International School of Panama
4.6
AP + IB. Most diverse of the four. Solid academic record.
Pros
- AP + IB Diploma
- Diverse community
- Strong athletics
Cons
- ~18,000 USD/year
- Long waitlist
- Competitive admissions
- Monthly fee
- —
- Transfer fee
- ~18 000 USD/an
Comparisons
International schools in Panama City: 4 compared
The 4 reference international schools for expats in Panama City. Curriculum, fees, language, parent profile.
Updated : May 2026
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Comparison table
| Service | Score | Price | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
International School of PanamaWinnerAP + IB. Most diverse of the four. Solid academic record. | 4.6 | 18000 USD | See offer ↗ |
Lycée Paul Gauguin (AEFE)AEFE program, French brevet + baccalauréat. Well suited to French families. | 4.4 | 9500 USD | See offer ↗ |
IS Panama (Metropolitan)US curriculum, Costa del Este, largely Latin American student body. | 4.3 | 16500 USD | See offer ↗ |
Colegio Alemán Nicolás KopernikusTrilingual German + Spanish + English. Niche but strong. | 4.0 | 11000 USD | See offer ↗ |
Detailed cards
Lycée Paul Gauguin (AEFE)
4.4
AEFE program, French brevet + baccalauréat. Well suited to French families.
Pros
- French program
- Baccalauréat
- AEFE scholarships possible
Cons
- English secondary
- Small community
- Exit: return to France or switch tracks
- Monthly fee
- —
- Transfer fee
- ~9 500 USD/an
IS Panama (Metropolitan)
4.3
US curriculum, Costa del Este, largely Latin American student body.
Pros
- US curriculum
- Costa del Este
- Strong preschool
Cons
- Less international than ISP
- Adequate athletics
- Local-accented English
- Monthly fee
- —
- Transfer fee
- ~16 500 USD/an
Colegio Alemán Nicolás Kopernikus
4.0
Trilingual German + Spanish + English. Niche but strong.
Pros
- Trilingual
- High academic level
- Discipline
Cons
- German required
- Very small community
- Limited exit paths
- Monthly fee
- —
- Transfer fee
- ~11 000 USD/an
Our pick
International School of Panama (ISP)
AP + IB Diploma, full English immersion, most diverse community. The international standard.
- AP + IB Diploma
- Diverse community
- Global alumni network
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Frequently asked questions
How much does an international school cost in Panama?
ISP: $16,000-19,000/year. IS Panama Metropolitan: $14,500-17,500/year. Lycée Paul Gauguin: $8,500-10,500/year (AEFE scholarships possible for French). Deutsche Schule: $10,500-12,000/year. Enrollment fees additional ($1,500-3,000 once). Meals + transport ~$2,000/year.
Is there a French school in Panama?
Yes, Lycée Paul Gauguin in Panama City (full AEFE program, French brevet + bac). Accredited, so AEFE scholarships available for resident French nationals (CCPEFP, file to prepare in France before departure). Community ~400 students, small classes, solid academic level.
Can you enroll a child mid-year?
Yes — ISP, IS Panama and Lycée Paul Gauguin accept year-round enrollments if seats available. Level test (academic + language) typically required. French lycée: can accept directly from another AEFE school without test if school certificate provided.
Are Panamanian public schools decent?
Variable. Rural public schools are under-equipped. In Panama City, some public schools (notably in Costa del Este and San Francisco) are decent. But for expats with international careers in mind for their kids, private international schools remain the standard.
What's the Panamanian school calendar?
Panamanian calendar: March to December (summer in June-July, school break). International schools (ISP, IS Panama, Lycée français, Deutsche Schule) follow North-American or European calendar: August-June. For French expats: transition possible (AEFE equivalences) if the child did schooling in France.
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