This paper reports a methodology for locating public elementary schools in urban settings. The proposed methodology is divided in two complementary parts: the evaluation of the current location and a relocation proposal. In addition to the methodological review the paper outlines five studies made in Brazilian cities or large areas, which are: Nova Iguaçu, Nilópolis, Niterói, Ilha do Governador and Fortaleza. The study emphasizes the methodological evolution from paper maps up to geocoded maps using softwares of the GIS family (Geographic Information System) such as ArcView and GeoRedes. The study also evaluates the managerial importance of each one of the five studies.
school location; p-median model
