Educational approach
A social constructivist approach with the student at the centre. Students ask, investigate, create and share, in English and Portuguese.
Here, children experiment, investigate and act, living experiences in English and Portuguese that support their all-round development.
Bilingual learning
At Sphere, English is not just another lesson. English and Portuguese are both languages of instruction, and content is learned through both.
≈80%of the day in English
Immersion happens through interaction, play, music and daily routines, at the age when children pick up a language most naturally.
PTleads during literacy
As children learn to read and write, time in English decreases and Portuguese takes the lead, with literature as a key ally.
Home languages matter too. Book Club encourages reading in English, in Portuguese and in each student's mother tongue.
Educational approach
The inquiry cycle is the student’s learning process!
Reflecting on personal understanding
At Sphere, teachers and students both hold knowledge. Teachers begin an activity by asking students what they already know about a topic. This first conversation is tuning in, and through it teachers find out how each student prefers to learn about the theme and the best way for them to truly learn it.
From Early Childhood onwards, students come to understand which academic strategies they need, and each of them grows in self-knowledge to manage that learning better. Sphere students manage their own learning, under the supervision of their teacher, in a well-organised way, because teachers assess learning in every activity.
At this stage, teachers help students sort out the information and go further into the content, because knowledge never stays on the surface (academic rigour). Students are asked questions about the topic and, from there, begin making conclusions. Students research! They learn! They know what it is for! And how they can use it in everyday life!
Through the inquiry cycle, students learn exactly what something is for and how it will change or affect their lives, and from there they are able to take action.
For example: if students are learning about the oceans, they go through the whole inquiry process and come to understand the concept. In their research they may come across ocean pollution, and begin to see how they can become agents of change through recycling, helping to clean up the ocean. This is a simple example of how information becomes knowledge and knowledge becomes action.
The goal of the Sphere International School educational approach is to develop young leaders who will make a difference in the world, whatever path they choose.
Up to Year 5, History, Geography and Science are not taught as separate lessons. They come together in broad themes, explored in English and Portuguese, that connect the Brazilian curriculum with the international one. Every unit begins by listening to what students already know.
In practice
The question came from a K3 class of three-year-olds. Hypotheses followed, then observation of nature, attempts to build an ant farm and new questions. Observing, questioning, experimenting and rethinking ideas is early scientific thinking from the very first years.
As reported by Revista Circuito in July 2026. (opens in a new tab)The Sphere Way
Ten attributes guide teaching practice and student development at every stage.
Curriculum
The curriculum integrates the Brazilian national curriculum (BNCC) with the international frameworks of IB programmes. To follow learning closely, the school sets its own assessments in every subject area.
Sphere Granja Viana works so that every student is able to:
For themselves and their own learning, making choices, acting and reflecting on their actions.
And to the environment, respectfully and collaboratively.
And calculate using personal, innovative and conventional strategies.
Critically produce different kinds of text, with clarity, coherence and awareness of context and audience.
Digital information and communication technologies, used ethically, meaningfully, critically and reflectively.
Orally, with clarity and confidence, using multiple forms of expression.
Attitudes and strategies of scientific inquiry across every field of knowledge.
Classrooms with interactive whiteboards, tablets and Chromebooks, plus the Design Lab, built for technology and Design Thinking projects.
Assessment
Assessment is introduced gradually from Year 2. Throughout each term, teachers observe, set assessment activities and adjust course.
The school follows each student's development and helps them move forward.
School-wide projects
Ongoing projects connected to student agency, sustainability, cultural diversity and social responsibility.
Encourages reading in English, in Portuguese and in each student's mother tongue.
Class assemblies every two weeks to listen, take a position and find shared solutions.
Social action that builds awareness of everyone's part in changing the world around them.
Ongoing collection of recyclable materials, reused in school projects.
Educators
Valuing teachers is one of the pillars of our approach. Sphere's teacher development programme includes:
Families
Families take part in school life, not just from the audience. At the Student-Led Conference, instead of hearing the school talk about their child, families listen to the student present their work, achievements, challenges and goals.
Students prepare and present their learning journey to their parents.
Saturdays on the calendar with Family Day, Book Fair, Festa Junina, STEAM Festival and International Party.
A meeting at the start of the school year, further meetings at the end of the first and second terms, and talks throughout the year.
Parents and relatives share their knowledge in everyday school life.
What has your child been discovering?
Bring that story to our conversation.
Book a visit
Talk to our team about learning, bilingual education and the stages of school life.
