Colegio Alemán del Istmo vs The Casco School

	C Colegio Alemán del Istmo Panama City, Panama	T The Casco School Panama City, Panama
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $5,488 - 12,202	Fees / year $5,220 - 10,647
Age range	Age range 0 - 17 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, German Curriculum	Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 110	Pupils 450
Typical class size	Typical class size 10	Typical class size 15
Instruction language	Instruction language English, German, Spanish	Instruction language English, Spanish
Opened	Opened 2016	Opened 2018
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The school is located on Street I, Joseph Esses Boulevard, at the top of the hill, Edison Park, Betania, Panama City, Panama.	Location Panama City, Panama, with two campuses in Albrook and Costa del Este.
Stages	Stages Baby Welt: from 6 months old to 3 years old; Preschool: PK3 to Kinder (3–6 years old); Primary school: grades 1–5; Middle school: grades 6–11.	Stages Pre-School, Primary School, Middle School and High School (Albrook); Pre-School and Primary School (Costa del Este).
School type	School type German international school offering trilingual education in English, German, and Spanish.	School type Private bilingual international school (British curriculum).
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support One-to-one language support for students needing extra help with English or Spanish.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Germany	Country affiliation Panama
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure School day runs 7:30 am–5:00 pm; classes typically 8:30 am–3:00 pm; younger children may have half-day options until 12:00 pm.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details Yes, a transportation company provides routes throughout the city.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - No published single-number application or admission fee is available in the school's publicly available admissions materials. The school provides an online Parent Admission Application Form for initiating enrollment, but the form and accessible admissions pages do not list a specific application or registration amount. Tuition fees by year group (amounts) - The school does not publish tuition amounts by year group or by term in its publicly available materials for the 2026/27 or 2025/26 academic years. No per-term or per-year numerical fee schedule is publicly posted. As a result, specific tuition figures for each year group and per term cannot be provided here. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition (la escolaridad) may be divided into ten (10) monthly instalments. - Payments are required within the first ten (10) days of each month. - The school states that the matricula (enrollment/registration payment) covers normal wear and tear of facilities, basic first‑aid insurance for the student, and costs associated with internal academic record handling and necessary insurances. - The school reserves the right to set or change specific payment schedules and to require particular billing arrangements as decided by the school direction and governing bodies. Boarding fees (if applicable) - The school presents itself as a day school; no boarding program or boarding fees are listed in publicly available materials. Therefore boarding fees are not applicable. Other costs and recurring additional fees - The school identifies recurring additional cost items that families are responsible for, which include regular fees for psychology services, photocopies, special activities, and graduation activities. - The school also indicates families are responsible for costs to replace library, laboratory or other school resources and equipment when damage is caused by the student beyond normal wear. - No public price list is published for uniforms, meals, transport, extracurricular program fees or textbooks; the site's online shop shows no defined products for sale, and no published price list for uniforms or school-supplied materials is available. Consequently, specific uniform costs or related item prices are not available in public materials. Refund, cancellation and withdrawal information - No detailed numerical refund or reimbursement policy for paid tuition, matricula or other fees is published in the school's publicly accessible admissions pages or parent manual excerpts available online. The publicly accessible internal regulations describe payment obligations and instalment structure but do not provide a public, itemized refund schedule. Fee payment options and methods - Public materials do not list specific accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, specific credit cards, online payment gateway) or the precise mechanisms for making payments. The site is built on an e-commerce/ERP platform, but no active payment product listings nor an explicit payment-method statement are publicly posted. Families should assume the school can establish formal payment channels and billing documentation but no specific payment options are published. Summary of available fee-related facts - Numerical amounts for application fees, tuition by year group or per term, uniform costs, boarding fees (not applicable) and explicit payment-method details are not published in the school's publicly accessible admissions or documentation pages; only the structure and administrative rules around payment timing and instalments, and categories of additional charges, are publicly stated.	