'schooling in David.' Education

Andrew Smith (201.229.232.24) -

Hi there. I am 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 I am planning on being). Are there schools from infant to full graduation there or are the better schools found in the Capital.I would prefer a bi lingual school...Spanish/English where French is also a subject.

Comment #1 dan mizell (64.12.117.5) -

I am considering a move to the David area and need information on bilingual schools, quality of education, curriculum, school sessions during the year, and grade levels offered.

Comment #2 samantha (85.58.6.175) -

I would also like to know about schooling in David or Boquete

Comment #3 Michael from Kentucky (Contact Member) -

Has anyone learned more about these questions concerning the education alternatives in David/Boquete? My wife and I will be visiting the first week of September and would like to visit some schools for our grandchildren.

Comment #4 Jack Bauer from CR ,at the moment (Contact Member) -

Jack Bauer is in need of a 5 th grade opportunity for his daughter Mira (11), Mira speaks fluently Engl. & Span......Where to go ? Who can please give an advice ....Thanks, ...Jack

Comment #5 Fred (63.176.159.97) -

What kind of extra curricular activities does the school district offer kids?

Comment #6 ken (63.176.159.54) -

what exactly are bilingual schools?

Comment #7 Jim from New York (Contact Member) -

Schools that would teach both English and Spanish and teach IN both English and Spanish.

Comment #8 Simon (63.176.159.134) -

As a future education graduate, I'm wondering how well off teachers are in Panama and maybe the David area. From what you all have said it seems like a nice area, but how nice is the education system there?

Comment #9 David (63.176.159.119) -

I have heard it said that bilingual education is neither bilingual nor education. Kids subjected to it (and remember, behind the language comes the culture) leave school with neither culture. So they are neither Panamanian nor "gringos", they end up with nothing. It is quite differente, from WITHIN the Panamanian culture to learn English and appreciate American and/or English culture and history, but stay Panamanian.

Any thoughts?

Comment #10 Brenda mcgehee (71.21.90.80) -

hi my family will be moving to david in nov. i have a 13 year old son who is in middle school and is currently in 8th grade any info on scooling there would be great? private or public?

thanks?

Comment #11 Vidaverde (1) from Gulf Coast (Contact Member) -

There is one school in Boquete but, it does not offer an American College preparatory educational program, if that is what you are looking for. It is Instituto Guadalupano. They claim to be bilingual but I don't believe the teachers are fluent in English. In David, there is a school called "American School" for grades pre-school to 9th I believe. You can find more info on these schools on other sites.

Comment #12 Alicia Brankel (97.118.105.45) - 01/22/10 15:16

"M.Ed."

We too, are looking to move to the area soon. I am a certified teacher in language arts and social studies. Keep my e-mail handy if your kids need tutoring.

Comment #13 Elizabeth from Boquete, Panama (Contact Member) - 02/06/10 17:57

"Schools in David and Boquete"

Boquete has a new school starting March. It is right downtown and the curriculum is bilingual. It will start with grades K - 5 and grow with the group. The director seems to be very organized and feedback from the summer program is good so far.

We managed 1/2 day with accredited Home School and 1/2 day with auditing local private school until our son could be matriculated. He is a social child and it is what he wanted. Several of the teachers at Guadalupano are bilingual, but I would not describe it as a truly bilingual program.

The difficulties most parents have is actually with teaching style, which tends to be rote and involve copious copying.

My friends who send their children to school in David sent them to St. Augustin and El Canso. Both are said to be excellent and my friends who have graduated from there are engineers and lawyers, etc.

Learning style is not in focus here and teachers make little money. So supplies are low and schools are not fancy.

It's not the USA. Kids will grow where you plant them and home life is very important. We do read with our son who is now bilingual and whose buddies are Panamanian. It was a transition and a challenge, but we did it! Also, during summer break (winter time) I do supplement with grammar, reading, etc. There is no easy answer. So much depends on who your child is, how they learn, and gender here, in my opinion, figures.

The new school in Boquete sounds hopeful. Bigger challenges lie ahead if your child moves here and is in his/her teen years. This is where distance learning programs and computers have proven extremely helpful to many.

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