Parent's Review of American School of Brasilia in Brasilia

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Review Your Child's International School

What is the name of your child's school? (Please report on one school per survey.)

American School of Brasilia

In what town or city is this school located?

Brasilia

How would you describe this school? (i.e. American, British, International, Local, etc.)

American

What grade levels are represented at this school?

Pre-K to 12th Grade

How do most children get to school everyday? (bus, train, walk, etc.)

Majority take school buses, the U.S. Embassy contracts buses only for U.S. Mission students. Majority of Brazilians get to school with their private transportation.

How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?

Major improvement in the past two years, now it has a new Center for the Arts with a 420-seat auditorium, 2 art rooms, 2 music rooms, and 1 dance room. It also has 2 libraries, 3 computer labs, science labs, a gymnasium, athletic fields -including a regulated soccer field-, 55 classrooms, 1 large cafeteria and 1 snack bar.

What has this school done to help your child transition from the curriculum in your home country into the curriculum in your new country? Are there programs to prepare your child for repatriation?

Majority of teachers are U.S. natives or certified; many have been teaching overseas for many years so they help in the transition process at all levels: socially, academically and even psycologically. The school is fully accredited by the U.S. and also the Brazilian Ministry of Education; it follows U.S. curriculum and all classes are taught in English, except Portuguese and Brazilian studies. A recent visit (2004) from the Office of Overseas schools reports that the school is the most appropiate in Brasilia for those coming from the U.S. and also when going back to the U.S.

How would you describe the social activities available for parents through this school? Are there parent-teacher organizations?

The U.S. Embassy has an active Community Liaison Office, the school has an active PTSO (Parents Teachers Students Organization) and most diplomats are active with the American Women's Club International. Some Embassies held weekly Happy Hours attended by many diplomats, including Brazilians.

What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling their child in this school?

Get as much information about the school, curriculum and extra-curricular activities. Plan to arrive one or two weeks before the start of the school year so the student can visit the school and talk with teachers.