Balboa Academy and Crossroads Christian Academy are both in Panama City, about 2 km apart. Both schools offer American programmes. Balboa Academy also offers Advanced Placement (AP), and Crossroads Christian Academy also offers Bespoke and Christian. Published annual fees are $1,993 - 16,005 at Balboa Academy and $8,100 - 13,250 at Crossroads Christian Academy, which puts Crossroads Christian Academy roughly 19% higher. Both take pupils from 3 to 18. Balboa Academy is the larger school, with around 901 pupils to Crossroads Christian Academy's 167. Typical class sizes are 22 at Balboa Academy and 13 at Crossroads Christian Academy.
American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, Christian Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
901
Pupils
167
Typical class size
Typical class size
22
Typical class size
13
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
1999
Opened
1997
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Balboa Academy is a private school in Panama City, located in the heart of the capital's vibrant community. The school sits in Ciudad del Saber (City of Knowledge) in Clayton, Panama City. This location places Balboa Academy in the Clayton neighborhood with convenient access to Panama City's amenities.
Location
The Crossroads Christian Academy is located in the Corozal area of Panama City, Republic of Panama. The address is Building #6582 Corozal, Ave. Omar Torrijos-Herrera, between Albrook and Clayton.
Stages
Stages
Balboa Academy serves students from PK-3 through 12th grade. Academic stages include Preschool (ages 3-4), Elementary (ages 5-10), Middle School (ages 11-14), and High School (ages 15-18).
Stages
The school serves Pre-K through 12th grade, organized into Elementary, Middle School, and High School.
School type
School type
The school is a private day, college-preparatory school offering a U.S.-standards-based curriculum and dual Panamanian/U.S. diplomas.
School type
The school is a private international Christian school.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
Over 40 nationalities represented.
Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Honor and support classes are offered.
Additional learning support
The school generally does not accept students with special educational needs.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Panama and the United States. The school issues dual Panamanian and U.S. diplomas.
Country affiliation
Panama
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
Christian (affiliated with Crossroads Bible Church; operates with a Christian faith-based mission)
The school year runs from August to mid-June. School hours are 7:40 AM–2:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and 7:40 AM–12:40 PM on Wednesdays.
Bus service details
Bus service details
Bus transportation is available for all Balboa Academy students. The service is provided by TRANES PANAMA, S.A. Clayton is among the served areas; many neighborhoods across Panama City are included.
Bus service details
CCA does not operate its own bus service; transportation can be arranged through an external referral.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application and Admission fees - Application / evaluation fee: USD 150, paid online as part of the application process. - Admission fee (one-time, payable on acceptance/enrolment): USD 12,000.
Annual tuition — non‑sponsored students (full year) - PK3 & PK4: USD 7,966 per year. - Kindergarten: USD 12,541 per year. - Grades 1–5: USD 12,665 per year. - Grades 6–12: USD 14,006 per year.
Annual tuition — sponsored students (full year) - PK3 & PK4: USD 9,257 per year. - Kindergarten: USD 13,828 per year. - Grades 1–5: USD 13,965 per year. - Grades 6–12: USD 15,309 per year.
Tuition per term / instalments and billing schedule - The school calendar published for the 2025–26 year uses quarter/term blocks. The school does not publish a public per‑term invoice table on the fee pages; the website invites families to contact the admissions team about payment options. Where a school uses term or monthly instalments, per‑term amounts are normally calculated from the annual tuition and the school's chosen number of instalments; Balboa Academy's public fee pages do not list per‑term amounts or an explicit payment‑due calendar. - Application payment is taken online through the application link. For other billing cadence (annual, termly, monthly), accepted instalment plans and specific due dates are not detailed on the school's public fees page.
Boarding fees - No boarding provision or boarding fees are published for Balboa Academy. The school's materials describe the campus and programmes for day students; therefore boarding fees are not applicable.
Other costs and typical additional charges - Registration/annual administration fees (listed above) apply in addition to tuition. - Uniforms: uniforms are required and may be purchased through the school's listed supplier (Galapago Panama); individual uniform item prices are not published on the school fee pages. - Bus service: a paid bus service is available for multiple areas; route coverage is published but bus fares are not listed on the public pages. - School meals: a daily lunch service (partnered with Yaya's Kitchen) is offered and menus are available monthly; meal pricing is not published on the school's fee page. - After‑school and extracurricular activities: some activities may have additional costs; specific activity fees are not published on the general fees page.
Refunds and cancellations - No detailed public refund policy, pro‑rata withdrawal table or explicit refund rules for tuition or other fees are published on the school's public fees or admissions pages. Families are required to contact the admissions office for enrolment and fee terms; specific refund provisions are not listed.
