FAQs

The SABIS^® Philosophy is based on three important tenets. We believe that:

• A university education should be accessible to almost all students, not just a select few.
• Admission to any SABIS^® school should be conducted through a non-selective admissions process.
• The success of a school should be measured by the value it adds to each student.

The SABIS^® Educational System has proven itself over the past 135+ years and is built on 6 important pillars:

1.The curriculum:
Students in SABIS^® schools follow a dynamic, rigorous, international curriculum that gives them the strong foundation of knowledge and skills they will need to achieve future success. The curriculum is aligned to national and international standards and prepares students for external exams, such as the American SAT and Advanced Placement^® (AP^®), or the British IGCSE, as well as AS and A Level exams. In Panama, students will also be prepared for the Science Diploma. This allows our students to apply to local Panamanian universities and international universities around the world.


2.SABIS^® Book Series:
Students in all SABIS^® schools use books that have been specifically written and developed for them. This allows students to follow a natural, sequential progression as they build their knowledge base. The SABIS^® Book Series is specifically tailored for every grade level and subject and is aligned with national and international requirements, effectively preparing students for a wide range of external examinations. The SABIS^® Book series includes over 3,100 books in both electronic (e-books) and traditional formats. In addition, bilingual books (in English and Spanish) are available up to Grade 9 in Science and Grade 10 in Math, allowing local students to transition into our system even if they have a lower level of English. Students in Grade 3 upwards will have access to our book series in an electronic format, allowing them to use the technological systems to improve their learning in and outside of school.


3.Teaching Methods:
Teachers in all SABIS^® schools deliver their lessons using the SABIS Point System^® of instruction. The SABIS Point System^® is a proven instructional method that keeps students engaged and learning efficiently, through the use of interactive flipcharts, paced content, the Integrated Learning System (ILS), and many other tools and technologies. Every instructional period has distinct learning objectives to be met and includes opportunities for students to work independently and in groups under their teacher’s guidance.


4.Testing and Monitoring:
SABIS^® schools use regular assessment to help students build a solid foundation of knowledge, particularly in the subjects of English and math, as well as world languages in some schools. In SABIS^® schools, what we teach in one week, we test in the next.

Informative and summative examinations occur regularly throughout the school year, mainly AMS, Periodic, and Homework exams. Exams are generally computer-based, using the SABIS^® Integrated Testing and Learning (ITL).


5.Follow-up and Support:
The progress of every student is continuously monitored through a series of regular tests. In addition to praise and encouragement, students are given the support they need. All available means are used to help those students who fall behind. Students are advised on study techniques, motivated by the academic staff, and encouraged by receiving help from peer tutors or teachers.


6.SABIS^® Student Life Organization (SLO):

Students in SABIS^® schools are encouraged to take an active part in their school and lead an engaging and meaningful social life. This is done through the SABIS^® Student Life Organization or SLO, which is the beating heart of every SABIS^® school. Through the SLO, students benefit from many opportunities for academic, emotional, social, and moral growth. Students also develop essential 21^st century skills through real-life experiences.

When the pandemic hit, all schools around the globe shut down suddenly, and over 1.5 billion students found themselves confined to their homes in the middle of the academic year.

SABIS^® seamlessly shifted to its full-fledged E-learning solutions, which included live virtual lessons, a student learning environment, teaching videos, and more. And today, as countries began to reopen, many SABIS^® schools implemented a hybrid model that allows students to study online and on campus. Regardless of their physical location, SABIS^® students are continuing their education without missing a beat.

SABIS^® International School – Costa Verde (SABIS^® Costa Verde) opened its doors in September 2017 for students in Preschool up to Grade 4 as a start. Since then, the school has added new grade levels each year, reaching Grade 12 in the academic year 2023-2024. We will continue to add one grade level every year until we reach a full PK-12 capacity.

SABIS^® Costa Verde offers the world-class SABIS^® education to students in Panama for the first time. It is an international, bilingual education that helps unlock a student’s full potential.

Yes. All SABIS^® Costa Verde students will study towards both the Panamanian diploma and external exams such as Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE), the SAT, Advanced Placement^® (AP^®) exams, and more. This means all SABIS^® Costa Verde graduates will be able to choose to attend local or international universities.

SABIS^® Costa Verde adopts the international academic calendar, which starts in September and ends in June. Using the international calendar allows us to be perfectly coordinated with all other SABIS^® schools throughout the world.

Adopting an international calendar is never a problem with admission to local universities. It just means that SABIS^® Costa Verde students graduating in June will have a little time before starting their university programs in February or March the following year. This is a perfect time for students to gain some vital work experience or complete an internship program before starting their university course.

The SABIS^® International School – Costa Verde campus features state-of-the-art facilities that provide students with the perfect setting to learn and grow.

At present, our campus offers separate buildings for the KG and Primary sections. For the little ones, we have dedicated facilities tailored to their specific needs. The KG Department already includes its own pool, a mini-gymnasium, and extensive play facilities, in addition to a special KG car track for some fun and good exercise!

Once fully completed, the school will offer outstanding sports facilities that complement the extensive sports program offered. This will include a larger indoor gymnasium, multiple outdoor tennis and basketball courts, a semi-Olympic indoor pool, and a full-size synthetic soccer field with a 400-meter running track.

SABIS^® Costa Verde will also house a performing arts theater that accommodates up to 400 guests.

As the world becomes more and more competitive, parents are more aware than ever of the importance of choosing the right school for their children. By choosing SABIS^® Costa Verde, parents can rest assured that they have chosen a school that is committed to providing a top-quality education that helps all students achieve their full potential.

SABIS^® Costa Verde offers your children an international, bilingual education in a safe and nurturing environment. Our curriculum follows the local Panamanian education regulations, offering a fully integrated international and Panamanian program that allows students to choose to go to university at home or abroad.