Colégio e Curso pH

What Colégio e Curso pH does

Colégio e Curso pH is a private K-12 educational institution headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, founded in 1987 originally as a vestibular (university entrance exam) preparatory course and subsequently expanded into a full-service bilingual school. The institution operates 12 physical units across the municipalities of Rio de Janeiro (Barra, Botafogo x2, Freguesia, Ilha Pura/Barra Olímpica, Jockey/Leblon, Recreio, Tijuca x2) and Niterói (Icaraí x3, Piratininga), serving families with children from Educação Infantil (ages 4-5) through Ensino Médio (high school) as well as standalone Pré-Vestibular exam preparation at Botafogo II and Tijuca II. Since 2019, pH has operated as part of Grupo Salta, described as the largest basic education group in Brazil, which provides centralized technology infrastructure including the Atlas enrollment platform, Agenda Edu parent communication system, and Gupy HR platform.

The school's core educational proposition is built on three pedagogical pillars — Academic Excellence, Global Competencies, and Ethical Coexistence — delivered through the proprietary CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) bilingual methodology, which provides 50% English immersion at the Educação Infantil level and over 40% English delivery in Ensino Fundamental I. pH differentiates via a portfolio of specialized programs: the Olympic Program (POP/TOM) for math olympiad preparation, Maker labs equipped with laser cutters and 3D printers, the LIV (Laboratório Inteligência de Vida) socioemotional development curriculum, the Cicclo extracurricular partnership (founded by Olympic medalist Flavio Canto), the Mizzou Academy internationalization track from 9th grade onward, and the "Do pH para o Mundo" internationalization pathway including global career counseling and cultural immersion trips.

The revenue model is predominantly subscription-based recurring tuition, billed annually and segmented by education stage (Educação Infantil, Fundamental I, Fundamental II, Médio) and program type (regular vs. integral/full-day). Supplementary revenue streams include the Turmas de Medicina specialized medical-school track, Extracurricular/contraturno activities, and international immersion trips. Go-to-market is direct-to-family via in-person unit visits, WhatsApp and phone inquiries, school visit appointments, and the Atlas self-serve enrollment portal, supported by content marketing (Blog do pH, social media channels including Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Spotify) and community events (pH Conectado a Você webinars, Revista pH annual magazine). The organization employs 815 staff and is led by Diretora Geral Ana Luiza Stauffer and Diretor Pedagógico Filipe Couto.

Name

Colégio e Curso pH

Legal name

Colégio pH

Website

https://ph.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Colégio e Curso pH is a private K-12 bilingual school in Rio de Janeiro and Niterói, Brazil, operating 12 units serving families from early childhood through high school and Pré-Vestibular, as part of Grupo Salta, Brazil's largest basic education group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Language Immersion & Bilingual Private Schools (EDAJABAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG), K–12 Instructional Design & Curriculum Development Services (EDAGAKAA)

Keywords

• Bilingual K-12 education
• Private basic education
• Vestibular exam preparation
• Early childhood schooling
• Socioemotional learning programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Rio de Janeiro

