The international school of Porto Alegre
For over 50 years, we have been the place in Porto Alegre that prepares students for the world.
Our History
Pan American - the International School of Porto Alegre is an American-International school serving students from Preschool age 3 through Grade 12. Multicultural in nature, we focus attention on the home language while applying best practices in language acquisition. Our goal is to develop fluency in both English and Portuguese for all of our students. As well, we look to build the ten skills of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Learner Profile - balanced, caring, communicators, inquirers, knowledgeable, open-minded, principled, reflective, risk-takers, and thinkers.
Pan American School (PAS) is a private, not-for-profit, coeducational, secular school of approximately 460 students that was officially founded in 1967. PAS is fully accredited by Cognia in the United States along with the MEC (ministry of education) in Brazil. We are an authorized International Baccalaureate (IBO) World School delivering the Primary Years Program (PYP) and Middle Years Program (MYP) curriculum frameworks through grade 10. We offer our high school students the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) coursework as well as the AP Capstone Diploma. The class of 2021 had a pass rate of AP tests of 84% while the world average is 60%. Approximately seventy percent of our seniors attend university out of Brazil, typically in the USA, Canada, and Europe.
Pan American School holds membership in several educational groups such as the Association of American Schools in the Americas (AMISA), the Association of American Schools in Brazil (AASB), and the Principals' Training Center (PTC). These organizations provide our school with a network of like-minded international schools looking to provide students with a unique and meaningful international experience.
Pan American Through Time
Start of school activities at UFRGS. First class formed by 14 American families.
In 1967 the school was officially registered, nearly one year after classes had begun.
The school acquired its first property. Here we see the school on moving day!
A group of Pan American students at the Paetzel property, which has now become the preschool campus!
An elementary group of students.
In 1985 Pan American welcomed the first group of Brazilian students!
Pan American joined the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
In 2000, Pan American had its first group of high school students.
A new school campus for a growing school community!
Officially PYP authorized
Successfully acquired full AdvancEd accreditation.
Our preschool campus was opened at Paetzel, especially renovated for our youngest students!
Aniversário de 50 anos. Autorização do MYP do International Baccalaureate. Primeira turma a completar o programa AP Capstone. Expansão da sede da João Obino com a inauguração do novo prédio.
The incredible growth that Pan American has experienced in the last decade represents our greatest opportunity! Our number of students has more than doubled (from 200 in 2004 to about 450 currently), with 90% being Brazilian and 10% hailing from 14 different countries. Our teaching staff comes from different places around the globe. As a result, our school has become a truly multicultural gathering in southern Brazil. We will continue to be an exemplary international learning community, nurturing confidence to embrace change.
Meed the Board
Pan American is governed by a board of seven professionals. Together with our administrative team, they work to keep Pan American on the path of academic, social and emotional excellence.
Superintendent
Board President
Board Vice-President
Treasurer
Secretary
Invited Member
Invited Member
Invited Member
Facilities
The main campus of our school occupies a constructed area of 6 thousand m², with 24 classrooms and three student support rooms. Additionally, we offer music and theater studios, science labs, library and learning external areas. At the Preschool campus, there are six classrooms, with sports court and cafeteria.
Main campus
Av João Obino, 110 – Petrópolis
Porto Alegre/RS – Brazil [90470-150]
Preschool Campus
Av. João Paetzel, 440 – Chácara das Pedras
Porto Alegre/RS [91330-280]
Looking to the future
Our school has experienced steady growth over the years, and our hope is to be able to hold a student population of 600. In order to do this, we have begun working with top local engineers to best maximize the use of our school environment. Stay tuned as we continue to build our future!
Quick Links
Here you will find links to useful school communication platforms. Communication is an important part of a successful Pan American experience!