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Getting the kids settled
Schools in Panama City
Schools in Panama City run on two different academic calendars. Picking the wrong one can cost a child part of a year. International schools run August to June, while local and public schools run March to December. Tuition at the top four ranges from about $8,000 to $24,000.
Before you enroll
What to Know
CALENDAR
Panama runs two school years
Public schools and most local private schools run March to December, with the long holiday from mid-December to late February. International schools run August to June. Your choice of school therefore sets your family’s whole year, including when you can travel.
COST
The first year costs far more
Tuition is only part of it. Several top schools charge a one-time capital or admission payment, and it is substantial: $16,000 at one, $12,000 at another. Add annual registration, uniforms, transport, and meals. Budget well above the number on the tuition page.
PAPERWORK
MEDUCA has to validate transcripts
Anyone entering second grade or above from a foreign school needs MEDUCA convalidation within six months. You need transcripts from first grade onward, plus an apostille on the last grade completed. Translations into Spanish must be done by a certified translator in Panama. The fee itself is $5.
ADMISSIONS
Waitlists are real, apply early
The best-known schools maintain formal waiting pools by grade, and paying an application fee guarantees nothing. Offers commonly hold a seat for only ten days. Rolling mid-year admission does exist here, which helps arriving families. It does not create a seat where none is free.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the school year start in March or August in Panama?
Both, and it depends entirely on the school. Public schools and most local private and bilingual schools follow the national calendar, running late February or March through December. International schools follow the northern hemisphere, running August to mid-June. Confirm the calendar with each school directly. A school’s name rarely tells you which category it falls into.
How much does an international school cost in Panama City?
Annual tuition at the four best-known international schools runs roughly $8,300 to $24,200 depending on school and grade level. Across all schools listed for the city, the average sits near $10,700. The full range runs from about $2,000 to $33,000. Some schools also charge a higher rate when an employer is paying the bill.
Will my child lose a year switching between calendars?
Possibly, and this is a Ministry rule rather than a school policy. Enrol in January and MEDUCA places your child in the grade they have completed. Enrol in August and they go into the grade they are currently in. A calendar switch can therefore cost part of a year. MEDUCA is the only body that can assign the grade, and no school can override it.
How early should I apply to schools here?
Six to twelve months ahead is the common community advice, and the waiting pools support it. Applications are processed year round, with admissions committees at some schools meeting monthly. Assessments usually include an English proficiency test, math and Spanish placement, and an interview from around sixth grade up. Younger applicants typically get a campus play date instead.
What does daycare or a nanny cost, and what am I legally responsible for?
Daycare runs roughly $200–600 a month, and an international preschool program $500–1,000. Nannies commonly earn $400–800 a month. The legal minimum for domestic work in Panama City is $350 a month as of 2026. At three days a week or more, you must register as an employer with the Caja de Seguro Social. You also owe 30 days of vacation per 11 months worked, and the thirteenth month in three installments.
Where do adults learn Spanish in Panama City?
Several established schools serve expats, most of them clustered around El Cangrejo and Casco Viejo. Small group classes work out to roughly $15–20 per lesson, and private one-to-one runs $22–30. Weekly packages are the standard format rather than pay-as-you-go. Browse the directory above for current options and locations.
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