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition - Educação Infantil: Tuition fees charged for bilingual early childhood education programs (Infantil 4 and Infantil 5 / Pré 1 and Pré 2), with half the school day conducted in English. Offered at multiple units.
2. Tuition - Ensino Fundamental I: Tuition for elementary school (Anos Iniciais) with CLIL-based bilingual program where more than 40% of class hours are delivered in English, integrated with the regular curriculum.
3. Tuition - Ensino Fundamental II: Tuition for middle school (Anos Finais, ages 11-14) covering a full academic curriculum plus extracurricular programs such as English For You, Mizzou Academy, and Olympic training.
4. Tuition - Ensino Médio: Tuition for high school covering the full Brazilian national curriculum (BNCC) with formative itineraries, Viva!, project-based programs (Project ONU, pACC, Ágora pH), and intensive ENEM/vestibular preparation.
5. Pré-Vestibular (Cursinho): Standalone pre-university / vestibular preparation course offered at Botafogo II and Tijuca II units, providing intensive ENEM and national vestibular exam preparation.
6. Full-Day (Integral) Program: Extended full-day school program available in Educação Infantil and Anos Iniciais, offering supervised lunch, homework support, reading time, guided play, sports, arts, and rest periods. A semi-integral option is also available.
7. Turmas de Medicina: Specialized high-school track for students aiming at medical school and other highly competitive university programs, with extended class hours, performance monitoring, themed mock exams, and content deepening in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and essay writing.
8. Extracurricular / Contraturno Activities: After-school activities in partnership with external institutions covering sports, music, arts, and technology, offered at the school's premises and available to both pH students and the broader community.
9. Internationalization Programs (Do pH para o Mundo): Global career counseling and cultural immersion trips (Passaporte pH), charged separately from regular tuition, providing international exposure and guidance for students pursuing higher education abroad.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Colégio e Curso pH operates a network of 12 private K-12 school units in Rio de Janeiro and Niterói, delivering bilingual education from Educação Infantil through Ensino Médio using the proprietary CLIL methodology, plus standalone Pré-Vestibular exam-preparation courses. Its pedagogical model is anchored on three pillars — Academic Excellence, Global Competencies, and Ethical Coexistence — and is delivered through signature programs including the LIV socioemotional curriculum, Maker Labs, POP Olympic training, and the Cicclo extracurricular partnership.

Product overview

Colégio e Curso pH operates as a comprehensive private educational institution offering a unified platform of educational services across 12 physical school units in Rio de Janeiro and Niterói, Brazil. The core product portfolio spans Early Childhood Education (bilingual), Elementary School (Fundamental I & II), and High School (Ensino Médio), with specialized test-preparation Pré-Vestibular courses. The institution is distinguished by its Bilingual Program (utilizing CLIL methodology), the integral schooling option, and specialized programs including POP (Olympic Program), Maker Space, LIV (Life Intelligence Lab), and the Cicclo extracurricular partnership. Internationalization pathways are supported through Mizzou Academy, English For You, and Do pH para o Mundo. All programs are anchored in three pedagogical pillars: Academic Excellence, Global Competencies, and Ethical Coexistence.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• POP – Programa Olímpico do pH: Olympic Program that stimulates academic curiosity and promotes Olympic culture in school, preparing students for national and international math competitions through TOM (Treinamento Olímpico de Matemática)
• Programa Maker
• Programa de Convivência
• Programa Bilíngue
• Mizzou Academy
• English For You
• Do pH para o Mundo
• Cicclo
• LIV – Laboratório Inteligência de Vida
• pACC – pH Arte, Ciência e Cultura
• Ágora pH
• Projeto ONU
• TOM – Treinamento Olímpico de Matemática
• Turmas de Medicina

