Graded — The American School of São Paulo

What the school is

A chamber-of-commerce school, still non-profit after a century

Graded opened on 17 October 1920 as a two-room schoolhouse on Avenida São João. Founders included the American Chamber of Commerce and six companies: Citibank, Dow Chemical, General Electric, General Motors, Ford and Goodyear. It moved to its current campus in 1961. Its published governance describes a self-perpetuating board, established in 1931, managing the budget and endowment. Members may serve up to four two-year terms.

The school has NEASC accreditation, Brazilian recognition through SEDUC-SP and IB authorisation. It is also an examination centre for IB, College Board and ACT assessments. These are different credentials and arrangements. School figures report 52% Brazilian students and 22% American or Canadian. It reports 177 faculty, with 62% hired internationally.

Students can pursue American, Brazilian and IB qualifications, subject to each award’s requirements. The full IB Diploma is offered in Grades 11–12. Ask how the coursework fits the child’s likely next school or university. Families seeking British qualifications can compare St Paul’s and BCB.

Academics in practice

American curriculum and IB options

Lower School combines Montessori-based Early Years with an American elementary programme. Middle School covers Grades 6–8, followed by high-school studies with an IB Diploma option. Classroom Without Walls trips are required in Grades 6–12 and billed separately.

The fee material lists IB examination and registration charges of US$565–1,070, payable in November of Grade 12. Late registration or course changes may add charges.

Admissions and cost

Admissions, and the billing rules mid-year joiners miss

Use the school’s admissions page to confirm deadlines and possible entry dates. Availability depends on the grade and application. A non-refundable application fee applies, with reais payment for Brazil-based applicants and dollars for those abroad. The policy requires payment before review; confirm current instructions.

The 2026–27 monthly tuition is R$12,818 for PK3–Grade 5 and R$15,906 for Grades 6–12. Twelve July–June payments total R$153,816 and R$190,872 respectively. The terms describe a February rate review and a separate Capital Fund Donation. The 40% July-tuition deposit equals R$5,127.20 or R$6,362.40 at those rates; ask whether it is credited against tuition before adding it to the total.

The fiscal quarters are July–September, October–December, January–March and April–June. New students owe tuition from the start of the quarter containing their entry month. A November entry is billed from October; a September entry from July.

The page lists optional education insurance at 1.38% of monthly tuition. Grades 6–12 also have required trip and textbook or digital-resource costs, with some activities charged separately. Review withdrawal penalties before paying the deposit. Named aid programmes include the Hitoshi Castro Outreach/Graded Scholar Program and Janet Sallouti Financial Aid Endowment.

The family experience

Morumbi logistics and a half-Brazilian community

The address is Avenida José Galante 425 in Vila Andrade. The school describes service programmes involving the neighbouring community. São Paulo commutes vary widely by route and hour, so ask which bus routes serve a proposed home.

The school offers Brazilian studies alongside its American programme. Ask about Portuguese and English support; fee comparison sites mention a separate language-support charge, but the school’s fee material gives no amount.