Fee details Application and one‑off fees - Enrollment fee (one‑time, payable at enrollment): - Non‑sponsored families — Reception & Primary / Pre‑School: USD 1,389.00. Middle & High School: USD 1,492.00. - Sponsored families — all levels: USD 1,543.00. - Minimum capital donation (one‑time on admission): USD 2,500.00 (applies to new student admissions). Tuition fees by year group and billing frequency - Non‑sponsored families (monthly fee; billed as 10 instalments per year): - Half Day (Pre‑school): Monthly USD 522.00 — equivalent to Annual USD 5,220.00; per academic term (annual ÷ 3) USD 1,740.00. - Full Day (Reception & Primary): Monthly USD 799.00 — equivalent to Annual USD 7,990.00; per academic term USD 2,663.33. - Middle & High School: Monthly USD 905.00 — equivalent to Annual USD 9,050.00; per academic term USD 3,016.67. - Sponsored families (annual tuition; may be paid annually or by term — Term 1, Term 2, Term 3): - Half Day (Pre‑school): Annual USD 5,586.00 — per term USD 1,862.00. - Full Day (Reception & Primary): Annual USD 9,051.00 — per term USD 3,017.00. - Middle & High School: Annual USD 10,647.00 — per term USD 3,549.00. Billing schedule and payment terms - Non‑sponsored families: tuition is set as a monthly fee and billed in 10 instalments per academic year. Parents complete enrollment by settling required fees and signing the school contract. - Sponsored families: may choose to pay the tuition annually or by the three academic terms (Term 1, Term 2, Term 3). - Discounts: a 5% discount is applied for full‑year payments made before July 31; a family discount of 5% applies to the enrollment fee invoice for the youngest child when three or more children attend. Boarding fees - The school operates as a day school; there are no boarding programmes and therefore no boarding fees. Other costs and recurring extras - Uniforms: the school does not use a uniform; school T‑shirts for trips, sports, and events are available for purchase. - Materials and supplies: the enrollment fee is stated to cover necessary supplies and materials for the full academic year. - Extracurricular activities, after‑school clubs, special events, and trips may carry separate charges; these are additional to tuition and one‑off fees. Refund information - No specific public refund policy for enrollment fees, capital donation, or tuition refunds is published on the school's publicly posted admissions/fees material. The enrollment fee is described as covering supplies and materials; the capital donation is listed as a required one‑time payment. Fee payment options - Publicly listed billing options: non‑sponsored billing is by 10 instalments (monthly fee basis); sponsored families may pay annually or by the three academic terms. No detailed list of accepted payment methods (for example: bank transfer, specific card payments, or online payment portal) is published in the school's publicly posted admissions/fees material.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement CadI uses a color-coded uniform: a red daily polo, a yellow polo for excursions, and a blue daily-wear tracksuit, with black sneakers and plain white socks. The physical education uniform is a white CADI polo, black PE shorts, and white sneakers. Graduating students may wear a polo variation to identify their status on Mondays and Fridays; civilian clothes are worn on civil days; hair and jewelry rules apply (only small gold or silver earrings, a thin chain under the sweater, and a watch; bracelets are not allowed; hair accessories must be black, white, blue, yellow, or red; no makeup or hair coloring).	Uniform requirement The Casco School does not use uniforms.
Food options	Food options —	Food options Lunch is provided by NATUVIVA; parents may also send a packed lunch.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is a private daytime educational institution with no religious affiliation. The Board of Directors acts as advisors to the Director. The school holds Cognia accreditation.	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Trilingual curriculum with instruction in English, German, and Spanish; German language is a central focus of the program. The school serves early years through middle school, including Baby Welt (from 6 months to 3 years), Preschool (PK3 to Kinder, ages 3–6), Primary (1st–5th grades), and Middle School (6th–11th grades).	Curriculum details The Casco School uses a British Curriculum foundation for its bilingual education. Curricula include the National Primary Curriculum of England & Wales; EYFS; MEDUCA; and IB Certification. In Middle and High School, Years 10-11 follow the Cambridge IGCSE, with Years 11-13 focused on college planning. The Casco School operates two campuses, Albrook and Costa del Este, with instruction in English and Spanish.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio Teacher to pupil ratio is 1:10; a maximum of 20 students per class with two teachers (one English-speaking and one Spanish-speaking).
