In this guide
Secondary fee range at a glance
Bands are 2026 estimates tied to our Sao Paulo fees research. Secondary and sixth form tuition sits at the top of each band; the IB Diploma and Advanced Placement years are the most expensive. Graded culminates in a US Diploma, a Brazilian Diploma and the IB Diploma, and St Paul's runs the British route through IGCSE and A-level alongside the IB, so the leaving qualification and the invoicing currency both shape the senior fee.
Secondary fee table by tier
| Tier | Annual secondary tuition | Approx conversion | Illustrative schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium international (USD) | USD 30,000 - 42,000 | BRL 175,000 - 240,000 | Graded, St Paul's School, Avenues Sao Paulo, Escola Britanica de Sao Paulo |
| Upper mid international | USD 18,000 - 28,000 | BRL 105,000 - 160,000 | Chapel School, Beacon School, Pan American Christian Academy, Lycee Pasteur |
| Bilingual privado | USD 10,000 - 18,000 | BRL 58,000 - 105,000 | Bilingual private schools with English senior programmes |
School names indicate the fee tier and are illustrative, not a ranking. Bands are 2026 planning estimates; the IB Diploma and equivalent senior years sit at the top of each band. Confirm exact figures with each school.
Added and one-off costs
| Cost item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application / registration | USD 300 - 1,560 / BRL 1,560 | Graded charges BRL 1,560 for residents or USD 300 from abroad |
| Capital / enrolment contribution | USD 2,000 - 8,000 where charged | One off on first enrolment at some premium schools |
| Refundable deposit | About one month of fees | Held against the place at some schools |
| Exam entries (IB, AP, IGCSE) | USD 565 - 1,070 in exam years | Graded charges IB registration and exam fees of about USD 565 to 1,070, due in November of Grade 12 |
| School bus | BRL 8,000 - 18,000 a year | Distance based; widely used given Sao Paulo traffic |
What drives the cost
The biggest driver at senior level in Sao Paulo is the leaving qualification, the brand offering it and the invoicing currency. The premium schools run the IB Diploma, Advanced Placement or British A-levels with small senior classes, specialist teaching, university counselling for Brazilian and overseas applications, and examination administration that concentrate into the final two years. Graded, St Paul's, Avenues and the Escola Britanica price these in, and several invoice in US dollars to protect against real swings, which is why the premium band reads high when converted. Sao Paulo is the largest and most competitive international schools market in South America, and demand from corporate relocating families holds the top of the band, while strong bilingual privados anchor the value end with English senior programmes at a fraction of the premium fee.
Compare secondary fees across cities
Put Sao Paulo secondary fees next to other host cities side by side before you commit.
Hidden costs beyond tuition
Headline tuition is only part of the Sao Paulo bill, and currency is the variable families most often underestimate. Plan for a registration fee of BRL 1,560 for residents or about USD 300 from abroad at Graded, a one off capital or enrolment contribution of USD 2,000 to 8,000 at some premium schools, a refundable deposit of about one month, examination entries of about USD 565 to 1,070 for the IB Diploma due in November of Grade 12, and school bus of BRL 8,000 to 18,000 a year given the city's traffic. Where fees are quoted in dollars but salaries are paid in reais, exchange rate moves can shift the real cost materially across the year, so budget a buffer alongside the headline number. Our Sao Paulo international school fees guide sets out the line items in full.
For a full family budget that places these alongside housing and living costs, use our relocation cost calculator.
Compare secondary fees
Sao Paulo premium secondary fees sit among the highest in South America when converted to dollars, while the upper mid and bilingual tiers offer strong value for families who do not need the dollar priced premium brands. Use our compare fees tool to put Sao Paulo next to other host cities and curricula, then revisit the Sao Paulo nursery and preschool fees for the earlier stages and the all in cost of a place.
FAQ
How much is secondary international school in Sao Paulo?
Premium English medium senior tuition runs roughly USD 30,000 to 42,000 a year, the upper mid tier USD 18,000 to 28,000, and bilingual private schools from about USD 10,000. Graded publishes upper school tuition of about BRL 190,872 a year, and the premium schools price in US dollars.
Which Sao Paulo schools offer the IB Diploma and AP?
Graded, the American School of Sao Paulo, offers a US Diploma, a Brazilian Diploma and the IB Diploma with a college preparatory programme, St Paul's School runs the British route through IGCSE and A-level alongside the IB, and Avenues and the Escola Britanica de Sao Paulo offer international senior pathways.
Why are some Sao Paulo fees quoted in US dollars?
The premium schools price tuition in US dollars to insulate against swings in the Brazilian real, so the headline figure is stable in dollars but the amount paid in reais moves with the exchange rate. Families paid in reais should budget a buffer for currency moves across the year.
What are the hidden costs of secondary school in Sao Paulo?
Beyond tuition, families add a registration fee of BRL 1,560 or about USD 300 from abroad at Graded, a one off capital contribution of USD 2,000 to 8,000 at some premium schools, a refundable deposit of about one month, IB examination entries of about USD 565 to 1,070 due in Grade 12, and school bus of BRL 8,000 to 18,000 a year.
Is the IB Diploma the most expensive stage in Sao Paulo?
Yes. The IB Diploma and Advanced Placement years are the most expensive part of secondary because of small classes, specialist teaching, university counselling and examination costs. Expect the top of each tier band to apply in the final two years, with separate exam entry fees falling then.