American School of Recife


The American School of Recife is a bilingual school in the city of Recife, Brazil.
The school, founded in 1957, is a private, coeducational day school which offers an instructional program from early childhood through grade 12 for students of all nationalities. The School does not have any religious affiliation. The school year comprises 2 semesters extending from early August to mid-December and from early February to mid-June.

Organization

The School is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors elected for a 2-year term by the General Assembly composed of the parents of children enrolled in the school. The School is not incorporated in the United States. It is officially registered in the State of Pernambuco as a Civil Society with tax-exempt status under Brazilian law.

Curriculum

The curriculum is mainly that of U.S. general academic, preparatory schools. Instruction is in English, but all students above pre-kindergarten are required to study Portuguese, and English-as-a-second-language and Portuguese-as-a-second-language are offered to students who are not proficient in either language.
Physical education is required for all students. Electives include subjects such as Model United Nations, French, Spanish, genetics, computer courses, art, drama, music, photography, journalism and AP courses. The School is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is recognized by the State of Pernambuco Department of Education. Most of the graduates go on to colleges and universities in the United States, Europe, or Brazil.

Facilities

The school occupies an site in a residential area of Recife. The elementary and high schools are in separate buildings. Facilities include 32 classrooms, a science laboratory, a music room, a small theater, a technology lab, a library, a cafeteria, a lunch area, a covered court, a faculty resource center, a maintenance building, the principal's office, the guidance counselor's office, the infirmary, administrative offices, a soccer field, exercise room, and playgrounds.