Cities / Sao Paulo / Chapel School
Chapel School
Founded in 1947, Chapel is a Catholic-founded co-educational school in Chacara Flora serving around 740 students from 32 nationalities with American, Brazilian, and IB Diploma programmes. Fees run from R$67,860/year (Nursery) to R$140,049/year (High School), paid monthly.
In brief
American international school in Chacara Flora, founded in 1947 to serve American families in Sao Paulo and now offering American, Brazilian and IB programmes to around 740 students from over 30 countries.
Chapel sits in the second tier of American-track schools in Sao Paulo behind Graded, with NEASC accreditation and IB Diploma sitting alongside the American high school programme. Size is the headline. At roughly 740 students with a 1:6 staff ratio, Chapel is meaningfully smaller and quieter than Graded or Avenues, which is the draw for families who want individual attention and a tighter community rather than a 1,500 plus campus.
Catholic origins still shape the culture in places, though the student body has long been broadly international and the curriculum is non-sectarian. Parents speak about the warmth and the breadth of arts and sports for a school of this size. The recurring criticism, from older student voice rather than current parent voice, has been around inconsistent handling of bullying. Fees land below the top tier, which is part of the appeal for American and IB-track families pricing alternatives.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursery (Age 3) | 3 | Annual | R$67,860 |
| Preschool / Early Childhood (Age 4-5) | 4 | Annual | R$123,435 |
| Elementary / Middle (Age 6-14) | 6 | Annual | R$123,435 |
| High School (Age 15-18) | 15 | Annual | R$140,049 |
Reviews
- Online review pool is small and dated, mostly short Google entries from former students recalling happy years.
- One alum called it "a wonderful place" with strong community across 30+ nationalities.
- Cost is the recurring caveat in parent comments, summarised as "good bilingual school, expensive".
- No structured parent forum activity surfaces beyond the school's own channels and directory listings.
Head of school
Juliana Menezes
Juliana Conte Menezes is the Superintendent of Chapel School in São Paulo. She has a long-standing career with the institution, having previously served as the Elementary School Principal and School Director. Menezes is certified in International School Leadership by the Principal Training Center (PTC) and holds a degree in Pedagogy with specializations in School Administration and Early Childhood Education. Her professional expertise focus on curriculum development, educational leadership, and fostering an inclusive international learning environment. She lead the school through its multi-curricula programs, including the Brazilian, American, and International Baccalaureate (IB) tracks.
Accreditations
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges 01