10 Best Boarding Schools in Brazil

The education system in Brazil is structured into five stages: pre-primary, primary, lower secondary, upper secondary, and tertiary or higher education.

While primary education and lower secondary education are compulsory and free, including in public universities, many expatriates opt for private or international schools seeking better quality instruction.

The national core curriculum mandates subjects such as Portuguese, Mathematics, History, Geography, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Arts, Physical Education, Philosophy, Social Studies, English, and an elective foreign language.

Here is an overview of 10 best boarding schools in Brazil:

1. Instituto Adventista Brasil Central (Central Brazil Adventist Academy)

The Instituto Adventista Brasil Central (Central Brazil Adventist Academy) is an elementary and high school institution that features a boarding school system.

It is a component of the Adventist worldwide education network, operating under the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Located in Goiás, in the city of Abadiânia, within the rural zone of Planalmira, the school is situated along the BR 414 Highway, km 411.

Its primary mission, driven by Adventist Christian education, is to foster the balanced development of students’ physical, intellectual, social, and spiritual aspects.

The goal is to cultivate thoughtful citizens who contribute meaningfully to God, the country, and the community.

The institution boasts 693 students, including 380 boarding students. This population is supported by 91 caregivers, such as teachers, coordinators, and deans. The teaching philosophy and the quality and comfort of its facilities are major attractions.

2. The Children’s Village at the Canuanã School

The Children’s Village is associated with the Canuanã School, which has functioned as a boarding school for elementary and high school students for more than 44 years.

Situated 320 kilometers from the capital of Tocantins, the school is hosted on the 2,500-hectare Canuanã farm, located in the city of Formoso do Araguaia.

The institution is managed and funded by the Bradesco Foundation and serves 780 children between the ages of 7 and 17. Notably, The Children’s Village was the recipient of the RIBA Award for International Excellence 2018.

This prestigious recognition was given for the Best Building of Educational Architecture of the World. The celebrated design was a collaboration between architect Aleph Zero, Brazilian designer Marcelo Rosenbaum, and input derived directly from the school’s teachers and students.

3. EDUKICK Brazil Cruzeiro Football Academy

EDUKICK BRAZIL Cruzeiro Football Academy is a unique institution combining football training with education, affiliated with the professional Brazilian club Cruzeiro.

The academy provides program durations from two to ten months. Students may pursue Portuguese Language Study or secondary academic year study at the affiliated Rui Barbosa State School Middle/High School, which is certified by the Brazilian Board of Education and located onsite.

Participants reside, train, and receive education at the professional club Cruzeiro EC “Toca da Raposa 1” training facility.

To ensure participation in all football activities, classes are scheduled from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm daily. This magnificent 90,000 square meter complex includes facilities that meet FIFA specifications.

Boarding students share double rooms, receive meals in the cafeteria, and can access private tutors for extra academic support.

4. Adventist Education (Colégio Internacional de Curitiba)

Colégio Internacional de Curitiba (Adventist Education) holds historical significance, having opened 120 years ago as the foundational unit of the Adventist Educational Network in Brazil.

The institution utilizes a personalized teaching system rooted in Christian ethics and values. Serving students from kindergarten up to pre-university levels, the school aims to deliver comprehensive and meaningful learning to ensure the student’s integral formation.

The educational framework is designed to cultivate students’ abilities to think critically, reflect, and engage socially, preparing them for the full exercise of citizenship.

The school’s foundational belief for success is the holistic understanding of the individual, prioritizing spiritual, physical, mental, and socio-emotional development. Pedagogical efforts emphasize teaching values, promoting critical thinking, and applying learning to life.

5. Escola Sesc de Ensino Médio – Sesc High School

Escola Sesc de Ensino Médio, or Sesc High School, was established in 2008 by the Social Service of Commerce (Sesc), an organization supported by individuals in the commerce and tourism sectors.

This pioneering school, situated in Rio de Janeiro, rapidly achieved national recognition for its high school curriculum.

