SECONDARY SCHOOL

SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM

SECONDARY SCHOOL

AGES 11 - 18

Lower Secondary Framework

In 2025-26, The Casco School will open the Year 13 and graduate our first class of Casco students. In the Middle and High School, 80% of the classes are taught in English and 20% in Spanish. Small class size and constant teacher interaction means English is the main language heard in hallways and commons areas. Spanish is also promoted.

For years 10 & 11, The Casco School follows the guidelines of the two year curriculum designed by the Cambridge University team that created the IGCSE. The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is the Middle and High School requirement for students completing Year 11. The IGCSE curriculum aims to support academic, social and personal growth through robust lessons in and out of the classroom. They learn core subjects: English, Spanish, French, Mathematics, Science, Humanities (History and Geography) , Information Technology, Social Sciences of Panama, Art, Music, Physical Education and Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE). In Years 12 and 13, students will select subjects from the Cambridge A level program.

SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Topic based learning

Upon completion of this two-year program, students will have honed skills in creative thinking, inquiry, and problem-solving. Teachers take a personalised approach to instruction, ensuring each student gains the confidence to step outside their comfort zone and achieve beyond their initial expectations. Learning extends beyond the classroom walls, with a full roster of extracurricular activities, peer mentoring, leadership opportunities, and community service initiatives. These experiences allow students to apply their academic knowledge to real-world situations, preparing them to manage the challenges and responsibilities of higher education and beyond.

For students continuing into the two-year A-Level program, this foundation of inquiry-based learning becomes even more focused and specialised. A-Level courses encourage deeper mastery in chosen subjects, offering students the opportunity to engage critically with content at an advanced level. With a balance of academic rigour and individualised support, students emerge from the A-Level program with a solid foundation for university study and the skills to succeed in a competitive global environment. This comprehensive approach ensures they are well-prepared to excel in higher education and their future careers.

SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Areas of learning

  • All of Primary School
  • Media Studies
  • Digital Literacy
  • French
  • Debate

Elective Courses*

  • One option from the World Languages group
  • One option from the Social Science group
  • One of the three Pathways

*These courses are designed as two-year programs of study, and provide the foundations for success within our Junior and Senior years.

COLLEGE COUNSELLING

Year 10 & 11

In Year 10 students meet with the college counsellor to explore course selections, extracurricular interests, and potential career paths. By Year 11, the counsellor works closely with students to develop a personalised plan for standardised testing, college selection, and admissions.

UPPER SECONDARY

AGES 16 - 18

Uper Secondary Framework

After completing the IGCSE Certificate, students will begin a two-year course to complete the Diploma Programme of the International Baccalaureate. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is an international curriculum and set of exams respected by leading universities across the globe. The IBDP program gives students the best possible preparation for college or university, opening the doors to their top choices and preparing them for a successful future after Middle and High School. 

Our IB Diploma Programme is planned for students aged 16 to 18. It will require students to study courses in six main subject areas, complete the IBDP Core Requirements and gain necessary life skills.The Diploma Programme’s six subject groups are:

  1. Studies in Language and Literature (usually English or Spanish)
  2. Language Acquisition (usually English or Spanish, but could be other languages)
  3. Individuals and Societies (examples are History, Business Management, Psychology and Environmental Systems and Societies)
  4. Sciences (examples are Biology, Chemistry, and Physics)
  5. Mathematics (four levels of math courses are offered)
  6. The Arts (examples are visual arts, music and film)

Studying the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, students work towards earning an internationally-recognized qualification that is respected throughout the world’s top colleges and universities. The programme provides a variety of curriculum choices designed to fully prepare students for college studies and help them develop to their full potential.

Students go beyond the collection of facts and learn how to flourish in our interconnected and globalized world. They ask challenging questions, discover what it means to learn, develop a strong sense of identity and culture, as well as the ability to communicate with and understand people from different cultures and backgrounds.

SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Topic based learning

IB examinations
The IBDP culminates in written examinations in Year 13 that are marked by external IB examiners. Students also complete assessment tasks in school, which are initially marked by teachers and then moderated by external examiners, or sent directly to external examiners. IB subjects are assessed using a points system from 1 to 7. The IB Diploma is awarded to students who achieve at least 24 points (subject to minimum levels of performance across the whole programme) and satisfactorily complete the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS) requirements. The highest total an IBDP student can achieve is 45 points. 

College Counseling
In Years 11, 12 and 13, our students become especially engaged in the college planning process, attending local college fairs and meeting representatives from colleges and universities who visit The Casco Middle and High School throughout the school year. The parents and students will meet regularly with our college counselor, receiving guidance and support with college selections, applications, essays, and transcripts.
Our students will obtain two or three diplomas:
After completing their 13th year at the Casco Middle and High School, students will obtain a MEDUCA (Panamanian Middle and High School) diploma, a US Middle and High School Diploma, and most of our students will obtain the IB Diploma.

SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Core IB Requirements

The Extended Essay (EE) is a requirement for students to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of the subjects they’re studying.

is a course designed to encourage each student to reflect on the nature of knowledge by critically examining different ways of knowing (perception, emotion, language, and reason) and different kinds of knowledge (scientific, artistic, mathematical, and historical).

requires students to actively learn from the experience of doing real service tasks that create a positive impact in a community beyond the classroom. Students can combine all three components or do activities related to each one of them separately.

Areas of learning

  • All of Primary School
  • All of Lower Secondary
  • All Elective Courses

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The Casco School Careers

We welcome teachers with a range of experiences. The Casco School seeks visionary, motivating teachers who inspire learning. Team work, collaboration and dedication are key qualities we seek. It is expected that the candidate will be familiar with the British National Curriculum. 

Please write us and send us your CV so that we can check if there is a vacancy that matches your professional background and experience. Those interested in vacancies should contact our HR department at recruitment@thecascoschool.com

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