Hello,
Can someone with first hand experience recommend an excellent bilingual elementary school for my two English speaking daughters? Looking at the wider Chiriquí area at the moment as haven't decided yet where we might live .
We will be arriving in July middle of the Panamanian school term I believe . Not sure how feasible it would be to join mid school year? This must be a fairly common issue though for must students arriving from USA?
Thanks for any comments
Replies
So just to confirm that other than Academia de Boquete (AIB) there are no other bilingual / English speaking schools in Boquete? I have found threads relating to the Elevate Christian Academy but it appears to have ceased functioning. Does anyone have any further information on possible options apart from homeschooling full time?
Thanks for the comments everyone . Hmmm...Yes it is concerning that the overall consensus I've read online about academics in Chiriquí is that it is lacking .
I would recommend you get down here for a bit before deciding on moving, go visit the private schools, visit with some parents with kids in these schools. Find out for yourself, and get comfortable with your decision. I dont think anyone on this site can tell you that the Oxford or Cambridge schools are horrible schools, or that your child will get a bad education where their curriculams are well known worldwide.
Also, Panama is NOT a 3rd world country.
With all due respect, you are entitled to your opinion:
From the Ministry of Education:
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama-education-shortcomings-h...
From the Pisa World Rankings:
https://factsmaps.com/pisa-worldwide-ranking-average-score-of-math-...
The last time Panama was listed a few years ago it was 3rd above the last entry. If that's not third world I don't know what is!!!
Francis, my adopted daughter is Panamanian and is now in University in Panama city about to enter her 3rd year majoring in Architecture. She attended every school in Boquete and I mean every school, sometimes twice. Additionally, she attended two schools in David, American School and Consa in which she had to get up every morning before 5 a.m. to connect with the bus on the main highway that went to those schools. That became too much for her so we placed her back in schools in Boquete. My previous comments were posted in hope that you would reconsider placing your girls in Panama schools. Panama is a third world country. The schools here cannot compare with the schools in the U.S. The primary school system here is a disaster. The teachers sub-par and I wish I had a penny for every dollar I paid for tutors during her primary school years here to support her learning. Education for my daughter was of the utmost importance, she is now bi-lingual, speaks perfect English no thanks to the primary schools she attended here. I wish I could paint a rosy picture for you but I am telling it as it is, as I experienced it. The Universities in Panama City are staffed with the best professors, my first cousin (Panamanian) is a English Professor here and makes $800. a month. I won't mention how her English is. For the most part, the students here are very bright and eager to learn. All the schools have rules, i.e. dress codes. Skirts (not above the knee). white or blue blouses, no jewlary, lipstick, flashy ornamots, earings etc... I like that all the primary schools have strict uniform codes but depending on the age of your daughters they may not like the regulations. By the way, I am living here since July, 1999. My wife is Panamanian and she agrees with every word I wrote.
Hola Francis,
I do have a 7 year old son and I have him on Academia de Boquete school, this one is bilingual and is the closest to Boquete if you are thinking to live here in Boquete.
In David there is an Oxford school, also I believe Cambridge which is full English one.
I guess David and Boquete are are the only options in Chiriquí for English or bilingual school for your little ones.
Feel free to reach me out to my WhatsApp +507 65962070 I do offer my services as interpreter and relocation expert.
Have a great evening!!
Best,
Oscar.
Hello Francias, as I am sure you agree, Patrick's answers are not very relevant to you, as you are goung to be putting you girls in the Panama public school system.
You will have to be looking at a private school, and there are two around hre that teach bi-bingual that many exapts put their kids into. I recommend you reach out to both, from their contact info on their websites, and for sure interview them when you get here.
I personally do not have first hand experience, but my business partner in Ning does, as his boy is in one of these schools, and I will notify him of this thread. Oscar and i also run a relocation business, and we have checked into all the english option schools in Panama.
Oxford School - in David
https://oxforddavid.com/
International Acadamy - El Francias - Between Boquete and David
http://www.aib.edu.pa/web/
ALSO CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE BY THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION:
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama-education-shortcomings-h...
HI FRANCIS: IF YOU WANT THE BRUTAL TRUTH SEND ME YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS. I DO HOPE YOUR DAUGHTERS ARE BI-LINGUAL ALREADY. IF YOU ARE Hesitant ABOUT POSTING YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS THEN FEAST YOUR EYES ON THIS WEBSITE: https://factsmaps.com/pisa-worldwide-ranking-average-score-of-math-... AND IF YOU CAN FIND PANAMA LISTED ANYWHERE PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
PAT
you will notice that Panama does not appear in this ranking. This is because the previous years results were so embarassing that Panama pulled out of the rankings. Finally, last year, they decided to pull back in. I think this was a courageous political decision, but at least we have a baseline from which to work. As Patrick says, the educational system is third worldish, and it's a conclusion that no one takes pleasure in reaching.