· updated monthly
The five schools Panama city parents researched most this year, chosen from the 24 international schools in the city. Ranked by how many families opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between July 2025 and June 2026, then the full picture on curricula, class sizes and fees.
The 2026 ranking
Ranked purely by parent interest — the number of families who opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between July 2025 and June 2026.
Boston School International (BSI) is an IB World School in Costa del Este, Panama, serving learners from 3 to 18 years old. The school offers the full IB continuum: Early Learning (PK), PYP through Grade 5, MYP through Grade 10, and the DP for Grades 11-12, with English as the primary language of instruction. Mandarin is taught from Primary through DP, alongside Spanish; the bilingual IB Diploma uses English A and Spanish A. BSI is part of the International Schools Partnership (ISP) and operates across two campuses, including a new Early Learning Campus opened in 2022. Facilities include science, technology and robotics labs, an art and music suite, a bright library and cafeteria, plus classrooms with interactive displays. There are 18 extracurriculars, including MUN, international chess, and collaborative projects, with CAS, Future Pathways, and language opportunities supporting development. The school uses dual curricula described as British and Costa Rican for families.
Founded in 1982, the International School of Panama is a nonprofit school serving Pre‑K 3 to 12th grade affiliated with MEDUCA. ISP offers Bespoke Curriculum, IB Diploma Programme, and American Curriculum. The K–12 program emphasizes content mastery and transferable skills in a student‑centred environment, with Know, Understand, Do outcomes and a Transferable Skills Rubric to monitor progress. English and Spanish are core languages, with EAL support and placement testing. The 10‑hectare campus hosts 71 classrooms, six science laboratories, five STEM innovation labs, eight visual arts studios, and two libraries. A 538‑seat auditorium hosts assemblies; two cafeterias; and facilities for sport, including three tennis courts, a semi‑Olympic pool, two indoor gyms, a weight gym, two soccer fields, and two basketball courts. Sustainability features include solar panels and wastewater treatment. Clubs include PANAMUN, iGEM, and VEX Robotics Club; TECHO por mi País and Make‑a‑Wish. ISP also provides Student Wellbeing and Support Services.
St. Mary School is a private Catholic institution in Panama serving Pre‑Kinder through Secondary levels, following an international academic calendar. Its mission guarantees the comprehensive development of students through ongoing education with family involvement and aims to form citizens with strong academic preparation, English language proficiency, and social awareness. Class times vary by level: Pre‑Kinder 7:00–1:00; Kindergarten through 3rd grade 7:00–2:15; Primary and Secondary 7:00–2:25. The curriculum emphasizes English proficiency and prepares students for international settings. The school runs STEM Teams and hosted the SCI‑TECH 2023 science fair, featuring projects such as a robotic grabbing arm and ultrasonic levitation. The SMS‑Debate program, via the Crusaders Club, has attended the NCE 22 congress. The SMS Digital Museum preserves student work and annual multimedia projects. Cultural programming includes Desfiles Patrios and Acto Civico, reflecting community engagement. Leadership and professional growth are fostered through clubs and debate, with strong family partnership across activities.
Situated in Panama Pacifico, the Lycée Français International de Panama is a private French international school serving ages 2 to 18. It delivers the French curriculum in alignment with the AEFE network, with a trilingual environment—French, Spanish and English—from preschool onward and Portuguese available from lycée. The school offers a complete path from Maternelle to Terminale, preparing students for higher education at international universities. The campus houses science and technology laboratories, a plurilingual library and multimedia classrooms, and modern spaces for arts, theater and music. Facilities include a semi-Olympic pool, sports fields and a gym, supporting healthy lifestyles. A comprehensive safety system and qualified staff ensure a secure learning environment. The community spans more than 40 nationalities, with involvement in AEFE connected globally (more than 600 schools across 140 countries). In 2025, the Lycée reported 100% Bac results, reflecting its rigorous preparation and strong student outcomes for university admission.
Balboa Academy is a private day, college-preparatory school in Panama City, located in Ciudad del Saber, Clayton. It offers a U.S. standards-based curriculum with English as the language of instruction and issues dual Panamanian and U.S. diplomas. The program serves PK3–12 with a 180-day, two-semester calendar. The middle and high schools provide English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Sciences, Modern Languages, Computer Science, and an Encore curriculum, with accelerated options and Spanish-language courses required by Panama. The high school offers 19 AP courses plus 4 Pre-AP courses; AP Capstone is available after completing at least four APs plus AP Seminar and AP Research. Balboa Academy operates on the Ciudad del Saber campus with three academic buildings, an Athletics Building, and access to a sports complex. A Costa Sur campus opens in 2027. The school joined Inspired Education Group, supporting Exchange Programs and Global Camps with participants from over 40 nationalities across continents.
What’s on offer
The mix of programmes and teaching languages across all 24 schools. Many offer more than one curriculum, so totals run higher than the school count.
Number of schools teaching each curriculum.
Number of schools teaching in each language.
Size & classes
School size and class size shape day-to-day experience as much as curriculum does.
Schools grouped by total enrolment.
Average school size is 568 students · based on the 19 schools that report enrolment.
Schools grouped by typical class size.
Average class size is 17.9 students · based on the 17 schools that report it.
What it costs
Fees shown are one year for a 12-year-old (or the closest age available), excluding one-time enrolment costs.
Across the 15 schools that publish a price for a 12-year-old. All figures in USD.
How many schools sit in each annual-fee range.
Tell Doris your budget, your child’s age and what matters most — we will shortlist the right schools in Panama city, free and impartial.