Within the wider field of international schools in Panama City, the Episcopal School of Panama is one of the longer established bilingual options and one of the smaller, more close knit. Founded in 1960 under the auspices of the Episcopal Church of Panama, it opened in a house in Bella Vista before settling on its long standing site in Nuevo Reparto El Carmen. It belongs squarely among the city's bilingual schools, teaching Spanish and English side by side as first languages rather than leading in one and adding the other.
Episcopal School of Panama at a glance
| Curriculum and languages | Bilingual college preparatory: Spanish and English as first languages, with intensive French in grades 7 to 12 and Japanese in the senior humanities grades |
|---|---|
| Stages | Primary and secondary sections, finishing in the senior secondary grades |
| Founded | 1960 |
| Accreditation | Panamanian Ministry of Education; member of the National Association of Episcopal Schools |
| Character | Small not for profit school under the Episcopal Church of Panama, with a multinational student body |
| Fee band | Below the large international campuses (see Panama City fees) |
| Campus area | Nuevo Reparto El Carmen, central Panama City |
Curriculum and academics
The Episcopal School of Panama is a genuinely bilingual school in the strict sense, teaching both Spanish and English as first languages throughout rather than running an English programme with Spanish lessons attached. That balance is the heart of its identity and produces pupils who are at home academically in both languages. On top of that core, the school gives an intensive French language and literature course in grades 7 to 12, and offers Japanese to humanities students in the senior grades, which is an unusually wide language offer for a small school.
The ethos is Christian, scientific and humanistic, in the school's own framing, and the setting is deliberately small, which allows close attention to each pupil. The student body spans many nationalities, languages and religious backgrounds, and the school reports that essentially all of its graduates go on to university, studying in Panama and abroad. Families weighing the Episcopal School will usually be comparing a small bilingual school against the larger American curriculum and IB campuses, with the trade being a more intimate, language rich setting against the broader facilities and brand of the big international schools. Our overview of the Panama City schools sets out where the bilingual, American and IB options sit alongside one another.
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Episcopal School of Panama fees
As a small not for profit school, the Episcopal School of Panama generally sits below the large international campuses in our guide to international school fees in Panama City, which is part of its appeal for families who want a strong bilingual education without the premium price of a big brand campus. As at most schools, tuition rises by grade, and the senior secondary years cost more than the primary years. The school publishes its own fee schedule, so confirm the current figures with the office before you plan around them.
Beyond tuition, budget for a one off enrolment or registration fee, any application charge, books and materials, transport and the usual extras for uniforms, trips and activities. Because the school is small and not for profit, it may structure costs differently from a commercial international group, so ask the office for a full breakdown of what is and is not included. Our fee calculator pulls these into a single annual figure, which is the only fair way to set a small bilingual school such as the Episcopal School against a larger American or IB alternative.
Admissions
The Panamanian school year runs from roughly February to December, and the Episcopal School of Panama handles admissions through its own office, reviewing each application rather than offering places on a first come basis. Because the school is bilingual from the start, the admissions conversation will look at a child's readiness in Spanish and English and the level of support that might be needed, alongside the academic records from a previous school. Families relocating to Panama outside the main intake can ask about a place during the year where one is available.
As a small school, places in particular grades can be limited, so applying early helps. Expect the school to review prior reports and, where relevant, to assess language readiness so a child joins the right grade and gets the right support, particularly higher up the school where the bilingual programme is well developed. Contact the admissions office to confirm availability in your child's grade, the documents required and any assessment or interview.
Location and who goes there
The Episcopal School of Panama is on its long standing site in Nuevo Reparto El Carmen, an established residential district in the central belt of Panama City near the El Carmen area. It is a settled, walkable part of the city away from the newest high rise developments, which suits a small school with deep local roots and a community that has known the campus for decades. The school first opened in a house in Bella Vista before moving to its current home, so it carries a long history in the central districts.
The intake is notably multinational for a small school, spanning many nationalities, native languages and religious backgrounds, and mixes Panamanian families who want a strong bilingual education with international families settling in the central districts. For how El Carmen and the central belt compare with Costa del Este, Clayton and the other residential areas on commute, housing and school choice, the Panama City hub maps out the wider picture for relocating parents.
Episcopal School of Panama reviews
No verified reviews yet. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish parent reviews only once we can confirm the reviewer is part of the school community, and you will not find an invented star rating here. If your family has experience of the Episcopal School of Panama, please share it through our school reviews hub to help other relocating parents.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Episcopal School of Panama fees?
As a small not for profit bilingual school, the Episcopal School of Panama generally sits below the large international campuses on fees, with tuition rising by grade. The school publishes its own fee schedule, so confirm current figures with the office and budget for an enrolment fee and the usual extras on top.
What curriculum does the Episcopal School of Panama follow?
The Episcopal School of Panama is a bilingual college preparatory school that teaches Spanish and English as first languages throughout, with an intensive French course in grades 7 to 12 and Japanese offered to humanities students in the senior grades. It follows the Panamanian curriculum within a bilingual framework.
What ages does the Episcopal School of Panama take?
The school takes pupils across its primary and secondary sections, finishing with the senior secondary grades at about age seventeen to eighteen.
Is the Episcopal School of Panama a good school?
The Episcopal School of Panama is a long established small bilingual school founded in 1960, accredited by the Panamanian Ministry of Education and a member of the National Association of Episcopal Schools. As an independent guide we do not rank schools, so we point parents to its bilingual record, graduate destinations and a campus visit.
Where is the Episcopal School of Panama located?
The Episcopal School of Panama is on its long standing site in Nuevo Reparto El Carmen, an established residential district of Panama City.
