'American children schools' Education

Sandra Murnan from Oklahoma (Contact Member) -

Hi, My family is seriously considering moving to Panama in the next 6 months or so and would like to know the standard of Education in particular in David (where we will we will be living). Are there American schools from the grade school level to full graduation. We would prefer a bi lingual school.Sandra

Comment #1 Tell Me (63.176.159.230) -

What is a bilingual school?

Comment #2 Teacher in Panama (201.218.69.55) -

There are no bilingual schools or an American accredited school in David. The international schools are in Panama City. David, for gringos anyway, is a retirement area. I'd think twice before sending kids to a Panamanian school.

Comment #3 Teacher in Panama (201.218.69.55) -

I just re-read your post. You have children. You'll be moving in 6 months to an area that you have not investigated yet for schools?...You truly better re-think that plan. Panamanian schools are some of the poorest in Latin America. The most recent ranking was 140th in the world. Education is a low priority in Panama. There are schools, but when they are open, they are taught by instructors who make $400 per month and school supplies are rare. Buildings are poor and un-airconditioned. Kids go from February through December. And Panamanian diploma may hold some problems for US college acceptance.Of course, if none of this bothers you, your fluent in Spanish by 12th grade kids could go to a college in Panama.

Of which any family with means avoids...wow..best of luck..

Comment #4 Marcie (63.176.159.22) -

I think a bilingual school is a school that has separate classes for children who speak English and than other classes for children who speak Spanish.

Comment #5 Life is Good (mom) from Wisconsin Brrr! (Contact Member) -

I am also a mom with two young boys and we are just beginning our investigation of this idea of relocating to a slower paced, richer in culture and wildlife and adventure, a life with more time together as a family. I am a high school teacher and would feel comfortable home schooling my kids (at least in their younger years) but I would really like them to have the opportunity to know and play with other children at parks and in the neighborhood.

I would rather not live IN Panama City where the international schools are (which I hear are very good) so where should I look? Are there private schools outside of the City.

I would love to have a direct dialogue with an expat, mom would be great but doesn't have to be, teacher would be interesting, but doesn't have to be.

I can admit ... at this point I know what I've read but I don't know anything FOR CERTAIN. I would love to connect with someone there. Please feel free to click on my name life is good mom and send me your contact request.

Thanks and have a great day.

Comment #6 Educated in Panama (173.79.21.237) -

It is a little ignorant to say that there are no good schools in Panama. I went to elementary and high school in Panama (Instituto Panamericano - class '90), when I returned to Maryland, I had no problems getting accepted to John Hopkins University. As a matter of fact, my first year was a breeze. I had already taken Biology, Chemistry and Pre-Calculus courses as part of my High School curriculum. My classmates who went to High School in MD, had a much harder time. I can not speak as to the schools in David. But I can tell you, that in Panama, education has a higher priority that it does in the USA.

Comment #7 Michelle (72.161.185.183) -

Are the only American accedited schools in Panama City, or are there some in other areas? We're also investigating moving to Panama, but need many questions answered first. What are the American accredited schools like? I am most interested in them because we speak no Spanish yet.

Also, I read that Panamanians have their own brand of security which is much different than in America, but if you're prepared you'll be fine. Could you please be specific? Does this mean a sawed off shotgun and dobermans, haha, or did I read too much into that statement?

My husband will be applying for a position at the airport. Could you tell me some nice places to live on the outskirts that are semi-close to the city? Are any of these places close to the schools I mentioned?

Thanks so much. I hope things work out, because I'd like my children (and myself) to have the experiences of living in Panama. I read in the Panama paper that some Panamanians don't like Americans at all, and I guess some prejudice is to be expected with anyone, anywhere. I just need to try to make sure I don't put my children in a dangerous situation. (-:

Comment #8 Niyo (63.176.159.179) -

Bilingual schools can differ in terms of both the educational programs and the dominance of particular languages. The curriculum of most bilingual schools is designed for those who speak English as a second language, the most common mother tongue of students in American bilingual schools being Spanish. However, most schools also accept children who speak English as a first language (whose usual motivation for enrolling in a bilingual school is that their family is of the origin relative to the school’s first language). This mix of cultures provides a dynamic and interesting learning environment, the results of which propagate through the school’s curriculum and can be seen in the successful results achieved by the alumni.

Classes are taught in English – usually the target language - or in the pupils’ native idiom. If the teaching is in the second language, students are given further tutoring in their first language to maximise their academic learning. Furthermore, in order to support the more complex side of learning English as a second language – the grammar, for example – students are able to enrol in an English as a Second Language course.

