Inspired by trajectories such as those of Carolina Maria de Jesus, Ariano Suassuna, Cora Coralina, Sérgio Vaz, Emicida, Lázaro Ramos, Kiusam de Oliveira and many other authors who have transformed lives through words, the children and young people of the Municipal Network learn to connect with stories that dialogue with their own realities and dreams. This is the mission of the Academia Estudantil de Letras (AEL) project.
Since its inception in 2005, the project has reached a record number of 297 academies created in municipal schools in 2025, with the participation of approximately 8 thousand students and 500 educators. This year also marked the celebration of two decades of the project, which constitutes a permanent public policy in the city of São Paulo guaranteed by Law No. 17,459 of 2020.
This year’s number represents a 50% growth on the last 4 years, when there were around 198 academies. Compared to the first year of the project, the magnification is more than 800%.
AEL is an authentic Academy of Letters with adaptations for the student public. Each academy proudly bears the name of an author, chosen as part of a collective and democratic process.
The initiative also served as a model and inspiration for the implementation of student literature academies in several cities across the country, proving the social relevance and pedagogical impact on civic education, integral development, sensitive listening, critical reading and the expansion of repertoires.
This year, AEL also extends to early childhood education and there are already 13 units of CEI and EMEI that promote the project, also benefiting babies and children up to 5 years old. Reinforce the importance of literature in early childhood.
Literary and cultural training
In the academies, students study the lives and works of their “literary friends”, share their discoveries, attend seminars, write, create and reflect.
They discover that literature is also a place of belonging. With each meeting, they gain autonomy, broaden their cultural repertoire and experiment with different languages such as theater, poetry, music, slam, dance, visual arts and much more.
Participating in literary events also reinforces this experience.
This year, Fli Sampa, the International Literary Festival of São Paulo, mobilized around 3,300 students and had the participation of 67 authors and writers, in addition to spaces with 30 publishers. Prominent names included Conceição Evaristo, Pedro Bandeira and Valter Hugo Mãe.
AEL’s Modern Art Week was also a flagship space, bringing together 3,500 students in 150 presentations at CEUs across the city.
The legacy of these experiences reverberates through the years. Former students return to the units to tell how AEL helped them choose paths, overcome challenges or, quite simply, believe in the dreams inspired by participation in the project. Exchange of experiences that inspire new students and show the power of initiative.
Learn more about the project
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