How many french curriculum schools in Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo has one fully AEFE accredited French school, the Lycee Pasteur in Vila Mariana. For families committed to a French national curriculum pathway leading to the baccalaureate, Lycee Pasteur is effectively the only option in the city. Outside that, Francophone families typically choose between a bilingual Brazilian school with a French section, or an English medium international school with French as a foreign language plus out of school CNED supplementation.
AEFE accreditation matters because it guarantees the French national programme is delivered to the standard required for direct re-entry into the French state system at any year level. That status keeps Lycee Pasteur central to the French expat ecosystem, particularly for diplomatic and corporate families on rotational postings.
Fees and what to expect
Lycee Pasteur fees sit notably below the heritage Anglophone international schools. Senior school tuition runs BRL 70,000 to BRL 95,000 a year, roughly USD 14,500 to USD 19,500. Primary and maternelle fees are lower, between BRL 50,000 and BRL 75,000. AEFE accredited schools receive partial subsidy from the French state, which keeps fees structurally below the premium British or American schools.
Families with French nationality may qualify for AEFE scholarship assistance through the bourses scolaires system, administered by the French consulate in Sao Paulo. Application windows open twice a year, typically March and September. Our Sao Paulo fees deep dive walks through the full loading including capital fund contributions and the typical 20 percent uplift between headline tuition and total outlay.
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Illustrative example schools
The schools below are illustrative rather than ranked. Each has a long track record in Sao Paulo, a clear identity in the market, and visible progression patterns into the next phase of schooling.
Lycee Pasteur, Lycee Franco-Bresilien (Vila Mariana). The only fully AEFE accredited French school in Sao Paulo. Runs the full French national programme from maternelle through terminale, leading to the French baccalaureate. Around 80 percent of pupils continue at university level in France, the rest split between Brazilian universities and the international circuit.
Colegio Suico-Brasileiro de Sao Paulo (Alphaville). Primarily Swiss-Brazilian, but accepts Francophone families and offers a multilingual European track including French as a main academic language. Useful for families based in Alphaville who cannot commit to a daily commute into Vila Mariana.
Bilingual French sections at other schools. These function as add ons rather than full programmes. Most Francophone families either commit to Lycee Pasteur or accept that French continuity will come from out of school tuition alongside an English language pathway at a school like St Paul's or Beacon.
Where french curriculum families live
French families in Sao Paulo concentrate in two areas. Vila Mariana, the immediate catchment for Lycee Pasteur, has the highest single concentration of Francophone households. Jardins, particularly Jardim Paulistano and Jardim Europa, is the secondary cluster, within a 20 to 30 minute morning drive of the Lycee.
Families on the southern axis around Brooklin and Chacara Santo Antonio still manage the commute, though it adds 15 minutes either side. North of the river is rarely workable: rush hour traffic crossing the Pinheiros makes Lycee Pasteur impractical from Pinheiros, Vila Madalena or Higienopolis daily.
Admissions calendar
Lycee Pasteur runs on the French academic calendar adapted to the southern hemisphere, with classes from early February to early December. Main applications for the following February open in May or June. Priority goes to French nationals transferring from another AEFE school, then French nationals, then bilingual families, then other applicants.
Lycee Pasteur is less oversubscribed than the heritage Anglophone schools, but the most popular year groups, particularly CP and Sixieme entry, fill several months ahead. Mid year transfers are routinely possible at primary and tougher in lycee, where French national subject choices are locked from premiere onwards.
Frequently asked questions
How many French schools are there in Sao Paulo?
One fully AEFE accredited French school, Lycee Pasteur Franco-Bresilien in Vila Mariana. Beyond that, Francophone families typically combine an English medium international school with out of school French support, or choose a bilingual Brazilian school with a French section.
How much does Lycee Pasteur cost?
Senior school fees run BRL 70,000 to BRL 95,000 a year, roughly USD 14,500 to USD 19,500. Primary and maternelle fees sit at BRL 50,000 to BRL 75,000. Headline tuition typically grows by 20 percent once capital fund contributions and ancillaries are included.
Are AEFE scholarships available in Sao Paulo?
Yes. French national families may apply for bourses scolaires through the French consulate, with windows opening twice a year. Awards depend on household income and family size, and are paid directly to Lycee Pasteur.
Can a non French speaking child join Lycee Pasteur?
Yes at maternelle and CP, where the school operates immersion. Entry into later primary or college years for a non Francophone child is harder, and depends on available places plus a language assessment. Most families pair entry with summer French intensive support.
Does Lycee Pasteur prepare for French universities?
Yes. Pupils sit the French baccalaureate at terminale, with results that match the AEFE network average. Around 80 percent of graduates continue at university in France.
Useful next links from this guide: the Sao Paulo city hub, the French curriculum overview, our Sao Paulo schools blog post, and the Sao Paulo fees deep dive. For tools, see the school finder quiz, the compare tool or the fees explorer.
