British International School of Washington vs Washington International School - Tregaron Campus

	B British International School of Washington Washington Dc, United States	W Washington International School - Tregaron Campus Washington Dc, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $19,700 - 47,930	Fees / year $34,315 - 56,820
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 550	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 12	Typical class size 17
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, French, Spanish
Opened	Opened —	Opened 1966
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location British International School of Washington is located at 2001 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007, United States, in the heart of Georgetown. The entrance is on the courtyard side of the building, off Whitehaven Street, with the Wisconsin Avenue doors designated as emergency exits. The school sits at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Whitehaven Street NW and is accessible from major routes via I-495 and the Key Bridge.	Location Two campuses in Northwest Washington, DC: the Primary School Campus (Preschool to Grade 5) at 1690 36th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007; and the Tregaron Campus (Grades 6–12) at 3100 Macomb Street NW, Washington, DC 20008.
Stages	Stages The school serves ages 2–18 (Early Years through Secondary) in a single building that houses all year groups.	Stages Primary School Campus (Preschool–Grade 5). Middle and Upper Schools (Grades 6–12).
School type	School type The British International School of Washington is a premier private international school in Washington, DC and is part of the Nord Anglia Education family.	School type not-for-profit independent day school
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix More than 70 nationalities are represented among BISW students.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support There is a learning support center on campus and BISW assesses learning support needs to tailor support for students.	Additional learning support Language support in English, French, and Spanish for Grades 1–5; Learning Specialists provide strategies to address identified learning needs; After-School Supervised Study and Tutoring available for Middle and Upper Schools; Counselors provide short-term counseling and psycho-education; University Counselors provide additional support for Upper School.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation United Kingdom	Country affiliation United States
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Arrivals begin at 8:00 AM. Primary school day begins at 8:30 AM and ends at 3:20 PM. Secondary school day begins at 8:30 AM and ends at 3:40 PM.	School day structure Primary School follows a 10-day rotating schedule; arrivals typically 8:00–8:15 a.m. with classes from 8:20 a.m. to about 3:00–3:30 p.m. Middle and Upper Schools follow an eight-day rotating schedule with five periods per day; arrivals 8:00–8:10 a.m., classes begin 8:15 a.m., with dismissal around 2:50 p.m. (Grades 6–10) or 3:45 p.m. (Grades 11–12).
Bus service details	Bus service details The school provides a bus service to families within a reasonable distance, with morning and afternoon routes to MD, DC, and VA areas including Alexandria, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Downtown DC, DC Northwest, Falls Church, and McLean. Sign up online.	Bus service details WIS offers two bus options: an inter-campus shuttle between the Primary School Campus and the Middle/Upper Campus (Tregaron), and a bus service between Capitol Hill/Eastern Market and the WIS campuses. Bus services are available to children five years and older, with registration by semester or full year.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application & Registration Fees - Application Fee: USD 190 (one-time, non-refundable). - Enrollment Deposit: USD 2,000 (due each year to secure enrollment or re-enrollment; this deposit is applied as an advance tuition payment and is subtracted from a later tuition payment). - New Enrollment Fee (one-time): USD 2,700 (non-refundable; payable before the first year of enrollment). - Refundable Security Deposit: USD 1,000 (due in the first year of enrollment to the secondary school; held to cover loss or damage). Annual tuition by year group — 2026/27 school year (USD) - Pre-Nursery (Part Time): USD 19,700. - Pre-Nursery (Full Time): USD 33,890. - Nursery: USD 37,300. - Reception: USD 37,300. - Year 1: USD 40,070. - Year 2: USD 40,070. - Year 3: USD 40,970. - Year 4: USD 40,970. - Year 5: USD 40,970. - Year 6: USD 40,970. - Year 7: USD 45,270. - Year 8: USD 45,270. - Year 9: USD 45,270. - Year 10: USD 46,960. - Year 11: USD 46,960. - Year 12: USD 47,930. - Year 13: USD 47,930. Per-term tuition (2026/27) — amounts shown per academic term - The school year is organised into three academic terms (Autumn, Spring, Summer). Per-term