ISP Admissions Process
We are now processing applications for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years. If you would like to be notified when we open admissions, please complete the inquiry form.
Admissions Calendar
This is designed to give you an idea of when your application must be completed to have a decision at the end of the month.
Applications must be complete (including recommendation forms, interviews, and assessments) on the following dates to receive admissions decisions before the end of each month:
School Calendar
Our academic calendar is designed to support rolling admissions for families transferring from abroad at different moments throughout the school year.
We follow an International calendar that starts in August and finishes in June.
How to Apply
Once submitted, an admissions counselor will reach out to you. For immediate assistance, feel free to contact us at:
- Phone: +507 293–3000
- WhatsApp: +507 6982–1470
- Email: admissions@isp.edu.pa
Meet with our admissions counselor to explore more about ISP and ensure our mission and core values resonate with yours.
When you’re ready to apply, pay the $250 non-refundable application fee per student via credit card or bank transfer. Payment details are here. Afterward, email admissions@isp.edu.pa and cashier@isp.edu.pa with:
- Student’s name
- Grade
- Proposed entry date
- Proof of payment.
Once your payment is processed, you will gain access to our Admissions Portal, where you’ll find a comprehensive checklist of all required steps and documentation for each student. Our admissions counselors are here to support you throughout the process.
It is important to note that while we might have space in your grade of interest, the Enrollment Committee must review the candidate’s application to provide an admissions decision. Space availability and settling the application fee do not guarantee admission.
Early Childhood (PK3 & PK4) & Elementary School (Kindergarten to 5th Grade)
-
Applicant Information
Include details on citizenship, languages spoken, current school, and household demographics.
- Parent Questionnaire
- Ministry of Education (MEDUCA) declaration form
- Family declaration form
- Learning support form (if applicable)
- Homeroom teacher recommendation form (just provide the teacher's email; the system will send them the form directly).
- Please submit the following documents
- Report cards from the last three years
- Student photo
- Birth certificate
- Educational testing results or diagnosis, and/or IEP accommodations (if applicable).
Middle & High School (6th to 12th Grade)
-
Applicant Information
Include details on citizenship, languages spoken, current school, and household demographics.
- Parent Questionnaire
- Ministry of Education (MEDUCA) declaration form
- Family declaration form
- Learning support form (if applicable)
- Recommendation forms from English, Math, and the Principal/Counselor (provide their email addresses; the system will send them the forms directly).
- Please submit the following documents
- Report cards from the last three years
- Student photo
- Birth certificate
- Educational testing results or diagnosis, and/or IEP accommodations (if applicable).
Once the application is complete, including the recommendation forms by the teachers, we will inform you to schedule interviews and assessments. The purpose of this phase is to get to know the candidate better and determine placement for certain courses. Details below:
Candidate Evaluations
PK3/PK4 Candidates
We will invite candidates for on-campus play dates to help them become familiar with our Early Childhood Program.
Kindergarten to 5th-grade Candidates
We will arrange an English proficiency assessment for non-native speakers to identify any need for English as an Additional Language support during their transition.
6th to 8th-Grade Candidates
We will arrange an interview with our Principal or Counselor to understand their strengths and interests. English proficiency may also be assessed if needed.
9th to 12th-Grade Applicants
An interview with our Principal or Counselor will be scheduled to evaluate their strengths and interests and determine their fit with our educational pathways. English proficiency assessment may also be conducted if necessary.
Additionally, we may schedule placement tests for English, Math, and Spanish courses.
As an international school, we offer rolling admissions. Please refer to the Admissions Calendar to align with your enrollment timeline. Once all previous steps are completed and the application is presented to the Enrollment Committee, we will provide your admissions decision.
Possible Admissions Decisions
Regular Admissions
Admissions with Required Additional Services
If your child requires extra support, we will outline these requirements in an attached letter.
Waiting Pool
If there is no space available in the desired grade.
Decline
In some cases, due to resources or capacity, we may not be able to support your child’s journey at ISP.
All offer emails are valid for one school year and automatically reserve a space for your child for 10 calendar days while you arrange payment. After 10 days, availability is subject to change. If you choose to defer enrollment to the next school year, the admissions process will need to be restarted.
After receiving the admissions decision on the Admissions Portal, please complete the required payments within 10 calendar days and finish the enrollment checklist. This includes reviewing the school’s policies, indicating your image use preference, and signing the school contract to reserve your child’s seat.
Visit the Tuition & Fees section to review the necessary payments for securing your candidate’s spot.
We are excited to welcome your child to our school community. As a school in Panama, we strictly adhere to the Ministry of Education (MEDUCA) regulations for student placement
Age Requirements for Early Childhood Programs
PK3
Students must be three years old by July 31.
PK4
Students must be four years old by July 31.
Kindergarten
Students must be five years old by July 31.
Placement for Grades 1 and Above
From first grade onwards, placement will be based on the grades candidates have completed at their previous schools, certified through the validation process by our local Ministry of Education (MEDUCA).
Validation Process for Incoming Students
For Students Coming from Abroad
All students enrolling in second grade and above must complete the validation process with MEDUCA within six months of enrolling at ISP.
Transitioning from Local School Calendars
Students transitioning from a local school calendar (March to December or similar) must enroll in the same grade they have completed if enrolling in January, or the same grade they are currently enrolled in if enrolling in August.
Welcome to our Tuition and Fees section! Below, you’ll find essential details about payment plans for both Institutional and Non-Institutional families for the school years 2024-2025 and 2025-2026.
Understanding Institutional & Non-Institutional Families
Institutional Families
Families whose educational benefits are paid directly or indirectly, fully or partially reimbursed, or included in an employer’s remuneration package. Students in this category receive admissions priority and must complete the Institutional Registration Fee Declaration during the admissions process.
