Metropolitan School of Panama Entry Requirements

THE METROPOLITAN SCHOOL OF PANAMA’S ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

From the moment when you first get in touch to when your child starts their first day at the MET, we're here to support you every step of the way. Our friendly team will make your admissions process smooth and simple, whether you’re a local or transferring from abroad.

HOW TO APPLY TO THE MET

To apply for entry to our school, you’ll need to complete our Online Application Form, upload all required documentation, and make a payment with the non-refundable application fee of $200 per child. To begin, please review the details of the required forms and documents below.

THE APPLICATION FORM AND OTHER DOCUMENTS

You’ll need to complete an online application form, teacher recommendation forms, and signed declaration. Review the full requirements by clicking below.

Please submit the following forms:

1. Our Online Application Form.

2. Teacher Recommendation Form(s). Please use the correct form for your child based on their current age, and if they are in Early Childhood (EC3, EC4, or Kinder) or Grades 1–12. These must be completed and signed by the applicant's current teacher and returned electronically directly by the teacher or school to our Admissions Office at [email protected].

a. Applicants who are entering Early Childhood 3 through Grade 5 require only one teacher recommendation from their current teacher.
b. Applicants who are entering Grades 6 through 12 require two teacher recommendations: one from a current teacher and one from a counselor and/or the school principal.

Download the Teacher Recommendation Form for students in Early Childhood (EC3, EC4 or Kinder) here.

Download the Teacher Recommendation Form for students in Grades 1-12 here.

3. Signed Declaration of Sponsorship/Non-Sponsorship Form.

ACADEMIC RECORDS

Please submit copies of the applicant’s official school reports or transcripts for the current year and all previous years. If applicable, please also submit the results of any standardized tests and/or psychological educational evaluations.

FURTHER DOCUMENTS

There are several practical documents required by the Ministry of Education, such as photos, copies of passports, and immunization records. Review the full requirements by clicking below.

Please submit the following documents:

One digital passport or ID-sized photo of the applicant
One digital family photo
A copy of the applicant’s birth certificate and passport (the identification page)
A copy of each parent or guardian’s passport (the identification page)
A copy of each parent or guardian’s Panamanian identification card or immigration card, if applicable
A copy of the applicant’s most recent immunization records
A health certificate from the applicant’s physician (which must include the child’s blood type)

Upon enrollment, all students must also complete a MEDUCA Validation Process. Please be aware of this process and prepare your documentation in advance.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

After all admissions forms and additional information have been submitted, what should you expect next? From your family interview to your application’s evaluation, here’s what you need to know.

INTERVIEWS AND ASSESSMENTS

Our Admissions Team will contact your family to schedule a parent and student interview. We strongly encourage both parents or guardians to attend this meeting. We’ll also arrange for your child to complete an admissions screening assessment.

Assessments
All applicants will need to complete our comprehensive admissions screening assessment, so we can evaluate their placement.

Early Childhood students should be fully toilet trained upon entering school (no diapers allowed).
Students applying to Middle or High School (Grades 6¬–12, or Years 7¬–13 in the UK) may also be interviewed by the Secondary School Principal and/or the Curriculum Coordinator.

Language Proficiency

During the admissions process, we may request the applicant to complete a language proficiency assessment. Students with limited English will receive English as an Additional Language (EAL) support, as required. Enrolling for EAL Services will be a requirement for admission and additional fees will apply.

Please be aware that spaces are limited in the EAL program. Due to the rigor of the IB MYP and DP programmes, students entering Grades 7 through 12 will require a high level of English. We do not offer an intensive EAL program beyond Grade 5.

Special Needs
During the screening period, if the admissions tester notes a concern, the Head of the Exceptional Education Program (EEP) may observe the student and/or conduct further screening. Depending on the results from this process, we may request parents to arrange for an Educational Psychologist evaluation before the student is accepted into the school.

Currently, we do not have opportunities for students with moderate or severe emotional and behavioral disorders (Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder) or severe physical needs.

EVALUATING YOUR MET APPLICATION

Upon meeting all the requirements and completing all the steps of our admissions process, the complete application will be evaluated by our Admissions Committee.

The MET places a great deal of importance in forming well-rounded students of good character whose families embrace and support the values and mission of our school.

After the committee makes the admission decision, the Admissions Manager will notify the family regarding the outcome via email. The student may be accepted without conditions, accepted with conditions, denied, or placed on the wait list. For students placed on the wait list, priority will be given to sponsored families and current MET siblings.

All admissions decisions are final and based on whether the school can provide a program that best meets the individual needs of the student.

Applying to the MET does not guarantee acceptance into the school.

FOR IB DIPLOMA STUDENTS IN GRADES 11 AND 12

Students applying to Grades 11 and 12 (Years 12 and 13 in the UK) must enroll before September 30th due to the rigorous demands of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).

Because of the rigorous demands of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), students applying to Grades 11 and 12 (Years 12 and 13 in the UK) must enroll before September 30th. There are several IB regulations governing the suggested number of hours of study in all subjects.

Students may enter Grade 12 only if they are transferring from another school with an IB Diploma Programme similar in its course offering.

All IBDP courses are taught in English with exception of Spanish language courses. Therefore, the applicant should demonstrate an advanced level of both written and oral fluency to ensure academic success.

Admission to the IBDP will be subject to the following:

Results of the admissions examinations
Interviews with the Secondary School Principal and IBDP Coordinator
Record of prior academic achievement
Previous school reports (including the most recent)
The applicant’s future educational plan

Students may choose to enter one of two IB tracks:

IB Diploma Programme Track: This entails at least three Higher Level (HL) courses and three Standard Level courses (SL), alongside Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS); the Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and the Extended Essay (EE). Upon completion, students will receive an IB Diploma, as well as a Panamanian Diploma and a US High School Diploma.

Partial Diploma Track: This is optional for students who wish to take a different combination of Higher Level and Standard Level courses. Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) as well as the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) will still be required. Upon completion, students will receive a Panamanian Diploma, US High School Diploma, and an IB certificate for each IBDP course completed.

VALIDATING INTERNATIONAL TRANSCRIPTS

For students applying to Grades 2 through 12 (Years 3 through 13 in the UK) from abroad, the Panamanian Ministry of Education, known as MEDUCA, requires your transcripts to be validated.

MEDUCA, the legal entity that oversees academic institutions in Panama, requires all students entering Grades 2 through 12 from a school abroad go through a validating process.

Transcripts issued outside of Panama must be apostilled in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or in the embassy of the country that issued the transcripts, which will later be validated through MEDUCA. This is a required procedure to officially enroll the student into the correct grade level at the MET.

THE METROPOLITAN SCHOOL OF PANAMA’S ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

HOW TO APPLY TO THE MET

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

NEED HELP TO APPLY TO THE MET?