School that went from 'nightmare' to winner of world award will have model replicated in SP
The Parque dos Sonhos school in Cubatão, Brazil, transformed from a violent environment to a recognized educational space, will have its model replicated in 100 new vulnerable schools in the state of São Paulo.
Until a few years ago, the Parque dos Sonhos school in Cubatão, São Paulo, was nicknamed "park of nightmares" due to frequent incidents of violence and crime. However, with dedicated efforts from the school's administration and teachers, it became a welcoming space for students. Last year, it gained international recognition by winning the World’s Best School Prize 2025 in the category of overcoming adversity, which celebrates the best schools in the world. The success of the Parque dos Sonhos school is now set to inspire a wider initiative, as the administration under Tarcísio de Freitas plans to replicate its successful educational model in 100 new schools located in vulnerable areas across São Paulo state. This announcement will feature the presence of Vikas Pota, founder of T4 Education, the organization behind the prestigious award. Pota expressed his joy regarding the establishment of the new network, which aligns with the award’s goal of promoting innovative educational practices. This initiative is likely to have significant implications for improving education in marginalized communities, highlighting the potential for innovative teaching methods to transform the learning environment. By expanding successful models like that of Parque dos Sonhos, the administration aims to address the challenges faced by at-risk students and foster a culture of learning and resilience in areas that need it the most.