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Strengths STEM, Languages, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction
St. Mary School is a private Catholic institution in Panama serving Pre‑Kinder through Secondary levels, following an international academic calendar. Its mission guarantees the comprehensive development of students through ongoing education with family involvement and aims to form citizens with strong academic preparation, English language proficiency, and social awareness. Class times vary by level: Pre‑Kinder 7:00–1:00; Kindergarten through 3rd grade 7:00–2:15; Primary and Secondary 7:00–2:25. The curriculum emphasizes English proficiency and prepares students for international settings. The school runs STEM Teams and hosted the SCI‑TECH 2023 science fair, featuring projects such as a robotic grabbing arm and ultrasonic levitation. The SMS‑Debate program, via the Crusaders Club, has attended the NCE 22 congress. The SMS Digital Museum preserves student work and annual multimedia projects. Cultural programming includes Desfiles Patrios and Acto Civico, reflecting community engagement. Leadership and professional growth are fostered through clubs and debate, with strong family partnership across activities.
St. Mary School has instruction in Spanish, English.
Location
St. Mary School is located in Albrook, Panama City, Panama. The campus sits in the Albrook area of the city. It serves Pre-Kinder through Secondary education.
Stages
Pre-Kinder; Kindergarten; Grades 1–3; Primary and Secondary
Type
Private Catholic school
Country affiliation
Panama
Religious affiliation
Catholic
School day structure
Pre-Kinder: 7:00 am–1:00 pm; Kinder, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd: 7:00 am–2:15 pm; Primary and Secondary: 7:00 am–2:25 pm
Fees
Annual tuition at St. Mary School ranges from USD 3,100 to USD 3,500 for 2026/27.
Application / registration fees (Inscripción and registration items)
- Registration (matrícula) period for the 2025–2026 academic year is scheduled from Monday 7 July to Friday 18 July 2025. To pay registration for 2025–2026, the family must be up to date ("a Paz y Salvo") on tuition for the 2024–2025 year. Instalment schedules are billed as 10 monthly payments from August 2025 through May 2026.
Boarding fees
- No boarding / residential programme or boarding fees are listed among the school's published fee schedules. Day-school fees and special-service fees are provided instead.
Other costs and additional fees (examples and occasional charges)
- Standard ancillary items already included in matriculation totals vary by grade (examples above include: student insurance, Mereb service fee, school ID, robotics, pool, casillero/locker, graduation fees). - Special-service fees and one-off charges: psychology evaluation for new entrants PAB 75.00; entrance tests for specific subjects PAB 75.00; patriotic-subjects fee per trimester PAB 200.00; convocatoria/rehabilitation exam PAB 100.00; one-month summer course per subject (16 hrs) PAB 300.00; extraordinary trimester tests PAB 50.00; various certifications (paz y salvo, conduct, attendance) PAB 10.00; subject credit fees for primary/secondary in Spanish PAB 40.00 and in English PAB 45.00; tutorial monthly fees from PAB 140.00 to PAB 400.00 depending on modality; returned cheque fee PAB 40.00; facility rental fees (football pitch, gym, conference room) available at published hourly rates. These special-service charges are billed as incurred.
Refund information
- No general tuition or registration refund policy is published alongside the school's fee schedules. Specific refundable or non-refundable items are indicated in the itemised matriculation components (for example, registration/inscription amounts are presented as discrete charges).
Fee payment options
- Online payment is accepted through the school's Pagos checkout (Paguelofacil online payment platform). Instalment billing is arranged on a 10-month schedule (August–May) as shown above; payments are processed through the school accounting office and the online checkout channel. Additional accepted methods (bank deposit, in-person payment) are handled through the school's accounting office and the payment portal.
Notes on timing and currency
- All amounts are shown in Panamanian Balboa. The schedules and amounts above are published for the 2025–2026 academic year; monthly instalment periods reference August 2025 through May 2026.
Academics
St. Mary School teaches Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.
Curriculum
The school serves Pre-Kinder, Kindergarten, 1st through 3rd grades, and Primary and Secondary levels. It follows an international academic calendar. The mission guarantees the comprehensive development of students through strengthened processes based on ongoing education with family involvement. The institution aims to form citizens with high academic preparation, English language proficiency, and social awareness. Class times are Pre-Kinder: 7:00 am to 1:00 pm; Kindergarten, 1st through 3rd grades: 7:00 am to 2:15 pm; Primary and Secondary: 7:00 am to 2:25 pm.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school forms citizens with high social sensitivity. It guarantees the comprehensive formation of students through strengthening processes grounded in lifelong education with family involvement.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English language proficiency is a stated objective of the school.
Admissions
Admissions
Enrollment Form: Click to access the enrollment form. Admission Requirements (2025-2026): Submission of the following documents and items: Day assigned for the psychological test; Employment verification letter from the applicant's parents; Updated passport-size photographs; Copies of the applicant's youth ID on both sides; Copy of passport for foreign nationals; Copies of the guardian's ID on both sides; Copy of Baptism Certificate (optional); Certificate of good conduct from the current or previous school (for applicants in grades 2–12); Preschool credits showing habits and attitudes up to the level currently studied (for applicants in grades 2–12); Convalidation letter issued by MEDUCA for students who studied abroad; Examinations: Psychology Exam - First Enrollment B/.75.00; Mathematics Exam - First Enrollment B/.75.00; English Exam - First Enrollment B/.75.00; Spanish Exam - First Enrollment B/.75.00; Pre-Kinder Enrollment: B/.728.00; Enrollment for 2025-2026 / New students: January 16 to August 15, 2025.
FAQs
What type of school is St. Mary School?
St. Mary School is a private Catholic institution in Albrook, Panama City, serving Pre-Kinder through Secondary levels on an international academic calendar.
What are the tuition fees?
Annual tuition ranges from approximately PAB 3,682 to PAB 4,467 depending on the level. The school follows an international academic calendar.
What are the school hours?
Pre-Kinder runs 7:00 am to 1:00 pm. Kindergarten through 3rd grade runs 7:00 am to 2:15 pm. Primary and Secondary run 7:00 am to 2:25 pm.
Is English taught at the school?
Yes, English language proficiency is a central goal of the school. The mission aims to develop students with a strong command of English alongside high academic preparation.
Where is the school located?
St. Mary School is located in the Albrook area of Panama City, Panama. It is governed by the Archdiocese of Panama.
What extracurricular activities are available?
Activities include the Crusaders Club and SMS-Debate programme for public speaking and critical thinking. The SMS Digital Museum showcases student multimedia projects and yearbooks.
What is the school's religious affiliation?
St. Mary School is a Catholic institution governed by the Archdiocese of Panama, with leadership including an Episcopal Delegate.
What is the admissions process?
Applicants submit an enrolment form with required documents including a psychological test, employment verification, photographs, and academic records from previous schools.
Does the school hold civic events?
Yes, the school hosts regular civic and patriotic activities including ceremonies, parades, and community events that are integral to school life.
What is the SMS Digital Museum?
The Digital Museum showcases student-created publications and multimedia including magazines, documentaries, presentations, and yearbooks, supporting creative expression through digital media.
