News: An Urban Adventure at St. Nicholas School in Brazil - Oct 12, 2017
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Thursday, October 12, 2017School Spotlights

An Urban Adventure at St. Nicholas School in Brazil

Perhaps you’re looking for a cosmopolitan international experience as you search for your next job at a high-caliber international school; if that that sounds appealing, St. Nicholas School, located in downtown São Paulo, is now on the Search Associates registry and offers just that. The school is located in a high-income, high-rise residential area four kilometers from the city center, with excellent transport links to the rest of the vibrant city. Founded in 1980, St. Nicholas School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, offering the Primary Years Program, the Diploma Programme, the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE,) and courses that allow Brazilian students to graduate with a Brazilian diploma. Of the 565 K–12 students, 50% are Brazilian, and the other half comprises students representing 30 other nationalities. Accredited by Brazilian National Education, the school retains a teaching staff of 60, half of whom are Brazilian with 17 teachers from the U.K. and North America.

In addition to sports, art, and other more conventional extracurricular activities, St. Nicholas School students take part in unique life skills trips from Year 4 to Year 10. Thanks to these outdoor adventures, students develop the ability to approach, as the school’s website says, “unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles.” Activities range from exploring underground cave systems to canoeing, hiking, and rock climbing.

St. Nicholas School prefers to hire singles, couples with a non-teaching spouse, and interns. They would also consider hiring teaching couples, married or not, and experienced teachers certified in a non-English-speaking country. Teachers must possess an academic degree in the subject they will be teaching. The school says, “We look to employ the best teachers available.” This includes exceptional newly-certified teachers as well as outstanding, experienced teachers lacking certification. However, in these cases, teachers must have already obtained a Brazilian visa under different circumstances, as Brazil requires three years of experience and certification to obtain a teaching visa. The school mentions that there are local opportunities for non-teaching spouses. There is no age limit to obtain a work visa in Brazil.

The St. Nicholas School salary and benefits package amounts to savings. Housing, provided in condominiums in a gated community walking distance from the school, includes all furniture, appliances, kitchenware, and bedding. Teachers with dependents receive a 100% tuition benefit for up to two children, and round trip airfare is awarded every two years. St. Nicholas offers professional development opportunities and local health insurance, covering dental, life insurance, and long-term disability. A retirement plan to which the school contributes 8% is another excellent benefit. Finally, local opportunities are available for non-teaching spouses.

To gain access to St. Nicholas School’s full profile on the Search Associates database, including a list of all open positions, candidates can apply for membership by clicking here. Candidates already registered can easily access the school profile directly through their dashboard.

Please Note: The information presented about this school was valid on the date published. This information may change, and the most up-to-date information can be found on the school profile.


Did You Know…?

Senior Associate Gary MacPhie is based in Toronto, Canada where he started his teaching career, and then spent 26 years overseas as a teacher, principal and recruiter in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.