St Paul’s School

Sao Paulo, Brazil

About St Paul’s School: St Paul’s School in São Paulo is a well established British international school. Also known as SPS, it has a strong history, first established in 1926.

School Mission: To provide a high quality British and Brazilian education for the personal and academic development of pupils within a framework of a caring and united community. 

School Values: Aspiration, Adventure, Responsibility, Resilience, Inclusion and Kindness.

Visit the school’s website for more details.

ITF Review
(Based on Independent Research)

Would you recommend this school to other teaching families?

Recommend – the school offers a decent package for teaching families with housing benefits and flights, 100% discount on fees and quality healthcare. Do your research on the safety of living in São Paulo and how easily your kids are likely to transition to work out if it’s right for your family.

Overall compensation package rating

While we couldn’t source exact compensation package details, many teachers say they can still save and live comfortably – although given the fees the package could be higher.

Tuition benefits

The school offers 100% discount on fees for teacher kids.

Housing

A staff accommodation benefit is provided to help cover costs of housing for all teachers.

Flights

Flights are provided at the beginning and end of contract for teacher and families.

Healthcare

Quality medical and dental insurance are included as part of your teaching package.

Adjustment for kids

The school has over 1,200 students and the primary language of teaching is English (other languages include Portuguese, Spanish and French). Around 85% of students are said to be international – although we’ve also heard reports the majority of students are Brazilian from some teachers.

Average class sizes

Class sizes are small – averaging around 15 per year group (and smaller for senior years).

Teaching experience required

Like most international schools, St Paul’s School requires teachers to have a minimum of two years teaching experience, along with formal qualifications/certifications.

Curriculum

British (EYFS, Primary, IGCSE/GCSE), International Baccalaureate (PYP, DP).

Retirement/pension benefits

The school pays 8% of your salary into a state pension scheme.

School history & stability

The school is well established. It first opened its doors to students back in 1926.

St Paul’s School – Additional Benefits

  • Language lesson allowance
  • Relocation allowance (beginning of contract)
  • Life insurance
  • Club membership
  • Induction program for new staff
  • Continuous PD

What Teachers are Saying Online About St Paul’s School

Just be aware that like many international schools, many of the local staff don’t get along with expat staff. There is a huge difference of payment and benefits.

CURRENT TEACHER, ST PAUL’S SCHOOL

SPS is located in a nice area of São Paulo. The children are very spoiled, but you won’t see much of the parents. Expect to see lots of nannies, sometimes in the classroom…

EX TEACHER AT SPS

Brazilians love kids and there are lots of kid-friendly places. Sao Paulo is a massive city, so there’s always lots going on. The beach is only 2 hrs away and Rio is a 45 min flight. It’s a great country to live in. The news paints a bleak picture but life here as an expat is good.

CURRENT INTERNATIONAL TEACHER, SAO PAULO
Lively street gathering in São Paulo, Brazil
Street art covering the walls of a staircase in downtown São Paulo, Brazil
Aerial view of São Paulo showcasing skyscrapers and the skyline under a blue sky - what you might expect if you choose to work at St Paul's School!

São Paulo is dangerous with a high violent crime rate and riddled with petty crime. The language barriers are extreme – with little English spoken. Just do your research before thinking of moving there with kids.

EX TEACHER, SAO PAULO

SPS is very high-end and has a long history. It’s in a nice neighbourhood with many other international schools. There are tons of expats in the area. The biggest issue we have is the traffic, but overall we’ve had a great experience. Medical care (private) has also been fantastic.

CURRENT TEACHER AT SPS

The school offers great training and support. The resources for teachers are also high quality, but considering the fees kids pay, it’s not the best wages.

EX INTERNATIONAL TEACHER, SPS

Safety, Adaptability & Cost of Living

  • Safety: Fair to Poor – São Paulo is a massive city with varying levels of safety depending on where you choose to live. Areas like Vila Madalena, Jardins, and Moema are popular with expats and considered safer. Like any large city, take care. Avoid flashy displays of wealth, and use ride-share apps instead of flagging down taxis on the street.
  • Adaptability: Moderate – Portuguese is the main language, and while some people speak English, learning basic Portuguese will definitely help. The city is diverse and dynamic, but bureaucracy and service delays can be frustrating.
  • Cost of Living: Moderate to High – São Paulo can be affordable in some areas, especially when it comes to local markets, street food, and public transport. But rent in expat-friendly neighbourhoods can be expensive. Imported goods are also expensive so you’ll need to budget carefully if you’re used to a certain lifestyle.

General Overview for Teaching Families

Founded in 1926, St. Paul’s School (SPS) is a well-established and academically selective international school located in the Jardins district of São Paulo. With around 1,200 students and 200 teachers, the school blends the British and Brazilian educational systems, preparing students for IGCSE and IB exams.

SPS delivers a bilingual, internationally-minded curriculum from Early Years to IB Diploma, including the EYFS, British Primary, IGCSE, IB PYP, and IB DP. The school is fully accredited by COBIS, is an IB World School, and meets the standards of the British Schools Overseas (BSO) framework.

St. Paul’s is a not-for-profit school that’s committed to fostering courage, creativity, and a deep sense of community. They aim to develop thoughtful, engaged global citizens who are positive agents of change.

For teachers, you can expect strong professional development, modern facilities, supportive leadership, and good teacher benefits included in your package. While São Paulo is a dynamic and cosmopolitan city, new teachers are encouraged to make an effort socially outside of school life to get the best experience of living in this city.

Do you currently teach at St Paul’s School in Brazil? Please get in touch to let us know about your experience or complete our teacher survey to let us know more!

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