ESCOLA PEN LIFE

What ESCOLA PEN LIFE does

PEN Life International School (Escola PEN Life) is a private Brazilian international school located in São Bernardo do Campo in the ABC region of São Paulo, operating on a purpose-built campus of more than 30,000 square meters that includes multimodal classrooms, a sports complex, a cultural complex, a 500+ capacity theater (Teatro PEN Life), parks, forests, and an organic farm. The school serves families with children from nursery (Berçário) through high school (Ensino Médio), offering a dual Brazilian-American curriculum that enables graduates to receive both a Brazilian diploma and a US High School diploma, supported by Cambridge Assessment certification and ENAC assessments through the Sistema Etapa academic backbone.

The school's core pedagogical framework is Educação Positiva (Positive Education), which integrates three disciplines — Neuroscience, Positive Psychology, and Pedagogy — aligned with the Mind, Brain and Education (MBE) initiative from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education. On top of the academic program, PEN Life layers imported supra-academic curricula including SEE Learning (from Emory University), Character.org's eleven principles of character education, Parentalidade Positiva (parent education), and Coaching Educacional (social-emotional coaching for students). A Guidance Counselor supports college applications and international scholarship placement.

The business model is recurring subscription tuition across all five educational levels, supplemented by an optional After School Program (sports, culture, technology, scouting via Escoteiros do Brasil), with an extended full-day schedule of approximately 8 to 8.5 hours. The school markets directly to consumers via its website, blog, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, newsletter, scheduled campus visits, and an annual Concurso de Bolsas scholarship competition that doubles as an enrollment funnel. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; families are directed to schedule campus visits to receive tuition information.

Name

ESCOLA PEN LIFE

Legal name

PEN Life International School

Website

https://penlife.com.br

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

PEN Life International School is a private Brazilian international school in São Bernardo do Campo serving families with children from nursery through high school, offering dual Brazilian-American certification through a Positive Education methodology integrating neuroscience, positive psychology, and pedagogy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Private International Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Bilingual & Language-Immersion Early Learning Academies (EDACADAG)

Keywords

• International school education
• Bilingual curriculum programs
• Positive education methodology
• Dual diploma certification
• Social emotional learning

Headquarters

HQ city

São Bernardo do Campo

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition - Berçário (Nursery): Tuition fees for nursery/creche level education covering full-day international integral program from early morning entry (7:00-8:00) until afternoon (15:30-16:00).
2. Tuition - Educação Infantil (Early Childhood Education): Tuition fees for early childhood education with dual Brazilian-American curriculum, character education, and extended school day.
3. Tuition - Ensino Fundamental I & II (Elementary & Middle School): Tuition fees for elementary and middle school levels with international curriculum, ENAC assessments, and comprehensive academic program.
4. Tuition - Ensino Médio (High School): Tuition fees for high school with dual certification (Brazilian diploma and US High School diploma), college counseling (Guidance Counselor), and international preparation.
5. After School Program: Extended activities program including sports, culture, technology, and scouting (Escoteiros), offered as optional paid add-on after regular school hours.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

PEN Life International School is a private K-12 international school in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, offering full-day education from nursery (Berçário) through high school (Ensino Médio). The school delivers dual Brazilian and American curriculum with dual diploma certification, integrating Positive Education methodology based on neuroscience, positive psychology, and pedagogy. Tuition-based enrollment is the core offering, complemented by an After School Program with sports, culture, technology, and scouting activities.

Product overview

ESCOLA PEN LIFE is an international school in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, offering an integrated educational system from nursery to high school. The core offering is a dual certification program combining Brazilian and American curricula. The school operates on Positive Education principles integrating neuroscience, positive psychology, and pedagogy. Key programs include: Positive Education (core approach combining Brazilian and American curriculum with dual certification), International School Program (providing US High School diploma alongside Brazilian completion), SEE Learning (social-emotional-ethical learning), Parentalidade Positiva (parent education), After School Program (extracurricular activities), Coaching Educacional (student support), Wellness Program, and Character Education. The school also features extensive infrastructure including Teatro PEN Life, sports complex, parks, and natural areas on over 30,000 m².

