The Casco School vs The Oxford School

	T The Casco School Panama City, Panama	T The Oxford School Panama City, Panama
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $5,220 - 10,647	Fees / year $3,217 - 5,765
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 450	Pupils 900
Typical class size	Typical class size 15	Typical class size 26
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Spanish	Instruction language English, Spanish
Opened	Opened 2018	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Panama City, Panama, with two campuses in Albrook and Costa del Este.	Location The Oxford School operates four branches in Panama: Edison Park – Vía Transístmica, Panama City (Edison Park, Urbanización Edison Park, Edificio The Oxford School, next to Cervecería Nacional); Paseo del Norte – Brisas del Golf; Azuero – Corpus Christi, Vía Principal; and Santiago – Nuevo Santiago, Veraguas. The Edison Park branch sits on Vía Transístmica in Panama City, near major routes and the Cervecería Nacional. The other campuses are in Brisas del Golf (Paseo del Norte), Corpus Christi (Azuero) and Nuevo Santiago (Santiago).
Stages	Stages Pre-School, Primary School, Middle School and High School (Albrook); Pre-School and Primary School (Costa del Este).	Stages —
School type	School type Private bilingual international school (British curriculum).	School type British international school
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support One-to-one language support for students needing extra help with English or Spanish.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Panama	Country affiliation England (National Curriculum of England)
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
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.	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details Yes, a transportation company provides routes throughout the city.	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	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.	Fee details Application fees - One-time enrollment/registration payment is required at contract signing. A one-time incorporation/registration fee of USD 1,035 has been listed in school listings. Tuition fees — yearly and per term (by year group) - PK1 – PK3: USD 3,216.51 per year. Per term (3 terms): USD 1,072.17. - Kindergarten: USD 3,799.62 per year. Per term (3 terms): USD 1,266.54. - 1st – 5th grade: USD 4,204.04 per year. Per term (3 terms): USD 1,401.35. - 6th – 8th grade: USD 4,796.55 per year. Per term (3 terms): USD 1,598.85. - 9th – 10th grade: USD 5,088.11 per year. Per term (3 terms): USD 1,696.04. - 11th – 12th grade: USD 5,765.27 per year. Per term (3 terms): USD 1,921.76. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school follows an academic calendar split into three terms across the school year; tuition figures above are presented on an annual basis and can be divided into three term payments to align with the school terms. Exact billing dates, due-dates, and late-payment terms are handled at enrollment and on the school contract. Boarding fees - No boarding fees are listed. The Oxford School operates multiple day-school campuses; no boarding or residential program fees are publicly indicated. Other costs and fees (uniforms, materials, transport, extracurriculars, capital fees, etc.) - Specific amounts for uniforms, transport, meals, extracurricular activity fees, capital/maintenance contributions, exam fees, and textbook charges are not listed alongside the published tuition figures. Historical listings have shown separate monthly/annual components for some campuses, but itemized current amounts for these additional items are not publicly posted. Refund information - A school refund policy or specific refund terms for tuition, enrollment, or deposits is not publicly posted with the tuition figures. Refund and cancellation terms are governed by the school contract signed at enrollment. Fee payment options - The school's standard accepted payment methods (for example: bank transfer, credit/debit card, local payment channels) are not listed alongside the published fee amounts. Payment method details are provided in enrollment paperwork and at the time of contract signing. Notes for parents (concise) - Tuition figures are presented above by academic level and show annual and per-term amounts (school year split in three terms). Enrollment requires an initial enrollment/registration payment and execution of a school contract that sets billing dates and payment terms. Itemized charges for uniforms, transport, meals, extracurricular activities, and any capital or maintenance contributions are not published with the tuition schedule and should be confirmed at enrollment.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement The Casco School does not use uniforms.	Uniform requirement House System uniform is worn for special occasions and extracurricular activities; students wear the House System T-Shirt with blue jeans and sneakers.
Food options	Food options Lunch is provided by NATUVIVA; parents may also send a packed lunch.	Food options The school offers an external food service on campus.
House system	House system —	House system The Oxford School has a House System.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	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.	Curriculum details —
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).	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
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.	Higher education progression —
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 —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) The Oxford School is inclusive and welcomes children of all cultures and abilities.
English as an additional language	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.	English as an additional language The Oxford School offers English language courses to children and adults.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
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.	Facilities overview —
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.	Sports 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.	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	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.	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	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.	History The Oxford School has been providing an international educational service in Panama since 1984. It is a pioneer of British Education in Panama and aligns with the National Curriculum of England and Cambridge International Examinations. The Oxford School operates six branches nationwide across Panama to serve diverse communities: Edison Park, Paseo del Norte, Azuero, Santiago, David and Costa Verde. It serves more than 3,000 students from many nationalities and cultures.
Community	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.	Community The Oxford School serves a diverse community with students from many nationalities and cultures and is inclusive of children from all backgrounds and abilities. It operates six branches nationwide, enabling broad community access and engagement. The school runs an active extracurricular program with clubs and activities coordinated with the Parents Association, including robotics, Mandarin, and a range of other clubs such as taekwondo, dance, art, mental maths, gymnastics and chess. Regular family engagement is supported through ongoing communication and events with families.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association The extracurricular programme of clubs is offered weekly in conjunction with the Parents Association. The After School Programme runs from 12:15 to 5:30 pm, providing care after school hours with lunch and snacks. A variety of clubs are offered, including taekwondo, robotics, dance, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, art, mental maths, gymnastics, chess, and more, with some activities incurring extra costs. The sports program includes soccer, basketball, American football, flag football and swimming, with teams competing in national and international events. The debate team develops critical thinking and communication skills through weekly sessions. Mandarin is offered through the Confucio Institute with native-teacher instruction, and clubs are coordinated with the Parents Association.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	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.	Academic & intellectual The school follows the National Curriculum of England and Cambridge International Examinations. Cambridge Assessment International Examinations are integrated into the learning framework. Academic programs are aligned with international standards to support students' global opportunities. An internationally recognized framework underpins the school's academic offering.
Arts & creative	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.	Arts & creative Drama is offered as an extracurricular activity. Drama is listed among the school's extracurricular activities. Opportunities for creative expression are provided through drama and related arts activities. This emphasis on the arts sits alongside sports and other clubs.
Cultural & language	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.	Cultural & language Go English is offered as part of the extracurricular program to support English language development. Go English is listed among the extracurricular activities. The school also features a Debate Club as part of its cultural and language offerings. Language and cultural engagement are supported through these activities.
Social & hobbies	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.	Social & hobbies Sports are listed as an extracurricular activity. Drama is included as a social and creative pursuit. House System is a feature of student life that fosters teamwork and social interaction. Students participate in clubs and events that support social engagement.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	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.	Leadership & professional Debate Club is an extracurricular activity. The House System fosters leadership and teamwork within the student body. Students have opportunities to demonstrate leadership in competitions and events, such as the Concurso Nacional de Oratoria (first place in 2021). Participation in these activities develops communication and leadership skills.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	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.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Sports are offered to promote fitness and well-being. Physical education and outdoor activities support students' health. Teamwork and competition in sports contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Wellbeing is encouraged through active participation in the extracurricular program.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	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.	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	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.	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	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.	Admissions The Admission Officer will arrange an appointment for the child to undergo a psychological evaluation for children aged 5 years and up.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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