB Diploma in Grades 11–12 alongside a college-preparatory curriculum. The Morumbi campus opened in 1961, and the school celebrated its 105th anniversary in October 2025. Campus facilities include Haddad Center for Performing Arts, a Wellness Gymnasium with a climbing wall, the Graded Learning Lab, and Upper and Lower School libraries. Extracurriculars span performing and visual arts, athletics, and service, with experiential programs such as Classroom Without Walls. Opportunities.

Av. José Galante, 425 - Vila Andrade, São Paulo - SP, 05642-001, Brazil

The Essentials

Graded - The American School of São Paulo has 1,300 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in English.

Location

Graded is located at Av. José Galante, 425, São Paulo, SP 05642-001, Brazil. The campus is served by Graded's bus service, which is operated by Consórcio de Transportadores Escolares. Pickup and drop-off routes are pre-determined across four zones (Zone 1: Morumbi – Vila Andrade – Real Parque – Cidade Jardim; Zone 2: Santo Amaro – Chácara Flora – Chácara Santo Antônio – Alto da Boa Vista – Itaim Bibi – Vila Olímpia – Jardim Paulistano – Jardim Europa – Brooklin – Campo Belo; Zone 3: Moema – Vila Nova Conceição – Paraíso; Zone 4: Alphaville).

Stages

Graded offers a pre-kindergarten through grade 12 program. It is organized into Lower School, Middle School, and High School.

Type

The school is an American school serving an international community.

Pupil Nationality Mix

Nationalities represented: 48.

Additional learning support

Support Services at Graded meet students' diverse learning needs by fostering social-emotional growth, supporting academic development, and promoting English language acquisition; the services include SEL Counseling, English Language Learners (ELL) Program, and Optimal Learning Services (OLS). Graded uses a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework with three tiers of support.

Country affiliation

American

School day structure

The High School uses a block schedule with an eight-day rotation (Day A through Day H). Formal classes begin at 8:10 a.m. and end at 3:10 p.m. on most days (Wednesdays 8:10 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.).

Bus service

Graded's bus service is offered as an optional transportation system via Consórcio de Transportadores Escolares. The service includes 27 routes delivering students to campus and returning them home; morning arrival around 8:00 a.m. and afternoon returns around 3:15 p.m. After-school buses run at 4:15 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Gate passes and schedules are managed by the transportation coordinator; daily bus passes are available.

Fees

Annual tuition at Graded - The American School of São Paulo ranges from BRL 153,816 to BRL 190,872 for 2026/27.

Tuition (2026–27 academic year) — monthly, quarterly and annual amounts
- Lower School (PK3–Grade 5): BRL 12,818.00 per month. BRL 38,454.00 per fiscal quarter (3 months). BRL 153,816.00 per year (12 months).
- Upper School (Grades 6–12): BRL 15,906.00 per month. BRL 47,718.00 per fiscal quarter (3 months). BRL 190,872.00 per year (12 months).

Application fee
- A one-time, non‑refundable application fee is required. The fee is charged in Brazilian reais for applicants living in Brazil or in US dollars for applicants living elsewhere. Payment methods include online card/PayPal and Pix.

Re-enrollment / enrollment deposit
- To confirm enrollment, families must submit a re‑enrollment deposit equal to 40% of the July tuition for the first child and 40% for each additional child. Example deposit amounts (40% of July monthly tuition): Lower School BRL 5,127.20; Upper School BRL 6,362.40.

Capital fund donation
- A one‑time Capital Fund donation is requested during the enrollment process. The school lists this as a required one‑time donation during enrollment.

Optional/ancillary fees (what may be added to invoices)
- Education insurance (optional): 1.38% of the monthly tuition; when selected it is included in the monthly bill. Example approximate monthly amounts: Lower School BRL 176.83; Upper School BRL 219.62.
- Activities and materials: tuition covers most books, school materials and lunch, but some activities, special classes and certain materials incur separate charges and will be added to the monthly invoice.
- Middle School Classroom Without Walls and High School curricular trips (Grades 6–12): these trips are required elements of the curriculum and associated program fees are added to the monthly tuition.
- Optional co‑curricular trips and after‑school activities: optional trips and extracurricular activities carry separate fees; parents are billed following approval/registration. After‑school activity charges are published at the start of each semester.
- Additional books/digital resources (Grades 6–12): some classes require students to purchase texts or digital resources; these costs are charged separately.
- International Baccalaureate (IB) examination and registration fees (Grades 11–12): families are responsible for IB exam and registration fees, indicated in the range of USD 565–USD 1,070, and these are billed to families in advance of the examination session.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Standard billing: tuition for the academic year is paid July through June on a monthly basis (12 payments).
- Fiscal quarters: Q1 = July/August/September; Q2 = October/November/December; Q3 = January/February/March; Q4 = April/May/June. For newly enrolling students, tuition is required for the month of entry and for any preceding months within the current fiscal quarter.
- Withdrawals: withdrawals during or at the end of a semester are subject to a penalty in accordance with the school's contractual terms.
- Additional charges: any additional fees (trips, special activities, IB fees, optional insurance, etc.) are normally included on the school's monthly invoice.

Boarding
- Boarding is not applicable; Graded operates as a day school and does not charge boarding fees.

Other typical costs families should expect
- Occasional charges for co‑curricular trips, specific field trips or travel associated with curricular programs (especially for Grades 6–12).
- Optional after‑school activity fees and some semester‑based activity charges.
- Course‑specific additional books or digital resource purchases for upper grades.

