You will find below a list of the most popular international and bilingual schools for expats in Oman with fee information. It includes nursery schools, primary and secondary (high) schools and you will find the right school to prepare for International Baccalaureate, and other diploma in Oman. Schools often follow the American curriculum, although there are British and French options.

Education in Panama

The school system in Panama starts with primary school (elementary school) and can continue as far as a graduate school. Many changes occured after 1999 when the country became independent, but much of the system is still based on standards from the USA with instruction in Spanish.

After primary school, one would attend middle school, secondary school (high school) and then university. A six-year attendance to primary school (grades 1-6) and a three year attendance to middle school (grades 7-9) are compulsory. Secondary school consists of grades 10-12. According to Panamanian law, all students in schools must wear uniforms including at international schools.

In order for a student to go on to university, they cannot fail four courses or more within the same year, or they must not fail the same course twice in a row.

International Schools in Panama

International schools are the perfect solution for an expat student (multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in Panama. There may be some local population, but the schools are usually geared for an international student body. Panama City has a high number of these schools, many of which are highly respected.

Schools provide similar standards of schooling around the globe, providing for an easy transition between schools whether they are in France or Vietnam. Schools also provide internationally accepted accreditation such as the international baccalaureate.

Most private schools require high fees, much more than local schools. There is also usually a one-time administration fee that can range from $1,000 to $12,000 USD. If more than one student is being enrolled for a family, it is possible to get a discount.

Admission and enrollment procedures vary from school to school. Space is often limited and preference may be given to students based on nationality. Tuition tends to be expensive based on local standards, but offers high standards of learning, boast smaller class sizes, first-rate facilities, and extracurricular. Boarding facilities are available at some schools, but most only provide day classes.

International School Accreditation & Membership

• The CoIS (Council of International Schools) is a non-profit association of international schools and post-secondary institutions which provides educational accreditation, teacher and leadership recruitment services, links to higher education, governance assistance and help with founding new schools.
• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) provides additional accreditation for American schools abroad.
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI) accredits over 13,000 primary, middle, and secondary schools creating the world's largest education community.
• Council of British International Schools (COBIS) represents over 250 member schools with the British Government.
• European Council of International Schools (ECIS) is a network of European schools abroad.
• Association of American Schools in South America (AASSA) is a non-profit membership association currently serving American schools abroad.

International Schools in Panama City

Balboa Academy
Address: Building 100
City of Knowledge Clayton, Panama City
Tel: 507 302-0035
Tuition Rates: $1,789 - 13,612 per year

Balboa Academy caters to pre-school through 12th grade. All classes are taught in English and Spanish, with additional French instruction. The school year starts in August and ends in June. Extracurriculars like like athletics, study trips, robotics, performing arts, and computer classes are encouraged. AP courses are offered and Balboa Academy has both Panamanian and USA accreditation for all graduates.

Boston School International (BSI)
Address: Ave. Arnulfo Arias Madrid; Building. # 727 (next to the Balboa Theater)
Balboa, Ancon Panama City, Panama
Tel: 507 396-6966
Tuition Rates: B. 5,000 - 10,540 per year

This school provides bilingual education system for students to reach the best colleges and universities worldwide. They are a candidate school for the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Diploma of the IB. There are extracurriculars like soccer, music, taekwondo, debate, journalism and robotics. Instruction is in English, with additional languages of Spanish and Mandarin. They use the North American academic calendar with classes from August to June.

Colegio Episcopal de Panamá (CEP)
Address: Calle Carlos Arias
Nuevo Reparto El Carme, Panama City
Tel: 507 223-4836
Tuition Rates: Request info at the school

Spanish language international school has a strong religious base and a full range of extracurriculars. The curriculum is bilingual.

Crossroads Christian Academy (CCA)
Address: Building #6582 Corozal, Ave. Omar Torrijos-Herrera (between Albrook and Clayton)
Panama City, Republic of Panama
Tel: 507 317-9774
Tuition Rates: $410 - 1,300 a month

Founded as a ministry of Crossroads Bible Church in 1997, this American based curriculum is offered for children from pre-school to 12th grade. Instruction is in English, with some coursework in Spanish.

International School of Panama (ISP)
Address: Golf Club Road, Cerro Viento Rural
San Miguelito, Panama City, Panama
Tel: 507 293.3000
Tuition Rates: B. 5,000 - 10,540 per year

Begun in 1982, this large international school was started by parents and is now internationally recognized. School generally starts beginning or mid-August of each year and ends mid-June. It is a non-profit school with excellent indoor and outdoor facilities for soccer, swimming, basketball, performing arts, science labs, and music. Transportation services are offered. ISP offers the IB program and AdvancED STEM certification.

King’s College Panama
Address: Edificio 518
Calle al Hospital, Clayton, Panamá, Panama
Tel: 507 282-3300
Tuition Rates: B. 14,283 -19,988 per year

A British international school and part of the King group. It includes infant school, junior school, and senior school which follow English National Curriculum with bilingual (English-Spanish) education preparing students for university. French is taught from Year 7 and above and all children from Reception to Year 8 also have the opportunity to learn Chinese as an extra-curricular activity. There are transport options. Term begins in September and usually ends in June. Testing in the final year consists of (I)GCSE (Cambridge) and GCE A Level (Edexcel).

Metropolitan School of Panama (MET)
Address: Calle Luis Bonilla 104
City of Knowledge, Clayton, Panama City, Panama
Tel: 507 317-1130
Tuition Rates: $9,777 - 15,452 per year

International school which serves children from 3-years old to 12th grade. There are modern facilties, a variety of activities, and world-class instruction.  It is authorized to offer the IB Primary Years Program (PYP), Middle Years Program (MYP) and Diploma Program (DP). The school is accredited by the Panamanian Ministry of Education (MEDUCA) and the NEASC, CoIS, ECIS, and the AASSA.

Oxford School
Address: Transístmica, Panamá, Panama
Tel: 507 321 3800
Tuition Rates: Request info at the school

The well-established Oxford School provides the National Curriculum of England. Education is bilingual and students are prepared for the University  of  Cambridge  International Examinations.

Oxford International School (OIS)
Address: 74th EAST Street and Via España
Carrasquilla, Panama City, Panama
Tel: 507 308-7100
Tuition Rates: Request info at the school

Seperate from the Oxford School, OIS is an international school with instruction in English and Spanish for pre-school to 12th garde. The school year goes from March to December. Both the Panamanian Ministry of Education, AdvancED, and SACS CASI accredit Oxford International School.

Panamamerican School
Address: Club de Golf Panamá
Panama City, Panama
Tel: 507 266-0530
Tuition Rates: Request info at the school

Panamamerican School is an international school with primarily English instruction. It is unusual in that it offers facilities and resources for handicapped students. The school year is from March to December. 

French International School in Panama City

Lycée français Paul Gauguin de Panama
Address: Bâtiment 810 Ave. Ingenieros
Panama Pacifico.Panamá
Tel: 507 3162270
Tuition Rates: B. 5,000 - 10,540 per year

An international school that provides immersion in the French language and meets the French Ministry of Education's curriculum requirements. Teachings follow the French Education Curriculum and it is certified by the AEFE (Agency for French Teaching Abroad) for students from pre-school to the final year of senior high school. Transportation is provided and there is a range of extracurriculars.