Balboa Academy vs TRAIL School

	B Balboa Academy Panama City, Panama	T TRAIL School Panama City, Panama
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $1,993 - 16,005	Fees / year $4,000 - 13,660
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)	Curriculum American Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 901	Pupils 135
Typical class size	Typical class size 22	Typical class size 16
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1999	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Balboa Academy is a private school in Panama City, located in the heart of the capital's vibrant community. The school sits in Ciudad del Saber (City of Knowledge) in Clayton, Panama City. This location places Balboa Academy in the Clayton neighborhood with convenient access to Panama City's amenities.	Location TRAIL School is located at the Panama Pacifico campus, 841 Andrews Blvd., Panama Pacifico, Panama. It serves the Panama Pacifico community. The campus is accredited by MEDUCA Panama.
Stages	Stages Balboa Academy serves students from PK-3 through 12th grade. Academic stages include Preschool (ages 3-4), Elementary (ages 5-10), Middle School (ages 11-14), and High School (ages 15-18).	Stages TRAIL offers early childhood education through high school. The program includes Early Childhood Education, Kindergarten, Elementary School, Middle School, and High School.
School type	School type The school is a private day, college-preparatory school offering a U.S.-standards-based curriculum and dual Panamanian/U.S. diplomas.	School type The school is an inclusive foundation school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix Over 40 nationalities represented.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Honor and support classes are offered.	Additional learning support The Inclusive Learning Center provides support for students with additional learning needs.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Panama and the United States. The school issues dual Panamanian and U.S. diplomas.	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure School hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday PK 8:00–12:30; K-12 8:00–2:55. Wednesday PK 8:00–11:30; K-12 8:00–12:45.	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details Bus transportation is available for all Balboa Academy students. The service is provided by TRANES PANAMA, S.A. Clayton is among the served areas; many neighborhoods across Panama City are included.	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and Admission fees - Application / evaluation fee: USD 150, paid online as part of the application process. - Admission fee (one-time, payable on acceptance/enrolment): USD 12,000. Annual (registration/annual) fees - Preschool (PK3 & PK4) annual fee: USD 1,077. - Grades K–12 annual fee: USD 1,899. Annual tuition — non‑sponsored students (full year) - PK3 & PK4: USD 7,966 per year. - Kindergarten: USD 12,541 per year. - Grades 1–5: USD 12,665 per year. - Grades 6–12: USD 14,006 per year. Annual tuition — sponsored students (full year) - PK3 & PK4: USD 9,257 per year. - Kindergarten: USD 13,828 per year. - Grades 1–5: USD 13,965 per year. - Grades 6–12: USD 15,309 per year. Tuition per term / instalments and billing schedule - The school calendar published for the 2025–26 year uses quarter/term blocks. The school does not publish a public per‑term invoice table on the fee pages; the website invites families to contact the admissions team about payment options. Where a school uses term or monthly instalments, per‑term amounts are normally calculated from the annual tuition and the school's chosen number of instalments; Balboa Academy's public fee pages do not list per‑term amounts or an explicit payment‑due calendar. - Application payment is taken online through the application link. For other billing cadence (annual, termly, monthly), accepted instalment plans and specific due dates are not detailed on the school's public fees page. Boarding fees - No boarding provision or boarding fees are published for Balboa Academy. The school's materials describe the campus and programmes for day students; therefore boarding fees are not applicable. Other costs and typical additional charges - Registration/annual administration fees (listed above) apply in addition to tuition. - Uniforms: uniforms are required and may be purchased through the school's listed supplier (Galapago Panama); individual uniform item prices are not published on the school fee pages. - Bus service: a paid bus service is available for multiple areas; route coverage is published but bus fares are not listed on the public pages. - School meals: a daily lunch service (partnered with Yaya's Kitchen) is offered and menus are available monthly; meal pricing is not published on the school's fee page. - After‑school and extracurricular activities: some activities may have additional costs; specific activity fees are not published on the general fees page. Refunds and cancellations - No detailed public refund policy, pro‑rata withdrawal table or explicit refund rules for tuition or other fees are published on the school's public fees or admissions pages. Families are required to contact the admissions office for enrolment and fee terms; specific refund provisions are not listed. Fee payment options (what is publicly stated) - The application/evaluation fee is paid via the application link during the application process. Beyond that, the school's public pages invite enquiries about payment options but