A snapshot: schools in Brasilia considered (but not necessarily chosen) by English-speaking expats.
Schools with a full GSGI review are noted with 
next to their names.
(pending) means that the school is on our list to review.
By full GSGI review, we mean school write-ups that are completely selected, researched, visited and written by our own editors. Our final reviews take the good with the bad, warts and all, but we look for a preponderance of good before we drill down for in-depth details and descend on the school for an exhaustive visit. We are aware of the other schools on this page and we continually add or remove schools, as deemed appropriate.
International schools
American School (EAB) (pending)
Adapted American curriculum/ Brazilian curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP/ Brazilian Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 400 students
Historically the school for ‘expat kids’ and the first English speaking school in Brasilia, here since the first ground was broken. Accredited by Cognia (previously AdvancEd). The cohort tends to be well over 50 per cent Brazilian (playground language is Portuguese), 15 per cent US and the remainder from over 20 nationalities. All lessons in English with fees reportedly on the high side, including an ‘association fee’ for expats.
British School of Brasilia (pending)
Adapted National Curriculum for England; ages 3-11; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 100 students
Opened in 2016 in a purpose-built modern building designed by Brasilia’s architect, Oscar Niemeyer. Part of the British Schools Foundation, a non-profit group that establishes and runs schools in Asia, South America and Europe. Stunning building with great playgrounds and one on our list to be reviewed.
These schools have been brought to our attention, but until we have more reports from parents, we are unable to consider reviewing them.
Brasilia International School
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma; ages 5-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 180 students
Founded in 1999 and recommended, in particular, for younger (elementary level) students; much lower numbers at junior/senior level. Although the teaching is considered good, the school obviously lacks some of the facilities provided at other local schools and cannot offer as many options (eg. foreign languages, AP programmes etc). Completely bi-lingual (half day lessons in English, half day lessons in Portuguese). Strong Christian emphasis, accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and by Cognia (formerly AdvancED).
French Lycée Francois Mitterand
French curriculum/ Brevet/ French Bac; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; state; 400 students
Only students who have fluent French are considered. Part of the network of the French Agency for Education Abroad (AEFE) and accredited by the French Ministry of Education. French students account for 20 per cent of the intake.
School of the Nations
American curriculum/ Brazilian curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP/ Brazilian Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 860 students
A bilingual (English/Portuguese) school founded on the basis of the Bahá’í faith which believes in creating the opportunity for people of all races and beliefs to benefit from learning together. This approach has been successful in Brasilia and the school has continued to grow. Accredited by Cognia (formerly AdvancED) and by the local Secretary of Education.
SIS Swiss International School Brasilia
PYP/ Adapted bilingual curriculum/ Brazilian Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned
Like its sister school in Rio de Janeiro, owned by the Kalaidos Swiss Education Group, who own and run schools in Brazil, Germany and Switzerland. A bilingual Portuguese/English education, culminating in either the national diploma or the International Baccalaureate Diploma (although at present they are only authorised to teach the Primary Years Programme).
For more information on the schools above, please go to each school’s individual entry on The Good Schools Guide International search.