• www.bilingualschools.org/

Comment #9 Roni from Mobile Al (Contact Member) -

We are planning to relocate to panama soon also as my husband is going to be working at the airport in David.

I am also concerned about available schools and living close enough to work and school.

I would like to talk to Michelle and find out if she found anything

Comment #10 Kareen Hart (71.102.228.215) -

I would also like to talk to Michelle! We have 2 children 11 and 14 and are thinking of moving to Panama for at least a year. My husband is a pilot with American Airlines so he would be commuting from Miami! Concern about schools? Are their any options besides the city? would love to live at the beach? What about safety? If anyone can give me some good info it would be much appreciated!

Thanks, Kareen

Comment #11 Lynn (65.31.85.30) -

Hi, we're seriously considering buying a second property in Panama. We're from the USA (Wi). The Chiriqua area interests us. We have school aged children so the schooling is an important factor. I see in the comments that this is being discussed quite a bit. Does anyone have any information on private schools in that area? I've never home schooled but this is also an option. Any information would be appreciated. thanks

Comment #12 Vidaverde from 39530 (Contact Member) -

Hello,

Lynn, Kareen, Roni and others considering a move to Panama with school age children. I believe I can help to answer some of your questions. First, let me tell you just a little about me because, my perspective will be different from most. I am a white American and my wife of 15 years is a Panamanian citizen. We have three beautiful children. The first born in Panama and two in the US. We currently live in the US on the Gulf Coast. We have a large family in Panama who live in many different areas of Panama city and in Chiriqui. Most of the older family members who live in and around the city are originally from Chiriqui.

We had always talked about moving back to Panama, and in 2004 we decided to start making plans to move back. Our biggest problem was finding a school which offers an American college preparatory program. This is something that our family in Panama really knows little about. I started gathering information on schools, immigration, real estate, employment and everything else I could think of. By the summer of 2005 we were preparing our house to sell and packing boxes with the things we would bring with us to Panama.

On August 29, 2005, everything changed. We live very close to the beach and Hurricane Katrina completely destroyed almost everything in our area. To make a long story short, our insurance paid about 15% of the damages and we have been slowly rebuilding since.

This has been a major set back but, we try find some positives that came from the experience. Through all of this, we have continued to gather information and still plan to move to Panama. We have taken the time to visit most of the areas that we were considering moving to. We have stayed in Boquete, David, Santiago, Aguadulce, Penonome and all over Panama City.

I haven't been one to post many messages. I mostly visit the Panama forums to gather any useful information I may find. But, because of all of the misleading information and bad advice I see on some of the forums these days; I decided to start posting more often. I am not an expert but, I believe I can give some good advice on some subjects. Education being so important, this is probably the best place for this message.

The only schools with an American accredited college preparatory program that I have found in Panama are Balboa Academy, Oxford International School, not to be confused with The Oxford School (info below) and Crossroads Christian Academy. Balboa Academy is located at Clayton, now called the "City of Knowledge". The Oxford International school is located in the heart of Panama City and Crossroads is located in the Curundu area.

The Oxford School Panama, another very acceptable school, offers The National Curriculum of England and The University of Cambridge International Examinations programs. The Oxford School is located in Edison Park in Via Transistmica.

There is also The International School of Panama in the Eastern side of Panama City. All of these schools have web sites with much more information.

The biggest news I have to share is a big increase in tuition and fees.In just one year the tuition and other fees have gone up by $2, 422.00 at Balboa Academy alone. For school year 2008-2009 6-12 grade tuition was $7, 480, now 5-12 is $8, 752.00. They pushed the 5th grade tuition fee up to higher level. The registration fee was $700.00, now it is $850.00. The mandatory admission fee was $7, 000.00 per student, now it is $8, 000.00. That comes to at least $18, 000.00 per student for that first year. I was looking at $30, 760.00 for the first school year for my two school age children(with another starting in two years). Now, I'm looking at about $36, 000.00 for that first year.

Even with these increases, Balboa Academy is probably less expensive than the others I mentioned. Except for Crossroads. If you are a Christian with the same values as this school, it may be the answer. They have a very informative website and the tuition is very affordable. The International School of Panama will be a minimum of $19, 110.00 per student for the first school year. The Oxford School was always the most expensive, now I can no longer find their tuition fees online. Same with The Oxford International School, no tuition info online. If money is not an issue I would recommend Balboa Academy, mostly because of the location and security.

If attending a school with this type of accreditation is not important to you, and your children speak fluent Spanish, then there are many schools to choose from. The Instituto Panamericano mentioned in the above post and Academia Interamericana De Panama are a couple of good ones.