do not enumerate accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, local payment portals) or give step‑by‑step payment instructions on the general fees page. Families are directed to contact the admissions office for payment arrangements. Summary of verified figures and totals - Key published figures (application fee, admission fee, annual fees, tuition rates for sponsored and non‑sponsored students) are taken from the school's public fees and admissions pages. Third‑party fee aggregators also reproduce these figures and show combined first‑year totals that include the one‑time admission/registration charges plus annual tuition. What was not publicly available on the school's fee pages (brief note) - The school's public pages do not provide an itemised per‑term invoice table, explicit payment due dates or schedules, detailed payment‑method instructions (credit card vs bank transfer vs payment portal), per‑item uniform or meal prices, or a published refund/withdrawal refund schedule. For those items, families must contact the school's admissions or finance office to obtain the official payment schedule, instalment options, accepted payment methods and the school's refund policy.	Fee details Application Fee - Non‑refundable application fee: USD 110 per student. Payments for the application are accepted online by credit card through the school's RenWeb application when the application is completed. Enrollment Fee - Annual enrollment fee charged per student to guarantee a spot for the following year. - Early Bird Enrollment Fee (returning students, paid within the two‑month early window): USD 700. - Regular Enrollment Fee (new students, or if paid outside the Early Bird window): USD 800. - The enrollment fee is due in full at the time of admission for new students, is not prorated regardless of enrollment date, and is non‑refundable. Annual Tuition — fees by year group (amounts shown are per academic year) - Early Childhood Department — Half Day (8:00 am – 11:30 am): USD 4,000 per year. - Early Childhood Department — Full Day (8:00 am – 3:00 pm): USD 5,000 per year. - Kindergarten (8:00 am – 3:00 pm): USD 6,500 per year. - Grades 1–4 (8:00 am – 3:00 pm): USD 7,500 per year. - Grades 5–8 (8:00 am – 3:00 pm): USD 8,000 per year. - Grades 9–12 (8:00 am – 3:00 pm): USD 8,500 per year. Equivalent per‑term amounts (annual ÷ 3, shown for budgeting convenience if fees were split into three equal instalments) - Early Childhood — Half Day: USD 1,333.33 per term (USD 4,000 ÷ 3). - Early Childhood — Full Day: USD 1,666.67 per term (USD 5,000 ÷ 3). - Kindergarten: USD 2,166.67 per term (USD 6,500 ÷ 3). - Grades 1–4: USD 2,500.00 per term (USD 7,500 ÷ 3). - Grades 5–8: USD 2,666.67 per term (USD 8,000 ÷ 3). - Grades 9–12: USD 2,833.33 per term (USD 8,500 ÷ 3). - Note: Tuition is published as annual amounts; the per‑term figures above are straight equal instalment equivalents for budgeting. Other mandatory or one‑time charges - Technology Fee (annual): USD 100 for PK3–Kinder; USD 250 for Grade 1 and up. - Capital Donation (one‑time, at entry): minimum USD 4,000 (requested as a philanthropic contribution to support school resources and development). Boarding - The school does not list a boarding/residential programme or boarding fees; programs and published fees are for day enrolment. Other possible costs (examples families commonly budget for) - Additional costs that may apply in practice (not listed as fixed annual charges in the published fee breakdown) include: after‑school program fees, field trip/excursion charges, school supplies, learning‑support or specialist service fees, and optional activity or club fees. The published fee schedule explicitly lists the application fee, enrollment fee, tuition, technology fee, and capital donation. Refund information - The application fee (USD 110) is non‑refundable. - The enrollment fee (USD 700 early bird / USD 800 regular) is non‑refundable. - No separate published refund schedule for tuition instalments or other fees is provided in the fee breakdown; application and enrollment fees are explicitly stated as non‑refundable. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition and other recurring charges are published as annual amounts; the enrollment fee is charged annually to secure a spot and is due in full at admission for new students and is not prorated. - The school uses RenWeb (a web‑based application) for admissions and online payments for the application; the application payment is accepted online by credit card at submission. Specific term dates, installment schedules, and the school's internal billing calendar are not provided alongside the published annual fee figures. Fee payment options - Application payments: accepted online by credit card through the RenWeb application. - The published materials note integration with RenWeb and Odoo for student information and administrative systems; additional accepted payment methods for enrollment, tuition, and recurring charges (for example, bank transfer, in‑person card payment, or local currency options) are not detailed in the published fee summary. Summary for parents - Required up‑front, non‑refundable charges: Application Fee USD 110; Enrollment Fee USD 700 (early bird returning) or USD 800 (regular/new). - Annual tuition ranges by age/grade from USD 4,000 (Early Childhood half day) to USD 8,500 (Grades 9–12). - Annual technology fee and a one‑time capital donation minimum are additional expected costs. (Key published fee items and exact amounts are cited above.)
