Private Schools in Sao Paulo are a great choice for both local and expat families as they offer globally recognized curricula, outstanding academics plus a nurturing environment for children. Discover our selection of the best Private Schools in Sao Paulo, including reviews, fees, and why families choose them.
Table of Contents
Why choose a private school in Sao Paulo?
Nestled amidst towering skyscrapers, lush parks, and bustling streets, Sao Paulo's private schools are where the magic happens. They're the cornerstone for fostering critical thinking, global perspectives, and a passion for lifelong learning.
Three Notable Benefits of Sao Paulo's Private Schools:
- World-Class Curriculum: Sao Paulo's elite schools adopt a rigorous and globally recognized curriculum. Whether it's the International Baccalaureate, the American High School Diploma, or the Brazilian Curriculum, students are guaranteed a holistic educational journey.
- Bilingual and Multicultural Environment: As globalization tightens its grip, being proficient in more than one language becomes an invaluable asset. Sao Paulo's top-tier private schools prioritize bilingualism, ensuring students are ready to face the global stage.
- Stellar Facilities and Extracurricular Activities: More than just academics, these institutions are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities — from sports arenas to art studios. They emphasize the importance of a balanced life, nurturing both the mind and the spirit.
Sao Paulo isn't just Brazil's economic hub; it's a city that envisions the future and invests in it. Choosing a private school here is more than just an educational decision; it's a commitment to excellence. As you embark on this educational journey in Sao Paulo, rest assured you're making a choice that aligns with a brighter, global future.
Top rated Private Schools in Sao Paulo 2025
This Private Schools list is informed by World Schools data—we consider parents and students reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
-
2025The British School of Brazil
0 reviewsSao Paulo - BrazilInternational Schoolfrom 90000 to 129000 BRLThe British College of Brazil, one of São Paulo’s most distinguished international schools, caters to students of 38 different nationalities.Why parents choose this schoolBritish Curriculum International Baccalaureate OtherIntellectual Giftedness -
Avenues São Paulo
0 reviewsSao Paulo - BrazilInternational Schoolfrom 198000 to 198000 brlOpened in August 2018, Avenues São Paulo is the second global campus of Avenues: The World School, serving students from the age of 2 to 18.Why parents choose this schoolAmerican Curriculum OtherADHD Autism Dyslexia Intellectual Giftedness -
St. Nicholas School Alphaville
4 reviewsSao Paulo - BrazilInternational Schoolfrom 95000 to 155000 brlSt. Nicholas Alphaville serves who live in Alphaville or Tamboré, seeking a personal and purposeful learning: a unique learning adventure with the programmes of the International Baccalaureate.Why parents choose this schoolBilingual English PortugueseInternational Baccalaureate MontessoriADHD Autism Dyslexia Intellectual Giftedness -
Beacon School
1 reviewsSao Paulo - BrazilInternational Schoolfrom 85000 to 153000 brlBeacon is an IB Continuum School with an international program. We develop curious students with critical thinking skills, striving to create a more ethical and peaceful society for the 21st century.Why parents choose this schoolBilingual English PortugueseInternational Baccalaureate Other -
St. Nicholas School Pinheiros
4 reviewsSao Paulo - BrazilInternational Schoolfrom 95000 to 155000 brlSt. Nicholas School serves the families of Sao Paulo seeking a personal and purposeful learning experience: a unique learning adventure following the programmes of the International Baccalaureate.Why parents choose this schoolBilingual English PortugueseInternational Baccalaureate MontessoriADHD Autism Dyslexia Intellectual Giftedness
Tips for Choosing the Right Private School
Latest News from Sao Paulo
Parent and Student Reviews of Private Schools in Sao Paulo
- Beacon School was, for me, like a springboard. In my previous school, I had opportunities, but all were limited. Now, not even territorial boundaries hold me. Due to its high academic rigor, I feel prepared for a university anywhere in the world. Furthermore, the bilingual environment has made me proficient in English, enabling me to access worldwide scientific literature. The strong curriculum and bilingual education, coupled with Beacon’s undoubtedly immense array of technological resources, assure me that now the sky is the limit.Written January 9, 2024
- Both my children have been in St. Nicholas since they were very small, so for them, it’s not about having to learn English. It’s natural, they live it. The mixture of Portuguese and English, a little bit more of Portuguese when they are smaller, starts becoming mostly English as they grow.
The school works with the IB methodology, which is something spectacular for the children.
To me, it is more important that they “learn how to learn”. This is something I worry about and is solved and reflected in the education here at St. Nicholas. The children are stimulated to understand and look at what is different, to stop and really think.Written December 8, 2023 - I wanted my children to study in an International School and have the opportunity that I didn’t have because there were no international schools in Alphaville.