figures below are the annual tuition divided by three to reflect term charges. - Pre-Nursery (Part Time): USD 6,566.67 per term (USD 19,700 ÷ 3). - Pre-Nursery (Full Time): USD 11,296.67 per term (USD 33,890 ÷ 3). - Nursery: USD 12,433.33 per term (USD 37,300 ÷ 3). - Reception: USD 12,433.33 per term (USD 37,300 ÷ 3). - Year 1: USD 13,356.67 per term (USD 40,070 ÷ 3). - Year 2: USD 13,356.67 per term (USD 40,070 ÷ 3). - Year 3: USD 13,656.67 per term (USD 40,970 ÷ 3). - Year 4: USD 13,656.67 per term (USD 40,970 ÷ 3). - Year 5: USD 13,656.67 per term (USD 40,970 ÷ 3). - Year 6: USD 13,656.67 per term (USD 40,970 ÷ 3). - Year 7: USD 15,090.00 per term (USD 45,270 ÷ 3). - Year 8: USD 15,090.00 per term (USD 45,270 ÷ 3). - Year 9: USD 15,090.00 per term (USD 45,270 ÷ 3). - Year 10: USD 15,653.33 per term (USD 46,960 ÷ 3). - Year 11: USD 15,653.33 per term (USD 46,960 ÷ 3). - Year 12: USD 15,976.67 per term (USD 47,930 ÷ 3). - Year 13: USD 15,976.67 per term (USD 47,930 ÷ 3). Billing schedule & payment terms - The Enrollment Deposit (USD 2,000) is due each year to secure a place; it is applied as an advance tuition payment and subtracted from a future tuition payment. Mid-year enrollments are charged pro-rated tuition based on the published annual schedule. - Specific billing dates, payment deadlines and detailed payment-instruction documents are used to issue invoices and to explain how the enrollment deposit is applied. The school's 2026–27 academic calendar shows the three-term structure used for scheduling charges. Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable at this school; the British International School of Washington operates as a day school. No boarding fees are charged. Other costs and supplementary fees - Potential obligated supplementary fees: additional Learning Support where provision exceeds 3 hours per week. - Required supplementary costs: school uniform (cost varies by items purchased). - Optional supplementary costs (pay-as-needed): additional overnight or multi-day trips (e.g., MIT visit, Juilliard camps, Global Games, Primary Camps, World Scholars Cup, ski trips, overnight sports tournaments), IB/IGCSE retakes or remarks, SAT/ACT/SAT II or other non-compulsory assessments, school bus transportation, after-school childcare and vacation programs, externally run clubs, individual music lessons, private tutoring, and school portraits or graduation photos. Refund information - The Application Fee (USD 190) and the New Enrollment Fee (USD 2,700) are non-refundable. The Enrollment Deposit (USD 2,000) is applied as an advance tuition payment rather than returned in cash. A Refundable Security Deposit (USD 1,000) is held to cover potential loss or damage and is refundable subject to the school's conditions for return. Mid-year tuition is charged on a pro-rated basis for students who enroll part-way through the year. Fee payment options - Online Payment Portal (for tuition and incidental payments). - Wire transfer (bank transfer) instructions are provided for families who prefer to pay by bank transfer. All amounts above are shown in USD and are for the 2026/27 academic year. Annual tuition figures are presented as published; per-term amounts are the annual tuition divided by three, consistent with the school's three-term academic calendar.	Fee details Application fee - New-student application fee: USD 75. A reduced application fee of USD 25 is available to families applying for financial aid. Applications and application fees are due by the published admissions deadline. Annual tuition (by year group) - Preschool (annual): USD 34,315. - Pre‑Kindergarten (annual): USD 43,685. - Kindergarten (annual): USD 47,430. - Grades 1–5 (annual): USD 49,930. - Middle School (Grades 6–8) (annual): USD 55,780. - Upper School (Grades 9–12) (annual): USD 56,820. (Annual tuition covers school lunches, textbooks, most local field trips, retreats, outdoor education fees, laboratory and other science fees, tickets to school productions, a yearbook, student photographs and ID cards, workbooks, and classroom materials.) One-time and additional mandatory charges - International Baccalaureate (IB) service and examination fee for Grade 12 students: average approximately USD 1,100 (actual IB exam charges vary by student program). - Capital Levy (one-time, for newly enrolled students): USD 2,500 for newly enrolled Primary School students; USD 5,000 for newly enrolled Middle/Upper School students. - Incidental expenses (charged as billed) may include replacement of lost library books, recommended tutoring, and similar items. Optional or program-specific costs - 1:1 device program: Chromebooks provided for Grades 6–8. Upper School (Grades 9–12) students are required to bring a daily Internet-enabled device (laptops strongly suggested); families on financial aid may request assistance for device purchase. Costs for devices or outside tutors (for independent language study) are the family's responsibility. - Optional