Balboa Academy vs United School of Panama

	B Balboa Academy Panama City, Panama	U United School of Panama Panama City, Panama
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $1,993 - 16,005	Fees / year $8,600 - 9,500
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 4 - 13 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)	Curriculum American Curriculum, British Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 901	Pupils 335
Typical class size	Typical class size 22	Typical class size 16
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Spanish, Mandarin
Opened	Opened 1999	Opened 2021
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 Av. Principal de Costa Sur, Corregimiento de Juan Diaz, Republic of Panama. The campus is minutes from Panama City, providing easy access for families.
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 Preschool and Kindergarten. Elementary School. Since August 2021 USP offered PK4 to 4th grade and will offer PK4-12 by 2029.
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 Multicultural community offering a trilingual curriculum in English, Spanish, and Mandarin.
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 Student Support and Success Department. Inclusion Policy states USP is open to boys and girls of any race, religion, or nationality, and diversity is valued.
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 Preschool day uses Head, Heart, and Hands (H3) learning stations with hands-on activities. In Elementary, Language Arts, Mathematics, Mandarin, Spanish, Social Studies, Physical Education, Science, and Computer Science are taught, with National Geographic Learning and i-Ready Math supporting instruction. USP uses technology across the curriculum and is an Apple Distinguished School.
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 SCHOOL BUS: MISAR Transportes is a trusted provider with over 15 years of experience; private transportation is recommended; buses include seatbelts, insurance, first-aid kits, and dedicated assistance.
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 and one‑time fees - Evaluation (Pre‑Admission): USD 150.00 (one‑time). - Sign‑up (one‑time): - Preschool (PK / Kinder): USD 9,500.00 (one‑time). - Elementary (1st–5th): USD 9,500.00 (one‑time). - Middle School (6th–8th): USD 4,750.00 (one‑time). Enrollment and recurring administrative fees - Enrollment Fee (annual): USD 825.00 — billed annually in April. Tuition — amounts, payment frequency and annual totals Note: tuition is shown as a monthly amount with 10 payments across the school year ("Monthly x10"). Annual tuition = monthly amount × 10. - Preschool (PK / Kinder) - Tuition: USD 860.00 per month × 10 payments = USD 8,600.00 per year. - Elementary (1st–5th grade) - Tuition: USD 905.00 per month × 10 payments = USD 9,050.00 per year. - Middle School (6th–8th grade) - Tuition: USD 950.00 per month × 10 payments = USD 9,500.00 per year. Books, technology, insurance, food and other recurring charges - Books and school supplies (annual, billed in June): - Preschool: USD 750.00 (annual). - Elementary: USD 750.00 (annual). - Middle School: USD 925.00 (annual). - Technology / Platform (annual, billed in July): - Preschool: USD 0.00 (annual). - Elementary: USD 530.00 (annual). - Middle School: USD 530.00 (annual). - Insurance: Included in fees (no separate charge shown). - Food and Nutrition (monthly ×10): - Preschool: USD 167.00 per month × 10 = USD 1,670.00 per year. - Elementary: USD 178.40 per month × 10 = USD 1,784.00 per year. - Middle School: USD 181.56 per month × 10 = USD 1,815.60 per year. - Extra‑curricular activities: Charged by activity; optional and billed monthly (amounts vary by activity). School transport (bus) - School bus service is outsourced; families pay the transport provider directly. Specific bus fees are set by the transport company and are not included in the tuition figures. Recommended transport providers are listed by the school. Uniforms and related costs - Uniforms are required and are available for purchase at the school. The fee schedule lists uniform requirements by level (Preschool; Grades 1–8) but does not list a uniform price. Boarding - Boarding is not applicable; no boarding fees are listed. United School of Panama operates as a day school. Billing schedule and payment terms (timing shown in fee schedule) - One‑time fees (Evaluation and Sign‑up) are payable at admission as one‑time payments. Enrollment Fee is billed annually in April. Books and school supplies are billed annually in June. Technology/platform charges are billed annually in July. Tuition and food/nutrition are shown as monthly payments over 10 months (Monthly ×10). Additional charges (extra‑curricular activities, transport) are billed separately by the provider or by activity. Specific late‑payment penalties or installment contract terms are not listed in the published schedule. Refunds and cancellations - No explicit refund or cancellation policy for fees is provided in the published fee schedule. Refund