Balboa Academy
Part of Inspired, Secular, Founded 1999
Updated July 2026
Curriculum
Advanced Placement
US Common Core
Cognia
IBLanguages
English
Spanish
FrenchBalboa Academy is a private, international day school in Panama City offering a U.S. standards-based curriculum for students from PK-3 through 12th grade. It is recognized for providing the most robust Advanced Placement (AP) program in Panama.
Curriculum
Term structure
Teaching approach
Balboa Academy focuses on a child-centric approach that fosters innovative intellectual growth, honors individual differences, and develops the whole child. The school aims to cultivate a community of lifelong learners, independent thinkers, and leaders who act with integrity, empathy, and compassion as responsible global citizens.
Programmes
The school offers a U.S. standards-based curriculum with English as the primary language of instruction, covering preschool (ages 3-4), elementary (ages 5-10), middle school (ages 11-14), and high school (ages 15-18). The high school program features over 20 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, including AP Capstone, sciences, mathematics, arts, and humanities. From primary school onwards, students are taught by subject specialists in areas such as English, French, Spanish, mathematics, science, drama, dance, music, physical education, and public speaking.
Outcomes
Graduates receive both a U.S. diploma and a Panamanian diploma, facilitating access to universities worldwide. In 2025, 85% of AP students scored a 3 or above on their exams, and 56 students earned the title of "AP Scholar." The school maintains a strong record of university acceptances globally.
Student support
Learning support
The school provides honor and support classes to ensure students succeed at all grade levels. Additionally, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is provided to all students and their parents, and a counseling program is available.
Frequently asked questions(7)
- What curriculum does Balboa Academy offer?
- Balboa Academy offers Advanced Placement and US Common Core.
- How much is tuition at Balboa Academy?
- Annual tuition at Balboa Academy is $8.3K–$14.6K. Fees vary by year group — confirm the current schedule with the school.
- What ages does Balboa Academy teach?
- Balboa Academy enrolls students aged 3 to 18.
- Is Balboa Academy a day or boarding school?
- Balboa Academy is a day school.
- What accreditations does Balboa Academy hold?
- Balboa Academy holds accreditations including Cognia and IB.
- Is Balboa Academy co-educational?
- Balboa Academy is a co-ed school.
- Where is Balboa Academy located?
- Balboa Academy is an international school in Panama City, Panama.
Tuition & fees
Annual tuition by grade
2026-2027| Grade | Ages | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| PK3 & PK4 | 3–4 | $8.3K |
| Kinder | 5–5 | $13.1K |
| Grades 1-5 | 6–10 | $13.2K |
| Grades 6-12 | 11–18 | $14.6K |
Source:PDFBalboa_Fees_2026-27.pdfPDFcourse-catalog-sy-2024-2025.pdfPDFStudentsCalendarforSY2025-2026.pdf
Other fees(2)
| Application fee· Per Student Application & Evaluation Fee | $150 |
|---|---|
| Registration fee· Annual Fees (Matrícula): PK3 & PK4: $1,077.00; Grades K-12: $1,899.00. Also an Annual Parent Fee of $50.00 per student applies. | — |
Discounts
- Full-payment discount: 5%
Admissions
The admissions process involves an enquiry form to arrange a personalized visit or to speak with the admissions team. The school welcomes students from over 40 nationalities and provides information on fees, including tuition and activity costs, to assist families in their decision-making.
Calendar
The school operates on a 180-day calendar divided into two semesters. The first semester runs from August to mid-December, and the second semester runs from mid-January to mid-June.
Facilities
About the campus
The campus in Ciudad del Saber, Clayton, consists of three buildings housing preschool, elementary, middle, and high school levels, plus an athletics building featuring a gymnasium and the "Dragon’s Den." The school grounds include over 80 classrooms, media centers, computer labs, science labs, multipurpose rooms, and recreational areas with playground equipment. Students also have access to the adjacent Ciudad del Saber Sports Complex, which provides baseball, football, and soccer fields, tennis courts, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and an auditorium.
Co-curriculars
Students participate in over 20 student-founded and led clubs, and the high school student council, Draco, plans and implements student activities. The school offers an executive internship program for students with a 3.5 GPA or higher, and students are required to complete 80 hours of community service to graduate. Additionally, students have access to global camps and exchange programs through the Inspired school network.
