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 The Pan American School (PAS) follows a comprehensive and challenging curriculum sensitive to the history and cultures of countries around the world. The resulting academic program draws on elements of many systems of education and serves Brazilian and International students at every level. The school culture emphasizes the intellectual and moral growth of students as they absorb the values of the school – an appreciation for diversity, a commitment to excellence, and intellectual self-reliance and responsibility.The American style curriculum, based within the frameworks of an International curriculum, embraces the American philosophy of educating the whole child with a program that provides for physical, artistic, personal and social development. The values of respect, responsibility and honesty are nurtured throughout the school, enriched by international perspective. Organized into divisions to ensure developmental age-appropriate settings, PAS provides challenging and engaging learning experiences in all core subject areas. The high school (Gr 9-12) and middle school (Gr 6-8) emphasize contemporary methods such as curriculum integration, team teaching, and independent study and offers a varied program to meet individual needs. An inter-disciplinary team approach provides an education that is both rigorous and personalized. Students come to assume a greater responsibility for their own learning and decision making. They follow a smooth path toward bilingual literacy while learning the necessary skills to compete academically and profesionally in today’s world. The elementary school (Gr 1-5) uses a program of inquiry and teaches core skills while developing critical thinking and providing enrichment opportunities for all students. The curriculum is based on widely accepted US and International Standards and Best Practices. Experiential learning opportunities, learning by doing, are integrated throughout the curriculum creating an atmosphere where students are encouraged to take educational risks. The early childhood program (ages 3-5) emphasizes language development and honors individual differences, taking each child from where they are and guiding their continuous progress as they explore and experiment in the world around them. Children develop at their own pace with developmentally appropriate modeling and guidance. The experienced and qualified faculty is closely involved with students, not only in the classroom, but also as advisors, mentors, coaches and friends. They work to foster an atmosphere of authentic learning that encourages students to engage in rigorous intellectual activity and independent thought. The school and its faculty is strongly committed to bringing an international and multi-cultural perspective into all aspects of school life. A strong partnership between school and family provides an environment of openness, responsiveness, and communication – an environment that places the well-being of the student at the center. CURRICULUM The Pan American School follows an American and international curriculum underpinned by a developmental philosophy. The program takes place in small class settings with no class having more than 24 students and the language of instruction is English. Small class sizes allow for cooperative learning as well as individualized instruction. In addition to the core subjects of Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, Portuguese and Brazilian History, students have instruction in Art, Music, Physical Education and Information Technology, as well as access to computers in each classroom and two computer laboratories. BRAZILIAN PROGRAM The Brazilian Program is designed to follow the basic curriculum in accordance with the teaching norms established by Rio Grande do Sul’s Department of Education. Grammar, Literature and Brazilian Social Studies are taught in Portuguese. PAS is accredited by the Secretaria de Educação as a Brazilian School through High School. ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE The school offers an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) program for all grade levels. The goal of this program is to enable students to participate successfully in those classes where English is the language of instruction. The program stresses English language development both in the content areas and as a medium of thought. The program is structured on an individual basis depending upon the student's background and ability. EFL students participate in all components of the curriculum. PORTUGUESE AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE The school offers a Portuguese as a Foreign Language (PFL) program to those students who are non-Portuguese speakers as Portuguese is a compulsory component of our curriculum. The goal is to ultimately integrate these students into the required Brazilian components of the school’s curriculum. AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM The After School Program is designed to offer enrichment and extension programs after 3:30 pm. The program involves the arts, sports and languages and runs Mondays to Fridays using both the school site and an adjacent sports facility. New activities are continually being added to it. FIELD TRIPS As a valuable extension of the classroom experience, a number of field trips are undertaken all of which meet educational objectives of classroom programs. To participate in field trips students are required to bring notes of permission which have been prepared by the teacher and signed by parents. The permission slip will be personalized accurately describing destination, purpose of trip and time of departure and other relevant details. |