the escolas de samba, or samba schools, are not actually schools, but neighborhood organizations that plan and prepare all year for their moment in the sun.

samba schools are distinguishable by the acronym 'g. r. e. s.' before the name of their organization, standing for grêmio recreativo escola de samba, and meaning recreational guild samba team.

throughout the year, most samba schools meet regularly to dance and celebrate at the sound of samba and, as carnaval approaches, to rehearse for the main parade .

the first samba school was established on august 12, 1928, in rio de janeiro, and was called deixa falar, or 'let (them) speak' - years later, the school changed its name to estácio de sá.