Fee payment options (what is publicly stated) - The application/evaluation fee is paid via the application link during the application process. Beyond that, the school's public pages invite enquiries about payment options but do not enumerate accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, local payment portals) or give step‑by‑step payment instructions on the general fees page. Families are directed to contact the admissions office for payment arrangements.
Summary of verified figures and totals - Key published figures (application fee, admission fee, annual fees, tuition rates for sponsored and non‑sponsored students) are taken from the school's public fees and admissions pages. Third‑party fee aggregators also reproduce these figures and show combined first‑year totals that include the one‑time admission/registration charges plus annual tuition.
What was not publicly available on the school's fee pages (brief note) - The school's public pages do not provide an itemised per‑term invoice table, explicit payment due dates or schedules, detailed payment‑method instructions (credit card vs bank transfer vs payment portal), per‑item uniform or meal prices, or a published refund/withdrawal refund schedule. For those items, families must contact the school's admissions or finance office to obtain the official payment schedule, instalment options, accepted payment methods and the school's refund policy.
Fee details
Application and Entry Fees
- Application (processing) fee: USD 100 per student (nonrefundable). - Testing fee (new applicants): USD 50 (one-time). - Registration fee (annual): USD 650 per student (paid yearly with registration; nonrefundable). - Entrance (one-time enrollment) fee: standard listed amount for 2026–2027 is USD 5,000 per student with multiple payment options; alternative corporate entrance amounts and historical payment options are published for families on company/embassy plans. Payment-option examples include a one-time USD 5,000 payment or staggered plans over 5, 10, or 20 months at higher totals (e.g., options shown include USD 5,250, USD 5,500, or up to USD 6,000 depending on the plan chosen). The entrance fee is required to secure a place and is nonrefundable.
Tuition fees by year group (School Year 2026–2027)
- K3 & K4: USD 7,450 per year (equivalent listed as USD 745 per month on a 10-month plan). - K5 & Grades 1–4: USD 8,130 per year (equivalent listed as USD 813 per month on a 10-month plan). - Grades 5–8 (Middle School): USD 8,790 per year (equivalent listed as USD 879 per month on a 10-month plan). - Grades 9–12 (High School): USD 9,500 per year (equivalent listed as USD 950 per month on a 10-month plan).
- Corporate (employer-paid) tuition rates (examples published): K3 & K4 USD 9,000; K5 & Elementary USD 13,500; Middle School USD 14,500; High School USD 15,000. Corporate rates and conditions apply when an employer or organization is directly responsible for payment.
How tuition is billed and payment terms (billing schedule)
- Tuition is charged on an annual basis with an option to pay via a standard 10-month payment plan. When using the 10-month plan, the annual tuition is divided into 10 equal monthly payments. The listed monthly amounts on the 2026–2027 schedule equal the annual tuition divided by 10. - First monthly payment: due no later than five business days before the start of classes when using monthly payments; students may not attend classes until this first payment has been received. Subsequent monthly payments are due on the 10th of each month (months cited include 9/10, 10/10, 11/10, 12/10, 1/10, 2/10, 3/10, 4/10, and 5/10 for the standard payment cycle). Payments are considered past due on the 11th; a 10% late fee is assessed on outstanding balances each month. - Accounts 90 days past due: students with accounts reflecting 90 days of outstanding balance will be notified that the student will not be allowed to attend school or extracurricular activities until payments are made and/or a payment plan is approved. Report cards, transcripts, and access to some online systems will be withheld for families with outstanding balances.
Other mandatory and common fees (yearly / per-service)
- Technology fee (annual): Elementary (K5–5) USD 20; Middle School USD 40; High School USD 90 (due with August payment). - Graduation fee (Grade 12): USD 125 (due with August payment). - After-school and extracurricular activity fees: variable by activity and season; parents are charged specific fees when signing up for optional programs. - Before-school supervision (early drop-off): USD 5 per day (as needed) or USD 30 per month (monthly plan; no refunds if not used). After-school late pickup supervision: USD 20 for the first 30 minutes and USD 20 for each additional 30-minute increment. - Field trip transportation: minimum fee USD 5 per trip when transportation is required. - Textbooks: included in tuition; textbooks remain school property. Parents are charged for damaged or lost textbooks (cost of replacement plus shipping, and a minimum surcharge where applicable). - Returned / rejected checks: minimum fee USD 30. Fees charged may vary based on bank charges. - Transcripts and academic document fees: examples published include USD 5 per U.S. transcript copy, USD 20 for local institution copies (translation/formatting), and USD 40 for processing a local Panamanian diploma. Fees vary by document and service. - Hot lunch program: available through a contracted vendor; ordering and payment are done through the vendor's website and require payment by credit card.