terms (if any) are not specified in the fee tables. Fee payment options - The published fee schedule shows payment frequencies and billing months but does not specify accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, etc.). Families should note that some services (transport) are billed and collected directly by external providers. Contact options (phone and WhatsApp) are provided for the school's Admissions/Finance offices. Summary — example total‑year costs to expect (per pupil, illustrative) - Preschool (annual examples): - Tuition: USD 8,600.00 - Books & supplies: USD 750.00 - Technology: USD 0.00 - Enrollment Fee (annual): USD 825.00 - Food & Nutrition (annual): USD 1,670.00 - One‑time Sign‑up (if applicable): USD 9,500.00 - Evaluation (one‑time): USD 150.00 - Total for first year including sign‑up and evaluation (illustrative): USD 21,495.00 (not including transport, optional activities, or uniform). - Elementary (annual examples): - Tuition: USD 9,050.00 - Books & supplies: USD 750.00 - Technology: USD 530.00 - Enrollment Fee (annual): USD 825.00 - Food & Nutrition (annual): USD 1,784.00 - One‑time Sign‑up (if applicable): USD 9,500.00 - Evaluation (one‑time): USD 150.00 - Total for first year including sign‑up and evaluation (illustrative): USD 22,589.00 (not including transport, optional activities, or uniform). - Middle School (annual examples): - Tuition: USD 9,500.00 - Books & supplies: USD 925.00 - Technology: USD 530.00 - Enrollment Fee (annual): USD 825.00 - Food & Nutrition (annual): USD 1,815.60 - One‑time Sign‑up (if applicable): USD 4,750.00 - Evaluation (one‑time): USD 150.00 - Total for first year including sign‑up and evaluation (illustrative): USD 18,495.60 (not including transport, optional activities, or uniform). (Amounts shown in USD as presented in the school's published fee schedule.)
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 The school requires a full uniform. Preschool: USP sport shirt with logo; sport shorts with USP logo; white or blue socks; USP jacket. Grades 1st-8th: USP sports polo shirt; sport shorts for boys and skorts for girls; USP sweatpants; USP jacket; USP socks; USP backpack.
Food options	Food options Lunch is provided daily through Yaya's Kitchen, with meals chosen in advance from the monthly menu.	Food options The school provides meals on-site, including a morning snack and lunch. Meals are planned with a nutritionist, and parents pre-order monthly menus; no outside food or drinks are permitted on campus. The food provider is Natuviva.
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 school is led by a leadership team including an Academic Director, Administrative Director, and Pre-School, Elementary and Middle School Principals. It was founded in August 2021 by a founding team. USP is a NEASC Candidate School.
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 USP follows the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and is fully accredited by Panama's Ministry of Education (MEDUCA). The curriculum includes a trilingual program—English, Spanish, and Mandarin—and integrates Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Technology across grades. Language Arts uses National Geographic Learning and a project-based curriculum to develop literacy and critical thinking, while Mathematics uses the i-Ready program with diagnostic assessments. Mandarin is taught in five phases—listening, comprehension, speaking, writing, and performing—with cultural context. Spanish follows Panamanian Ministry standards, building grammar, writing, reading, and vocabulary with increasing complexity, while Social Studies emphasizes Panamanian culture and global citizenship. Science aligns with NGSS for K-5 through National Geographic Exploring Science and MindTap; Computer Science covers robotics, coding, and data analysis; and USP is moving toward Apple Distinguished School status with technology integrated across the curriculum.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
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 USP fosters social and emotional development through Life Skills Habits and Social Skills programs. The Life Skills Habits program teaches practical skills such as cooking, sewing, washing dishes, setting the table, and organization to promote self-reliance and responsibility. Social Skills emphasize effective communication and collaboration, helping students participate constructively in groups. The curriculum includes Home Economics and Social Skills to develop practical and interpersonal abilities. The program also integrates emotional learning by developing soft skills and literacy skills, supporting students' overall well-being. A safe, respectful learning environment is reinforced through anti-bullying and safeguarding policies.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) Honor and support classes are offered.	Special educational needs (SEN) USP embraces learner diversity. It will only enroll students whose educational needs can be met by the school.