Refunds and penalties
- The school states that withdrawals during or at the end of a semester are subject to a penalty under the school's contractual terms. Families are bound by the school's enrolment/contract terms regarding any refunds or penalties.

Fee payment options and currency
- Accepted payment channels for fees and the application payment: online card payment and PayPal, and Pix for BRL payments. Application fees may be charged in BRL (residents) or USD (non‑residents). Monthly invoices are issued in BRL and additional fees are included on monthly statements.

Notes on computations displayed above
- Annual and quarterly amounts shown were calculated from the published monthly tuition (monthly × 12 = annual; monthly × 3 = fiscal quarter). The monthly tuition figures and the deposit rule are stated by the school.
Academics

Graded - The American School of São Paulo teaches American Curriculum, IB (DP) for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum

Graded follows an American curriculum with instruction in English. The high school program prepares students for admission to competitive universities. There are three diplomas United States Diploma, Brazilian Diploma, and International Baccalaureate Diploma; Graded is NEASC-accredited and an IB World School. All graduates receive the United States Diploma. The Brazilian Diploma is used for admission to Brazilian institutions and countries with cultural treaties with Brazil. The International Baccalaureate Diploma is earned through external examinations, and course offerings are listed in the High School Course Catalog, with offerings varying by enrollment.

Student Teacher Ratio

1329 students across three divisions and 177 faculty. The student-to-faculty ratio is approximately 7.5 to 1.

Exam Results

The Class of 2025 had 110 graduates. American Diploma was earned by 100% of the class; Brazilian Diploma by 74%; IB Diploma by 78%. Destinations: USA 63%; UK 6%; EU 15%; Brazil 13%; Asia 3%; Canada <1%; Other <1%. The school comprises 1329 students across three divisions.

Higher Education Progression

Graduates matriculate to a broad range of universities worldwide. The matriculation list for the Class of 2025 includes institutions such as Babson College, Barnard College, Baylor University, Brandeis University, Brown University, and Boston College.

Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Counselors conduct Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) sessions integrated into advisory, mentoring programs, and health classes across all divisions. The SEL counseling team is part of Graded's broader Student Support Services, which also includes Optimal Learning Services (OLS), English Language Learners (ELL), and intervention specialists. Graded uses a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to organize universal, targeted, and intensive supports for students. The counseling program and SEL offerings support students' academic and social-emotional development and promote wellbeing across the school community.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Optimal Learning Services (OLS) supports students with learning differences. Direct services are provided to students with a Student Support Plan, including goals, accommodations or modifications. This service may be delivered in-class or through academic support classes, and there is monitoring for students who previously required support. Graded values neurodiversity and belonging within its learning community.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

The English Language Learners (ELL) program values linguistic diversity and aims to ensure belonging for all. The language instruction supports access to core curricular content while developing social and academic language. In Lower School, ELL support is provided in-class and through pull-out sessions. In Middle and High School, support is provided in-class and/or through English for Academic Purposes (EAP) classes, with the ELL teacher sometimes co-teaching with content teachers to ensure accessibility.

Mental Wellbeing

The counseling program supports students' academic and social-emotional development. SEL Counseling is part of the broader Student Support Services, which collaborates with teachers, families, and leadership to promote wellbeing. Graded uses a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to provide universal, targeted, and intensive supports for student wellbeing. Support services collaborate with families to promote wellbeing and address student needs.

Safeguarding

Graded's Child Safeguarding Policy is grounded in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Brazilian Statute of the Child and Adolescent. It aligns with international standards endorsed by CIS, ICMEC, and ITFCP. All adults interacting with students sign a Code of Conduct. Counselors conduct annual safeguarding lessons across divisions and engage with parents. Contact designated school counselors and/or principals with any questions.

Admissions

Admissions

Graded – The American School of São Paulo offers PK3 through Grade 12 with English as the language of instruction. The school awards the American high school diploma and provides the option to pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and/or the Brazilian Diploma. To apply, families complete the online application via the Admissions Portal and upload required documents, including assessment results; PK3–Grade 1 candidates are assessed on campus, and Grades 2–11 require MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) results or may take online assessments if needed; some candidates may be asked to complete the online WIDA Screener for English-language learners. For the 2026–2027 school year, PK3 entry requires the child to be age 3 by September 30, 2026, and a readiness assessment is conducted prior to admission; specific age guidelines exist for PK3–Kindergarten entry. The 2026–2027 timeline is: application deadline February 2, 2026; admissions assessments February–March; admissions decisions communicated early April to mid-May; enrollment must be confirmed within 7 days of notification; enrollment occurs May–July. English is the language of instruction; exceptions apply to world language courses and to the Brazilian Social Studies requirements for the Brazilian Diploma; ELL courses are available for a small number of students. The Graded Scholar Program provides life-changing, full-tuition scholarships to gifted Brazilian students living in under-resourced communities, with Graded Scholars enrolling full-time from grade 7 through graduation, and the program aims to enhance socio-economic diversity within the school community.

Scholarships

The Graded Scholar Program provides life-changing, full-tuition scholarships to gifted Brazilian students living in under-resourced communities; Graded Scholars enroll full-time from Grade 7 through graduation; the program is designed to enhance socio-economic diversity within Graded's student community and operates under a formal selection process that supports a select group of scholars.

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