The Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) was established by the Western
Academy of Beijing Education Foundation (WABEF) in 1994 as a non-profit
English language independent international school serving the expatriate
community in Beijing and is governed by the WAB Board of Governors.
WAB is an International Baccalaureate World School authorized to
offer all three International Baccalaureate (IB) programs - Primary
Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma
Programme (DP).
Facilities
WAB’s facilities are exceptional with a capacity for 1450
students or approximately 100 students at each grade level.
WAB is located on one campus with four separate buildings providing
a self-contained environment for each of the learner communities
of Early Childhood (ECC), Elementary School (ES), Middle School
(MS) and High School (HS). The HUB Sports, Arts and Technology Center
provides an excellent shared resource for Middle and High School
students.
Facilities include: gymnasiums; swimming pools; fitness center;
sports field; athletics track; tennis courts; indoor and outdoor
basket ball courts; theaters; libraries; computer laboratories;
science laboratories; music, dance and drama studios; specialist
classrooms such as languages, technology, learning kitchens, art
and learning support e.g. ESOL and Gifted and dining courts and
cafes. WAB is very well resourced and enjoys strong community support.
It provides a student centered education that is focused on inquiry
learning, strongly engaged in the China context and has a strong
commitment to community and service.
WAB is a leading school in the integration of Information Communication
Technology (ICT) within the curriculum. All students across the
school use wireless laptop computers as part of their daily work.
The Middle School and High School operates within a 1:1 laptop environment.
A high percentage of MS students own their own laptops, whilst others
borrow from a central school resource. It is a requirement that
all HS students own their own laptop.
The WAB Difference
WAB is a school with a difference, brought about through a fusion
of its beliefs and values and the enthusiasm and commitment of all
staff and the community. WAB is guided by its Mission, Philosophy
and Values which are complimented by the International Baccalaureate
Organization’s Mission and the IB Learner Profile.
WAB has a distinctive, creative, ‘can do’ approach in
all that it does and has a commitment to excellence. WAB provides
a welcoming, friendly and supportive environment. The ‘WAB
difference’ is something that people quickly see and feel.
Faculty
WAB has a highly experienced, committed, international faculty representing
14 nationalities with most coming from the USA, Canada, UK, Australia
and New Zealand. There are more than 170 teachers working at WAB.
Students
The student body consists of approximately 1400 students from 54
different countries and regions and speaking 41 languages. There
are approximately 700 students in the Elementary School, 300 students
in the Middle School and 400 students in the High School.
Currently, 38% of students come from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia
and New Zealand; 34% come from Asian countries and 23% come from
European countries (not including the UK).
The largest nationality groups are USA, South Korea, UK, Australia,
Netherlands, Canada and Finland and together make up 65% of the
total student body.
Learning and Support Services
WAB provides a full range of services to students including English
for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Learning Support for highly
able students and for students with specific learning difficulties,
Counseling (social and emotional) and College and Careers Counseling.
WAB Curriculum
Early Childhood Center (ECC)
The ECC program (Nursery – Pre-Kindergarten) is based on the
IBPYP and Reggio Emilia approach.
Elementary School (ES)
WAB offers the IBPYP to students from Kindergarten - Grade 5. Students
study English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Information
Communication Technology (ICT), Physical Education and Health, the
Arts (Music, Art, Drama) and a second language. Chinese language
is offered from Kindergarten and students from Grade 4 up can choose
to study French. More than 10 home languages are supported through
a range of options, most of which occur after school.
Middle School (MS)
WAB offers the IBMYP to students in Grades 6 - 8. Students study
English, Mathematics, Humanities, Science, Technology, Physical
Education and Health, the Arts (Music, Art, Drama) and a second
language (Chinese, French, Spanish or Dutch for native speakers).
High School (HS)
WAB offers the IBMYP to students in Grades 9 - 10. All students
study eight subjects over the two years.
The IBDP is offered to students in Grades 11 - 12. There are approximately
48 Courses from which students choose six. Students have the option
to study the full IB Diploma Program leading to the award of an
IB Diploma and a WAB High School Diploma, or a combination of IB
Diploma Courses and WAB Courses leading to the award of a WAB High
School Diploma, which may also include IB Certificates
In addition, all Grade 11 and 12 students take Physical Education
and Creativity, Action, Service (CAS). IB Diploma students also
take Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and the Extended Essay.
China Engagement
WAB is a school that embraces the unique learning opportunities
that our host country China provides, to enrich our program. This
includes integration of the China context throughout the school’s
programs, and involves students knowing, understanding and appreciating
themselves and the world through understanding and appreciating
China. WAB incorporates many opportunities to bring China into the
classroom and to take students into the Chinese community. There
is an emphasis on Chinese language and interacting with the Chinese
community at many levels, including social exchanges and community
service.
Each year, students from Grades 6 - 12 participate in a week-long
residential China Studies Field Trip to different regions in China.
The trips provide students the opportunity for in depth studies
of various regions of China from academic perspectives. Hands on
learning activities are a primary emphasis and are directly related
to the curriculum. They also promote the social and emotional growth
of all students, especially those new to the school. Students have
the opportunity to develop and practice skills of leadership, teamwork
and cooperation. In addition, students participate in Community
and Service or CAS activities within the host country China.
Student Life
WAB believes in balancing the educational needs of students with
the opportunity to extend the intellectual, social, emotional, physical,
moral and aesthetic development. The WABX Extra Curricular Program
provides a broad range of activities for Elementary School, Middle
School and High School including:
After School Activities Programs - activities
such as Cartooning, Jewelry Making, Movie Making, Environmental
Club, Taekwondo, Chinese Arts and Crafts.
ISAC, ACAMIS and China Cup - Upper Elementary
and Middle School students compete in the ISAC League (Beijing
and Tianjin) and High School students participate with schools
from China and Hong Kong (ISAC, ACAMIS, China Cup).
Choir, Band and Drama Productions
Cultural and Academic Activities - include
Model United Nations (MUN), Mathematics Olympiad, Chess, ACAMIS
Cultural Forums (Art, Music, Drama).
Student Councils and Student Leadership Program
Recreation and Adventures Programs* - include
WAB’s Adrenalin Fitness Centre and Vertex Climbing Wall,
Outward Bound, Canoeing, Skiing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, and
Camping.
*Adventure Programs are run through the WAB Wild Office. WAB’s
Miao Liang Outdoor Education Center is located in the beautiful
mountains in Miyun, two hours drive north of Beijing.
WAB Community
WAB is welcoming and inclusive with a strong sense of community. WAB
facilities are used extensively throughout the week by community groups.
Every Saturday, more than 1,000 people use the school’s facilities
- for sports, cultural activities and classes. Barely a week goes
by where there is not a special school or community event, exhibition
or performance taking place.
