A Deputy Pedro Costa State School, located in Tucuruvi, in the North Zone of São Paulo, is among the three finalists in one of the categories of the World's Best Schools Awards, in English, World's Best School Awards, in 2024. The school is a pioneer in chess, track and field, and artistic gymnastics programs.

The Chess Project, launched by Professor Leonardo Alcântara, uses the game as a tool to enhance cognitive and social interaction skills, teaching students to think about the future and consider the consequences of their actions both on and off the board. Similarly, the track and field and artistic gymnastics programs, introduced by teacher Luiz Fernando Junqueira, aim not only at physical development but also at building resilience and teamwork.

According to the award organizers, these programs have proven successful, as evidenced by the increase in student participation in national competitions and greater community cohesion. Parents and local organizations are actively involved, supporting the programs not only by attending events but also by participating in them and in workshops, which demonstrates the impact of the school’s initiatives on the local community.

The school is competing in the Community Collaboration category and could win $10,000, the equivalent of about R$55,000. The other finalists in the category are Colegio María de Guadalupe, from Argentina, and Community School Salomé Ureña, from the United States.

Award

The award was established by T4 Education, with support from the Lemann Foundation, Accenture, and American Express, in 2022, to highlight schools that can share their best practices around the world. The award has five categories: Community Collaboration, Environmental Action, Innovation, Overcoming Adversity, and Promoting Healthy Lifestyles.

This year, the winner of each of the five awards will be announced in October. They will be selected by a jury panel composed of academics, educators, NGOs, social entrepreneurs, government representatives, civil society members, and private-sector representatives from various countries.  

In addition, the winner of the Community Choice Award—determined by public vote—will be granted membership in “Best School to Work,” a program designed to support school administration, particularly in the recruitment and retention of teachers.

The winners and finalists of the World’s Best Schools Awards will be invited to the World Schools Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which will take place on November 23 and 24. The event will bring together global education leaders, as well as those considered the world’s best schools.

Source: Agência Brasil.

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