THE PANAMA EXPERIENCE

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THE PANAMA
EXPERIENCE

• Student teaching at the Balboa Academy
• in the City of Knowledge

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Republic of Panama

• Location southernmost nation in Latin America,
  bounded by Atlantic and Pacific Ocean
• Climate tropical
• Language Spanish
• Currency US dollar
• Major features Panama Canal

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City of Knowledge

• Located in the former U.S. Army base of Fort
  Clayton, now home to the US Consulate and Embassy

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City of Knowledge Mission

• The mission of the academic component of the City
  of Knowledge is to identify and facilitate links
  and associations among academic, research, and
  innovative technological institutions, in areas
  where scientific and humanistic knowledge can
  promote human development. Through the synergy
  produced between programs, the union between
  cultures and the development of understanding
  among human societies is enhanced.

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Balboa Academy

• Balboa Academy, located in the City of Knowledge,
  is a private, co-educational day school, which
  offers an American college preparatory
  educational program from Pre-Kindergarten (3 yr
  and 4 yr old programs) through 12th grade for
  students of all nationalities.
• Curriculum
• The curriculum is a college-preparatory program
  similar to that of a private school in the United
  States. The instructional program is implemented
  in English.  Spanish is taught as both a native
  and foreign language.  Advanced Placement (AP)
  courses are offered in all major subject areas. 
  All graduates qualify for a U.S. diploma.
  Graduates may also receive a diploma from the
  Panama Ministry of Education. There is no
  religious instruction.

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Students in the Balboa Academy

• Enrollment for first semester school year
  2006-2007
• Pre-Kinder (3 4 yr olds)  56
• Elementary (grades K-5)  300
• Junior High School (grades 6-9)  182
• High School (grades 10-12) 134
• The student population is approximately 45 US,
  32 Panamanian, and 23 international from 36
  countries. 

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Balboa Academy Campus

• The school leases four air-conditioned classroom
  buildings and a health fitness classroom and
  gym complex, which include 67 classrooms, 3
  libraries, six computer laboratories, art and
  music classrooms, 4 science laboratories, and 2
  multi-purpose rooms (lunch room/auditorium).  The
  school has use of baseball and soccer fields,
  tennis courts, gymnasium, an Olympic swimming
  pool and other physical fitness and activity
  areas of the City of Knowledge.

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Student Teacher Lodging

• Student teachers stay in three-bedroom chalets,
  sharing rooms.
• The school is within walking distance.

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Medical Care

• Medical FacilitiesAs a by-product of the 90
  year presence of the United States Panama has
  numerous English speaking, American trained
  doctors and hospital and medical care nearly on a
  par with the United States. The National Hospital
  has an excellent staff of English speaking
  doctors, beautiful modern facilities and
  international department especially with a
  trained bi-lingual staff to attend both tourists
  and foreign residents. They accept most US
  insurance policies.

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Student Teaching
Component

• Students do seven weeks of student teaching in a
  Newport News School (two in September, five in
  spring)
• Students travel to Panama and begin a five week
  internship at Balboa Academy (including one week
  vacation)

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Cost of the program

• Flight 800
• Residence 20/day,
• Total 900
• Food and transportation 600
• Miscellaneous500
• TOTAL 2800

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Opportunities for Exploration

• Beach and ocean
• Rain forest ecology
• Colonial history
• Hiking, caving
• Cultural festivals