extra trips and special events (camping, long-distance class trips, ski trips, optional performances, etc.) are not covered by tuition; costs vary and are billed prior to the event. Transport and extended-care fees (examples and billing cadence where specified) - Intercampus shuttle annual cost: USD 600 one‑way or USD 1,200 round‑trip. Registration is completed by term (Primary School) and by semester (Middle/Upper School); fees assume daily attendance and can be prorated for fewer than five days weekly (not prorated below a per‑term basis). - Eastern Market bus annual cost: USD 2,400 one‑way or USD 4,800 round‑trip. - Primary School Early Arrival and Extended Day Care (registration completed by term): example term rates shown as follows (assume daily attendance; prorating rules apply per term): - Early Arrival / Extended Day Care — Example schedule and term rates: - Option A: Fall Term USD 1,900; Winter Term USD 1,125; Spring Term USD 1,125; Drop‑in USD 50/day. - Option B (alternative rate shown): Fall Term USD 2,500; Winter Term USD 1,485; Spring Term USD 1,600; Drop‑in USD 50/day. - Middle School After School Supervision (Grades 6–8), registration completed by semester: USD 2,380 for Semester One and USD 2,380 for Semester Two; drop‑in rate USD 50/day. Late pick‑up after 6:00 PM incurs USD 30 per quarter‑hour. - Vacation camp fees (Primary School winter/spring breaks) are typically approximately USD 650 per week (USD 130/day); optional extended care available for additional per‑day fees. Voluntary and community fees - Washington International School Parent Association (WISPA) voluntary fee: USD 85. This fee appears on the initial bill; families may decline by notifying Student Accounts by the published deadline. Billing schedule and payment terms - Families choose one of these payment plans when submitting an enrollment contract (payment collection is managed through the FACTS Tuition Management platform; all families must set up a FACTS account): - Plan A — One full payment: 100% of tuition (minus the enrollment deposit credit) due on or before June 19, 2026. A 1% tuition discount applies when full payment is received by that date (this tuition discount does not apply to families on financial aid and does not apply to other fees). - Plan B — Two payments: 60% of tuition (minus the enrollment deposit credit) due on or before June 19, 2026; remaining 40% (minus the enrollment deposit credit) due on or before December 1, 2026. - Plan C — Ten monthly installments: Ten equal monthly payments (each 10% of tuition and fees) due monthly from May 15, 2026 through February 15, 2027. The enrollment deposit is credited toward the last installment. A processing surcharge of USD 200 is charged with the first installment. - The full terms and conditions of payment are set out in the enrollment contract; enrollment contracts become fully binding on the date specified in the admissions/enrollment materials. Contact information for Student Billing is provided on billing materials. Payment methods and processing - Tuition payments are processed through FACTS Tuition Management; every family is required to create a FACTS account for billing and payments. Payment for optional services and charitable contributions may also be accepted by credit card. Specific payment method options available in FACTS (ACH/Bank transfer, credit card, and other methods supported by the FACTS platform) are managed through the FACTS account. Boarding - Washington International School operates as an independent day school; boarding is not offered. Uniform and dress costs - There is no general school uniform requirement; some school traditions or event‑specific dress expectations exist (for example, senior class dress traditions on certain days). Families should plan for occasional event‑specific wardrobe items but a general uniform purchase is not required. Refunds and tuition‑protection options - The School uses an optional Tuition Refund Plan (TRP) to protect the family's tuition obligation in the event of a covered withdrawal, dismissal, or extended medical absence. The student's financial obligation to the School remains for full annual tuition as stated in the enrollment contract; the TRP, if purchased, provides insurance benefits payable to the School under the policy's terms for covered reasons. Typical TRP benefit examples include payment of a percentage of unused insured fees for medical withdrawals, non‑medical withdrawals after a required minimum attendance period, and dismissals; specific benefit percentages, exclusions, coverage effective dates, enrollment deadlines, and claim procedures are set out in the TRP policy and enrollment materials. The TRP premium cost and enrollment instructions are provided with enrollment materials; written election of the plan and premium payment are required by the plan's stated deadlines. Other notes on charges and how amounts are billed - Many ancillary programs and services (optional trips, camps, device purchases, outside tutor fees for independent language study, certain long‑distance trips, and some special events) are billed separately and may require advance payment prior to participation. Capital Levy and other one‑time charges for newly enrolled students are billed at enrollment. Some recurring services (bus service, early arrival/extended day care, after‑school supervision) are registered and billed by term or semester as specified. Late pick‑up and drop‑in fees apply at published rates. Contact for billing questions - The Student Billing office contact number is provided in billing materials for account questions and clarifications. Tuition and payment enrollment is managed through the FACTS platform.