For the coming weeks, we will be highlighting local and international schools around Beijing from our upcoming 2014-2015 School Choice Guide, which comes out in early February 2014. Scroll down for more information on how to participate in our annual school choice fair on March 1 and 2, 2014.
The Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) is a leading international IB World school. Founded in 1994, WAB prides itself on its world-class facilities, highly qualified teachers, global curriculum, warm and supportive environment, and service-oriented culture. WAB provides a learner-centered atmosphere that nurtures a strong sense of community among its 1,500 students with the mission to “Connect, Inspire, Challenge: Make a Difference.” WAB students are encouraged to take their place as responsible citizens of the world who can influence their surroundings through careful reflection and positive action.
Founding date: 1994
School type: International school
Grades offered: Nursery-Grade 12
Is the school registered with the Ministry of Education? Yes
Accreditations: NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges), CIS (Council of International Schools), IBO (International Baccalaureate Organization), and NCCT (National Center for School Curriculum and Textbook Development)
Tuition fees (2013-2014 academic year):
Application fee: RMB 2,000
Nursery: RMB 94,000
Pre-Kindergarten: RMB 159,000
Grades K-5: RMB 203,000
Grades 6-8: RMB 216,000
Grades 9-10: RMB 236,000
Grades 11-12: RMB 243,000
Transportation fee: Included in tuition fees.
Lunch fee: Students purchase snacks and meals with a prepaid SmartCard.
Lunch offered: The menu features a range of Western, Chinese and vegetarian options catered by Aramark.
Scholarships offered: Financial assistance available.
Age range: 3-18
Number of students: 1,500
Nationality of students: US, South Korea, Canada, The Netherlands, Australia, and more, with no one nationality higher than 20 percent of the total.
Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes
Local Chinese students accepted? No
Primary teaching language: English
Other languages taught: Chinese, French and Spanish and Dutch in the Elementary School. Mother-tongue language support available.
Class size: 14 (early childhood); 22 (Elementary through High School)
Teacher/student ratio: 1:8
School hours: 8:30am-3:30pm
After-school activities: Extensive sports and activities groups including volleyball, soccer, badminton, choir, band, Chinese culture and literature clubs, art, photography, speech and debate clubs, global citizenship project groups and more.om a parent:
School facilities: Facilities include six buildings, four of which provide a self-contained environment for each of the school sections – Early Childhood Center, Elementary School, Middle School and High School – with the HUB Sports, Arts and Technology Center serving as a shared resource for Middle and High School students. Other facilities include: libraries in each school section, a rock climbing wall, an air-supported dome, indoor pool and theaters.
Total areas: 110,000sqm
School nurse or doctor available? Yes, expat nurse in each school section.
Contact: 10 Laiguangying Donglu, Chaoyang District (5986 5588, wabinfo@wab.edu) www.wab.edu 朝阳区来广营东路10号
Word from a Parent:
“The most wonderful thing about WAB is its amazing sense of community, which extends to both students and parents. We’re all in this together: the principals, the teachers, the counselors, the parents – we all want the students to succeed. The curriculum is challenging but the teachers are extremely supportive. Our girls feel like they can achieve anything; they appreciate the choices WAB gives them in what they study and do (after-school activities and Creativity Action Service projects). WAB students are independent learners; they’re taught how to learn, not just what to learn. It doesn’t matter if your child is academic, technical, sporty, theatrical, musical or interested in film or dance – they’re all equal and important in the eyes of the school. WAB gives our girls amazing travel opportunities, from China Studies trips to APAC and High Level History trips. They have benefitted from an early age from WAB’s strong commitment to China engagement. We are proud and feel extremely fortunate that our girls have had the opportunity to grow up with WAB – our family’s China experience has definitely been enriched by their experiences at the school.”
Ellen Zimmerman (US), mother of Jocelyn (WAB Class of 2012, age 19), Michaela (Grade 11, age 16) and Elise (Grade 10, age 15)
For more information on the 2014-2015 School Choice Guide email editor@beijing-kids.com and click here to view the 2013-2014 School Choice Guide on ISSUU. For more information on participating in our upcoming School Choice Fair on March 1-2, 2014, please e-mail schoolchoicefair@truerun.com. To pre-register for the School Choice Fair click here.
Photo courtesy of WAB