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement Uniforms are required and vary by grade. Preschool uniforms include color shirts (red, yellow, turquoise) with blue pants and a Balboa emblem sweater. Kindergarten to 6th grade wear burgundy tops with blue pants and a Balboa emblem sweater; 7th to 11th grade wear light blue or white polo shirts with blue pants and a Balboa emblem sweater; 12th grade wears a black polo shirt with blue pants and a Balboa emblem sweater. The Physical Education uniform is a white Balboa T-shirt with blue pants, with burgundy options for girls.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options Lunch is provided daily through Yaya's Kitchen, with meals chosen in advance from the monthly menu.	Food options —
House system	House system Balboa Academy uses a house/tribe system: Color Teams in Elementary School, Dragon Tribes in Middle School, and Dragon Houses in High School. A student council exists at each level, and the High School Dragon Houses elect the DRACO council to plan and approve HS events; Middle School and Elementary students also run councils that organize activities and charity drives.	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership Balboa Academy is a private day school founded in 1999. It is fully accredited by Cognia, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council, and Panama's MEDUCA; it is MEDUCA-recognized. It is a member of the International Association of College Admissions, American School Counselor Association, The National Honor Society, and the Association of American Schools in Central America Council. Balboa Academy is part of Inspired Education Group.	Governance and ownership The Inclusive Foundation was established in 2014 as a not-for-profit organization in Panama with tax-deductible status (DGI Resolution No. 201-0457). It is governed by a Board of Directors and provides professional development grants to faculty, as well as financial aid and innovation grants to students.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Balboa Academy provides PK3-12 with a US standards-based curriculum and English as the language of instruction. The middle school offers courses in English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Sciences, Modern Languages, Computer Science, and an Encore curriculum, with accelerated options and Panama-required courses taught in Spanish. The school operates on a 180-day calendar with two semesters (August to mid-December; mid-January to mid-June). The high school offers 19 Advanced Placement (AP) courses and 4 PreAP courses; AP subjects include Art History, Biology, Calculus AB, Comparative Government, Computer Science Principles, English Language, English Literature, Environmental Science, Human Geography, Physics 1, Psychology, Seminar, Research, Spanish Language, Spanish Literature, Statistics, Studio Art 2D, Studio Art Drawing, and World History. The AP Capstone Diploma is available for students who complete at least 4 AP subjects in addition to AP Seminar and AP Research. All Balboa Academy graduates earn both a U.S. high school diploma and a Panamanian Bachiller en Ciencias y Letras.	Curriculum details The Kindergarten program uses the Creative Curriculum and centers the child in the learning process. English Language Arts is taught through a Reading Workshop approach with daily reading and writing, including phonics, decoding, and comprehension work. Math focuses on patterns, numbers, geometry, sorting, and problem solving through hands-on activities. The program includes Spanish immersion, Music, Physical Education, Art, and Technology to provide a well-rounded start to learning.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio Group size is 14 students in Kindergarten; TRAIL describes low student-teacher ratios across the school.
