Thread: International Schools in Panama City

Hi, I am new here.
We will be moving to Panama end of this year.
We have 2 kids in lower/middle school.
We are looking for a school that can provide a good eduation all the way to high school. We are looking at International School of Panama and Balboa Academy.
I have visited both websites. Both schools look good online. I would appreciate any comments on the schools.
We will arrange on a suitable time to visit the schools. In the meantime, I really appreciate any comments, any at all!

Welcome Liont,
We plan to do the move soon (Feb 2012). I wish I could help. Like you, I find the school website does a great impression.Let's hope there are people in forum with some knowledge on this topic.
Panama Dreamer

Bump, any further info as I am also looking for this info.

A third option is Crossroads Christian Academy. Many US Embassy and expat students attend this school.

Here is my 2 cents on Balboa and ISP... Balboa looks and smells like a typical US school. (They fly the US flag in their lobby and most US Embassy kids attend there). ISP looks and smells more like an international school (their facilities are nicer too). Both schools provide excellent education, are 100% in English, and you will not be disappointed. You will pick either school based on where you live because they are on opposite areas of Panama.

Crossroads Christian Academy is also 100% English, US-based education, and is only 5 mins from Balboa.

I know people who work and/or attend all three. If you're looking for a US feeling school, Balboa. If you want a truer international school feel, ISP. If you want a smaller more intimate school, CCA.

Thanks davidp. Is there a recommended bilingual school? I'd like at least an hour a day of Spanish taught.

Thanks Davidp, that's good information.
I am going to PC next month, and I am trying to get some appointments to visit the schools. Emails are unanswered. I guess I will have to call them.
From the website, ISP seems to be embarking on some ambitious expansion/upgrading program. I wonder if that will affect the fees, or the kids will be "co-erced" into a myriad of fundraising..? But yes, ISP does look more "International", and with the IB program in high school, it does look promising.
One question, how far is ISP if you live in San Francisco? Thanks.

The San Fransisco area to ISP is not a far distance, but traffic times can make it seem further. I can't give you an exact travel time, but I don't think it's that bad. (It will be a bit closer than Balboa or CCA). I cannot recommend a good bilingual school (though there are plenty) because I just don't know them that well. Which means, they're not going to be US accredited schools. (There maybe one, but its where all the "elite" rich kids go, and from personal experience, those children/brats aren't the greatest). To be honest, any student at CCA, Balboa, or ISP is going to be surrounded by Spanish still because many of the students' first language is not English.

Yes, ISP having the IB program is a big plus for them. I have been on their campus many times, and their construction projects don't seem to be affecting the school at all because it is being financed by US companies who have moved recently to Panama from Venezuela (thanks to all the "Social" changes of Chavez, Panama's economy is booming because companies are moving in).

One more thing I would add about all three schools - this is still Latin America and a face-to-face meeting is still essential at CCA, Balboa, and ISP. If that's not possible, phone is way better than an e-mail.

Thanks David for the reminder. I just called ISP and got an appointment. Thks!

Hi all, I am now in Panama City.
On the way from airport to city centre, I was told that ISP is around the airport area, and there is toll road all the way.
the driver told us not to go to ISP because of the traffic.
Is that true? Is the toll roads the only way to get there?

If you live in San Francisco, it will take your kids about 30 minutes to get to ISP. You jump on the toll road (Corridor Sur- you'll be going against the horrible traffic going into town), get off at Llano Bonito and then weave your way to Cerro Viento (where ISP is located). When school is out (around 3pm) it takes 30-45 minutes to get home. If you live in San Francisco, ISP will be a lot more conveniently located than Balboa or Crossroads (you'll be stuck in the horrible traffic on your way to these schools as everyone is heading into town from the suburbs).

Be careful with the taxis in Panama- I find that they often give incorrect information and are ignorant of Panama City a lot of the time. My advice is to get numerous opinions.

Thanks, we will give it a try. We have a morning appointment with them for a school visit, we will see how it goes.

My 2 daughters went to Balboa. I strongly recommend the school.
I also recommend you live in Clayton, or near by.

OK, long overdue for an update.
We went for school visits a few weeks ago.
We didn't make an appointment for Balboa. We walked in. We had a good reception and a very informative school tour.
We had an appointment for ISP. But when we arrived there, we were not allowed in because the admissions lady couldn't report to work due to the floods. And apparently, noone else can receive us. The school looks set in an suburban/mixed rural/mixed no man's land. There is rubbish strewn all over, and the vultures make a good livelihood there. In all honestly, ISP didn't give me a good impression. I can only say impression because I didn't enter the school.
We will be back in PC in Feb. We will decide if we want to give ISP another try.

Originally Posted by Mordekha

My 2 daughters went to Balboa. I strongly recommend the school.
I also recommend you live in Clayton, or near by.

