The educational system in Brazil is divided into three parts. First grau starts when the children are at seven years of age, Second grau when the students are 15 years old and at the age of 18 or 19 they enter the Third grau which is equivalent to University studies.

Students in the First and Second grau do not choose their subjects. In the Second grau they are required to take Portuguese, Brazilian Literature, Mathematics, Geography, History, Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Civics. Some schools offer additional subjects such as Arts or Computer Science. However it is common for students in the Second grau to take foreign languages and other classes outside of the school curriculum.

The school year runs from March to December, with a winter vacation in July. Students have classes either in the morning or afternoon, or even in the evening. At some private schools students may have both morning and afternoon classes, as well as classes on Saturdays.