Exam results	Exam results In 2023, 210 Balboa Academy students took 403 AP exams, with 77% scoring 3+ on at least one AP exam.	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Class of 2025 received 779 university offers, with an average of 13.4 offers per student and an average of $848,000 in scholarships awarded per student. Graduates have gained admission to universities across the United States, Canada, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Panama; institutions include McGill University, University of Toronto, Western University, Columbia University, Georgetown University, Duke University, University of Florida, and University of Michigan, among others.	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented Balboa Academy offers a rigorous AP program with 19 AP courses and 4 PreAP courses. AP Capstone Diploma is available for students who complete AP Seminar and AP Research along with at least 4 AP courses. AP courses receive a GPA weighting of 0.5.	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning SEL is provided to all students and their parents. The Elementary School Counseling Program uses a three-tiered approach to social-emotional learning. It develops five social and emotional competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Through bi-monthly storybook-based mini-lessons for 1st–4th grade, students learn developmentally appropriate social-emotional skills such as making and keeping friends, empathy, compassion, and self-regulation. Some students participate in focused groups (e.g., new students, Girls in Real Life Situations) and peer mediation meetings, and Escuela Para Padres meetings provide tools to help parents support their children. Balboa Academy high school counselors work with students to support college-bound planning and personal development, and counselors are active members of professional associations related to college admissions.	Social & emotional learning TRAIL is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive community. TRAIL fosters intercultural understanding and respect to develop caring individuals who contribute to just societies. TRAIL describes its mission as developing inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring people who connect with others. The school views community and inclusion as foundational to learning and personal growth. TRAIL emphasizes leadership and service, with a Service & Action requirement for grades 9-10 and a CAS requirement for grades 11-12, reinforcing personal development through real-world engagement. The After-School Program & Clubs and the School's community initiatives support social development and self-esteem among students and community members.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) Honor and support classes are offered.	Special educational needs (SEN) TRAIL has an Inclusive Learning Center for Learning Support. The school describes itself as an Inclusive Foundation School. The Inclusive Learning Center is listed under the Elementary School page as a resource for Learning Support. The Inclusive Foundation supports faculty development and student aid to foster inclusive education.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language Full English Immersion: Balboa Academy provides a comprehensive English language immersion experience starting from preschool.	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Balboa Academy offers Social and Emotional Learning for all students and parents. Counseling programs across elementary, middle, and high school include classroom guidance, small group and individual counseling, student observations, parent conferences, mediation, referrals to services, and ongoing professional development for teachers. High School counselors work with students diagnosed with medical, psychological, behavioral, and/or social issues and promote family/parenting education and college counseling to support student wellbeing and success.	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding Counselors promote mediation among students, parents, and teachers; they lead family/parenting education at school and maintain a list of community resources to refer students to when needed. This collaborative approach supports safeguarding and student welfare.	Safeguarding Maintaining Health & Safety 2020-21 is listed under the Academics section.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview Balboa Academy's Ciudad del Saber, Clayton campus consists of three academic buildings for Preschool/High School, Elementary School, and Middle School, plus an Athletics Building that houses the gymnasium, Physical Education facilities, and the Dragon's Den. The campus includes athletic fields and recreational areas with playground equipment. It has over 80 classrooms and includes media centers, computer labs, science labs, and multipurpose rooms. The campus is adjacent to the Ciudad del Saber Sports Complex, which offers baseball, football, and soccer fields, tennis courts, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a gymnasium, an auditorium, and fitness areas. The design supports specialization and individualized learning with teaching spaces tailored to each age group.	Facilities overview Trail School is located in Panama Pacifico, at 841 Andrews Blvd., Panama Pacifico, Panama. The campus is an open campus equipped with a gym and an athletics track. It houses an Inclusive Learning Center for Learning Support as part of its academic program. The school offers 12 clubs and activities and provides Club House, an after-school drop-in program from 3:00 to 5:30 pm. Trail is accredited by MEDUCA Panama.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The Athletics Building includes the gymnasium, Physical Education facilities, and the Dragon's Den. The Ciudad del Saber Sports Complex, adjacent to the campus, includes baseball, football, and soccer fields, tennis courts, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a gymnasium, an auditorium, and fitness areas. The campus also has outdoor athletic fields and recreational spaces for sports and physical education. Indoor and outdoor spaces support a broad sports program, enabling Balboa Academy students to train and compete on-site and within the larger sports complex. The facilities foster team practices, inter-school competition, and physical education activities across grade levels.	