School Profile
The Episcopal School of Panama is a small bilingual college prep. school which was founded in 1960.
Spanish and English are taught as first languages throughout the school, and an intensive French Language and Literature course is given in grades 7 through 12. Japanese is offered to Humanities students in grades 11 and 12.
The school offers two High School Diplomas; one in Sciences & Arts, and the other in Humanities with Emphasis on Languages.
A high academic standard is demanded in all subjects, at all levels, and for this reason a selection process is in place for all admissions. The student body is comprised of twenty-one nationalities, twelve native languages and fifteen different religious affiliations and all possible racial combinations. The school follows the official Panamanian school year from March through December, with a short break in July/August. The main vacation period is from December through February. The school operates on the semester system and there are nine 40-minute class periods in a school day. Grades are currently recorded on the 5 point system, with 3 as a passing grade.
As well as conforming to the precepts set forth by the Ministry of Education, the school strives to prepare students to attend colleges and universities throughout the world. Within memory, 100% of graduates have gone on to a university education and at present we have graduates studying in Panama, Mexico, the United States, Canada and several European countries.
Although the curriculum is extremely demanding, extra-curricular activities are offered and students are encouraged to participate in at least one of the following: Folkloric Dancing, Karate, Soccer, Debating, Poetic Chorale, and Student Exchanges. Through outreach to the community programs all students are encouraged to participate in social work. In 11th and 12th grades structured programs of civic activities form part of the regular school routine.
The Episcopal School of Panama is a member of the National Association of Episcopal Schools (a US organization) and is accredited by the Panamanian Ministry of Education.