Pedasi Schooling Options

You’ve decided to move your family abroad and you’re looking into Pedasi schooling options. You want a school that is not only going to educate your children, but give them opportunities to explore their interests, experience different cultures, and prepare for a globalized world.

Luckily, there are several options for schools in Pedasi, Panama and the surrounding area that many international parents find up to their standards. These schools tend to be bilingual, offer a strong academic curriculum, and a uniquely international atmosphere.

Whichever school you choose, you can be sure your child will have some incredible educational, cultural, and recreational experiences.

Soyuz is a bilingual (English/Spanish) school in Chitre – about 1 hour from Pedasi– that offers curriculum for elementary, junior high, and high school students from around the world.  Bilinguality is at the heart of Soyuz, which “guarantees that students master the English language without neglecting our native language, Spanish,” as a way to ensure the success of its graduates. Central to the school’s mission is “its role to promote sports, culture, art, civic awareness, technological innovation, and respect for human dignity.”

You can learn more about Soyuz Bilingual School here (select English in the menu bar for the website to translate).

Located a 35-minute drive from Pedasi, the C.A.D.I Bilingual Academy aims to foster “excellence in English for all our students, as well as a high degree of preparation in the scientific and technological area, with an emphasis on values ​​and culture.” The institution also strives to build “self-confidence, individual talents, and ability to cooperate within an international environment.” CADI has excellent facilities including a swimming pool, science and language labs, state-of-the-art computer rooms, an art room, and a classic dining hall with its own kitchen. They serve families with children from preschool to twelfth grade, even offering “Half Bachelor’s” in Science, Commerce, Maritime, and the Humanities.

You can learn more about CADI Bilingual Academy here (you may need to translate the webpage in your browser).

With locations across Panama– including in Los Santos, 45 minutes from Pedasi– the Oxford School is one of the best in Panama and, arguably, Latin America. They describe themselves as the “vanguard of educational, technological, and cultural development on a global level,” and their curriculum– and admissions process– reflect exactly that. The Oxford School is truly an international one, with programs and curriculum designed to drive “international relevance and recognition.” Students– from pre-K to high school– come from around the world and tend to speak at least two languages. School pillars at this prestigious institution include team work, multiculturalism, innovation, and diversity.

You can learn more about The Oxford School here.

Manglares Discovery is like summer camp meets actual school curriculum, with an incredible location in Cañas, a short walk from the Playa Venao beach break. The school curriculum blends traditional studies like science and language with experiential and hands-on learning, including environmental and local community projects.  The Manglares philosophy states “when children find meaning in learning, they are motivated and challenged, and take ownership of their learning.” They strive to create an environment that is caring, safe, and values children as individuals– adapting teaching styles as needed and encouraging both individual and collaborative learning. Currently, Manglares Discovery only serves children up to the second grade, though there are plans for higher grades in the future.

You can learn more about Manglares Discovery here.

Unfortunately, Panama’s public school system consistently ranks poorly by international standards. However, attending a public school in Pedasi is a great way for your child to truly have a unique cultural experience, learn Spanish, and make friends. The public school in Pedasi is Plinio A. Moscoso, and is divided between elementary (Centro de Educación Básica General Plinio A. Moscoso) and high school (Instituto Plinio A. Moscoso).

Some parents choose to send their children to the Pedasi public school and then supplement that education with homeschooling and/or online classes. This is a great way to have the “best of both worlds” and get involved in your child’s education while sparing yourself private school admission fees.

As mentioned above, homeschooling is a viable option for international parents who would prefer to play a more active role in their children’s education. In the Pedasi area, you’ll find a handful of parents who homeschool their children– there is even a facebook group for homeschooling parents to connect.

Homeschooling your child may seem like an arduous undertaking, and it’s certainly not a decision to take lightly. And yet, there are more options and resources than ever before that could make this a plausible solution for your family. Particularly in the age of COVID, so many classes and schools have made their entire curriculums available online. If you’re thinking about socialization and real-life experience, just remember there are plenty of other families and children from around the world in the Pedasi area for you and your family to connect with.

We hope you found value in this breakdown of Pedasi schooling options. If you have any questions about schools or family life in the Azuero peninsula, don’t hesitate to contact us! We would be happy to talk through your options and possibly connect you with other families in the area.