Sports facilities The campus includes a gym and an athletics track. Physical Education classes and a wide range of athletic programs and teams are part of TRAIL's student life. The Athletic Department emphasizes goal-setting, improvement, and character development. Participation in interscholastic athletics promotes teamwork and leadership.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The facilities emphasize specialization and individualized learning with teaching spaces tailored to the needs of each age group. The campus comprises three buildings for Preschool/High School, Elementary, and Middle School, plus an Athletics Building. There are over 80 classrooms, as well as media centers, computer labs, science labs, and multipurpose rooms. The learning environment is designed to support a cohesive progression across grades, with age-appropriate resources and collaboration spaces. The Ciudad del Saber location provides access to additional resources and spaces that enhance academic exploration across disciplines.	Academic facilities The school provides Early Childhood Education, Kindergarten, Elementary School, Middle School, and High School. Inclusive Learning Center for Learning Support is part of the Elementary School. The school is accredited by MEDUCA Panama. The school is an inclusive foundation school. The Panama Pacifico campus is located at 841 Andrews Blvd, Panama Pacifico, Panama.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Balboa Academy participates in Exchange Programs and Global Camps through Inspired Education, allowing students to travel to other countries and collaborate with Inspired schools worldwide to develop social, language, and academic skills overseas. Inspired offers a range of specialist-led extracurricular activities that engage students in arts, sports, leadership, and other disciplines. Students benefit from summer camps, leadership conferences, and collaborative overseas projects as part of the international school community. The school's multicultural environment includes students from over 40 nationalities, fostering global engagement and experiential learning beyond the classroom.	Extra curricular facilities There are 12 clubs and activities offered to the Panama Pacifico community. Club House is a drop-in after-school program available from 3 pm to 5:30 pm daily. Activities include Art; Chess - Beginner; Dance - Ballet; Guitar - Group; Guitar - Private; Gymnastics; Karate; Mommy & Me; Taekwondo; Triathlon.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Balboa Academy is a private school in Panama City, located in Ciudad del Saber, Clayton. It began in 1999 with a vision to provide a US standards-based curriculum and English as the language of instruction. It is part of Inspired Education Group. The school provides two diploma programs, the U.S. diploma and the Panamanian diploma, and an AP program with 20+ courses. The current Ciudad del Saber campus will continue to offer Early Childhood and Elementary; a new Costa Sur campus opens in 2027 with a $30 million investment from Inspired.	History TRAIL School, The Renaissance Academy of International Learning, opened its doors to reinvent international education for a fast-changing world. The rebirth of education inspires children to inquire and discover, and TRAIL seeks to build a new renaissance together with the Panama Pacifico community so that students become ethical, knowledgeable citizens. The Panama Pacifico campus is located at 841 Andrews Blvd., Panama Pacifico, Panama. TRAIL is an inclusive foundation school and is accredited by MEDUCA Panama.
Community	Community Balboa Academy has students from over 40 nationalities. The school emphasizes integrity, empathy and respect, with a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment. School events are memorable and leave a lasting impression on students. Exchange programs and global camps through Inspired enable international connections.	Community TRAIL is dedicated to becoming a vibrant community hub where students, families, and local residents can come together to connect, learn and grow. It offers 12 clubs and activities for the Panama Pacifico community. The campus is equipped with a gym and an athletics track.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual English is the language of instruction with a full immersion approach. Academic offerings include English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Sciences, Modern Languages, Computer Science, and the Encore curriculum. Accelerated options are available, and some Panama-mandated courses are taught in Spanish.	Academic & intellectual TRAIL uses a child-centered and inquiry-based education approach that fosters curiosity and leadership. TRAIL prepares learners for the jobs of the future by focusing on innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship inside and beyond the classroom. The Inclusive Foundation provides professional development grants to faculty and supports financial aid and innovation grants to students.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Students develop artistic talents through music, fine arts, and drama. Music, fine arts, and drama are integrated into the middle school experience.	Arts & creative Music and visual arts are taught, with a Music Teacher and an Art Teacher on the staff.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language English is the language of instruction with a full immersion approach. Modern Languages are offered, and some Panama-mandated courses are taught in Spanish.	Cultural & language English is taught in the High School and Spanish language instruction is offered as part of the curriculum.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies The After-School Program changes each semester and includes chess, sports, and arts and crafts. Middle school clubs foster collaboration and problem solving.	Social & hobbies TRAIL offers after-school programs and clubs, including Chess for beginners, with a total of 12 clubs and activities available to the Panama Pacifico community. The campus is equipped with a gym and an athletics track.
