The selection process of St. Paul’s Foudation represents the first step in a journey that can open doors to new academic and personal pathways. Through well-defined criteria, the Foundation seeks to identify students with strong potential, dedication and a genuine desire to learn, who are ready to make the most of the opportunities offered by St. Paul’s School and whose families are not able to afford an international education of excellence such as that provided by the school. Below, we explain the main participation criteria that candidates must meet in order to take part in the selection process.
School enrolment and age range
The programme is aimed at students aged between 11 and 13 years old, who are duly enrolled in a public or private school in Greater São Paulo. This age range ensures that candidates are at an appropriate stage of academic and personal development, while also allowing for a more accurate assessment of their motivation, resilience and ability to adapt to an environment different from the one they are used to.
Entering the school at this stage also enables scholarship recipients to join during a strategic period, giving them sufficient time to prepare to complete the two diplomas offered by St. Paul’s in the final four academic years – the IB and the IGCSE.
Distance
The criterion of a maximum commuting time of 1 hour and 30 minutes between the candidate’s residence and St. Paul’s aims to ensure a healthy balance between study, rest and family life. A viable commute directly contributes to academic performance and to the student’s overall quality of life throughout the school year. In addition, this requirement supports effective participation in the selection process, which is carried out in person at all of its stages.
School reports and academic consistency
School reports from two academic years allow for the observation of the candidate’s consistency in performance and attendance, as well as how they deal with academic challenges over time. Strong results across all assessment periods and the absence of any failed years indicate commitment, responsibility and the ability to maintain a structured study routine – essential skills for a demanding and dynamic school environment such as St. Paul’s School.
Family income
The analysis of the family’s socioeconomic situation is one of the pillars of the Scholarship Programme. St. Paul’s Foudation currently establishes a maximum family income of four minimum wages per capita and periodically reviews whether students continue to meet the established criteria. This requirement ensures that the Foundation’s support is directed towards families who, without this assistance, would not be able to afford the costs of an education such as that offered by St. Paul’s.
Each application is assessed individually, taking into account the family’s socioeconomic context. Throughout the selection process, detailed documentation is requested to support this analysis.
Knowledge of the English language
Proficiency in the English language is essential for the student’s academic success. Although full fluency is not required, candidates must have a solid foundation in the language, sufficient to ensure comprehension of lessons, participation in activities and effective adaptation to an environment in which English is the primary means of communication.
Talents and extracurricular skills
The demonstration of talents in areas such as music, arts, drama or sports may be considered a positive differential in the selection process, although it is not mandatory. Regardless, the main focus remains on the candidate’s academic potential, motivation and commitment to their educational journey.
Understanding each criterion also allows candidates to reflect on their own background, goals and dedication to their studies. For those who identify with this profile, the selection process represents an opportunity for a journey of growth, learning and transformation.