Graded School

“I can show you the world, shining, shimmering, splendid…” ✨

The Graded community was treated to more than just three wishes with a magical staging of Disney’s Aladdin Jr.

From beautiful renditions of beloved songs and energetic choreography to intricate set design, vibrant costumes, and scene-stealing comedic performances, this production was worthy of a magic carpet ride.

Congratulations to the cast and crew, parent and staff volunteers, and especially to co-directors Manuela B. and Gustavo B., whose vision and dedication made Graded’s first student-directed musical a huge success. 🧞

This production was sponsored by the Graded Annual Fund.

This year’s middle school Battle of the Books was a real page-turner!⁠
⁠
This literary showdown brought students together over several rounds of competition, where teams tested their knowledge of selected titles through fast-paced trivia battles.⁠
⁠
After weeks of reading and competition featuring Alone, Space Case, Kareem Between, Blood in the Water, and War Games, the Bookaholics and team NALEXAN faced off in the Haddad Center on Monday, with the Bookaholics retaining their title of champions for the third year in a row. ⁠
⁠
Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Battle a success, especially the Graded Annual Fund, which provided all 90 copies of this year’s titles for the teams to read!

Warm bowls, warm soup, and an even warmer Graded. ♥️

Last week, our community gathered for the Hearty Bowls Dinner, a special evening organized by Lucinha Ariani and the Hearty Bowls student club in support of ACTC - Casa do Coração.

Guests shared soups from around the world and took home handcrafted ceramic bowls created throughout the year by Graded students, parents, faculty, and staff. Each bowl represented not only artistic effort, but also the care and generosity behind this long-standing tradition.

All proceeds from the event support children and adolescents undergoing heart treatment in São Paulo through ACTC.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the evening so heartwarming.

Our Graded Eagles soared at the AASB Middle School National Tournament, showing teamwork, resilience, and incredible school spirit throughout the weekend!

Check out their results:

🏐Boys Volleyball
🥇1st Place - Nationals

🏐Girls Volleyball
Graded A - 4th Place - Division 3
Graded B - 4th Place - Division 4

📣Cheer 
🥈2nd Place - Nationals

⚽Girls Futsal 
🥇Graded A - 1st Place - Nationals
Graded B - 4th Place - Division 2

⚽Boys Futsal 
🥈Graded A - 2nd Place - Nationals
Graded B - 4th Place - Division 4

Congratulations to all of our athletes and coaches for a great performance.

🦅Go Eagles!

Last week marked a special milestone: the 20th anniversary launch of this year’s Vivas Palavras.

As part of Brazilian Literature Week at Graded, students in grades 4–11 gathered for three special assemblies to celebrate this annual literary project, which features students’ short stories, poems, and illustrations inspired by the theme “Celebrar e Resistir” (Celebrate and Resist).

With submissions in both Portuguese and Spanish, the book highlights the creativity, reflection, and voices of our community. Students only found out their work had been selected during the assemblies, making each event full of surprise, excitement, and applause. After each assembly, students participated in autograph sessions with family and friends.

Seniors who contributed to this year’s Vivas Palavras edition will be celebrated during their Senior Week later this month. 

Congratulations to all the authors and artists!

Before grade 4 students began designing their own sustainable schools, they took a closer look at the one where they learn every day.⁠
⁠
As part of their “If I Built a Sustainable School” project, students began with a sustainability tour of Graded’s campus, exploring real examples of how schools can reduce waste and water use, conserve energy, and help communities make environmentally responsible choices.⁠
⁠
They learned about Graded’s solar panel-powered and rainwater collection kiosks, electric car charging stations, specialty recycling collections, and composting bins (which can process 16,000 kg of organic waste per year!). ⁠
⁠
Students then walked to the Athletics Center to see rainwater stored in the basement for flushing toilets and climbed to the roof to view two solar heating systems—one for the swimming pool and another for the locker room showers.⁠
⁠
Using the Engineering Design Process (Ask, Explore, Model, Evaluate, and Explain), students developed and refined their ideas. They brainstormed, tested solutions, and created models using recycled materials that demonstrated creative ways schools could conserve energy, reduce waste, or generate clean power.⁠
⁠
Finally, the fourth graders reflected on their learning by writing opinion pieces explaining why their sustainable schools should be built. To close out the unit, families were invited to a Learning Celebration where students presented their models, shared the surprises and challenges they encountered during the learning process, and explained how their understanding of sustainability evolved.

