Admissions

We offer two programs based on age: Small World 1s and Small World 2s. Small World 1s is a single-semester program, starting in January. Prospective Small World 1s students must be 18 months old by February of their year of entry. 

Small World 2s is a full year (two semester) program starting in August. Prospective Small World 2s students must be two years old by August 31 of their year of entry.

The best way to get to know Avenues is by attending an event. We recommend attending both a Small World-specific event for a deep dive into the curriculum and a general event for an overview of Avenues’ transformative learning journey to graduation.

At Avenues, we consider parents, guardians, and caretakers to be our partners in the education of our students. On the form, please provide us with a description of your child, and feel free to share anything that will help us better understand your family. You’ll need to pay a R$420 application fee at this stage.

After submitting your preliminary form, you’ll gain access to our online application portal. You’ll then need to complete an admissions checklist, which includes scheduling a parent conversation and submitting some supporting documents. Your dedicated associate director of admissions will guide you through each stage.

Avenues São Paulo follows a Northern Hemisphere calendar, beginning in August. Our calendar observes Brazilian holidays and has recesses during the Northern and Southern Hemisphere summers.

Small World: 8:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Nursery and pre-kindergarten: 8:30 a.m.–2:15 p.m.
Kindergarten and 1st grade: 8:15 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
2nd to 5th grade: 8:00 a.m.–2:45 p.m
6th to 8th grade and ALLI: 8:00 a.m.–3:45 p.m., with early release on Wednesdays at 3:15 p.m.
9th to 12th grade: 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., with early release on Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m.

English is the primary instructional language at Avenues São Paulo. As Avenues aims to graduate students proficient in at least one other language, our curriculum includes required Portuguese courses. Students new to Portuguese learn it as an additional language. Support is provided as deemed necessary. Other languages, such as Spanish and Mandarin, are offered as extracurricular activities in our after-school program.

There is no single profile of an Avenues student. We hope to cultivate a student community diverse in background, interest, and talent, and the application process is designed to assess each of these aspects equally. Above all, Avenues seeks students who can thrive in a rigorous and creative learning environment.

Our mission attracts outstanding faculty from all over the world. They come from some of the most respected schools in the United States, the United Kingdom, Tunisia, India, Singapore, and Mexico, among others. There are also local teachers from renowned Brazilian institutions. Nearly 40% of Avenues faculty hold master’s or doctoral degrees, and all bring years of experience across disciplines and learning environments.

Avenues São Paulo has a dual-diploma program. All students graduate with an American diploma. In addition, Brazilian nationals complete the required Brazilian national curriculum and graduate with both the American and the Brazilian diplomas. International students, with sufficient Portuguese fluency, may also complete the Brazilian national curriculum and graduate with both diplomas.

The students of our four graduating classes at Avenues São Paulo have been admitted to an impressive array of 200+ colleges and universities in Brazil and abroad, including Columbia, Princeton, the University of Toronto, Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade Getúlio Vargas, IE University, and Bocconi, to name a few. You may see a more extensive list of colleges to which Avenues students have gained admission here.

Avenues does not offer IB courses. Our research-backed global curricular system, rooted in the Avenues World Elements, enables both flexibility of instruction and depth of learning. Like the IB, the Avenues curriculum promotes independent learning, research skills, and critical thinking through a deep understanding of content areas—an approach that guarantees excellent results in traditional college entrance exams around the world.

All Avenues students will have full academic records that may be transferred to their next school. We have designed our dual-diploma program with global readiness and transferability in mind, meaning that our students will be equipped to thrive wherever the world takes them.

Making use of its ample facilities, Avenues São Paulo offers a comprehensive after-school program. Students may choose from a range of optional activities, from sports to science to chess. In the Primary Division, students can explore a variety of specialty classes in sports, arts, technology, and more. In the Secondary Division, the after-school experience provides venues, resources, and support for students to explore their passions in depth.

Avenues São Paulo has soccer, futsal, volleyball, cheerleading, and basketball teams for students in grades 6 through 12 and participates in local leagues.

Find out more about our after-school offerings here.

Avenues is mindful of the complexity of the new school experience. Our team is exceptionally well prepared and excited to welcome students and families transferring from schools across São Paulo and around the world. We have developed thoughtful transition and welcome programs to foster a culture of inclusion, safety, and respect. We are deeply committed to ensuring that all new families and students feel at home at Avenues São Paulo.

We are committed to fostering a strong partnership between school and home and are proud of our highly engaged parent community. Parents are invited to weekly events and support campus celebrations and classroom activities throughout the year. Our parent café is also a welcoming and bustling hub on campus. 

In addition, the Avenues Parent Association works with Avenues faculty and students in support of the school’s mission, helping to foster meaningful, welcoming connections between families, the school, and the larger community.

Bus services are available for predetermined routes, based on need.

Avenues typically reviews applications for the upcoming academic year only. However, we encourage families interested in applying beyond the next academic year to email admissions@avenues-sp.org.

In Small World through 1st grade, students are not expected to be fluent in English and will gain proficiency in English through our English immersion program. In 2nd grade and above, a minimum grade-level English fluency requirement must be met to enroll. This will be measured by a language proficiency screening and reviewed by the admissions committee. In some cases, students will be accepted contingent upon their gaining the necessary proficiency prior to enrollment. Once enrolled, English Language Support (ELS) will be provided to students whose first language is not English.

For students in grades 6–9, Avenues offers a competitive bridge program, Avenues Language Learning Intensive (ALLI). ALLI is designed for students who meet all criteria for admission–including being strong critical thinkers and problem solvers–but require additional support in English and/or exposure to student-centered learning to enable them to thrive at Avenues.

Tuition information for the current school year is available here.

Unlike most international schools in São Paulo, Avenues does not require an entrance fee or capital contribution.

We do not offer a discount on tuition and fees for families with multiple children enrolled.

Yes. Consistent with our mission, Avenues allocates a portion of its resources to providing financial assistance to qualifying families on the basis of financial need. You may learn more here.