International School of Panama: All You Need To Know
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The International School of Panama or ISP is located in Cerro Viento Rural on the route to Club de Golf. The International School of Panama was established in 1982 and is currently home to almost 850 students from all over the world. They offer classes from Pre-Kinder and 3 – 12th grade.
New applications to what is considered as the best school in Panama are accepted up through May. Applications go under review by the committee. The calendar runs from August – June. ISP Panama graduates are certified by the Ministry of Education in Panama. As well as an International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
The School curriculum includes special education programs and classes for students with learning disabilities.
Special needs students are considered for admission to ISP on an individual basis. This will depend on their needs and the level of service available to ensure success in the regular classroom environment.
The Child Study Team uses a variety of information such as psychological and educational evaluations, Individual Educational Plan, school grades and interviews with parents and teachers determines admission.
All subjects are taught in English.
International School of Panama Fees
Costs for International School of Panama are the following
-
Application Fee:
PK 3- 12
USD: $250.00
This fee is designed to cover the cost of processing applications, and evaluations when necessary. This non-refundable fee must be paid when the application is submitted.
- Capital Donation:
PK 3 – 12
USD: $16,000.00
ISP is a non-profit school and to fund the capital development of the School, each new student will be required to make a one-time Capital Donation. This non-refundable fee must be paid for all new students within ten calendar days of official admittance to reserve a space. New PK3 – 12th-grade students cannot commence school if the corresponding capital donation is not settled. Official admittance means when the Parent/Guardian has been notified via e-mail.
Please Note:
- For new non-institutional PK-3 students a total capital donation of USD 16,000 may be paid in two installments. USD 6,000 due upon admission and USD 10,000 due on April 1, 2020.
- For new non-institutional students in PK-4 through 5th grade, you must donate USD 10,000. This is due upon admission and USD 6,000 due on April 1, 2020.
- New families with one child in 6th grade onwards must pay one installment of USD 16,000. This must be done within ten calendar days of official admittance into the school.
- New families with more than one child may have the option of paying in two installments per child if they so request. USD 11,000 is due when officially admitted to the school and USD 5,000 at the beginning of the following semester.
Siblings of new students who enrolled in SY 2016-2017 will pay a capital donation of USD 15,000 until SY 2019-2020. After SY 2019-2020, new ISP siblings will pay the regular capital donation established in the payment plan at that time.
-
Annual Registration Fee:
PK3 – 12
USD: $1,000.00
The Registration Fee is due in full at the time of admission and is not prorated regardless of enrollment date. This fee is non-refundable.
If a student qualifies for admission and there is an available space, the school may agree to reserve a seat for no more than one semester. To reserve a space for a new student, payment must be made for the Capital Donation, Registration Fee and the current semester of tuition. These payments are non-refundable. Reservations cannot be made for more than one semester in advance.
Annual Tuition
ISP tuition rates will be as follows:
| PK3 | USD 9,424.00 |
| Grades PK4-5 | USD 14,111.00 |
| Grades 6-8 | USD 15,479.00 |
| Grades 9-12 | USD 17,502.00 |
The costs of textbook rental, workbooks, and other consumable instructional materials are covered by the tuition payment. Exceptions to this list may include special materials requested for certain subjects.
Tuition Payment Plan for New Students
For new students starting in August 2019, tuition and fees will be due according to the following schedule:
Quarterly tuition and fees will be due according to the following schedule:
| Due Date | PK3 | PK4-5 | 6-8 | 9-12 |
| July 30, 2019 | 2,356.00 | 3,528.00 | 3,870.00 | 4,375.00 |
| Sep. 27, 2019 | 2,356.00 | 3,528.00 | 3,870.00 | 4,375.00 |
| January 3, 2020 | 2,356.00 | 3,528.00 | 3,870.00 | 4,375.00 |
| March 20, 2020 | 2,356.00 | 3,527.00 | 3,869.00 | 4,377.00 |
The School will send reminders, but responsibility for making payments on their due date rests with the Parent/Guardian. Tuition payments are due as follows: July 30, 2019; September 27, 2019; January 3, 2020, and March 20, 2020.
The costs of textbook rental, workbooks, and other consumable instructional materials are covered by the tuition payment. Exceptions to this list may include special materials requested for certain subjects.
Other General School Fees for New & Returning Students
Institutional Fee
USD: $3,500.00 per student
An annual per-student Institutional Fee to subsidize the operating costs associated with running an international school is also placed. This is to accommodate and better serve the needs of more transient families.
This fee applies to families with students whose educational benefits are paid directly/indirectly, reimbursed fully or partially, or included in their remuneration package by their employers, embassies, banks, corporations or other organizations. This fee is due upon acceptance or at the time of re-enrollment. Students in this category, as established in the admissions policy, have priority for admissions.
As part of the application process for all students applying to ISP, the Parents/Guardians will be required to complete an Institutional Fee Declaration. Here they will indicate if their employer is fully or partially responsible for the school fees of the child. For returning students, the Institutional Fee Declaration must be completed every year as part of the re-enrollment process. Re-enrollment will not be processed unless all required information and documents are submitted.
Selective Student Fees for Special Services and Events
- EAL Fee: The goal of the EAL program is to give non-native English speakers special assistance in learning the language skills needed to perform successfully in the regular ISP classroom environment. The school will determine the need of this service. For students requiring this special service, the parent must pay an additional school fee of USD500.00 per semester. This fee will be charged at the beginning of each semester in which the additional EAL services are provided.
- Learning Support Program Fee: The Learning Support Program at ISP is based on the philosophy that individuals vary in their learning styles, level of ability, pacing needs, motivation, and interests. Student needs are met through differentiated instruction and clearly defined expectations appropriate to their level. For students requiring learning support service, the parent must pay an additional school fee of USD500.00 per semester. This fee will be charged at the beginning of each semester in which the additional Learning Support services are provided.
If the student requires both services (EAL and Learning Support) the parents must pay a single fee of USD750.00 per semester to cover these services.
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Fees: Students in the eleventh and twelfth grades, who choose to enroll in the IB Program, will be assessed separate IB program fees. These fees are payable through the school and are collected over a two-year period.
Re-Admissions Fee
Families with returning students who for reasons of relocation or to attend another school have voluntarily withdrawn for more than twelve months will be charged a Readmission Fee. This fee is equal to 10% of the Capital Donation amount at the time of readmission and is subject to the same rules and regulations as a Capital Donation. For the 2019-2020 Academic Year, the Re-Admissions fee will be USD 1,600.00. Any outstanding debts to the School must be settled in full before a student can be considered for readmission.
Tel: 293-3000
Kent Davis, founder of Panama Equity Real Estate, is a leading expert in Panama’s competitive real estate market. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, he holds a Marketing Information Systems degree from James Madison University. After a successful corporate career managing multimillion-dollar inventories at Hajoca Corporation, Kent pursued his dream of living abroad, moving to Panama in 2007.
Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, he established Panama Equity to connect buyers, sellers, and investors with Panama’s top properties. Known for his transparency, expertise, and market insights, Kent has helped hundreds navigate Panama’s real estate landscape. Fluent in Spanish, he frequently publishes market reports to empower clients with informed decisions.
Beyond real estate, Kent is passionate about Panama’s culture, landscapes, and surf-friendly beaches. He lives in Panama with his wife and three sons, embracing the vibrant lifestyle the country offers.
