Three routes, three different logics
There is no better route in the abstract. There is a route that fits the child, the family's intended permanence and the years in which the children will be in the United States.
- International schools — international curriculum and a multilingual environment, with enrolment windows and waiting lists
- American private schools — the local curriculum, in an environment with smaller groups and a wide range of profiles
- Public schools — the district is defined by the address, and so the choice of school and the choice of house become one decision
The enrolment calendar does not wait for the move
Enrolment in the most sought-after schools is decided months before the school year begins, and the assessment process includes documents, interviews and, frequently, an English evaluation. A family that starts looking after the visa is approved usually arrives after the window.
In practice, the school research begins at the same time as the neighbourhood research, not after it.
Starting in the middle of the school year
It is possible, and it is common. What changes is the support around the child: language, friendship and rhythm. Families that arrive mid-year benefit from planning the first term around integration rather than around performance.
What to look at during a visit
- Who the child's class and teachers will actually be
- How the school supports students who arrive without fluent English
- Turn times, transport and where the school sits inside the family's commute
- Continuity: what happens if the family returns to Brazil, or moves city
- The school's calendar, which does not always coincide with the Brazilian one
How we organise this front
We research and shortlist schools against the family's criteria, organise visits and remote conversations, and keep the enrolment calendar in the written plan, with dates. Admission decisions and assessments are the school's, and they are curricular, not commercial — no advisory can promise a place.
Frequently asked questions
Does my child need fluent English to be accepted?
Not always. Many international and private schools accept students who need language support, with an evaluation at the time of application. The requirement varies by school and by year of entry.
Can a foreign family enrol in a public school?
That depends on the child's immigration status and on the rules of the district. The analysis is done with the immigration attorney, case by case, before the address is chosen.
When should we start the school process?
As soon as the decision to move has a reasonable date. The most sought-after schools fill their classes months in advance, and the assessment takes time.
This guide is general orientation about how a relocation process is organised. It is not legal, tax or immigration advice, and it does not replace an analysis of your own case by a licensed professional in the United States. Regulated work is carried out by the licensed partners we introduce.
Tell us what your move requires.
We come back with a structured plan and the right specialists for your case.