Community & service	Community & service The Student Council is an elected group and serves as the voice of the student body. Community service includes Tuna Can Drive, Holiday Gift Boxes, and Disaster Relief. Field trips and international programs provide real-world learning experiences.	Community & service TRAIL is committed to leadership training, service learning, and community service. There is a Service & Action requirement for grades 9 and 10, and a CAS (Creativity, Action and Service) requirement for grades 11 and 12, with students engaging in local and global community service.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional The middle school Student Council offers leadership opportunities and acts as the voice of the student body. The Tribe Program groups grades 5-8 into tribes to build leadership and citizenship.	Leadership & professional Leadership development is embedded in TRAIL's approach; the mission notes that students will become tomorrow's leaders. The founder is Stephanie Fleming, and an Academic Director leads the academic program; the staff includes roles such as Head of Film & Media and various subject teachers. The Inclusive Foundation provides professional development grants to faculty as well as financial aid and innovation grants to students.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Counseling services are available through the Counseling Program. Competitive sports teams and an after-school program promote physical activity and well-being.	Lifestyle & wellbeing The school is MEDUCA-accredited. The Panama Pacifico campus includes a gym and an athletics track, and an Athletics Director leads sports programs. A School Psychologist is on staff.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The school uses a U.S. standards-based curriculum with English as the language of instruction. Two diplomas are awarded—the U.S. diploma and the Panamanian diploma. English, French, and Spanish are taught, with subject specialists delivering instruction. The school is internationally accredited and part of Inspired Education, with a multicultural community of students from over 40 nationalities and opportunities for global camps and exchanges.	Language provision English and Spanish are the languages taught at TRAIL School. English Language Arts is a core subject, and Spanish is taught as a language course. In Grade 1 and Grade 2, the curricula include English Language Arts and Spanish instruction, with emphasis on conversation and literacy in Spanish.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The school uses English as the language of instruction. French and Spanish are taught by subject specialists, alongside English. Preschool provides English immersion to start language development.	Bilingual teaching The school teaches English and Spanish. English Language Arts is offered, and Spanish is taught as a language course.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs English immersion is offered at the Preschool Stage. Based on neurological research, total immersion in a foreign language is the best way for children to learn, and class sizes are kept small to provide a language-rich environment, enabling them to acquire a second language as naturally as their first.	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations MEDUCA Panama
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Make an enquiry by completing the Enquiry Form. The Admissions Team will contact you to arrange a visit to the campus. Complete Balboa Academy's online application and pay the $150 application and evaluation fee. Include copies of the child's passport, birth certificate, immunization records or the Immunization Form filled out by your child's pediatrician, copies of both parents' passports, and all academic records including the current school year's grades. Balboa Academy accepts copies in English or Spanish; originals translated into Spanish by a notarized translator in Panama are required by MEDUCA if records are not in Spanish. An in-person or virtual evaluation and interview will be scheduled. The evaluation for Preschool lasts about 30 minutes and for Kindergarten through 12th grade about an hour, and it is conducted entirely in English. The Admissions Committee reviews complete applications and makes a final decision within 10 calendar days. Students may be accepted without conditions, accepted with conditions, denied, or placed on the waiting list. If offered, enrolment fees are payable to join Balboa Academy. The school teaches in English.	Admissions 1. Early Childhood Application Process: The application is submitted online via RenWeb. Create an account and apply online through RenWeb, the admissions database. Schedule a parent interview, approximately 45 minutes in length, with the head of admissions; the child may greet the interviewer but is not required to participate in the meeting. Submit a Confidential School Report if PK3 or PK4 applicants are currently enrolled in a fully separated preschool program; the report is issued by the current school and sent directly to TRAIL, with Transcript Release Form and Form for PK3 & PK4 Applicants available on the page. The applicant family is responsible for confirming the application is complete, and the Admissions Office reviews only complete applications. 