Embraer Pays For 90% Of Students To Attend 2 Brazilian Schools
Embraer
- Stock Code
- ERJ
- Business Type
- Planemaker
- Date Founded
- 1969-08-19
- CEO
- Francisco Gomes Neto
- Headquarters Location
- Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Key Product Lines
- Embraer 170, Embraer 175, Embraer 190, Embraer 195, Embraer 175-E2, Embraer 190-E2, Embraer 195-E2
Since 2001, Embraer has given back to the community by giving teenagers in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, a free private high school education. Today, Embraer has two high schools and a total of 800 students between both of its campuses.
History of the Colragios Embraer
In 2001, Embraer opened its first high school campus near its headquarters in São José dos Campos, Brazil. The goal of the high school was to provide local teenagers with a better education than they would receive in the public school system and to adequately prepare them to study at the best universities.
In Brazil, the public school system does not provide students with the highest level of education, except for public universities, which are often regarded as the best in the nation. Because public universities in Brazil provide the highest level of education and tuition is free, being admitted to these universities is a very competitive process, especially with a limited number of spots for students. Twenty-one years ago, Embraer saw an opportunity to give back to the local community, and thus, the Colégio Embraer Juarez Wanderley was born.
The first class of the Colégio Embraer Juarez Wanderley was accepted in 2001 and three years later, became the school’s first graduating class. Every single student that began their studies in 2001, graduated, entitling them to a university education. In 2013, Embraer opened its second high school campus, Colimigio Embraer Casimiro Montenegro Filho, in the city of Botucatu, 330 kilometers away from its first campus. Over the course of the last 17 years, 4,440 students have graduated from the Colégio Embraer Juarez Wanderley and the Colimigio Embraer Casimiro Montenegro Filho, with over 80% of those students going on to attend public universities in Brazil.
Not only have graduates of Embraer’s high schools gone on to study at the best universities in Brazil, but some have also had the opportunity to receive their university education overseas. Vitor Medeiros, a graduate of the high school program, recently graduated from the University of California San Diego. Vitor studied chemical engineering, with a focus on biomedical engineering and nanoengineering. Below is a video in which Vitor shares his story and talks about Embraer’s goals for a sustainable future.
Although Embraer’s goal is not to produce future employees for its own company, there are a number of graduates that have become Embraer employees. Eduardo Luiz Rodrigues, the current director of Embraer’s high school program, was a student at the school. Eduardo graduated high school in 2010, and received his university degree in 2016. Currently, Eduardo holds a master’s degree in sustainability in addition to his bachelor’s degree in business.
Top level education
Embraer’s high school program is highly ranked in Brazil and has gained national recognition. Its level of education is extremely high, so excellent that although the schools were opened for students from low-income families, families with higher incomes begged the school to open up paid spots. Today, Embraer’s goal remains to serve children whose families would not be able to afford private education, but it has opened up a small number of spots at its São José dos Campos campus for students whose families can afford the price of tuition. In total, 90% of students between the two schools receive their high school education at no cost.
Just like public universities in Brazil, Embraer’s high schools have a limited number of spots, and the competition for those spots is high. In order to be admitted to Embraer’s schools, students must take a comprehensive test in mathematics, the Portuguese language, natural sciences, human sciences, and write an essay. In early June, Embraer opened registrations for the test which will take place in August, and determine those who will begin their studies in the high schools in 2023.
Embraer’s high school program has been extremely successful, changing the lives of many students by investing in their futures. Photo: Embraer
In addition to offering students a high-level education, Embraer’s schools also offer its students transportation to / from school, meals on campus, uniforms, and books, all at no cost. Students are provided three freshly cooked meals per day, as they spend eight hours on campus. The schools’ facilities are state of the art, including the latest technology in computers and science equipment. Last month, Embraer held an event for the international media and those in attendance had the opportunity to tour the Colégio Embraer Juarez Wanderley in São José dos Campos. I attended the event and was very impressed with the facilities and overall program that Embraer has established.
In Brazil, high school lasts three years, and Embraer’s program is extremely intense, challenging the students to be their best and work hard to achieve their goals in life. In the three years that students spend at Embraer’s schools, they receive much more than material things.
“Education breaks any barrier, expands horizons, and adds something to your life that can never be taken away, knowledge. Since 2001, the Instituto Embraer has impacted the lives of thousands, through three pillars. Preservation of history, community engagement, and education. “- Instituto Embraer
The video below was made in commemoration of 20 years of the Instituto Embraer, the institute which oversees the operations of the high schools. In the video, students, faculty, and volunteers recount their experiences at the schools and the impact they had on their lives.
“The fact that I can pass on knowledge to future generations and inspire future generations, is very cool … very rewarding.” – Marcelo, volunteer
Fernando, also a volunteer at Embraer’s high schools, says, “Many times, we think that we are going to be the ones giving. But instead, we receive so much.”
“Our history is told so that every generation can remember who we are and where we came from. Education has the power to transform the world. That is why we invest in the future, change stories, and never let anyone forget our best moments. Instituto Embraer, 20 years of investing in education, connecting people, and preserving history. “
Embraer is committed to giving back to the community and investing in future generations. The 21-year history of the high schools is just one of the many ways in which the Brazilian plane manufacturer demonstrates this commitment.