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Berçário (Nursery) Education Full-day nursery/creche level education for infants and toddlers with Positive Education principles from birth, operating from early morning entry (7:00-8:00) to afternoon exit (15:30-16:00). Combines childcare with early social-emotional development and bilingual exposure.
• Educação Infantil (Early Childhood Education) Early childhood education integrating Brazilian curriculum with international methodologies, Positive Education, play-based learning, and whole-child development for preschool-age children.
• Ensino Fundamental I (Elementary School) Elementary school education combining Brazilian and American curricula with emphasis on literacy, numeracy, critical thinking, autonomy, and character building. Includes ENAC assessments and continued socio-emotional development.
• Ensino Fundamental II (Middle School) Middle school education with international perspective, ENAC assessments, and comprehensive academic program addressing adolescent developmental challenges while maintaining character education.
• Ensino Médio (High School) High school education culminating in dual certification (Brazilian diploma and US High School diploma), with college counseling through a Guidance Counselor supporting Brazilian and international university admissions, SAT/ACT preparation, and scholarship applications.
• After School Program Optional paid add-on extended activities program offered to enrolled families after regular school hours, including sports, culture, technology, and scouting (Escoteiros) activities.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Sistema EtapacoreTechnology or IntegrationSistema Etapa provides the core academic teaching methodology and structure for PEN Life's educational program. The partnership delivers the 'spinal column' of learning goals, helping teachers and students build understanding through comprehensive reading materials, exercises, and carefully planned reviews aligned with MBE physiological learning principles. The system includes ENAC (Exame Nacional de Avaliação do Conhecimento) assessments for measuring student progress.
• Cambridge Assessment / Cambridge Preparation CentrecoreTechnology or IntegrationCambridge certification partnership providing international English language assessment and credentialing. The Prep Centre logo appears prominently on the school website, indicating Cambridge as a key international certification partner for English language proficiency.
• GeniumsupportingTechnology or IntegrationEducational platform partner whose logo appears on the school website as part of the partner ecosystem supporting the international education program.
• Character.orgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational character education organization headquartered in Washington, DC. PEN Life follows the eleven principles of Character.org for its character education program, making all educational actors participants in building an ecosystem of positive character references for children and youth.
• SEE Learning (Emory University / CASEL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial, Emotional, and Ethical Education program developed at a university in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. SEE Learning addresses three dimensions: personal, social, and big system (how each child can contribute to society). The program is part of the core supra-academic Positive Education offering at PEN Life.
• Escoteiros do Brasil (Scouting)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerScouting program (Escoteiros) is offered as part of the After School Program, providing character development and outdoor education activities. PEN Life hosts a scouting headquarters at the school, integrating traditional scouting values with the school's broader educational mission.
• eDigitalsupportingTechnology or IntegrationDigital platform partner whose logo appears in the partners section of the PEN Life website, supporting the school's digital infrastructure and educational technology needs.
• PreferencialsupportingTechnology or IntegrationPayment platform partner whose logo appears in the partners section, facilitating tuition payment and financial transactions for families.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Colégio Bandeirantes: Premium São Paulo K-12 school with strong university-prep track and international programs. Comparable to PEN Life on competitive premium positioning in greater São Paulo, with international certification and Guidance Counselor-style college prep.
• Maple Bear Canadian School: Brazil-based network of bilingual international schools delivering Canadian curriculum and immersion programs. Comparable to PEN Life as a premium international bilingual school serving Brazilian families seeking foreign curriculum pathways.
• Avenues: The World School (São Paulo campus): Global network of premium international schools with a São Paulo campus offering project-based and globally-oriented curriculum. Comparable to PEN Life on premium positioning, integrated international curriculum, and full-day programs.
• Chapel School: International school in São Paulo offering bilingual curriculum and international certifications from early years through High School. Comparable to PEN Life on end-to-end international education pipeline serving affluent São Paulo families.
• British College of Brazil (Colégio Britânico): British international school in São Paulo offering dual Brazilian-British certification. Comparable to PEN Life on dual-diploma international pathway, premium positioning, and English-language immersion programs.
• Escola Concept: Bilingual international school in greater São Paulo with dual curriculum and socio-emotional education emphasis. Comparable to PEN Life on bilingual international model and family-oriented premium positioning.
• Graded – The American School of São Paulo: American curriculum international school in São Paulo offering a US High School diploma alongside Brazilian certification. Closely comparable to PEN Life on dual-diploma positioning, international methodology, and affluent São Paulo family target market.
• Colégio Visconde de Porto Seguro: Premium private school in São Paulo with bilingual/international programs and extensive infrastructure. Comparable to PEN Life on full-day programs, English immersion, and capital-intensive campus model serving upper-middle-class families.
• St. Paul's School (São Paulo): Long-established premium international school in São Paulo offering British-style and international curricula from early years through High School. Comparable to PEN Life on full-stack private international education for affluent São Paulo families.
• Pan American Christian Academy (PACA): International Christian school in São Paulo with American-style curriculum, English immersion, and university-prep focus. Comparable to PEN Life on American-influenced international curriculum and São Paulo private-school competitive set.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCAzBO6JmpQeq6TKf3Y-NKjw
• Facebookfacebook.com/penlifeschool
• Instagraminstagram.com/penlifeschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pen-life-international-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ESCOLA PEN LIFE