Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro

"Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro (EARJ) has been one of Brazil's most respected international schools for nearly nine decades, offering families in Rio de Janeiro a rigorous, globally recognized education from the earliest years through secondary school."

Founded in 1937, EARJ operates as a private, independent, coeducational, and non-denominational day school with a mission rooted in academic excellence, international-mindedness, and the development of the whole child. Its long history in Rio reflects a deep commitment to serving the city's diverse international and local communities alike. EARJ holds the distinction of being a full IB World Continuum school, meaning students can progress seamlessly through all three International Baccalaureate programmes offered at the school: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the Diploma Programme (DP). Alongside this IB framework, EARJ delivers an American-style curriculum, giving graduates a strong foundation that is recognized by universities in the United States, Brazil, and around the world. This combination of American educational traditions and internationally benchmarked IB programming makes EARJ particularly well suited for families who move frequently and need confidence that their children's credentials will travel with them. The school serves students from Nursery through Grade 12, welcoming children of all nationalities across its two campuses. In the 2023–24 academic year, EARJ enrolled 1,352 students, supported by a teaching faculty of 236, reflecting a meaningful investment in personalized attention and instructional quality. The student body is genuinely international in character, drawing together the children of diplomats, expatriate professionals, multinational executives, and Brazilian families who value a global education — a mix that enriches classroom discussions and builds cross-cultural understanding as a natural part of daily school life. EARJ operates across two campuses situated in distinct neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro: Gávea and Barra da Tijuca. Gávea is one of Rio's most established and leafy residential areas, nestled near the Tijuca Forest and close to the city's cultural and academic heart. Barra da Tijuca, to the west, is a modern, rapidly growing district that has become home to many international and professional families. Together, the two campuses extend EARJ's reach across the city, giving families options depending on where they live or plan to settle. As a U. S. State Department assisted school, EARJ has formal ties to the American diplomatic community, underscoring both its credibility and its long-standing role as a home away from home for American families abroad. The school's non-profit structure further signals that its priorities are educational rather than commercial, with resources directed toward programs, faculty, and campus facilities. For relocating families weighing their options in Rio de Janeiro, EARJ offers a rare combination: the stability of an institution nearly 90 years in the making, the academic rigor of a full IB World Continuum school, and the warmth of a diverse community that understands the particular joys and challenges of international life.