FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the school calendar?
We follow an international school calendar - beginning classes in August and concluding in May.
2. What is the policy for children that transfer from a school with a different calendar?
As per MEDUCA policy, students must continue on in the same grade level and will be promoted to the next grade level the following school year.
3. Is Five Stars Academy accredited?
Yes!
* Minister of Education, Republic of Panama
* Cognia
* AP College Board Level 2
4. Is Five Stars Academy a bilingual school?
We are a full-English school. All students Grade 5 and above must have a solid understanding of the English language to be considered for admission. However, all students receive minimum 1 hour of instruction in Spanish each day. All of our students graduate bilingual in English and Spanish with many having a 3rd or 4th language.
5. What are the school hours?
Monday-Thursday 8:00am-2:30pm, Friday 8:00am-12:05pm
6. What are the Tuition and Fees?
Look under Admissions > Tuition and Fees
7. Can I get a list of the books and buy them?
No. Book fees not only cover the books your child uses throughout the school year but it also provides the funding for us to update the books when necessary when our books become outdated or worn, purchase teacher resources with the publishers that include Guides, Tests, Supplementary Work, copy printed material, and access online resources for teachers and students. Every few years, publishers alter or change the standards. When that occurs, we must invest in all of the new material, including everything listed above.
8. How does Five Stars Academy determine grade placement?
Grade placements are made according to the date of birth and the guidelines outlined by the Panamanian Ministry of Education (MEDUCA)
Parents applying with school transcripts or records from outside of Panama should have those validated through the Ministry of Foreign Relations (Embassy of the Country of Origin) and MEDUCA to officially assign entering grade placement.
9. Does Five Stars Academy offer a lunch program?
Students may bring a healthy lunch that will be refrigerated and heated up. We also offer a purchase meal option. Options differ by day. Check with the school directly about options available.
10. Do students wear uniforms?
Yes, Five Stars Academy shirts are required each day. Shirts may be purchased directly from the school.
11. What is “Advanced Placement (AP)?
“Advanced Placement” (AP) is a program of college-level courses. Check under Academics > High School for the complete list of courses available.
We offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses through our school partner in the U.S. The AP Program is a program in the United States and Canada created by the College Board which offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students. American, Canadian and European colleges and universities may grant placement and course credit to students who obtain high scores on the examinations. Once students take the course, they are offered the opportunity to take the corresponding AP exam in May. With that score, they can test out of required credits at the university they choose to attend.
AP classes don’t just earn you high school credit. You may also earn college credit if you take an AP exam at the end of the course AND earn a score of at least three (3) on a scale of one (1) to five (5). Colleges and universities consider a score of three (3) an indicator of your ability to do successful college work. Please click here for more information.