Best schools in Brasilia

When it comes to international schools, the choice may not be as wildly exciting or exotic as the Amazon jungle, but the Brazilian capital has a handful of schools that appeal to the local population of international families.

Metropolitan Cathedral of Brasília at sunset

Education in Brasilia

With one or two exceptions, all international schools are externally accredited by the recognised independent American body Cognia or - in the case of the French Lycée - part of AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad), both of which are positive signposts.

International families arriving here almost all live around the lakes, with families tending to choose the South (Lago Sul) rather than the North (Lago Norte) Lake. If you have school age children, it’s an attractive option as one of the big pluses of Lago Sul is that all the international schools are a hop and a skip, or at least a short (less than 15 minutes) drive, away. There are constant rumours that a bridge is about to be built across the lake to make Lago Norte more accessible but don’t bank on it when paying the deposit - no signs of construction yet.

Choosing a school in Brasilia

Only one of the international schools provides the option of the International Baccalaureate Diploma, along with American or Brazilian qualifications. But two others offer the American High School Diploma. The full French curriculum up to the French Baccalaureate is also available, as is an adapted national curriculum for England. There’s also a bilingual education available from Canadian run schools.