Boarding
- Crossroads Christian Academy does not operate boarding facilities. Transportation to and from school is the responsibility of parents; school transportation for extracurricular activities is arranged on a per-activity basis with outside providers.
Refunds and withdrawal-related charges
- Entrance fee and registration fee: these fees are required to secure enrollment and are nonrefundable. - CCAOnline and other course-specific refunds: refund and withdrawal rules vary by course type. There are no refunds for Dual Credit courses; partial refunds for paid online courses are handled according to the CCAOnline registration form and the vendor's stated policy. Specific partial-refund amounts and timelines are described on CCAOnline registration materials. - Monthly-service refunds: some monthly service fees (for example the monthly before-school supervision rate) are not refundable if unused; other item-specific refund rules (e.g., for paid extracurriculars or special programs) are applied as described at registration for those services.
Accepted payment methods and payment instructions
- Payments may be made online or at Banco General branches using the school payment booklet; confirmation of online payments should be sent to the school office to ensure correct posting. Payments may also be made to the school's stateside bank account; families should contact the school office for the specific stateside bank instructions and wiring details. Checks from U.S. banks may be deposited to the local account but typically require an additional processing fee (an example fee is USD 21.40 to cover local processing). - FACTS (school billing platform) is used for account management and billing statements; late fees are applied automatically through the billing platform when payments are late. - Hot lunch payments are handled directly by the lunch vendor and require credit-card payment on the vendor site. Some transcript or document fees may require payment by credit or debit card.
What the annual tuition covers
- The published tuition figures include core textbooks, the yearbook, standardized testing in elementary grades, and required online class access for high-school graduation where applicable. Additional items such as tickets or food for special events, optional extracurricular activities, special course fees (AP, dual-credit, or vendor online course fees beyond the baseline), field trips, lunch, and some activity-specific costs are billed separately.
Key enforcement and account conditions
- Students may not begin the school year if outstanding balances from prior years remain unpaid. The first monthly payment and annual technology fee must be paid by the start-of-year deadline (examples show these due no later than August 1 in published materials). Families with outstanding balances are restricted from receiving report cards, transcripts, and access to certain services until the account is cleared. Subscriptions to the 10-month plan and late fees are enforced per the published billing schedule.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Balboa Academy provides PK3-12 with a US standards-based curriculum and English as the language of instruction. The middle school offers courses in English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Sciences, Modern Languages, Computer Science, and an Encore curriculum, with accelerated options and Panama-required courses taught in Spanish. The school operates on a 180-day calendar with two semesters (August to mid-December; mid-January to mid-June). The high school offers 19 Advanced Placement (AP) courses and 4 PreAP courses; AP subjects include Art History, Biology, Calculus AB, Comparative Government, Computer Science Principles, English Language, English Literature, Environmental Science, Human Geography, Physics 1, Psychology, Seminar, Research, Spanish Language, Spanish Literature, Statistics, Studio Art 2D, Studio Art Drawing, and World History. The AP Capstone Diploma is available for students who complete at least 4 AP subjects in addition to AP Seminar and AP Research. All Balboa Academy graduates earn both a U.S. high school diploma and a Panamanian Bachiller en Ciencias y Letras.
Curriculum details
Pre-K through 12th grade curricula meet Panamanian and U.S. standards and include a dual diploma program recognized in both countries. The school provides an English-language, Christian education with Spanish taught as a language; classes are small, averaging 13 students. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association (MSA) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and is authorized by MEDUCA. Advanced coursework includes dual-credit and AP options, with SAT/ACT testing available for 9–12 and frequent focus on college readiness. A North American High School diploma requires 25 credits and 80 hours of community service, with a local Panamanian diploma option; MAP assessments guide K5–9 and PSAT/SAT pathways exist for college preparation. 92% of graduates move on to post-secondary institutions.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
Classes average 13 students per class. All teachers are fluent English speakers, with foreign language instructors as exceptions.
Exam results
Exam results
In 2023, 210 Balboa Academy students took 403 AP exams, with 77% scoring 3+ on at least one AP exam.