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression In Years 11-13, students participate in college planning, attend local college fairs and meet representatives from colleges and universities throughout the school year.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning The school implements psycho-emotional development through its Empowering Eagles program. A psychology department delivers emotional workshops to students in 1st through 9th grade. Workshops cover psycho-emotional development topics such as recognizing emotions, how the body signals emotions, and emotion awareness. The aim is to support students' social-emotional learning and resilience in daily life. The program is part of CADI's wider wellbeing and student-support initiatives.	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The school is a trilingual institution focusing on English, German, and Spanish.	English as an additional language English and Spanish are the languages of instruction; one-to-one support is offered for students who need extra help with either language.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing is addressed through the Empowering Eagles psycho-emotional program and psychology-led activities.	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school publishes internal regulations (Reglamento Interno 2023-2024) governing student conduct and safety.	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview The Casco School operates two campuses in Panama City: Albrook and Costa del Este. The Albrook campus features a remodeled building, light, spacious classrooms, green spaces with a park and a large playground, a football field, music and art facilities, and parking facilities. The Costa del Este campus opened in August 2022 and offers an open floor plan, dedicated classrooms for each grade, library spaces, music and arts rooms, a sports field and a playground. Both campuses provide light, spacious classrooms and access to music and art facilities.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities Albrook has a football field and sports fields where students can play football/soccer, flag football, volleyball, baseball, ultimate frisbee, rugby and tennis. Costa del Este also has a sports field.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities Albrook features a remodeled building and light, spacious classrooms. Costa del Este offers an open floor plan with dedicated classrooms for each grade, plus library spaces and music and arts rooms. Music and arts facilities are available at both campuses. The Costa del Este campus also includes a sports field and a playground.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Co-Curricular and Summer Camp are offered; Annual Events are part of the school community.	Extra curricular facilities The Casco School offers after-school clubs in four categories: sports, arts, tech and academics. After-school activities include jiu jitsu, yoga, dance, soccer and tennis. The school holds a traditional sports day annually. Camp Casco offers a July summer camp at all locations with full- or half-day options. Each week has a different theme and includes trips, special visitors and a wide range of activities.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Founded in 2016 as Colegio Nikolaus Kopernikus, the school rebranded in 2022 as Colegio Alemán del Istmo (CADI). Located on Calle I Edison Park in Panama City, CADI benefits from a strategic and vibrant setting. Its accessible location serves students and families from diverse neighborhoods, fostering a dynamic, inclusive, and multicultural community.	History The Casco School was founded by Clare Jenkinson and opened its doors in 2018 in Ave B, Casco Antiguo, as an Early years/pre-nursery establishment. During the pandemic, a robust online program allowed the Middle and High School segment to begin. In 2020, the school moved to Galería San Felipe, a XIX‑century building, housing 150 students and 10 classrooms. To meet rising demand, two additional sites opened in 2022 at Albrook and Costa del Este. In 2024, the Casco Antiguo Galería San Felipe campus was closed to focus on the two larger campuses, and today the Casco School operates two campuses across Panama City with over 400 students and around 50 teachers, many of them British expatriates. The Casco School offers bilingual Primary School education following the English national curriculum in conjunction with the MEDUCA program, celebrating both languages and cultures.
Community	Community CADI maintains a dynamic social community with events and enrichment programs. Oktoberfest brings Bavarian fare and live music to the campus, creating a festive atmosphere. The annual Talent Show is held in May, showcasing a range of student talents on a decorated stage. Panamanian Traditions (Folkloric Day) features traditional dances and attire with active participation from parents and school members, reinforcing cultural engagement.	Community The Casco School maintains a community blog documenting student life and events. Posts cover university fairs, sports teams like the Panthers, STEAM Week, and performances at Family Fest 2024. The blog also highlights outdoor learning, field trips to museums and local landmarks, and residential trips such as Taboga in 2023. Well-being and personal development are supported by the Jigsaw programme for Personal, Social and Health Education.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual CADI is a trilingual school that teaches English, German, and Spanish, with German language given special emphasis. It offers Baby Welt (from 6 months to 3 years), Preschool PK3–Kinder, Primary 1st–5th, and Middle School 6th–11th. Founded in 2016 as Colegio Nikolaus Kopernikus and rebranded as CADI in 2022, it is located in Panama City. CADI holds Cognia accreditation, reflecting a commitment to high‑quality instruction and robust processes.	Academic & intellectual The Casco School hosts STEAM Week, a dedicated time where students immerse themselves in activities focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. STEAM Week encourages creativity, problem-solving and interdisciplinary projects that challenge students' thinking. Entrepreneurial Week teaches entrepreneurship; students learn niche research, identify and manage essential resources, and delegate tasks. Most importantly, they create and present their own products and services to the school community, gaining real-world experience in pitching and showcasing their ideas.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Fine Arts is offered as a co-curricular activity. Elementary students engage in Debate and Leadership, and Creative Expression as part of Beyond Classroom. A Co-Curricular Application Form is available for families to enroll.	Arts & creative Music classes are led by Alfredo Hidrvoe from El Lunario and cover piano, keyboard, ukulele, percussion, reading, playing and performing, as well as music appreciation across genres. Each week students have two art classes with specialist teachers, studying painting, sketching, modeling, textiles and fashion, digital media and art theory, and learning about famous artists and styles. The arts program emphasizes hands-on creation and performance across both music and visual arts.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language The school teaches English, German, and Spanish in a trilingual framework. German culture is integrated into the curriculum through German culture activities and experiences. International exchanges are part of Middle School life.	Cultural & language The Casco School uses English and Spanish as languages of instruction. The Casco School welcomes families of all nationalities and aims to foster an internationally minded environment. New students can receive one-to-one language support for English or Spanish as needed.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Elementary students develop their voice through debate and leadership and express themselves creatively. Middle School includes International Exchange and emphasizes wellness and emotional coaching. The Beyond Classroom program supports hands-on, real-world experiences across grade levels.	Social & hobbies The Casco School offers after-school clubs in four categories: SPORTS, ARTS, TECH and ACADEMICS. After-school activities include jiujitsu, yoga, dance, soccer and tennis. The Casco School Panthers football team demonstrates student teamwork and school spirit, and a traditional sports day is held annually with houses competing in races and activities for points.