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options The school has a café and an on-site kitchen for school lunches.	Food options Food services are provided by Meriwether Godsey, using fresh, seasonal ingredients, local produce, and from-scratch cooking. Dining is a standard part of WIS programming with no separate dining charge. Primary School Campus offers family-style meals; Tregaron Campus (Grades 6–12) offers community dining in Le Centre Brown. Weekly menus are posted. Breakfast is available at Tregaron from 7:30–8:15 AM.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is part of the Nord Anglia Education family.	Governance and ownership Washington International School is a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1966. The Board of Trustees is the governing body; trustees are unpaid volunteers. The head of school acts as chief executive, and the Board oversees financial management, fundraising, strategic planning, and resource allocation.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Primary School follows the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and the National Curriculum for England (NCE). Lower Secondary follows the International Middle Years Curriculum and the English National Curriculum. IGCSE is offered in Upper Secondary (Years 10-11). The IB Diploma Programme is offered in Upper Secondary (Years 12-13). English and Mathematics are taught in alignment with the English National Curriculum.	Curriculum details The IB Primary Years Program is the framework for the Primary School curriculum. PYP learning is organized into Units of Inquiry under six core themes and is inquiry-based, emphasizing student agency. Preschool to Kindergarten participate in Language Immersion in French or Spanish; Grades 1–5 follow a Dual Language Program of English with either English/French or English/Spanish; French as an Additional Language (FAL) and Spanish as an Additional Language (SAL) are available. The school earned LabelFrancÉducation accreditation for high-quality French bilingual education. Mandarin begins in Grade 6. In the Middle and Upper Schools, the IB Diploma Program is the university-preparatory curriculum for Grades 11–12, with six subjects (three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level), plus Theory of Knowledge, an Extended Essay, and a 60-hour Creativity-Activity-Service component; final exams are externally graded by the IB.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results IB Diploma Programme pass rate for the Class of 2025 was 97%. The average IB score was 34.9. IB subject results average 5.3. IB score range was 40–45, with 16% achieving the highest range.	Exam results IB Diploma Program results (2025): WIS average 33; 93.7% pass rate; 71% bilingual diplomas; 5.17 average subject score; 39% of diplomas with 6s and 7s.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Offers from top universities in the UK, US, Europe, Canada, and other international locations.	Higher education progression Graduates matriculate to universities worldwide, including Harvard University, Columbia University, Stanford University, Yale University, University of Chicago, University of Michigan, University of California Berkeley, University of Toronto, Sciences Po, Bocconi University, Trinity College Dublin, Durham University, Imperial College London, University College London, Cambridge, Oxford, and Georgetown University.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning The school offers social-emotional support to all students by employing counsellors who are involved with interventions, classroom presentations, screening, and promoting positive school culture.	Social & emotional learning WIS employs the Responsive Classroom approach to connect social-emotional learning with academics and to foster a respectful learning community. Counselors work with teachers to provide classroom lessons that develop healthy friendships, solve social problems, and increase self-esteem. Counseling support includes short-term individual or small-group sessions and consultation with teachers during grade-level pastoral meetings, and with parents as needed. In Middle School, psycho-education life-skills programs cover topics such as depression and anxiety, relationships, communication, peer pressure, drugs and alcohol, stress management, conflict resolution, and sexual health. In the Upper School, counselors provide crisis intervention, psychosocial assessment, and referrals to outside services as needed.