Cities / Sao Paulo / Pan American Christian Academy
Pan American Christian Academy
Founded in 1960, PACA is a non-denominational Christian school in Jardim Textil serving around 350 students - 60% international - with a dual American and Brazilian curriculum accredited by ACSI, MSA, and MEC. Fees for 2025-26 run R$77,964/year (Elementary) to…
In brief
A small American Christian school in São Paulo, around 350 students, serving missionary families, Korean Christian families, and a Brazilian community that wants an English-language Christian education.
PACA opened in 1960 and runs an American college-preparatory programme from pre-K to grade twelve, with an optional concurrent Brazilian diploma. Accreditation through MSA-CESS and ACSI. The student body sits at roughly 30 percent American, 30 percent Brazilian, 25 percent Korean, and 15 percent other nationalities, depending on the year.
Christian values run through the whole programme, not just chapel and Bible classes. Families who want that framing tend to be the warmest about the school. Reviewers consistently flag the wooded campus, sports culture alongside academics, and small class sizes. Fees are well below Graded or Chapel. The fit is narrower than secular peers, and families who do not want a faith-based environment will read the same culture as a constraint rather than a strength.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten 1-3 / Grades 1-5 (Age 3-10) | 3 | Annual | R$77,964 |
| Grades 6-8 (Age 11-13) | 11 | Annual | R$86,036 |
| Grades 9-11 (Age 14-16) | 14 | Annual | R$98,416 |
| Grade 12 (Age 17) | 17 | Annual | R$101,200 |
| Entrance Evaluation Fee (first year only) | One-time | R$350 |
Reviews
- forum threads about São Paulo international schools consistently rank PACA in the second tier, behind Graded, Chapel, St. Paul's and Avenues, with one commenter putting PACA in the "mid international schools" group running an AP rather than IB programme.
- One ex-student in r/Brazil said they were "severely bullied at PACA" and accused administrators of protecting bullies, which is the strongest negative signal in any thread.
- Other commenters frame PACA neutrally as the standard American-curriculum option for evangelical or Christian families and for the city's Korean expat community, with a balanced nationality mix on campus.
- Directory reviews on International Schools Database are small in number but uniformly positive about facilities, teacher continuity and the buddy system for new arrivals.
Head of school
Jannie LeRoux
Stephen Meier has been the Superintendent of Pan American Christian Academy (PACA) since July 2023. With over 17 years of experience in educational leadership, he previously served as Head of School at Brazosport Christian School in Texas and Headmaster at Hope International School in Beijing, China. His international experience also includes principal roles at Oasis International School in Ankara, Turkey, and Alliance Academy International in Ecuador. Mr. Meier holds a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision, a Master of Religious Education, and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling, all from Liberty University. He is committed to nurturing students within a Christ-centered and academic environment.
Accreditations
- Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools 01
- Association of Christian Schools International 02
Academic results
- 80% attend universities in North America Duke, Cornell, Notre Dame, NYU, Wheaton, Biola, and others
- 20% attend universities in Brazil Insper, Mackenzie, FGV, Einstein Medicina, USP, and more