Education · Panama City
Notre Dame Academy
Private bilingual school in Ciudad del Lago, Panamá Norte.
Notre Dame Academy of Panama is a private, international bilingual school in Ciudad del Lago, Panamá Norte, on Vía Panamá Norte next to Plaza Comercial del Lago. It opened in March 2026 and follows the Panamanian school calendar, March to December. Most courses are taught in English and some in Spanish, covering Panama's Ministry of Education (MEDUCA) curriculum alongside courses from the US school system. It is Catholic-oriented and inclusive, and part of the Quality Leadership University (QLU) education group. For 2027 it admits students from nursery (3 years) to 6th grade, with plans to grow to 12th grade.
Why it is in the selection
- Genuinely bilingual: most classes are in English, with a levelling programme for children still building their English.
- Dual-diploma option from middle school: the Notre Dame high-school diploma plus a US high-school diploma from The Keystone School of Virginia.
- Backed by Quality Leadership University, with a cooperation agreement with Notre Dame of Maryland University, which sends education interns to Panama.
- A 3-hectare campus in Ciudad del Lago, minutes from Panamá Norte, Green Valley, Porta Norte, Brisas del Golf and Las Cumbres.
- STEAM activities: science fairs, robotics, maths olympiads and a drama club.
What it offers
- Nursery, pre-K and kindergarten
- Primary school, 1st to 6th grade
- English-Spanish bilingual education
- US dual diploma
- English courses for children and adults
- Partial Founders scholarships
Good for
Families in and around Panamá Norte looking for a values-based bilingual school close to home, and expat families who want their children taught mainly in English.
Common questions
Is there an English-speaking school in Panamá Norte?
Notre Dame Academy of Panama, in Ciudad del Lago on Vía Panamá Norte, is a private school where most classes are taught in English.
Which grades does Notre Dame Academy offer for 2027?
For 2027 it admits from nursery to 6th grade; the school plans to keep opening grades up to 12th.
How do admissions work?
Fill in the admission form, hand in the documents required by MEDUCA and the school, and the child has an interview with the school psychologist and an English placement test. Book via info@notredamepanama.org or WhatsApp +507 6963-8187.
What is the dual diploma?
From middle school, students can take two online courses a year with The Keystone School of Virginia and graduate with both the Notre Dame diploma and a US high-school diploma, for an additional fee.