Sao Paulo, Brazil Report of what it's like to live there - 06/29/18
Personal Experiences from Sao Paulo, Brazil
School Name:
The British College of Brazil - Sao Paulo
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
I am the parent of a student attending "BCB".
2. What grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
My daughter attended 1st, 2nd and part of 3rd grade at BCB - Chacara Flora (in the British system they are categorized as Year 2, 3, and 4). She attended 2014-2016.
3. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
U.S. Government
4. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
Most expatriate kids attend one of the two best known schools: Graded (American school) and British College of Brazil (British school).
Graded is usually everyone's top choice since it is the American school. It is extremely large and has lots of events and activities for attending families and the community, but it can also have a long waiting list (Americans do not receive priority placement) and is a lengthy drive from most of the expat communities (long bus rides result in very early pick up and very late drop off).
BCB is a smaller, more intimate school that is close to the U.S. consulate and most of the expat communities. It has two campuses in the city - Cidade Jardim and Chácara Flora (our daughter attended Chacara Flora). It is still growing and is lacking an upper school, but the programs available to middle school and under are great. Both schools are academically advanced with top-notch teachers and accolades. So really it depends on the type of experience you want (and who has an opening when you need it).
Admissions & Welcome:
1. Are the admissions and placement procedures clearly stated to prospective families, either on the school website or through other means of communication?
Compared to schools we have attended in other countries, we found BCB's process to be very easy, straightforward, and stress-free.
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
One of the best qualities of BCB is its diversity and transient student body. Because of this it is very easy for new kids to integrate. The school works hard to encourage parents/families to participate in campus activities.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
The communication between teachers and parents is totally dependent on the teacher. One year we felt totally lost as to the daily classroom activities and then the following year we were almost over-informed. Almost all communications are electronic, which some people embrace and others don't.
2. Aside from school fees, are there required expenses such as uniforms, laptops/tablets, musical instruments, or field trips that parents are expected to cover? What are the approximate costs?
BCB requires school uniforms (jackets, button up shirts, ties, pants/skirts, PE uniforms) for all students. In the lower school all classroom supplies/tech devices are provided.
Academics & Resources:
1. What personal or academic counseling resources are available at this school? Is there a dedicated college counselor at the school? Is he/she familiar with universities worldwide?
Given the small size of the school, the front office is very involved with the students and the doors are always open for personal issues. Since the school is still expanding and lacks an upper school there are no academic counselors or college resources that I know of.
2. Is there before and/or after-school daycare available? What are the costs?
Not that I know of, but this was a discussion when we left and may have changed.
3. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
The school has a small library and welcomes book donations. Since the school is still growing/expanding this is on the list of areas of improvement.
4. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
There is an on-campus computer lab and technology is a major focus of the school.
5. What are the technology requirements for students? Do they need their own laptops/ipads? How is technology integrated into the classroom and homework?
In the lower school all school supplies and tech devices were provided. The students use technology daily, which is one of the curriculum points we appreciated.
6. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
Given the school's location, the campus is quite small. There is a large outside area used for PE and sporting activities, but nothing indoors. There is no swimming pool and students are bused to a local swim academy for PE swimming courses.
7. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
On average our daughters classes contained 18 students with 1 teacher and 1 teaching assistant. Our teachers were all British/Australian and the teaching assistants were mostly Brazilian.
8. Are Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses available in upper grades? If this is an IB school, is the full diploma required of all students?
BCB is a member of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). It is growing and expanding its upper school and is pursuing authorization as an IB World School.
9. Are students generally challenged appropriately by the curriculum? Please describe any particular strengths or weaknesses in this area. Do you have any thoughts how the curriculum is applied and implemented at this school?
Our daughter was very challenged on a daily basis and came back to the U.S. performing above grade level. BCB focuses more on teaching and less on testing, which was refreshing and had great impact on her education in our opinion.
10. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
Our daughter was challenged but never felt overworked.
11. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
BCB has a heavy focus on the arts and we enjoyed the numerous art, music and drama events put on each year by all grade levels.
12. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
Yes, all teachers are required to be fluent in English (and all of ours were British/Australian).
13. What services are available for gifted/advanced students at the school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
BCB has a very hands-on learning style and encourages student-led activities in the classroom which helps those that are advanced.
14. What services are available for students with learning disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
15. What services are available for students with physical disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
16. What services are provided for speakers of English as a second language at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
17. What extra-curricular activities (including sports) are available at this school? Have your children participated in these activities? What activities do you feel are missing at the school?
The sports are lacking for the lower school. We tried co-ed soccer but our daughter was the only girl on the team. Brazil really doesn't support girl soccer, which was very disappointing since she was an active soccer player in the U.S. We focused on non-school activities to keep her busy.
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. Do expatriate students socialize with local students at the school? Are both groups successfully integrated into the school culture?
Yes! The Brazilian children at the school love all the expat kids and the school does a wonderful job with embracing and showcasing everyone's cultures through education and fun events.
2. Are there are any problems with exclusionary behavior, cliques, or bullying at this school? Please describe any problems your children may have experienced in this area.
Unlike other countries, we did not experience any of this at BCB or in Brazil in general.
Overall Impressions:
1. What letter grade (ranging from A, excellent, to F, fail) would you assign to this school based on your overall experience? Would you choose it again?
A - If we ever return to Sao Paulo we will actively seek re-enrollment at BCB.
2. Please tell us anything else you think prospective parents and students should know about this school. Thanks for your contribution!
I feel the school often gets overlooked because of the prominent American school in the city. However, having talked to parents at that school I know that BCB was the perfect fit for us. It should be on any expat radar that is moving to Sao Paulo.