In addition to the parents’ day meetings, the teachers make sure to let us know during the year of any difficulties that the children might be having. They present solutions for that and also allow children to discover their own solution to that difficulty.
Through the IB method, which I believe is fantastic, that encourages the students’ autonomy to think, find solutions to challenges by themselves, to talk about inclusion, learn about different cultures.Written December 8, 2023 - I can understand that at St. Nicholas, she will have the opportunity to really focus on where she has her strengths and I think this will contribute to her growing as a better person. In an international environment that gives you all the tools you need to adapt to the different, I guess, different cultures that we have in Brazil and the international people we have in Brazil as well.
As much international background and experience that I can give her now, I think it will make her life easier or at least she will be better placed in the future to deal with all the different challenges that we face at the moment.
For me, education of the future is actually giving our children and our grandchildren all the tools that we can to help them adapt. Education-wise and information-wise we have everything.Written December 8, 2023 - We are a family that will probably always be moving around the world. So we had to have a continuation in the learning and realised that the IB has a teaching framework that allows validation and continuation in different countries without interrupting the learning process of the children.
St. Nicholas won the hearts of our daughters with the warmth in which everyone welcomed them. We arrived without speaking any Portuguese obviously, so they only spoke Spanish, and little by little they started integrating the English language into their lives, and then they started speaking Portuguese which is the language they speak with their friends. It was definitely the best choice we made.
I never had trouble making the girls go to school. Even being a family that is not Brazilian, I thought the adaptation process would be longer, but I realised that it was fast because they started understanding and really feeling the school as a second home.
The education of the future With innovation and soft skills, we have to prepare them for a digital era without losing their principles as human beings, where it is very important to be empathic and be connected.Written December 8, 2023 - Both my children have been in St. Nicholas since they were very small, so for them, it’s not about having to learn English. It’s natural, they live it. The mixture of Portuguese and English, a little bit more of Portuguese when they are smaller, starts becoming mostly English as they grow.
The school works with the IB methodology, which is something spectacular for the children.
To me, it is more important that they “learn how to learn”. This is something I worry about and is solved and reflected in the education here at St. Nicholas. The children are stimulated to understand and look at what is different, to stop and really think.Written December 8, 2023 - I wanted my children to study in an International School and have the opportunity that I didn’t have because there were no international schools in Alphaville.
In addition to the parents’ day meetings, the teachers make sure to let us know during the year of any difficulties that the children might be having. They present solutions for that and also allow children to discover their own solution to that difficulty.
Through the IB method, which I believe is fantastic, that encourages the students’ autonomy to think, find solutions to challenges by themselves, to talk about inclusion, learn about different cultures.Written December 8, 2023 - I can understand that at St. Nicholas, she will have the opportunity to really focus on where she has her strengths and I think this will contribute to her growing as a better person. In an international environment that gives you all the tools you need to adapt to the different, I guess, different cultures that we have in Brazil and the international people we have in Brazil as well.
As much international background and experience that I can give her now, I think it will make her life easier or at least she will be better placed in the future to deal with all the different challenges that we face at the moment.
For me, education of the future is actually giving our children and our grandchildren all the tools that we can to help them adapt. Education-wise and information-wise we have everything.Written December 8, 2023 - We are a family that will probably always be moving around the world. So we had to have a continuation in the learning and realised that the IB has a teaching framework that allows validation and continuation in different countries without interrupting the learning process of the children.
St. Nicholas won the hearts of our daughters with the warmth in which everyone welcomed them. We arrived without speaking any Portuguese obviously, so they only spoke Spanish, and little by little they started integrating the English language into their lives, and then they started speaking Portuguese which is the language they speak with their friends. It was definitely the best choice we made.
I never had trouble making the girls go to school. Even being a family that is not Brazilian, I thought the adaptation process would be longer, but I realised that it was fast because they started understanding and really feeling the school as a second home.
The education of the future With innovation and soft skills, we have to prepare them for a digital era without losing their principles as human beings, where it is very important to be empathic and be connected.Written December 8, 2023
- Beacon School was, for me, like a springboard. In my previous school, I had opportunities, but all were limited. Now, not even territorial boundaries hold me. Due to its high academic rigor, I feel prepared for a university anywhere in the world. Furthermore, the bilingual environment has made me proficient in English, enabling me to access worldwide scientific literature. The strong curriculum and bilingual education, coupled with Beacon’s undoubtedly immense array of technological resources, assure me that now the sky is the limit.Written January 9, 2024
- Both my children have been in St. Nicholas since they were very small, so for them, it’s not about having to learn English. It’s natural, they live it. The mixture of Portuguese and English, a little bit more of Portuguese when they are smaller, starts becoming mostly English as they grow.
