St. John's International School

Av. Dona Cherubina Viana, 1735 - Vila Santo Antônio, Cotia, SP 06708-360, Brazil. The school is in Cotia, a municipality in the state of São Paulo within the São Paulo metropolitan region. The campus serves Infants, Primary, Secondary and Senior School divisions.

Infants (Little John) 1 to 5 years; Primary 6 to 10 years; Secondary 11 to 14 years; Senior School 15 to 17 years

International Baccalaureate (IB) World School; Cambridge curriculum is listed under Curriculum

Rooted in the British education system

The Primary Years Programme (Y1 to Y5) is taught in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, combining the IB PYP framework with the school's IELS (International English Learning System). The curriculum integrates core subjects—English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Portuguese, and Spanish—with specialist instruction in Visual Arts, Music, Physical Education, and Performing Arts, while following Brazilian curricular requirements from Year 1 onward. Year 1 (Ages 6–7) is 50% English and 50% Portuguese, with bilingual literacy, early Spanish, and inquiry-based learning in Science and Social Studies. Cambridge English Preparation runs from Year 2, building the linguistic competencies for Cambridge exams; from Year 6 students progress into the Cambridge Main Suite (A2 Key through CPE).

Senior School (Year 10 to Year 13) offers two integrated curricula: the Cambridge International Programme (IGCSE and A-Levels) and the Brazilian National Curriculum delivered through the Poliedro Preparatory System, enabling graduates to hold both national and international qualifications. Subjects are taught predominantly in English, with Portuguese in key Brazilian components. Cambridge English exams (FCE, CAE, CPE) and IELTS support international university admissions, while ENEM and vestibulares prepare students for Brazilian higher education; Year 13 provides a transition to Cambridge A-Levels or entry to Brazilian universities, depending on pathway.

Student Agency centers learning by placing learners at the center of their own learning journey. Learners participate in constructing their learning, express their ideas, and make decisions. They develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, and become resilient by learning from challenges and celebrating successes. The teacher acts as an inspiring facilitator, guiding, challenging, and supporting while learners explore, question, and build knowledge in an autonomous and engaging way. Agency includes voice, choice and ownership, recognizing the rights and responsibilities of the individual. Our aim is to develop confident, adaptable individuals prepared to lead their own paths in a dynamic world.

Students are educated in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. The IELS (International English Learning System) forms the backbone of the curriculum, focusing on English language mastery and global competencies. The mother tongue of instruction is English. The integrated curriculum blends the Brazilian Common Core with the British curriculum to support international-mindedness. The Cambridge Assessments International Mindset encourages global thinking, and Social Constructivism supports collaboration and idea-sharing. The program prepares students to be global citizens with strong English proficiency.

Assessment of social-emotional and physical development (PSPE) continues after enrollment to support students' adaptation and growth. In infants, assessments observe language exposure and social, emotional, personal, and physical development during visits. Primary assessments include informal interviews in English and Portuguese, with PSPE continuing after enrollment to support adaptation and growth. The admissions process emphasizes understanding the student's social-emotional profile and learning needs to support well-being. The school seeks to integrate social and emotional development with academic learning.

Admission Process. We are very happy that you are considering enrolling at St. John's. Our schools are carefully designed to promote intellectual growth and provide a healthy and balanced education for children and adolescents. Here, our students acquire new skills, discover their talents, cultivate a love of learning, and develop their curiosity through our inquiry-based approach. See below the steps of our admissions process: 1. This allows us to identify the campus of interest — St. John's International School (Primary, Secondary & Senior) or Little John (Infants) — and verify the availability of places. 2. School Visit: The second step is to schedule a visit to the chosen campus. Please contact us so we can arrange a meeting and introduce your family to our learning environment and educational approach. 3. Student Assessment: Assessments vary by age and level. Infants (1–5 years): the child will be invited to spend a day at the school before or after enrollment, during which we observe language exposure (English/Portuguese) and social, emotional, personal, and physical development. This is a playful and welcoming experience designed to help the school understand the child's profile. Primary (6–10 years): the student will participate in an informal interview in English and Portuguese, scheduled before or after enrollment. This assessment helps determine the current language level and recommend the Cambridge preparatory course and possible English or Portuguese supports to aid learning throughout the semester. The social-emotional and physical development assessment (PSPE) continues after enrollment to improve support for the student's adjustment and growth. Secondary (11–14 years): students are invited to undertake a leveling assessment at St. John's, covering Mathematics (Brazilian and British curricula). These exams help determine the student's academic level and guide placement in the most appropriate year, especially in subjects requiring progression of skills and content. 4. Family Interview: The final step is a meeting with the family and the student. This conversation is essential to understand the family's educational values and expectations, as well as the student's learning style. This helps build a meaningful and personalized connection between the student and the school's educational approach. Completing the enrollment form.