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 The primary language of communication and instruction at USP is English. The host country language (Spanish) is encouraged and its culture is supported. A Trilingual Program—English, Spanish, and Mandarin—expands language opportunities for students.
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 USP follows a holistic approach with the Head, Heart, and Hands (H3) model that integrates cognitive, physical, and emotional development. Life Skills Habits and Social Skills promote personal and interpersonal growth, while a safe and respectful environment is supported by anti-bullying and safeguarding policies.
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 An Anti-Bullying Policy ensures everyone has the right to learn in a safe, nurturing environment. A Safeguarding Policy promotes a safe and welcoming environment where each person is valued, cared for and protected. Child abuse and neglect are violations of a child's human rights and obstacles to development.
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 The school has a modern facility featuring open spaces for sports, conveniently located minutes from the city center.
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 Our modern brand-new facilities provide open spaces to practice tennis and soccer.
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 Technology and innovation are integrated in the classroom as USP pursues Apple Distinguished School status, with iPads and MacBooks in use. The curriculum is based on CCSS and NGSS, with National Geographic Learning used for Language Arts and NGSS for Science. The MindTap digital platform supports 3D learning in science, and i-Ready math provides diagnostic and differentiated instruction. The program includes a Trilingual Program—English, Spanish, and Mandarin.
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 Extracurricular Activities start at the beginning of the school year to help students maintain a healthy lifestyle, find their passions, and develop their abilities. Sports include tennis and soccer, with modern brand-new facilities providing open spaces. Arts and crafts include painting, sculpture and ceramics, drawing and landscaping, and crafts; dance includes ballet, modern, and traditional. Clubs include robotics, chess, a book club, and a homework lab; languages include French and Portuguese; music is introduced through Intro to Music; martial arts are available.
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 The United School of Panama (USP) was founded to ensure academic continuity for students progressing from our early childhood education centers. Inspired by the positive feedback regarding the academic and developmental achievements of our pre-school graduates, we envisioned a school that would embody our teaching philosophy and core values. The goal is to offer a world-class education within a modern facility that encourages both academic learning and physical activity, conveniently located just minutes from Panama City. Since opening our doors in August 2021, offering classes from PK4 to 4th grade, USP has grown by adding one grade each year to reach a complete PK4-12th grade education by 2029. Our founding team includes professionals with international expertise in education, business, and project management, committed to shaping the future of education in 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 The motto Sapere Aude (Latin for Dare to know) reflects our belief in the power of knowledge and intellectual curiosity. Our mascot, Alpha the Grizzly, embodies the core values of strength, courage, and teamwork that we uphold at USP. United we are. United we come. United we stand.
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 Robotics/STEAM and coding activities foster computational thinking, problem-solving, and hands-on inquiry. Team Robotics and Code.org are part of USP's extracurricular offerings, providing opportunities to design, build, and code. The science program follows NGSS and National Geographic Exploring Science to encourage investigation and real-world applications across subjects. USP uses CCSS and NGSS standards to align learning with college and career expectations, supported by iReady diagnostics and MindTap resources in mathematics.