The school works with the IB methodology, which is something spectacular for the children.
To me, it is more important that they “learn how to learn”. This is something I worry about and is solved and reflected in the education here at St. Nicholas. The children are stimulated to understand and look at what is different, to stop and really think.Written December 8, 2023 - I wanted my children to study in an International School and have the opportunity that I didn’t have because there were no international schools in Alphaville.
In addition to the parents’ day meetings, the teachers make sure to let us know during the year of any difficulties that the children might be having. They present solutions for that and also allow children to discover their own solution to that difficulty.
Through the IB method, which I believe is fantastic, that encourages the students’ autonomy to think, find solutions to challenges by themselves, to talk about inclusion, learn about different cultures.Written December 8, 2023 - I can understand that at St. Nicholas, she will have the opportunity to really focus on where she has her strengths and I think this will contribute to her growing as a better person. In an international environment that gives you all the tools you need to adapt to the different, I guess, different cultures that we have in Brazil and the international people we have in Brazil as well.
As much international background and experience that I can give her now, I think it will make her life easier or at least she will be better placed in the future to deal with all the different challenges that we face at the moment.
For me, education of the future is actually giving our children and our grandchildren all the tools that we can to help them adapt. Education-wise and information-wise we have everything.Written December 8, 2023 - We are a family that will probably always be moving around the world. So we had to have a continuation in the learning and realised that the IB has a teaching framework that allows validation and continuation in different countries without interrupting the learning process of the children.
St. Nicholas won the hearts of our daughters with the warmth in which everyone welcomed them. We arrived without speaking any Portuguese obviously, so they only spoke Spanish, and little by little they started integrating the English language into their lives, and then they started speaking Portuguese which is the language they speak with their friends. It was definitely the best choice we made.
I never had trouble making the girls go to school. Even being a family that is not Brazilian, I thought the adaptation process would be longer, but I realised that it was fast because they started understanding and really feeling the school as a second home.
The education of the future With innovation and soft skills, we have to prepare them for a digital era without losing their principles as human beings, where it is very important to be empathic and be connected.Written December 8, 2023 - Both my children have been in St. Nicholas since they were very small, so for them, it’s not about having to learn English. It’s natural, they live it. The mixture of Portuguese and English, a little bit more of Portuguese when they are smaller, starts becoming mostly English as they grow.
The school works with the IB methodology, which is something spectacular for the children.
To me, it is more important that they “learn how to learn”. This is something I worry about and is solved and reflected in the education here at St. Nicholas. The children are stimulated to understand and look at what is different, to stop and really think.Written December 8, 2023 - I wanted my children to study in an International School and have the opportunity that I didn’t have because there were no international schools in Alphaville.
In addition to the parents’ day meetings, the teachers make sure to let us know during the year of any difficulties that the children might be having. They present solutions for that and also allow children to discover their own solution to that difficulty.
Through the IB method, which I believe is fantastic, that encourages the students’ autonomy to think, find solutions to challenges by themselves, to talk about inclusion, learn about different cultures.Written December 8, 2023 - I can understand that at St. Nicholas, she will have the opportunity to really focus on where she has her strengths and I think this will contribute to her growing as a better person. In an international environment that gives you all the tools you need to adapt to the different, I guess, different cultures that we have in Brazil and the international people we have in Brazil as well.
As much international background and experience that I can give her now, I think it will make her life easier or at least she will be better placed in the future to deal with all the different challenges that we face at the moment.
For me, education of the future is actually giving our children and our grandchildren all the tools that we can to help them adapt. Education-wise and information-wise we have everything.Written December 8, 2023 - We are a family that will probably always be moving around the world. So we had to have a continuation in the learning and realised that the IB has a teaching framework that allows validation and continuation in different countries without interrupting the learning process of the children.
St. Nicholas won the hearts of our daughters with the warmth in which everyone welcomed them. We arrived without speaking any Portuguese obviously, so they only spoke Spanish, and little by little they started integrating the English language into their lives, and then they started speaking Portuguese which is the language they speak with their friends. It was definitely the best choice we made.
I never had trouble making the girls go to school. Even being a family that is not Brazilian, I thought the adaptation process would be longer, but I realised that it was fast because they started understanding and really feeling the school as a second home.
The education of the future With innovation and soft skills, we have to prepare them for a digital era without losing their principles as human beings, where it is very important to be empathic and be connected.Written December 8, 2023