Balboa Academy
Web: www.balboaacademyweb.org
2008-2009
Balboa Academyis a private, coeducational day school, which offers an American college preparatory educational program from Prekindergarten through 12th grade for student of all nationalities. The Academy's goal is to provide a quality educational program for students with high potential who come from diverse cultural backgrounds, interests, and talents, and whose commonality is a desire to learn and achieve social and professional success. The 2008-2009 school year consists of 185 days of instruction extending from August 7, 2008 to June 17, 2009. School vacations are December 17, 2009-January 19, 2009; Carnival: February 23-27, 2009; and Easter: April 6-10, 2009. The school also observes Panamanian holidays and Thanksgiving (2 days).
Organization: Balboa Academy is governed by a 9-member Board of Trustees selected from the founding educators and a 9-member Board of Directors composed of parents. The School is a nonprofit foundation.
Curriculum: The curriculum is a college-preparatory program similar to that of a private school in the United States. The instructional program is implemented in English. Advanced Placement courses are offered in all major subject areas. The School is fully accredited in the United States by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Graduates qualify for a U.S. diploma and may also receive a diploma from the Panama Ministry of Education. There is no religious instruction.
Faculty: In the 2008-2009 school year, there are 66 full-time teachers, 3 counselors, 1 educational prescriptionist, and 4 administrators on the faculty. There are 54 U.S. citizens, 15 host-country nationals, and 5 third-country nationals. A majority of the teachers are educated in the US and have US teaching credentials. Thirty five faculty members have master’s degrees. The student teacher ratio is approximately 11:1.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year enrollment was 743; PK-K: 113; Grades 1-6: 339; Grades 7-9: 152; and Grades 10-12: 139. By nationality: US Government – 97; US business/private – 226; Panamanian: 187; and foreign – 233..
Facilities: The School leases 4 air-conditioned classroom buildings and a gym, which include: 72 classrooms, 3 libraries, 6 computer laboratories, 4 science laboratories, 2 art rooms, 2 music rooms, and 2 multipurpose rooms (lunch room/auditorium). The School has use of baseball and soccer fields, tennis courts, gymnasium, Olympic-size swimming pool and other physical fitness and activity areas in the City of Knowledge.
Finances: The school’s income is derived from tuition and donations. Annual tuition rates for 2007-2008 are: Pre-K: $4,080; Kdg: $5,660; grades 1-5: $6,760; and grades 6-12: $7,480. Additional fees are: a registration fee of $350 for PK (3 and 4 yr) and $700 for grades K-12; a one-time admission fee of $7,000; an infrastructure fee (per family) of $400; and a PTSO fee (per family) of $20. (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.)
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