the schools - whose participants can number into the thousands, as it is the case for the most important ones, are divided into four main parts.

there is the comissão de frente, the leaders of the group who introduce the school and the theme to the audience and judges.

the alegorias and the adereços, cars with themed, multi-colored constructions carrying spotlighted dancers;

the mestre-sala and the porta-bandeira are a highlighted dancing couple and flag bearer, respectively, both of whom spend considerable time in front of the judges.