The institution is currently undergoing restructuring, initiated in 2019, aimed at broadening its social reach among its core demographic: young dependents of trade, services, and tourism workers whose family income is below the minimum wage.

A key element of this change is the gradual phasing out of the residential boarding regime. This modification facilitates expansion at the Jacarepaguá campus, with the expectation of significantly boosting enrollment to 1020 students by 2025.

Although it will transition exclusively to a day school in 2025, the boarding program remains active until 2024 for existing students from outside the state.

6. Colegio Arautos do Gospel

Colégio Arautos do Gospel combines academic excellence and scientific instruction with consecrated Christian principles.

The philosophical foundation, derived from the Heralds of the Gospel Educational Institute, centers on promoting virtue, establishing responsible and conscious citizenship, ensuring respect for others, and adhering to ethical morals.

The school relentlessly pursues knowledge, discipline, and order. Colégio Arautos do Gospel is committed to stimulating the talents, skills, and abilities of young people and children.

It addresses the fundamental need of students for recognition and affection from their social group and family. Furthermore, the education provided prepares students for future career choices and entry into the labor market.

These provisions, which support the student’s search for fulfillment and happiness, are consistent with Brazilian legislation, including LDB 9394/96 and the Statute of Children and Adolescents.

7. The Ivoti Institute

The Ivoti Institute’s educational approach, particularly within its New High School, emphasizes training young individuals to achieve autonomy and critical thinking through practical experience.

The institution frames its curriculum as an intentional process designed to guarantee that students acquire the necessary learning while operating in situations where core values include respect for human rights and the human person.

The curriculum structure of the New High School is divided into two main components. The first is General Basic Education, which encompasses curricular components that align with the essential skills mandated by the BNCC (Base Nacional Comum Curricular).

The second component consists of Training Itineraries. These itineraries constitute the diversified section of the curriculum, offering specialized learning organized across various subjects.

8. Amazon Valley Academy

Amazon Valley Academy is recognized as an accredited American-style Christian school that provides a comprehensive education in Brazil.

The academy structure caters to a wide age range, offering classes that begin at the pre-school level and extend through grade 12.

All educational instruction is delivered in English. For students who are non-native English speakers, the school offers English as a Foreign Language (EFL) courses to support their academic transition and success.

The institution includes boarding facilities as part of its residential offerings. Additionally, Amazon Valley Academy is professionally linked to the Network of International Christian Schools (NICS). The school is located at Rodovia BR 316 – Km 132 in Ananindeua, Brazil.

9. Escola Internacional do Amazonas (Amazon English Academy)

Escola Internacional do Amazonas, also known as the Amazon English Academy, is an international institution located in Manaus, Brazil.

It was established by Dr. Pamela Jane Dickens Alves, a British national, and serves students ranging in age from two years six months up to 18 years. Instruction at the school is primarily conducted in the English language.

The Academy is accredited by the University of Cambridge’s Department of International Examinations.

It functions as a testing center for IGCSEs and A-levels, providing globally recognized qualifications for secondary students preparing for university admission.

While English dominates instruction, Portuguese is provided across three levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Native.

By incorporating modules in Brazilian History and Geography at crucial points, the curriculum for Years 1–5 has achieved full recognition from the Amazonas State Education Council, with recognition for the upper years nearing completion.

10. Internato IAP

Internato IAP is an Adventist educational institution that offers both boarding and daycare programs, encompassing a wide scope from Early Childhood Education through to the Postgraduate level.

The school has delivered quality education based on biblical-Christian values for the past eight decades. IAP provides a setting of unparalleled cultural diversity, facilitating opportunities for students to engage with peers from various Brazilian states and different countries.

Beyond rigorous academics, the school prepares students for life by promoting spiritual, physical, intellectual, and social balance.

The educational environment emphasizes student contact with nature. The High School curriculum extends beyond simply focusing on entrance exams, prioritizing the holistic development of students who live and study on campus in a pleasant and secure boarding environment.