I would also recommend for everyone to plan on renting for at least 6 months. This piece of advice may save you a big chunk of money. You will find the best deals on real estate in Panama shopping around in person. The agents know this and will try to get you to commit ASAP. It is fun to look at real estate for sale online, I do it all of the time. I am very familiar with the area where we plan to move to but, we will rent fist because I know what I know. I wanted to share this because I have seen so many misleading messages posted by people selling real estate. Some tell you that they deal in real estate, others say something like: we are xpats who just love Panama and you really need to look at a certain area, there is nothing in it for me but call Carlos at this number. Even if the person really is an xpat, there will be some reward from the agent for their help.

Many are just made up stories though.

I hope this post helps someone. If I strike a nerve with someone in the real estate business, that means you are one of the guilty parties. Not everyone is like you. I am not posting this because of something that has happened to me personally or anyone in our family. It is because we love Panama and some of the things they do are just wrong.

Comment #13 Scotty555 (98.170.207.79) -

We are a family also living on the Gulf Coast and planning a move to Panama in the next two years after I retire. I have one young child and have been researching this for sometime. My spouse is also from Panama and we have been married for 9 years. Our daughter speaks some Spanish, but I believe she will be most comfortable in a bilingual school.

Good information! Thank you. I can confirm that what you report is right on target. For those living out in the interior home schooling may be the best bet. However, normal life in Panama is to live in he city during he week and head to the family home in the country on the weekends and in the summer (Jan-Mar). One other thought: How about St Mary's school...any idea what the tuition is there? I wonder if they have the same quality as they used to back in the 1990s?

Scotty555

Comment #14 franyfamilia from Pumpkin Capital TN. (Contact Member) -

"Education in Panama"

Thank you for this very informative post. I look forward to hearing more from you. We don't have very deep pockets. There is no way we can afford those tuition's. We home educate in the United States and will do the same in Panama. I teach through an "umbrella school." They are very good at helping you get the children accredited so they are able to qualify for college.

Sorry for your setback caused by the hurricane. But, you are fortunate in having extended family in Panama that you visit. We have lost a lot of income through illness. When we get to Panama we will have to find what one real estate agent called "typical, modest, Panamanian home." I grew up that way in the foothills of Tn., but am to old to carry water anymore and I don't think I have the stomach to kill my own chickens for Sunday dinner like mama did. If the place will keep the rain off our heads and has electricity I am all for it. I am in it for one last adventure before I'm too old to remember where I want to go.

I just hope we can find an area with Panamanians that don't hate us for being "Gringo's." Here in Tennessee we have always had immigrant workers from Mexico around us every year. They are the best neighbors....not the best drivers mind you:) But, I don't imagine I will be the norm at driving when I get to Panama either. I hope to be as good a neighbor in Panama as the Mexicans have been to us here.

I too have been shopping for real estate online and have already found out that renting is the best way to go. I been contacted by Real Estate Agents...maybe, that tried to sell me property that foreigners are not allowed to buy even through a corporation. I cross reference any information I get by looking up the town, any bad weather history, incoming industry in the area. There's a lot of information on the internet but the best way of getting good information is through people like you who have been there and know first hand.

Thanks again for the information. Sorry for the long email but I am from the South. Most of us talk real slow....and a lot:) Hope to meet yawl sometime in the future.

Comment #15 Elizabeth (190.32.89.152) - 02/06/10 17:38

"Mother in Panama"

I am a mother of a now 11 year old and have lived 2 years in Boquete, Panama. We moved here from the Gulf Coast when he was 1/2 way through teh 3rd grade. So.. what we did was this:

I purchased an accredited distance learning program and each morning we finished up thrid grade. Laurel Springs was great but there are others. In the afternoon, our son attended a local private school as an "auditor."

We continued this through 4th grade. Half way through the fifth grade he was matriculated into the Panamanian school system.

So what's best? Well, it depends firstly on your kid. Mine is highly social. He toughed it out and has become assimilated into life here.

I do spend time with him reviewing English Grammer (this during our summer break) and he reads every night with his dad.

I do worry that he is not getting the BEST education. But then, he is bilingual, bicultural and he seems to get along quite well.

There are some very good schools in David for those staying longer and eventually our son will likely go to one.

For a six month stay, I would recommend home schooling.

For longer, I suggest splitting until you decide what is best. And, this March, a new, bilingual school opens up for grades K - 5 in Boquete! And I hear it's pretty good!

Good luck. Elizabeth

E-Mail:         

Name:            (required)

Title:           (required)

Message (do not enter emails or links or urls in the message!):