World Class 2012 in partnership with the British Council bring you the stories of the schools where the dreams begin.

Colégio Certo

SCHOOL STATS Number of students - 764 Number of teachers - 56 Where in the world? Piaui, Brazil Years Sarah attended: 2004 - 2009

Colégio Certo is located in Teresina, the capital of the state Piaui, in the North-East of Brazil.

The school prides itself on its friendly atmosphere and its main aim is to help students gain access to Universities in the state.

As well as academic success, the staff at Colégio Certo want their pupils to become "good citizens," says Professor Leal Sousa Clegivaldo.

Sarah Menezes at Colégio Certo

Sarah at Colegio Certo

Sarah was already a junior judo champion when she joined Colégio Certo on a judo scholarship, but she still credits the school for helping her develop. "The school helped me a lot," she says.

With Sarah's manager still the school's judo teacher, she often visits Colégio Certo and manages to keep in touch, via email, when competing abroad.

Outside of Judo, Professor Clegivaldo remembers Sarah for her "good behaviour and humility."

A certain gold

A banner reads: Sarah Menezes, A Certain Gold For Piaui She is our only hope for 2012, and that is why we have great expectations and we support our little heroine Teacher, Leal Sousa Clegivaldo

As Sarah is the only woman from the state of Piaui to take part in the Olympics, expectations may be high, but Professor Clegivaldo is confident she can live up to them.

"She is our only hope for 2012, and that is why we have great expectation and we support our little heroine," he said.

Sarah's success is also inspiring other pupils to believe that they too can reach the top of their chosen field, as sport at the school really starts to develop.

As Sarah prepares for London 2012, she is safe in the knowledge that she has plenty of support from all her old friends and teachers at Colégio Certo.

World Olympic Dreams

Sarah is one of the athletes being tracked as London 2012 approaches and they strive to make their Olympic dreams a reality.

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