2. Kindergarten Application Process: Rolling applications are accepted based on availability. The application for each academic year will be available in December. Submit an Online Application by creating an account and applying through RenWeb. A bypass code may be provided by the Admissions office if space allows, enabling submission of the application. Schedule an Individual Child Assessment: Small group play sessions are used for evaluation; this year assessments are conducted individually via Google Meet on Mondays and Thursdays. Schedule a Parent Virtual Interview: After submitting the application, arrange a virtual interview via Google Meet on Mondays or Fridays afternoons. Submit Confidential Private School Report if the child has attended a private day care in Panama; if the child is not currently enrolled in a preschool, contact the Admissions office to discuss alternatives. The report must be sent directly from the current school to TRAIL and the form is downloadable from the page. 3. Elementary School Application Process: Rolling applications are accepted based on availability. The December intake window applies to each academic year. Submit Online Application: Create an account and apply through RenWeb; for 2022-23 grades, contact the school to confirm availability; if space exists, the Admissions office will provide a bypass code to submit the application. Schedule a Family Conversation and Student Interview: Every applicant is required to participate in a family conversation and a student interview with the High School Admissions Director; this is an opportunity to learn about TRAIL's curriculum and programs and for questions to be asked. If applying to Torchlight with the Inclusive Learning Center (ILC), schedule an assessment with an ILC faculty member. Submit Official Transcript and Confidential Teacher Recommendations: Grade 1 applicants must submit a confidential school report; grades 2–5 applicants must have official transcripts from the past two years and a confidential Teacher Recommendation Form completed by the current school; translations are required if documents are not in English. 4. Middle School Application Process: Rolling applications are accepted based on availability. The December intake window applies to each academic year. Submit Online Application: Create an account and apply through RenWeb; contact the school to confirm availability in the grade entered. Schedule a Family Conversation and Student Interview: An interview and informal family conversation with the Middle School Admissions Director are required to learn about TRAIL's curriculum and programs; an assessment with the Inclusive Learning Center (ILC) may be scheduled if Torchlight or ILC services are being used. Submit Official Transcript and Confidential Teacher Recommendations: The transcript release form and teacher recommendation forms should be sent to the current school; if not in English, translations are required. Current fifth graders applying to sixth grade must submit two teacher recommendations (one from the current year and one from the previous year); seventh and eighth graders require two different teacher recommendations (which can be from the same school). 5. High School Application Process: Rolling applications are accepted based on availability. New applications for each academic year become available in December. Submit Online Application: Create an account and apply through RenWeb; for grades 9–12, contact the school to confirm grade availability; if space exists, a bypass code will be provided to submit the application. Schedule a Family Conversation and Student Interview: All high school applicants participate in a family conversation and a student interview with the High School Admissions Director to learn about TRAIL's programs and expectations. If applying to Torchlight or ILC services, an assessment with an ILC faculty member will be scheduled. Submit Official Transcript and Confidential Teacher Recommendations: The transcript release form and teacher recommendation forms should come from the student's current school; the English and Math teachers should complete the recommendation forms, and they should be submitted after December 1 to ensure an accurate assessment. If documents are not in English, translations must accompany them.
Scholarships	Scholarships The Nsouli Scholars Programme provides 50 full-scholarship places at Inspired schools at any one time for the duration of students' education. The endowment honours Nadim Nsouli, founder of Inspired, and scholarships are awarded with inclusivity in mind, including individuals of Lebanese origin.	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist Candidates may be placed on Balboa Academy's waiting list.	Waitlist —
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