Products and services

• Educação Infantil Bilíngue (Bilingual Early Childhood Education) Bilingual early-childhood education program for Infantil 4 and 5 (Pré 1 and Pré 2) where 50% of teaching time is delivered in English via the CLIL methodology, integrating Portuguese literacy with English language acquisition. Targeted at families in Rio de Janeiro and Niterói seeking preschool-age immersion.
• Ensino Fundamental I (Anos Iniciais) Elementary school program for Years 1-5 (ages 6-10) with bilingual instruction via CLIL methodology where over 40% of the curriculum is delivered in English, integrated with academic content and Portuguese literacy, plus access to Maker Labs, LIV, and an optional full-day schedule.
• Ensino Fundamental II (Anos Finais) Middle school program for Years 6-9 (ages 11-14) covering Portuguese, Mathematics, Sciences, History, Geography, Arts, English, Physical Education, Ethics, Maker, and Learning Workshops, with bilingual add-ons (English For You, Mizzou Academy) and the POP Olympic Preparation Program.
• Ensino Médio High school program (ages 15-17) integrating rigorous BNCC-aligned academic training with Global Competencies and Ethical Coexistence, formative itineraries (Viva!, Project ONU, pACC, Ágora pH), and intensive ENEM/vestibular preparation, with optional Turmas de Medicina specialized track.
• Curso Pré-Vestibular pH Standalone intensive pre-university exam preparation course for ENEM and major Brazilian vestibular exams, offered at the Botafogo II and Tijuca II units with in-depth content review, effective methodologies, and individualized monitoring for acceptance to top universities.
• Horário Integral (Full-Time Schedule) Full-day school option for Educação Infantil and Ensino Fundamental I combining supervised lunch, homework support, reading time, guided play, sports, arts, and rest periods, with a semi-integral option available. Targeted at families needing extended-day care and structured enrichment.
• Turmas de Medicina Specialized high-school track for students targeting medical-school and other highly competitive university programs, featuring expanded hours, performance monitoring, themed mock exams, and in-depth content in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and essay writing.
• Programa Bilíngue pH (CLIL Bilingual Program) Bilingual education program spanning all educational stages from Educação Infantil through Ensino Médio using the CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) methodology with progressive English intensity, supplemented by the English For You and Mizzou Academy options.
• Mizzou Academy Advanced international academic program available from 9th grade onwards, focusing on 21st-century skills (critical thinking, creativity, empathy, collaboration) with interdisciplinary content in English and preparation for proficiency exams and international university admissions.
• Do pH para o Mundo Internationalization program including Global Careers personalized guidance for studying abroad (in partnership with Daqui Pra Fora consultancy) and Passaporte pH national and international cultural and linguistic immersion trips, charged separately from regular tuition.
• POP – Programa Olímpico do pH (with TOM) Olympic Program stimulating academic curiosity and creating an Olympic culture at school, including TOM (Treinamento Olímpico de Matemática) for EFAF students preparing for national and international math olympiads; fosters creativity, resilience, and problem-solving competencies.
• Espaço Maker (Maker Space) Dedicated maker spaces with traditional and technological tools including laser cutters and 3D printers, supporting interdisciplinary project-based learning in programming, design, and engineering to develop 21st-century skills.
• Cicclo Extracurricular Program Extracurricular activities program in partnership with Cicclo 3C (created by Olympic medalist Flavinho Canto), offering sports (futsal, skate), dance, and programming activities at pH premises, emphasizing values of courage, humility, responsibility, respect, and overcoming; open to pH students and the broader community.
• LIV – Laboratório Inteligência de Vida Life Intelligence Laboratory program for socioemotional development, using engaging stories and characters to help students recognize and name basic emotions (fear, joy, sadness, anger, love) for emotional development and identity building from early childhood.
• Programa de Convivência (Ethical Coexistence Program) Ethical coexistence program structured on Piaget's development theories, including weekly Ethics Classes, Class Assemblies, Help Teams, Shared Concern Method for conflict resolution, and pH Conectado a Você family engagement events, promoting ethical autonomy, justice, and collective responsibility.
• pH Ilha Pura School Unit (Barra Olímpica) Newest pH school unit located at Av. Abraham Medina, 915 – Barra Olímpica, Rio de Janeiro, under unit director Daniel Noleto, delivering the standard K-12 bilingual program portfolio at the Olympic Zone location.