Community & service	Community & service Community involvement is encouraged through school events and volunteering. Social responsibility programs promote kindness, empathy, and understanding within the school and wider community.	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Elementary emphasizes debate and leadership as part of developing communication skills. High School offers Career Advice, Business Approach, and Dual Learning. Middle School provides opportunities for International Exchange and leadership development as part of a holistic program.	Leadership & professional Entrepreneurial Week teaches students entrepreneurship, including niche research, resource management, delegation and funding rounds. Students create and present products and services to the school community, practicing pitching and showcasing their ideas. High school students participate in the O2O University Fair to explore higher education options at universities in the United States and beyond. The Casco School fosters leadership and practical skills through these experiences.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Wellness and emotional coaching are part of Middle School life. Life Tool Benefits include Practical Application and Knowledge, Career Exploration, Cultural Awareness, and Networking Opportunities. The program supports real-world skills and well‑being as part of comprehensive student development.	Lifestyle & wellbeing The Casco School uses the Jigsaw programme for personal, social and health education, teaching emotional literacy, social skills and resilience. A behaviour approach focuses on intrinsic motivation and positive classroom atmosphere, guided by Zones of Regulation to help students recognise and regulate emotions. Outdoor activities, field trips and residentials promote well-being, independence and resilience, with a healthy lifestyle focus and a safe, supportive environment.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English, German and Spanish are taught. The main focus is acquiring German, as it has the largest number of native speakers in the European Union and is among the top ten most spoken languages globally. Germany is renowned for its engineering, science, and technology programs. Many universities in Germany also offer programs taught in English, making study there accessible to international students.	Language provision Languages of instruction are English and Spanish. The school serves ages 2 to 18, covering pre-school, primary and secondary education. Curricula include the National Primary Curriculum of England & Wales, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), MEDUCA, and Cambridge IGCSE guidelines for the upper years; the IB Diploma program is offered.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The school is a trilingual school that emphasizes English, German and Spanish.	Bilingual teaching The Casco School provides bilingual instruction in English and Spanish. Each class has two teachers, one English-speaking and one Spanish-speaking, with a maximum of 20 students. The Casco School serves preschool through secondary education, with campuses at Albrook and Costa del Este. For years 10–11, the school follows Cambridge IGCSE guidelines, and the IB Diploma is awarded to students who meet the program requirements.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations The school has Cognia accreditation.	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Admissions are open for 2024-2025. BABY WELT: from 6 months old to 3 years old. Preschool admission: from PK3 to Kinder (3–6 years old). Primary school admission: 1st to 5th grades. Middle school admission: 6th to 11th grades. The admissions department responds to inquiries for information and new student applications. Location: Street I, Joseph Esses Boulevard, at the top of the hill, Edison Park, Betania, Panama City, Panamá.	Admissions 1. Inquiry and age placement. The Casco School welcomes inquiries year-round. Enrollment follows MEDUCA age placement regulations: Pre Nursery 2 years old before September 1; Nursery 3 years old before September 1; Reception 4 years old before September 1; Year 1 5 years old before September 1. For students transferring from a local calendar that runs March to December to The Casco School, January enrollments are placed in the grade completed in December, and August enrollments join the grade they are currently attending. Families can request a brochure by inquiry and arrange a tour or information session. 2. Tours and information sessions. On-campus tours are offered at Costa del Este and Albrook campuses, and virtual information sessions are available. These visits provide an opportunity to connect with the community and learn about The Casco School's distinctive educational approach. They help families understand the program and facilities. 3. Application. For Panama-based students, a taster day is arranged to experience a regular school day. For international applicants, a virtual family meeting is arranged to get to know the child and support a smooth transition. This stage initiates the formal application process. 4. Enrollment. About one week after the taster day, families receive the official welcome letter. To complete enrollment, parents must settle the fees, sign the school contract, and submit the required documents. The enrollment process formalizes the student's placement for the upcoming term. Further instructions are provided with the welcome letter. 5. Required documents and MEDUCA validation. All students enrolling from Year 2 to Secondary must validate their abroad records with a MEDUCA validation letter. Validation is not required for Preschool, Year 1, or Year 2. The validation process includes providing original records or transcripts, having them apostilled or authenticated, and bringing copies of passport and birth certificate; translations to Spanish are required, and documents are presented to MEDUCA for accreditation. 6. FAQ and curriculum. The Casco School serves Preschool through Year 13. The British curriculum is followed: EYFS in Preschool, National Curriculum of England in Primary, and Cambridge secondary curriculum in Secondary. The school offers extracurricular activities and maintains a 1:11 student–teacher ratio. There is no school uniform; a dress code applies, and school t-shirts may be worn for trips and events.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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