The International School of Panama
Web: www.isp.edu.pa
2007-2008
The International School of Panama (ISP) is a private, nonsectarian, coeducational day school, which offers a college preparatory program from PK-12. ISP is the only school in Panama to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma program. Since its inception in 1982, ISP has established a strong academic reputation. The school year is split into 2 semesters – August to mid-December and January to mid-June.
Organization: ISP has three separate divisions: the elementary, middle and high schools. The School is governed by a 9-member Board of Directors elected to two-year terms by an association composed of parents and guardians of the School’s students. Within the limits of policies it defines, the Board delegates operational authority to a director. The School is a nonprofit organization.
Curriculum: The curriculum is designed to offer a diverse and modern educational program to both the expatriate and host-country communities resident in Panama. With the exception of Spanish language classes and minimal requirements for those students who wish to pursue a Panamanian program diploma, instruction is in English. The elementary curriculum stresses skill development as a foundation for more advanced study. The middle school program is designed to refine these skills in the context of increasingly sophisticated content, while catering to the developmental needs of pre-adolescents. The high school offers a highly academic college preparatory program leading to an International Baccalaureate Diploma, U.S. High School Diploma and/or Panamanian Diploma. Considerable help is provided for students learning English-as-a-Second-Language and limited services are available for students with special learning needs. ISP is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Panama Ministry of Education, and is an approved IB school.
Faculty: In the 2007-2008 school year, there are 78 teachers, 2 Principals, 1 curriculum/staff development coordinator, and 16 teacher assistants. Most of the teachers are fluent in both English and Spanish. More than ten nationalities are represented by the faculty and many teachers have advanced degrees and IB training.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year, enrollment was 664 (318 in elementary school, 152 in middle school, and 194 in high school).
Facilities: The School is located on 8 hectares of beautiful tropical land surrounding the suburb of Cerro Viento. It has 40 air-conditioned classrooms, an elementary library and middle/high school media center, 3 computer labs, 2 art rooms, a music room and 2 science laboratories. The School also has a large air-conditioned gymnasium/multi-purpose facility, 2 outdoor covered basketball courts, 2 soccer fields, a running track and a cafeteria/auditorium.
Finances: In the 2007-2008 school year, the School’s income derives from tuition and fees. Annual tuition rates are as follows: PK3: $4,500; PK4: $5,000; Kdg-5: $7,172; grades: 6-8: $7,972; grades: 9-12: $8,864. Fees include books and materials. There is an additional fee for the high school IB program. (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.)
