Within the wider field of international schools in Panama City, the Metropolitan School of Panama, known as the MET, is one of the capital's most recognised IB schools in Panama City. It is an authorised IB World School that runs the full International Baccalaureate continuum in English, and since 2017 it has been part of Nord Anglia Education, the global schools group. Founded in 2011, it is a younger campus than some of the long established names in the city, but its purpose built site in Green Valley and its commitment to the complete IB pathway have made it a reference point for families comparing the academic routes on offer.
Metropolitan School of Panama at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | Full IB continuum, the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes, taught in English |
|---|---|
| Stages | Early years, primary and secondary, early childhood to Grade 12 (ages 3 to 18) |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Status and affiliation | Authorised IB World School; part of Nord Anglia Education since 2017 |
| Fee band | Upper tier for the city (see Panama City fees) |
| Campus | Around five hectares in Green Valley, north of central Panama City |
Curriculum and academics
The MET teaches the full International Baccalaureate continuum, which sets it apart from schools that offer only the Diploma in the senior years. Younger children follow the Primary Years Programme, an inquiry led approach that frames learning around transdisciplinary themes rather than isolated subjects. Pupils then move into the Middle Years Programme, which keeps that inquiry spine while building the academic rigour that prepares them for the senior school, and the journey culminates in the IB Diploma in grades eleven and twelve. The school presents itself as the only campus in Panama to deliver this continuum entirely in English, a claim that shapes its appeal to internationally mobile families who want a single recognised framework from early childhood to graduation.
As a Nord Anglia school, the MET draws on group wide programmes in STEAM, the performing arts and social purpose, taught alongside the IB framework rather than in place of it. Families weighing the MET are usually comparing the IB route here against the American track at schools such as Balboa Academy or the established Diploma provision at the International School of Panama, and the choice often turns on whether a child suits the continuous IB philosophy from the early years or prefers a more course by course American programme. Our overview of the best IB schools in Panama City sets the MET alongside the other Diploma providers, while the Panama City hub maps where the American, IB and bilingual options sit relative to one another.
Weighing the MET against another Panama City school?
Put the Metropolitan School of Panama side by side with another campus on curriculum, stages and fee band before you shortlist.
Metropolitan School of Panama fees
The MET sits in the upper tier of our guide to international school fees in Panama City, reflecting its full IB authorisation, its Nord Anglia membership and the scale of its purpose built campus. As with most schools that run to the IB Diploma, tuition climbs by grade, and the senior years that carry the Diploma are the most expensive part of the journey. The school publishes its own fee schedule, so confirm the current figures with admissions before you plan around them rather than relying on third party listings, which date quickly.
Panama City schools commonly charge a one off enrolment or admission fee in addition to tuition, and that line can be significant at the better known campuses, so ask whether it is refundable and when it falls due. Beyond tuition and the enrolment fee, budget for a place deposit, IB examination entries in the final two years, transport across the city and the usual extras for uniforms, trips and activities. Our fee calculator pulls these into a single annual figure, which is the only fair way to set the MET against a bilingual or American alternative.
Admissions
The MET reviews applications through its admissions office, so an open place in a year group does not by itself guarantee an offer. Younger children are usually placed by age, while from the early grades onward placement takes account of the records and grades a child brings from a previous school, along with any English language support that may be needed for the inquiry led classroom. Families relocating to Panama outside the main intake can ask about an in year place where one is available.
The school will typically want prior school reports and may assess a child to confirm the right year group and the level of English, particularly for entry higher up the school where the Middle Years Programme builds on earlier study. Places at the established international campuses can be sought after, so a family aiming at the MET should apply early and have documents ready. Contact the admissions office to confirm availability in your child's grade, the papers required and any assessment or interview, and to check the intake calendar for the year you are joining.
Location and who goes there
The MET sits in Green Valley, north of central Panama City, on a purpose built campus of around five hectares. The site was designed around the idea of classroom neighbourhoods grouped by age, with science laboratories, a dedicated STEAM laboratory, studios for art, dance, drama and music, a black box theatre, indoor courts, all weather outdoor fields and a 25 metre swimming pool. It is a more suburban setting than the high rise districts closer to the bay, which suits a school built from the ground up for this purpose.
The intake is broadly international, mixing expatriate families on assignment with Panamanian families choosing an English medium IB education, drawn from many nationalities across the school. For how Green Valley compares with Costa del Este, Clayton, Cerro Viento and the other residential districts on commute, housing and school choice, the Panama City hub sets out the wider picture for relocating parents, and our list of the best IB schools in Panama City shows where the MET sits among the Diploma providers.
Metropolitan 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 Metropolitan School of Panama, please share it through our school reviews hub to help other relocating parents.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Metropolitan School of Panama fees?
The MET sits in the upper tier of the Panama City range, reflecting its full IB continuum, its Nord Anglia membership and a large purpose built campus. Tuition rises by grade and the Diploma years are the most expensive. The school publishes a fee schedule, so confirm the current figures with admissions and budget for an enrolment fee, a place deposit and IB examination entries in the senior years on top.
What curriculum does the Metropolitan School of Panama follow?
MET is an authorised IB World School running the full continuum, the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme, taught in English. It describes itself as the only school in Panama to offer the IB continuum entirely in English, which is its core distinction among the capital's Diploma providers.
What ages does the Metropolitan School of Panama take?
The school takes children from early childhood at age three through to Grade 12 at age eighteen, organised across early years, primary and secondary on a single campus in Green Valley.
Is the Metropolitan School of Panama a Nord Anglia school?
Yes. MET joined Nord Anglia Education in 2017, which links it to a global family of schools and shared programmes in areas such as STEAM and the arts, while it continues to run the IB continuum locally in Panama City.
Where is the Metropolitan School of Panama located?
MET is in Green Valley, north of central Panama City, on a purpose built campus of around five hectares with classrooms grouped by age, science laboratories, a STEAM laboratory, performing arts studios, a black box theatre, indoor courts, all weather fields and a 25 metre swimming pool.
