Education and Schools in Brazil

Despite the country’s largely positive economic development in recent years, public education and schooling in Brazil is underfunded and mired in social and structural problems. Classes at public schools are taught in Portuguese. Most expats choose to send their children to private or international schools in Brazil, of which there are many to choose from.

Public schools in Brazil

The standard of education at Brazilian public schools is low in general. There are often reports of overcrowding and a lack of materials. The National Basic Education Assessment System (SAEB) evaluates school quality across the country.

You have the option to enrol children who are under six in educação infantil. Schooling is mandatory for children between the ages of six and 17 (ensino básico and ensino médio). Ensino básico covers ages 6 to 14, followed by ensino médio (secondary school) from age 15 to 17.

Due to the demand for space, some Brazilian schools run two or three separate school sessions per day to accommodate the large number of students, with children attending one session per day.

Useful links

• Ministry of Education Brazil (MEC)

Private schools in Brazil

Brazilian private schools generally follow the Brazilian local curriculum. Some private schools have a religious foundation or offer bilingual instruction. Some expats prefer to send their children to private schools due to the lower fees compared to international schools.

International schools in Brazil

There are several international schools in Brazil. They are largely concentrated in the main cities of Brasília, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Most international schools in Brazil follow the British or American curriculum, although there are some that cater to other nationalities, including French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Another popular programme is the International Baccalaureate.

Due to the higher standard of education offered at international schools in Brazil, wealthy Brazilians often choose to educate their children at these institutions. Many international schools have a multicultural student body with children from all over the world. High demand means that popular international schools, particularly in São Paulo, often have waiting lists.

Best International Schools in São Paulo
Best International Schools in Rio de Janeiro

Special educational needs in Brazil

While the Brazilian constitution states that children with physical or mental special educational needs should be integrated into the public school system, there are limited state-supplied resources for children with special needs in Brazil. Those that do exist are offered in Portuguese.

Private and international schools may have more support available, although this does vary between schools. Expat parents are advised to research options thoroughly to ensure their children will be well catered for.

Useful links

• Disability Resources in Brazil

Tutors in Brazil

There are countless tutors and tutor companies in Brazil to choose from. Expats and locals alike can benefit in many ways from hiring a tutor. Even European Portuguese speakers may not find it as easy to pick up Brazilian Portuguese as expected. In these cases, a tutor is an ideal way to help you adjust.

For students, tutors can help prepare for big exams, adjust to their new curriculum, tackle a problem subject, or maintain fluency in their mother tongue.

Useful links

• Preply
• Rio & Learn Portuguese Language School
• italki