Western Academy of Beijing

Western Academy of Beijing (WAB, Chinese: 北京京西国际学校[2]) is an international school located in Beijing.[4] Founded in 1994, the school provides education from early years 3 to grade 12. WAB uses the IB PYP (IB Primary Years Program) until Grade 5, IB MYP (IB Middle Years Program) up to and including grade 10, and the IB DP (IB Diploma Program) for grades 11 and 12.

Western Academy of Beijing
北京京西国际学校
Main gate
Main gate
Location
Map
10 Laiguangying East Rd.
Chaoyang District, Beijing 100102[1]

China
Coordinates40°01′18″N 116°30′38″E / 40.021576°N 116.510444°E / 40.021576; 116.510444
Information
TypeInternational School, IB World School, Non-profit, Independent, Private School
Religious affiliation(s)Nonsectarian
Founded1994
DirectorDr. Marta Medved Krajnovic
Director of Innovation in Learning and TeachingStephen Taylor
Division PrincipalsCatherine Pierre-Louis (ES), Marina Frias-Gavidia (MS), Dr. Jaime Pustis (HS)
GradesNursery–12
Enrollment1,400
Student to teacher ratio7:1
Campus typeLarge Private Campus
Color(s) Red,  black,  yellow
Athletics conferenceACAMIS, APAC, Tri-Cities, China Cup, ISAC
MascotTigers
Annual tuition$49,000 USD
Websitewww.wab-edu.cn
Western Academy of Beijing
Simplified Chinese北京京西国际学校
Traditional Chinese北京京西國際學校
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinBěijīng Jīngxī Guójì Xuéxiào[2][3]

WAB was an Olympic Educational Model School for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Out of the 500 schools across China, who were awarded by Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games as an Olympic Educational Model School, WAB was among the top 120 schools.[5]

In 2013, Mike Embley, the headmaster of the British School of Beijing (BSB), stated that along with BSB and the International School of Beijing (ISB), WAB was one of the top three English-language international schools in Beijing, all having long waiting lists.[6] Citing Embley's definition of two lower tiers of Beijing Anglophone international schools which have vacant student spaces, Tristan Bunnell, the author of The Changing Landscape of International Schooling: Implications for Theory and Practice, stated that this was an instance of the idea of "'superior' and 'inferior' schools" shared by teachers and parents.[7]

Campus

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WAB’s three school sections; Elementary, Middle, and High, are all located on one campus across six buildings. Each school section has its own self-contained environment, and the entire campus is equipped with a professional grade indoor air filtration system. [8]

The 99,000m2 campus boasts a wide range of facilities, including 3 well-resourced libraries, Design Technology Studios, Science labs, film editing and recording studios, as well as professional level music, drama and dance studios. Students enjoy the use of dining courts, cafes and lounges, an indoor swimming pool, 3 full-size gyms, a FIFA-approved football field, as well as indoor basketball and tennis courts. [9]

WABX – extracurricular activities

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WABX is Western Academy of Beijing’s extra-curricular program, offering a variety of activities beyond the classroom. Whether it’s arts, sports, or student clubs, WABX encompasses it all.

Annually, WABX provides over 300 club, language, and service options, along with more than 100 sports opportunities. It also facilitates sports tournaments, arts festivals, and special events.

Activities are offered from Junior Grade 1 to Grade 5 students in the Elementary School. These can include culture, games, arts, and sports. In Middle and High School students can choose from a range of activities and student led clubs, as well as arts and service. Participation in a wide range of activities support students to develop interests and skills as well as find opportunities for leadership and personal success.

Athletics is offered to students from Junior Grade 1 to Grade 12 with opportunities to participate in 16 different competitive sports.

WAB participates in multiple interscholastic sporting competitions, including the ACAMIS (Association of China and Mongolia International Schools), ISAC (International Schools Association in China), Tri-Cities (Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai), China Cup, EARCOS, and APAC (Asia Pacific Activities Conference). Sports include rugby, football (soccer), tennis, badminton, cross-country, track and field, volleyball, basketball, swimming, baseball, table tennis, and softball.[10]

Accreditation

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WAB is accredited by:

And is a member of:

References

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  1. ^ Address in Chinese: 北京市朝阳区来广营东路10号
  2. ^ a b "Directions to WAB." Western Academy of Beijing. Retrieved on August 17, 2015. "Western Academy of Beijing 10 Lai Guang Ying Dong Lu, Chao Yang District, Beijing 100102, P.R.C.[...]北京市朝阳区来广营东路10号 北京京西学校 邮政编码:100102"
  3. ^ "Schools Approved by the Ministry of Education For Enrolling Children of Foreign Nationals" (Archive). Ministry of Education of China. Retrieved on August 17, 2015.
  4. ^ theadmin (2003-05-24). "Western Academy of Beijing". www.thebeijinger.com. Retrieved 2019-02-11.
  5. ^ "History | Western Academy Of Beijing - International School Beijing". www.wab.edu. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
  6. ^ Stefonek, Jonathan. "Passion for teaching English-style grows in Beijing suburbs" (Archive). China Daily. 7 October 2012. Retrieved on 2 October 2015.
  7. ^ Bunnell, Tristan. The Changing Landscape of International Schooling: Implications for Theory and Practice. Routledge, June 27, 2014. ISBN 1317814495, 9781317814498. p. 101.
  8. ^ "Our Campus - Beijing International School | WAB". www.wab-edu.cn. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  9. ^ "Our Campus - Beijing International School | WAB". www.wab-edu.cn. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  10. ^ "Home". wabx.wab.edu.
  11. ^ "Western Academy of Beijing". International Baccalaureate®. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  12. ^ "Accreditation and Memberships". Western Academy of Beijing. Retrieved 2016-05-28.