The present study is divided in three parts. In the first part, the objective of the study is to evaluate the current location of public schools. The spatial distribution is evaluated with the p-median model and the Arcview, a GIS software. Given the existing capacity, regions with excess or shortage of school places have been identified. In the second part, a heuristic algorithm to solve the p-median problem has been used and the proposed locations identified. This study proposes an ideal distribution of the school network which takes into consideration the recent demographic modifications experienced in the area. The third part of the study assumes that schools have a single standard size and considers the capacitated p-median using an special purpose algorithm. The study was applied to the location of elementary public schools in the city of Vitória, a state capital with about 300,000 inhabitants located in the southeast part of Brazil. The number of school children is 45,766 with 51 public schools, according to the 2000 National Census.
school location; p-median model; geographic information systems