Quantifiable outcome

• Recognized nationally for ENEM and vestibular preparation, with students admitted to top Brazilian and international universities
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Daqui Pra ForacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDaqui Pra Fora is a consulting firm that provides personalized career counseling for students interested in pursuing higher education abroad. The partnership is part of the 'Do pH para o Mundo' internationalization program, offering orientation and guidance on international study opportunities for pH students.
• Cicclo (cicclo3c.com.br)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCicclo is a sports and extracurricular education platform founded by Olympic medalist Flavio Canto, offering activities such as futsal, skate, dance, and programming at pH school premises. The partnership provides extracurricular programs for pH students (and the broader community) integrating sports values and educational development, based on the Cicclo method inspired by Judô and Bushido (Samurai Code).
• Extracurricular Activity PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerColégio pH partners with recognized external institutions to offer after-school extracurricular activities (contraturno) in areas such as sports, music, arts, and technology, available at school premises and extending the school's offerings as a space for identity discovery and construction. These partnerships are open to both pH students and the general public.
• Mizzou AcademycoreTechnology or IntegrationMizzou Academy is an advanced English-language academic program offered from 9th grade onward, developed to build 21st-century skills (critical thinking, creativity, empathy, collaboration) and prepare students for English proficiency exams and international university admissions. The program is integrated into the school's upper-level curriculum as an internationalization pathway.
• Grupo SaltacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColégio pH is part of Grupo Salta, described as the largest basic education group in Brazil. Grupo Salta provides centralized management, technology infrastructure (including Atlas enrollment system, Agenda Edu communication platform, and Gupy HR platform), data protection compliance (LGPD), and strategic oversight for its member schools.
• IntervalorminorOthersIntervalor is a collections agency referenced on the school's contact page as the designated collections contact for billing-related matters (assessoria de cobrança), reachable at 0800 729 0178 and 0800 729 8766.
• Atlas (atlasedu.com.br)coreTechnology or IntegrationAtlas is the enrollment and learning management platform provided by Grupo Salta for its member schools, including pH. It serves as the primary online portal for student enrollment, campaign management, and student information processing.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Colégio Santo Agostinho: Catholic private K-12 network in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo with bilingual tracks and strong ENEM results. Direct regional competitor to pH in Rio's premium private school segment.
• Colégio Bernoulli: High-performance K-12 and pré-vestibular system in Belo Horizonte and other Brazilian cities, operated by Ânima Educação. Comparable as a multi-unit premium K-12 + prep-course operator with an outcomes-driven brand.
• Colégio Santo Américo: International/bilingual private K-12 school in São Paulo offering IB and Cambridge tracks, comparable to pH's bilingual CLIL methodology and Mizzou Academy internationalization pathway. Same premium bilingual positioning in Brazil.
• Colégio Visconde de Porto Seguro: Premium bilingual K-12 school in São Paulo with comprehensive Educação Infantil through Ensino Médio plus strong international-university placement orientation. Closely comparable bilingual/maker/international positioning to pH.
• Colégio São Bento: Traditional Catholic private K-12 school in Rio de Janeiro with strong ENEM/vestibular results and a comparable premium reputation. Direct competitor in the same Rio catchment for families seeking elite private school outcomes.
• Colégio Bandeirantes: Premium private K-12 school in São Paulo with strong bilingual programs and a similarly broad educational offering (infantil through médio plus pré-vestibular). Comparable as a high-tuition Brazilian private school competing for the same upper-middle-class family segment with a similar academic-outcome brand promise.
• Escola Graduada (São Paulo): Historic premium private K-12 school in São Paulo with bilingual programs and international placement focus. Comparable in tier, longevity, and bilingual/outcomes positioning to pH.
• Colégio Porto Seguro (Vila Mariana): Long-established premium private K-12 school in São Paulo with bilingual programs and a multi-decade brand, comparable to pH in tier and positioning within Brazil's premium private education market.

Emerging players

• Maple Bear Brazilian Schools: Brazilian franchise network of bilingual schools using a Canadian English-immersion methodology. Comparable to pH in the bilingual-school segment but at a different scale and via a franchise model rather than proprietary CLIL delivery.

Others

• Grupo Salta (other brands): Parent-group peer: sister schools under the same Grupo Salta umbrella share the Atlas, Agenda Edu, and Gupy infrastructure. Relevant as direct intra-network benchmarks for unit economics, enrollment funnel, and program portability.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/EstudiopH2011/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/ColegiopH
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/colegioecursoph
• Instagraminstagram.com/colegioph_oficial
• TikToktiktok.com/@colegioph

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

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 Colégio e Curso pH