International School Admissions in Brasilia: 2026 Step-by-Step Guide

Quick answer: How do international school admissions work in Brasilia? Check the school calendar first: American schools in Brasilia start in August, while bilingual schools follow the Brazilian year from February. Submit an application, school reports and passports, then your child sits an assessment and interview. Monthly tuition runs roughly BRL 5,000 to 13,000. Apply four to six months ahead.

Last reviewed: September 2026 by Catherine from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.

Brasília is Brazil's capital and home to embassies, international organisations, government agencies and a growing number of multinational firms. That makes it one of the most international cities in the country, with families arriving from all over the world on diplomatic and corporate postings. If you are moving here, understanding international school admissions in Brasilia will save you time and stress, because the process has a few quirks that differ from other countries.

The biggest one is the calendar. Brazil is in the southern hemisphere, and many schools follow a school year that runs from February to December, while others keep the northern hemisphere calendar. This guide explains the steps, the timeline, the documents and the costs for 2026.

Brasilia's international school scene

Brasília was inaugurated as the capital on 21 April 1960, designed by Lúcio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer, and its unique layout shapes daily life. Most international families live in the Lago Sul and Lago Norte residential areas around Lake Paranoá, or in the planned residential wings, the Asa Sul and Asa Norte. The international schools are spread across these zones, so choosing your home and your school together makes sense.

The city has a solid range of international and bilingual schools, many of them founded to serve the diplomatic community. Class sizes are generally smaller than in São Paulo or Rio, and admissions teams are used to families arriving mid year on short notice.

Curricula and school calendars in Brasilia

Before applying, check both the curriculum and the calendar each school follows:

American curriculum. US style education with Advanced Placement or the IB Diploma, typically on an August to June calendar.
British curriculum. IGCSE and A levels or the IB, usually on an August to June calendar as well.
International Baccalaureate. The IB Diploma and, at some schools, the Primary and Middle Years programmes.
Bilingual Brazilian programmes. Schools that combine the Brazilian national curriculum with English or other languages, usually on a February to December calendar.

If your child is moving from a northern hemisphere school, the calendar can mean joining halfway through a year group, repeating part of a year or skipping ahead. Discuss placement with each admissions office before accepting an offer.

International schools in Brasilia to apply to

These schools have verified profiles on International School Advisor, where you can read reviews and compare fees before contacting admissions.

American School of Brasilia

One of the oldest international schools in the capital, the American School of Brasília offers a US curriculum and the IB Diploma on an August to June calendar. It serves many diplomatic families and has experience with mid year arrivals. Apply as early as possible for popular grades.

The British School of Brasilia

The British option in the capital, following the English National Curriculum with IGCSE and the IB Diploma in the final years. It suits British and Commonwealth families and those who want continuity with a British system.

School of the Nations

A bilingual school with a strong values based education and an international outlook, offering the IB Diploma. It is popular with both Brazilian and international families and teaches in English and Portuguese.

SIS Swiss International School Brasilia

Part of the Swiss International School network, offering a bilingual education in English and Portuguese, with German as an additional language. Students can earn both Brazilian and international qualifications.

Brasilia International School

A bilingual school combining the Brazilian curriculum with an English language international programme. It suits families who want their children to be fully integrated into Brazilian life while keeping a strong level of English.

Admission costs and tuition in 2026

In Brazil, school fees are usually quoted as monthly payments over 12 months. As a rough guide for 2026, monthly tuition at international and bilingual schools in Brasília runs from about BRL 5,000 in the early years to roughly BRL 13,000 in the final years at the American or British style schools. That is roughly BRL 60,000 to 156,000 a year.

Budget also for these admission costs and extras:

Application fee: roughly BRL 300 to 1,500.
Enrolment fee (matrícula): often equal to one monthly payment, due when you accept the place and again each year when you re enrol.
Capital or development fee: some international schools charge a one off contribution for new families.
Materials and books: roughly BRL 2,000 to 5,000 a year.
Meals and transport: usually charged separately; many families drive or use private transport.
Exam fees: IB, AP and IGCSE exam fees billed in the relevant years.

The admissions process step by step

Step 1: choose the calendar and year group. Decide whether you want an August start or a February start, and confirm placement with each school. Children born in the second half of the year may be placed differently in Brazilian and international systems.

Step 2: gather your documents. Schools usually ask for passports, the child's birth certificate, two years of school reports, a vaccination record and, in some cases, a recommendation letter from the current school. For bilingual schools following the Brazilian curriculum, foreign school records may need to be translated and validated.

Step 3: assessment, interview and offer. Most schools invite the child for an assessment in English and maths, and sometimes Portuguese, plus a family interview. Offers typically arrive within two weeks. To secure the place, you pay the enrolment fee and sign the contract.

Questions to ask admissions teams in Brasilia

To compare schools fairly, ask each one the same questions:

Which calendar do you follow, and which grade will my child join?
How do you support children who arrive without English or Portuguese?
Is Portuguese taught to non native speakers, and how many hours a week?
Which qualifications do graduates receive, and are they recognised in Brazil and abroad?
What is the refund policy if our posting is cut short?

Diplomatic families should also ask whether the school has experience with embassy education allowances and invoicing, which can simplify paperwork considerably.

Compare the best schools in Brazil

For a wider view of international and bilingual schools, including Brasília, see our ranking of the best schools in Brazil, with reviews from families and fee information.

More guides to schools in Brasilia

Frequently asked questions

When does the school year start in Brasilia?

It depends on the school. American and British style international schools usually follow an August to June calendar, while bilingual schools following the Brazilian curriculum run from February to December. Check each school's calendar before applying, as it affects year group placement and when you should arrive.

How far in advance should I apply to a school in Brasilia?

Ideally four to six months before your planned start date. Many schools accept mid year applications, especially from diplomatic families, but popular grades can have waiting lists. Applying early also gives time for document translations and any required validation of foreign records.

What documents do I need for admission in Brasilia?

Typically passports, the child's birth certificate, the last two years of school reports, a vaccination record and sometimes a recommendation letter. Bilingual schools following the Brazilian curriculum may require translated and validated school records. Ask each school for its exact list before you move.