Quick summary of key school information
School details
Language support for students not fluent in English and Portuguese |
If the student has not yet reached the expected level of languages, PlayPen offers an “accelerated learning” department to help with this process, without compromising the regular curriculum. By Middle School, the student should have total proficiency in both languages (Portuguese and English). |
Use of technology in the classroom |
Tablets for students, white boards ready for projector use, Virtual Learning Environment, Apple computers, Wi-Fi network. |
Entry evaluation for students |
Assessment |
Brief description of entry evaluation required |
Starting from Elementary School I (1st grade), the school conducts some diagnostic tests, in English and Portuguese, to assess the student and his or her proficiency in both languages. |
School start time |
Preschool: 8 am
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School finish time |
Preschool: 3 pm
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Supervised care before/after school |
KG3 and G4 have the option of staying at school for the extended program to 6:30 pm. |
School provided lunches |
Yes. In addition, the school also has a full-time nutritionist at the school. Together, this team develops healthy and diversified meals for all students. The cafeteria and snack bar are organized to offer the best in food preparation for children. All dishes are made in a convection oven (hot air dry and steam), prioritizing the use of steam. This makes food much healthier, since it requires minimal use of oil and little change in the nutritional composition of foods, making them tastier and crisper. Nuggets, breaded items, fish sticks, crispy potatoes — all these are now prepared in the oven. As for the desserts, we believe that students are already tempted by too much sugar outside of school. Therefore, the school aims to serve only fruit. Both snack and lunch at school are already included in the monthly fee; there are no extra costs. |
Uniform required |
Yes |
Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
Ballet, judo, soccer, catechism, tennis, chess, swimming, rhythmic gymnastics, Spanish, German, robotics, skateboarding, skating, slackline |
Sports activities included |
Physical Education offers a wide variety of activities concerned with the relationship between human movement and other areas of education, creating links between the physical, mental, social and emotional spheres. |
Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
Yes |
Sports facilities at the school |
Playground, outdoor basketball court. |
Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
PlayPen began as a preschool and gradually transformed into what it is today: one of São Paulo’s most renowned bilingual preschool, elementary and middle schools.The objective, from the start, has been to offer students the opportunity to acquire a second language through daily interaction in an English immersion program located in a stimulating space, comfortable and appropriate for offering the best educational environment possible. |
Teaching approach of the school |
ECJ/Playpen offers two excellent credentials: it holds the title of Brazil´s pioneer school in bilingual education and has more than 30 years of experience. In addition to these prior achievements, constant evolution is part of the school’s DNA. For this reason, it offers a broad, integrated and continually updated curriculum, which aims to partake in the formation of individuals that are autonomous critical thinkers, participatory and prepared for the world, whether from the perspective of social, cultural or work life.
Classes are arranged and divided so that the disciplines offered are integrated and complement each other in both languages.
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