Non-Institutional Families
Families whose educational fees are paid directly by the family without reimbursement from an employer.
Application Fee
This non-refundable fee covers the processing of applications and evaluations. It must be paid before applying but does not guarantee admission.
- Pay virtually or in person via
- Credit card
- wire transfer.
Capital Donation
- USD 16,000 per student
- New PK3 students can pay the Capital Donation in full upon PK4 enrollment.
- New PK4 to 12th-grade students must pay in full within ten calendar days of receiving the official admissions letter.
- USD 16,000 per student
- PK3 Students: Pay in two installments of USD 8,000 each (one upon PK4 re-enrollment and the second upon Kindergarten re-enrollment).
- PK4 to 5th Grade Students: Pay in two installments of USD 8,000 each (one upon admissions and the second upon next-year re-enrollment).
- 6th to 12th Grade Students: Pay in full at the time of admissions.
- Siblings: Non-Institutional families with siblings can pay the Capital Donation in two installments of USD 8,000 each (one upon admissions and the second upon next-year re-enrollment).
Registration Fees
- USD 4,500
- Due in full at the time of admission for new families and at re-enrollment for returning families.
- This fee is non-refundable and not prorated, regardless of the enrollment date.
- Parents/Guardians must settle any outstanding fees to re-enroll their child for the next school year.
- Pay virtually or in person via credit card or wire transfer.
- USD 1,000
- Due in full at the time of admission for new families and at re-enrollment for returning families.
- This fee is non-refundable and not prorated, regardless of the enrollment date.
- Parents/Guardians must settle any outstanding fees to re-enroll their child for the next school year.
- Pay virtually or in person via credit card or wire transfer.
Tuition SY 24-25 and 25-26
The annual tuition applies to non-institutional and institutional families, and most are paid according to the payment schedule detailed below.
Tuition is payable only via wire transfer or Banco General payment booklet. Below you will find the quarterly tuition schedule for the current and upcoming school years.
SY 24-25 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Due Date | Start Date | PK3 | PK4 – 5 | 6 – 8 | 9 – 12 | |
Q1 | Jul 24, 2024 | Aug 7, 2024 | 2,440 | 3,726 | 4,087 | 4,622 |
Q2 | Sep 27, 2024 | Oct 14, 2024 | 2,440 | 3,726 | 4,087 | 4,622 |
Q3 | Jan 2, 2025 | Jan 15, 2025 | 2,440 | 3,726 | 4,087 | 4,622 |
Q4 | Mar 17, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | 2,440 | 3,726 | 4,087 | 4,622 |
SY 25-26 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Start Date | PK3 | PK4 – 5 | 6 – 8 | 9 – 12 | |
Q1 | Aug 6, 2025 | 2,501 | 3,819 | 4,189 | 4,737 |
Q2 | Oct 13, 2025 | 2,501 | 3,819 | 4,189 | 4,737 |
Q3 | Jan 14, 2026 | 2,501 | 3,819 | 4,189 | 4,737 |
Q4 | Apr 6, 2026 | 2,501 | 3,819 | 4,189 | 4,737 |
The cost of textbook rental, workbooks, and other consumable instructional materials, as applicable, are covered by the Annual Tuition payment. Exceptions to this list may include special materials requested by your division.
At ISP, we offer a variety of specialized programs to support our students’ unique needs. Below are the details regarding fees for our special services.
English as an Additional Language (EAL) Fee
- USD 500.00 per semester
- The EAL program assists non-native English speakers in developing the language skills necessary for success in the regular ISP classroom.
This fee is payable only via wire transfer or Banco General payment booklet.
Learning Support Program Fee
- USD 500.00 per semester
- The Learning Support Program is designed to accommodate various learning styles and needs through differentiated instruction. This fee applies to students requiring additional learning support or those identified as Gifted and Talented (GATE).
This fee is payable only via wire transfer or Banco General payment booklet.
Joint EAL and Learning Support Program Fee
- USD 750.00 per semester
- For students requiring both EAL and Learning Support services, a single fee covers all related services.
This fee is payable only via wire transfer or Banco General payment booklet.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Fees
- the cost is determined by the IB on a yearly basis
Students in the 11th and 12th grades will incur IB program fees and testing costs, collected over a two-year period.
These fees are payable only via wire transfer or Banco General payment booklet.
Full-Time and Part-Time Support Fees
- USD 1900 and USD 950 per month, respectively.
Families with students needing full-time and part-time support must sign a separate contract regulating this service during admissions and re-enrollment.
This fee is payable only via wire transfer or Banco General payment booklet.
- Amount: USD 1,600 per student.
- Details: Families with returning students who have withdrawn for more than twelve months will be charged a Readmission Fee, equal to 10% of the Capital Donation at the time of readmission.
- Conditions: Any outstanding debts to the school must be settled in full before a student can be considered for readmission.
- Payment Method: This fee is payable virtually or in person via credit card or wire transfer.
To enroll in any Panamanian school, students must meet the requirement set by Panama’s Ministry of Education known as the MEDUCA validation.
It is the official recognition of grades and courses for students who have studied abroad and wish to continue their education in Panama.
- This must be submitted within six (6) months of enrollment.
- Validation is only needed for students enrolling in second grade onwards.
Documents needed before coming to Panama
Legalized grades of the last year completed
- Only one option is required. If no Panamanian consulate is available in the country of origin, use a consulate in a country with diplomatic ties to Panama.
- Apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country of origin.
- Certification at the Panamanian consulate in the country of origin. Then, the document must be legalized in Panama at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in El Dorado.
Report cards
Original and copy of report cards from 1st grade to the last year completed, signed by the school principal or director.
