19.03.2026

Discover the Beija-flor Program at the Beacon Institute

The Beija-flor Program is an initiative of the Beacon Institute aimed at expanding educational opportunities for students from the public school system. Its goal is to identify young people with academic potential and provide them with a formative pathway that combines intensive English language learning with the strengthening of other areas of knowledge.

The program offers an English course with daily classes held from Monday to Friday, lasting three hours. During this time, students attend the Beacon Campus after their regular school hours, experiencing part of the school’s routine and culture. In addition to English lessons, students also participate in complementary activities such as support classes in Mathematics, Portuguese, and Current Affairs, as well as Theatre and Physical Education classes conducted in English, which help expand their use of the language in different contexts.

To ensure that students can fully participate in the activities, the program provides transportation from their schools to the campus, as well as lunch and an afternoon snack at no cost. In this way, the initiative seeks to create conditions for students to focus on their academic education and personal development.

Throughout the course, participants engage with the Beacon educational environment, interacting with educators, the pedagogical team, and other students. At the end of the program, they receive English fluency certificates and may apply to the Jatobá Project, a full scholarship program that enables them to complete their basic education at the school.

In this sense, the Beija-flor Program serves as a gateway to new educational possibilities, promoting access to high-quality education and contributing to the construction of a more diverse and inclusive educational landscape.

Real Opportunities

Within this context, last year Maria Manuella, a former Beija-flor student and currently part of the Jatobá Project, presented a bill at the São Paulo City Council through the Parlamento Jovem Paulistano (São Paulo Youth Parliament). The initiative aims to prepare students for active citizenship and more informed participation in public life, providing them with the opportunity to develop and defend proposals at the São Paulo City Council if selected.

At Beacon, this project is developed in the Individuals & Societies and Language & Literature classes in Year 9. As a result of this process, Maria Manuella was selected to serve as one of the youth councilors in the 23rd edition of the Parlamento Jovem Paulistano, held on November 7, 2025.

Experiences like this highlight the transformative potential of the Beija-flor Program. By expanding access to educational, academic, and cultural opportunities, the initiative creates pathways for students to develop their potential, strengthen their autonomy, and broaden their future perspectives. More than learning a new language, the program promotes experiences that foster critical thinking, civic engagement, and the development of broader academic and professional trajectories, reaffirming the Beacon Institute’s commitment to a more diverse, inclusive, and socially transformative education.

In the view of Fernanda Clerris Chiquie, the Jatobá Program