Within the wider field of international schools in Panama City, Saint Mary's School, known locally as Colegio St. Mary, is one of the city's established Catholic bilingual schools. It is run by the Archdiocese of Panama and sits in Albrook, in the Ancón district on the western side of the city. The school traces its roots to Franciscan sisters who began teaching in the mid twentieth century, took its present name of Colegio St. Mary in 1987, and now teaches in English and Spanish from the early years through to the end of secondary. It is one of the larger schools in the city and draws a broadly local community alongside some international families.
Saint Mary's School at a glance
| Curriculum and approach | A bilingual Catholic programme taught in English and Spanish, within the national framework |
|---|---|
| Stages | Pre kinder, kinder, primary and secondary, including the pre media and media years |
| Renamed | Took the name Colegio St. Mary in 1987, with origins in the mid twentieth century |
| Status | Private Catholic bilingual school managed by the Archdiocese of Panama |
| Fee band | Below the premium international campuses (see Panama City fees) |
| Location | Albrook, Ancón district, western Panama City |
Curriculum and academics
Saint Mary's is a bilingual Catholic school, teaching in English and Spanish across the Panamanian school stages from pre kinder and kinder through primary into the pre media and media years of secondary. This places it in the established bilingual category that many Panamanian and resident families choose, rather than in the IB or single foreign national curriculum groups. A Catholic ethos runs through the life of the school, reflecting its origins with Franciscan sisters and its management by the archdiocese, so faith and values education sit alongside the academic programme.
Families weighing Saint Mary's usually compare it with the city's other bilingual and faith schools rather than with the premium international campuses, and the decision often turns on the balance of English and Spanish, the Catholic character and the cost. Parents who want an externally examined international pathway such as the IB Diploma look instead to the Panama City hub and our coverage of the city's international options, while those who want a bilingual education within a values led community consider Saint Mary's in its own right. The hub sets out how the bilingual, American, IB and Montessori routes compare across the city.
Working out what a place really costs?
Use our fee calculator to bring tuition, enrolment and extras into a single annual figure before you compare Panama City schools.
Saint Mary's School fees
As a Catholic bilingual school run by the archdiocese, Saint Mary's sits below the premium international campuses in our guide to international school fees in Panama City, which is part of its appeal for families who want a bilingual education without international school pricing. Tuition rises with the age of the child across the stages. The school sets its own fees, so confirm the current figures with the office rather than relying on third party listings, which date quickly.
Panama City schools commonly charge a one off enrolment fee in addition to tuition, so ask what is included and when each line falls due. Beyond tuition and the enrolment fee, budget for uniforms, books and materials, transport and the usual extras for trips and activities. Our fee calculator brings these into a single annual figure, which is the fair way to set Saint Mary's against another bilingual or international option.
Admissions
The school admits children from the pre kinder and kinder years upward, with younger children placed by age and older entrants considered against the stage they are joining. As an established school with a strong local following, places in popular year groups can be sought after, so families are best advised to enquire early and have their documents ready. The office will usually want prior school records for a child transferring in.
Families relocating to Panama should contact the school to confirm availability in the relevant stage, the papers required and any assessment or interview that forms part of the process, and to understand how the bilingual programme will suit a child arriving with more English than Spanish or the reverse. Confirm the intake calendar for the year you are joining, as a Catholic school may follow a particular admissions rhythm.
Location and who goes there
Saint Mary's is in Albrook, in the Ancón district on the western side of Panama City. Albrook is a former canal zone area that has become an established residential and institutional part of the capital, with green space and a more open feel than the dense districts closer to the bay. The location suits families living on the western and central sides of the city, and the area is well known to residents for its transport links.
The intake is largely Panamanian, in keeping with the school's archdiocesan roots, with a community of resident and some international families drawn by the bilingual programme and the Catholic ethos. For how Ancón and Albrook compare with Costa del Este, Clayton, San Francisco and the other residential districts on commute, housing and school choice, the Panama City hub maps out the wider picture for relocating parents.
Saint Mary's School 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 Saint Mary's School, please share it through our school reviews hub to help other relocating parents.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Saint Mary's School fees?
As a Catholic bilingual school run by the archdiocese, Saint Mary's sits below the premium international campuses on cost rather than at the top of the Panama City range. The school sets its own fees, so confirm the current figures with the office and budget for an enrolment fee and the usual extras on top of tuition when you compare it with another school.
What curriculum does Saint Mary's School follow?
Saint Mary's is a bilingual Catholic school teaching in English and Spanish across pre kinder, kinder, primary and secondary, including the pre media and media years. It follows the national framework within a Catholic ethos rather than the IB or a single foreign national curriculum, which is typical of the city's established bilingual schools.
What ages does Saint Mary's School take?
The school takes children from pre kinder and kinder through primary and into the secondary years, covering the pre media and media stages, so it carries pupils across the full school age range.
Is Saint Mary's School a Catholic school?
Yes. Saint Mary's traces its origins to Franciscan sisters in the mid twentieth century and is managed by the Archdiocese of Panama, so a Catholic ethos runs through school life alongside its bilingual academic programme.
Where is Saint Mary's School located?
The school is in Albrook, in the Ancón district on the western side of Panama City, a former canal zone area that is now a established residential and institutional part of the capital.