How do you find Balbao, esp at higher levels? I am attracted by ISP's IB program at high school. Because of the capital donation, it is expensive to switch schools. How is the standard in Balbao's high school?

I had the same impression when I first arrived in Panama. I knew it was hard enough to move to a foreign country, so I wanted to make sure my kids will be in a nice environment. Balboa feels like a Kibuz to me, and the entire Clayton area is very safe. So, the decision to go with Balboa was an easy one, and I have never regretted it. Since I bought an apt in Clayton, I also felt good about the fact that my kids can just walk to school.

By the way, if you do decide to go with balboa, I own an amazing Penthouse in Clayton, and it will be available for rent soon. Feel free to contact me, and I can send you photos..

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure I quite understand about the Kibbutz feeling about Balboa though.

I've not been inside ISP. Balboa is run like a US school. They use the US system (textbooks, reading programs, etc). My kids would transit in seamlessly from their current US school.
Regarding how the "international" aspect, I did ask a few questions:
- social studies - do they study US (like US school), or Panamanian/world? The answer is mainly US, but also regional/world.
- how "international" is the school? The school population is about 50% US, about a quarter local, and the rest international. They do have International Day, etc, where kids come in their costumes... Or at least that is what I understood. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Most (core) teachers that I've met are from US. The councillor looks proactive (I did ask about issues regarding bullying and racism). when we visited classrooms, kids would (without prompt) smile and wave. They seem well settled, stress free and well balanced. I guess that is part of Kibutz feel? Perhaps an active PTA too?

Very comfortable. Very friendly like environment.

In general, Europeans kids go to ISP. Americans are more likely to go to Balboa.

I do not wish to "badmouth" ISP. I was told by a Panamanian that in ISP there are many very rich Panamanian kids. These kids know their way around. Not sure if that is true.

Originally Posted by Liont

I do not wish to "badmouth" ISP. I was told by a Panamanian that in ISP there are many very rich Panamanian kids. These kids know their way around. Not sure if that is true.

The Panamanians at Balboa are wealthy too. But neither Balboa or ISP are where the "stuck up" kids go - thats the other school thats name escapes me. (It's in Costa del Este).

I would also recommend CCA. Its more affordable, and small, but I especially liked that all the teachers were from the US.

Just an FYI that Balboa and ISP will soon have more competition in the international school arena. A new school called the Metropolitan School of Panama will open their doors next year in Clayton: Metropolitan School of Panama The MET school looks as if they are doing all the right things to make the school successful.

The only thing I will add to the Balboa vs. ISP debate is that both schools need to get their act together or this new school will quickly become the preferred choice in Panama City.

Originally Posted by AlbyM

Just an FYI that Balboa and ISP will soon have more competition in the international school arena. A new school called the Metropolitan School of Panama will open their doors next year in Clayton: Metropolitan School of Panama The MET school looks as if they are doing all the right things to make the school successful.

The only thing I will add to the Balboa vs. ISP debate is that both schools need to get their act together or this new school will quickly become the preferred choice in Panama City.

Thanks for the info on the new school.
I see that they have a one time fee of USD8000. Similar to ISP and Balboa.
Tuition works out to be slightly higher than ISP.
Website says it is following the IB program all the way (not approved yet), it is seeking authorisation/approval from the IB board.
I couldn't gleam much from the website, except that the school is very very new, and they are building a new campus (ready when?). Most pictures are of preschoolers. No information on after school clubs. No information of faculty. They are still recruiting for personnel for Mar or Aug 2011. Basically, if we are joining the school (one time fee and all), it is at the "frontier" stage, it is a leap of faith. I do like the IB approach, but I don't know if I am that "brave". Just my thoughts.

Yes, the Metro school is still a work in progress and I believe they are opening the first year (Aug. 2011) just to Grade 5. You're probably better off going with Balboa or ISP for the first year since they are obviously more established; however, if you have the time my recommendation is to make an appointment to talk with someone at the Metro upon your next visit. I would specifically ask them what they can offer that balboa and ISP can't offer. And then let us know how it goes.

Thanks AlbyM, I think I will do that - make an appointment to see what their plans are.
My humble suggestion to them - once they are more established, and they feel they have more to offer, pull the "Balboans" over. The thing that really discourages changing schools is the one time entrance fee. Waive that, and I am sure that if they have something more, kids/families will switch.
BTW, my oldest will be grade 6 in 2011 Aug, so Metro won't do. But if I have preschoolers, I will definitely be more game for it.

A lap of faith it is.
I doubt anyone from Balboa, or IS will switch, on account of the high initial Capital payment. My wife who is a teacher, also said that they will have a hard time attracting teachers. Also,Panama has a rule of only 1 foreign worker for every 9 Panamanians.

Really? So how did Balbao manage to employ mostly US teachers?

Many are Americans Zonians which have Panamanian citizenship.