August marked the beginning of the Preparatory Course for the group of candidates seeking entry into St. Paul’s School in August 2025. We started this semester with 27 students, aged between 11 and 14.
During this first semester, classes are held in the afternoon every Wednesday and will run until December 4th. The focus is currently on English language learning, and for some of these candidates, classes at St. Paul’s are complemented by sessions at Cultura Inglesa, our partner in the Scholarship Programme.
The classes at St. Paul’s are taught by volunteer teachers from the school, providing not only a boost in English language skills but also an introduction to the school environment and the St. Paul’s community. Before classes, the candidates have access to our library, which offers a wide range of titles in English, providing additional resources for their development.
This is an exciting yet challenging time for the candidates, as it marks the beginning of one of the longest stages of the selection process, which, like the others, is an eliminatory stage. After evaluations at the end of this year, some of these students will move on to the next semester of the course. At this point, they are already being assessed on their motivation, performance, and dedication. It is also an opportunity for candidates to understand if St. Paul’s School aligns with their expectations and aspirations for the future.
Later this semester, the candidates and their families will also participate in interviews with a psychologist from the Foundation, as part of the psychological assessment that extends throughout the process.
We are excited to support the development of these students and help them take their first steps toward an opportunity at St. Paul’s School in the next academic year.