: Cristiano C., grade 11 student⁠
⁠
“I’ve been here since second grade. It’s hard to sum it up in one sentence, but I think what I love most about the school is the international community. You’re constantly surrounded by different perspectives, and that shapes how you see the world.⁠
⁠
I like all my classes, but math is probably my favorite. There are always multiple ways to interpret a problem, and I like applying that to real life. It’s not just theory—you’re observing your surroundings and figuring things out in a practical way. ⁠
⁠
I’m a leader in Comida Sem Mesa, a service project where we distribute Graded’s leftover lunch food to people in need. I help organize logistics—everything from choosing more sustainable packaging to building partnerships with NGOs. We’re also working to expand the project to other schools and communities.⁠
⁠
Not long ago, Brazil was on the world hunger map. Work like this contributes, even in a small way, to changing that. And beyond that, it shows people that they can take action. If something doesn’t feel right, you can actually do something about it.⁠
⁠
I also try to be involved in improving the school, even though I’m not formally part of the student council. I go to meetings, talk to administrators, and share ideas. I try to understand people and perspectives from different groups and bring those voices together. A lot of that comes from thinking about the future. My younger sister is in fourth grade, and she still has years ahead of her here. The world is changing quickly, and schools need to evolve with it. I want to help improve things not just for myself, but for the students who come after me. ⁠
⁠
I don’t know exactly what I want to do in the future yet, but I do know that I want to understand people better. I think there’s so much to learn about how we connect with each other. Connections are everything. I like to be there for people whenever I can. If someone needs help, I try to show up. You can usually find me at a table in the B Wing.”

The Talon made headlines in the Student Center last week with a special printed edition—bringing student stories off the screen and into readers’ hands.⁠
⁠
This year marks the 25th anniversary of The Talon, Graded’s student-run publication. Founded in 2001 by Mr. Barry Dequane simply because “it sounded like fun,” The Talon began as a small monthly print publication, with students working together to tell the stories that mattered to their peers.⁠
⁠
It has since evolved into a multi-platform publication that includes both print and digital journalism. From the beginning, The Talon has given students the opportunity to take ownership, explore ideas, reflect on their community, and grow through the process of creating meaningful journalism.⁠
⁠
The printed editions are supported by the Graded Annual Fund. The next printed issue, honoring our seniors, will be available at the end of May. ⁠
⁠
Visit the link in bio to read more about The Talon’s history from senior Luisa A., editor-in-chief.

Get ready to discover a whole new world in Graded’s first upper school student-directed musical, Aladdin Jr. ⁠
⁠
Join us in the Haddad Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, May 14, at 4:00 pm, Friday, May 15, at 4:00 pm, and Saturday, May 16, at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm.⁠
⁠
Hop on a magic carpet and come support our talented student cast and crew as they bring this magical story to life! 🧞 ⁠
⁠
This production is supported by the Graded Annual Fund.

Shining like they were born to be, our lower school students took the stage in the Haddad Center for the Performing Arts for the highly anticipated annual Graded’s Got Talent. From energetic dance routines to soulful singing, impressive instrumental performances, dynamic martial arts, and a special rendition of “Golden” from the Oscar-winning KPop Demon Hunters, students showed both creativity and courage as they stepped into the spotlight. The event also featured a surprise intermission performance by a band of Graded teachers, adding even more excitement to the day. Congratulations to all who participated!

Stories help children make sense of their emotions and the world around them.⁠
⁠
Earlier this month, storyteller Miss Mello visited our early years students in the Lower School Library.⁠
⁠
Through lively retellings of The Color Monster by Anna Llenas and The Smartest Giant in Town by Julia Donaldson, students explored their emotions and stretched their imaginations while enjoying a morning of laughter and fun.