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 Art and music are central to USP's holistic program. Art projects include painting, sculpture, drawing, and crafts through an open studio approach. Dance is offered in Ballet, Modern dance, and Traditional/Folklore styles, reflecting cultural expression. Music education includes Intro to Music and piano, with opportunities for musical composition and performance.
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 The school offers a trilingual curriculum with English, Spanish, and Mandarin. French and Portuguese are available as extracurricular languages. Panamanian culture is emphasized in Social Studies, with focus on customs, dance, music, and food to reflect the country's heritage.
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 Extracurricular activities occur after school from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Sports include Tennis and Soccer, with other activities offered within the program. Clubs include Robotics, Chess, Book, and Homework Lab, encouraging social interaction and intellectual growth. Arts offerings include Intro to Art Techniques, Dance (Ballet, Modern, Folklore), and Music, providing creative outlets and collaborative experiences.
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 —
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 The school highlights leadership and teamwork as core professional development skills. It identifies communication, leadership, and teamwork as top professional development goals. A collaborative culture among teachers, students, and parents supports student growth and leadership development.
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 USP promotes a healthy lifestyle through daily physical activity and a comprehensive Physical Education program. Extracurricular activities run after school from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Sports include Tennis and Soccer, with facilities to support other activities. Dance and Music provide creative outlets, with Ballet, Modern dance, Folklore, and Intro to Music contributing to well-being.
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 is the primary language of communication and instruction at USP. All students study Spanish and Mandarin. Social studies classes required by the Ministry of Education of Panama are taught in Spanish. First language maintenance is the responsibility of the USP parent community, and other languages may be offered as part of the ECA program to support English proficiency.
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 USP offers a trilingual education: English, Spanish and Mandarin. The primary language of communication and instruction is English. Mandarin language and Chinese culture are offered within the curriculum at all grade levels.
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 null
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations null
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. Inquiries and appointment requests. USP Admissions welcomes inquiries from families and assists with new-student application requests. The Admissions Department is available to help with questions and to arrange appointments. For direct communication, contact via the WhatsApp Business account, and responses are prompt. 2. Age and grade placement guidelines. Admissions uses age and grade placement to ensure appropriate development. Pre-Kindergarten must be 4 by August; Kindergarten must be 5 by August. 1st through 9th grades have age requirements from 6 to 14 by August. Exceptions to these guidelines are rare and reviewed by the Admissions Committee. 3. Applications and review. The Admissions Committee carefully evaluates each application to determine how the applicant can benefit from USP's educational offering. The review considers the applicant's prior school records and age to determine appropriate placement. For students transferring from outside Panama in grades 2–9, MEDUCA's validation process may apply and USP guides families through this requirement. Applicants are informed of the outcome and the next steps. 4. Tuition and fees. The 2025–2026 year lists program-specific costs for Preschool, Elementary, and Middle School. Preschool (PK/KINDER) includes a $150 pre-admission evaluation, a $9,500 sign-up fee, a $825 enrollment fee, a monthly tuition of $860 for 10 months, a $750 annual books and supplies charge, and $167 per month for nutrition; transportation is outsourced and paid directly to the transport provider. Elementary (1st–5th) includes a $150 pre-admission evaluation, a $9,500 sign-up fee, an $825 enrollment fee, a monthly tuition of $905 for 10 months, a $750 annual books and supplies charge, $530 for technology annually, $178.40 per month for nutrition, and outsourced transportation; extras are available per activity. Middle School (6th–8th) includes a $150 pre-admission evaluation, a $4,750 sign-up fee, an $825 enrollment fee, a monthly tuition of $950 for 10 months, a $925 books and supplies charge, and $530 for technology; nutrition is $181.56 per month. 5. Admission timing and placement. We generally admit students at the start of the academic year or at the beginning of the second semester. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. Grade placement is based on the student's previous school records, an academic evaluation, and age; for students entering 2nd grade and above from schools outside Panama, MEDUCA requires a validation process and USP guides families through this process.
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 —
	View full profile →	View full profile →