Exam results
Students are evaluated with MAP (K5–9) and PSAT/PSAT-style assessments; high school students take PSAT 8/9 and may take SAT, ACT, and AP exams. Final exams or projects are administered in all core subjects; high school finals count as 20% of the semester grade. Grades in grades 9–12 require passing with 60% or higher to earn credit; advanced courses are graded on a 4.5 GPA scale to reflect increased content.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Class of 2025 received 779 university offers, with an average of 13.4 offers per student and an average of $848,000 in scholarships awarded per student. Graduates have gained admission to universities across the United States, Canada, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Panama; institutions include McGill University, University of Toronto, Western University, Columbia University, Georgetown University, Duke University, University of Florida, and University of Michigan, among others.
Higher education progression
92% of CCA graduates immediately move on to post-secondary institutions in Panama and around the world. The school supports college readiness through a North American diploma, local Panamanian diploma options, and access to SAT/ACT/AP testing.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
Balboa Academy offers a rigorous AP program with 19 AP courses and 4 PreAP courses. AP Capstone Diploma is available for students who complete AP Seminar and AP Research along with at least 4 AP courses. AP courses receive a GPA weighting of 0.5.
Gifted and talented
Advanced coursework is available, including dual-credit and AP courses to challenge students. Students in grades 9–12 may take SAT, ACT, and AP exams with guidance from the college counselor. Advanced courses use a 4.5 GPA scale to reflect higher content and workload.
Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Make an enquiry by completing the Enquiry Form. The Admissions Team will contact you to arrange a visit to the campus. Complete Balboa Academy's online application and pay the $150 application and evaluation fee. Include copies of the child's passport, birth certificate, immunization records or the Immunization Form filled out by your child's pediatrician, copies of both parents' passports, and all academic records including the current school year's grades. Balboa Academy accepts copies in English or Spanish; originals translated into Spanish by a notarized translator in Panama are required by MEDUCA if records are not in Spanish. An in-person or virtual evaluation and interview will be scheduled. The evaluation for Preschool lasts about 30 minutes and for Kindergarten through 12th grade about an hour, and it is conducted entirely in English. The Admissions Committee reviews complete applications and makes a final decision within 10 calendar days. Students may be accepted without conditions, accepted with conditions, denied, or placed on the waiting list. If offered, enrolment fees are payable to join Balboa Academy. The school teaches in English.
Admissions
1. The online application can be started by clicking INQUIRE or APPLY on the Admissions page. 2. Meet admissions criteria. All applicants' parents/guardians must agree to have their child taught in the context of CCA's statement of faith. Space and staff limitations mean students with special educational needs are generally not accepted. All students accepted in 1st grade through 12th grade must be able to speak and write in English at their academic level. 3. Provide required application documents. These include the application form, the $100 application fee, birth certificate, and copies of IDs for parents, completed Director form from the current school, two teacher recommendations, a doctor health form, up-to-date immunization records, and school records (transcripts). International applicants must provide original records with an apostille where applicable; Panamanian local records require the Registro Académico Acumulativo with apostille as needed. 4. Grade-specific requirements. K3 applicants must be 3 years old by August 1 and potty trained. K4 applicants must be 4 by August 1, be potty trained, and able to eat independently; all Pre-K applicants are evaluated for readiness. K5 through 10th Grade applicants must be proficient in English and must pass an academic examination and interview; transfers from Panamanian schools may have additional considerations (e.g., not transferring in January, must maintain a 4.0 average, and must pass examination and interview). 11th Grade applicants are highly selective and require very strong prior records, references, and English ability; 12th Grade applicants are rarely accepted, especially if transferring from systems other than the US. 5. Apply online and plan next steps. Use the online application link to complete the process; schedule a visit if desired and contact the Admissions Coordinator for questions.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The Nsouli Scholars Programme provides 50 full-scholarship places at Inspired schools at any one time for the duration of students' education. The endowment honours Nadim Nsouli, founder of Inspired, and scholarships are awarded with inclusivity in mind, including individuals of Lebanese origin.
Scholarships
Financial Assistance: CCA offers limited financial assistance to families who demonstrate need. Financial assistance is awarded based on an evaluation of each family's situation, using both objective and subjective factors (including years associated with CCA, parental and student involvement, academic performance and character, and community considerations). FAST is used to collect, validate, and provide a specific recommendation for financial assistance, and the family is responsible for paying the FAST application fee of $60. Applications are due no later than February 28th of each year for the upcoming school year, which begins in August. Financial aid, when granted, is awarded for one year at a time and families must re-apply each year to demonstrate continuing need, with the student maintaining a GPA of 2.5 or above. Financial assistance is available for students in all grades (K3–Grade 12).
Waitlist
Waitlist
Candidates may be placed on Balboa Academy's waiting list.