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school differentiates the curriculum to meet varying needs and offers additional support for identified needs through Learning Support Staff in one-to-one, in-class, or small-group settings.	Special educational needs (SEN) WIS identifies learning needs and strengths through informal teacher observations, grade-level assessments in reading, writing, spelling, and math, standardized tests, parental concerns, and external evaluations when appropriate. In-class learning support strategies and other interventions are designed to support the individual student, with a Learning Specialist working with teachers and students to provide strategies. Language Support in English, French and Spanish, Grades 1-5, provides in-class and out-of-class support for individuals and small groups. Mathematics Support exists in Grades 1-5.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language English as an Additional Language is supported by specialized staff. Students whose first language is not English are assessed by EAL staff to identify needed support; they are immersed in English with potential one-to-one or small-group support, and secondary students may have academic vocabulary classes. Students become proficient in English and are supported to achieve across the curriculum.	English as an additional language English, French, and Spanish language support coordinators provide in-class and out-of-class support for individuals and small groups in English, French and Spanish.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Counselling services support student mental wellbeing through time and space for supportive conversations, interventions, and coping skills; services include individual short-term counseling, drop-in support, group counseling, screenings, and referrals.	Mental wellbeing WIS approaches health and wellness in a holistic, age-appropriate manner and supports students' mental, emotional, and physical well-being. The program focuses on helping students manage academic pressure and identifying students at risk through the School Student Support Teams. Programs include strategies for managing anxiety and depression and guidance on healthy friendships, technology use, physical activity, nutrition, and proper hygiene. Faculty and staff participate in professional development to support student wellness, and wellness activities are available for employees, such as yoga and mindfulness sessions.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding Safeguarding and safety procedures include internal and external safety measures; if wellbeing is at immediate risk, the school will notify parents and call emergency services; the school may conduct searches of belongings or request self-search to safeguard the community; information disclosed in counseling is shared with parents/guardians and staff as necessary for wellbeing and student success.	Safeguarding WIS is committed to safeguarding and protecting students and providing a secure environment. The Child Protection Policy was developed in accordance with standards from accrediting agencies and in acknowledgment of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Training on child protection awareness and procedures occurs annually. All employees and many volunteers must complete a background investigation prior to hire, renewed every two years. Security measures include guards and cameras, and students and staff participate in drills for internal and external threats. The Safeguarding Lead is Associate Head of School Natasha Bhalla. Child Protection Teams exist at the Primary, Middle, and Upper divisions.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview BIS Washington is housed in a single urban building, creating a close-knit school community from early years through upper secondary. The campus features specialist facilities for the sciences, visual arts, music, dance, computer science, and design technology, as well as a learning support center. The primary school has a learning hub for collaborative, project-based learning, and there is a library with learning spaces. There is a café and on-site kitchen for school lunches, nearby playing fields and a gymnasium, and a counseling space for college and university applications. Classrooms are high-tech, with wireless access and devices such as iPads, tablets, or laptops. Seesaw (in Primary) and ManageBac (in Secondary) share assignments, track progress, and provide resources, while laser cutters, engravers, 3D printers, and robotics tools are available in Technology and Computer Science labs.	Facilities overview WIS is located on two campuses in northwest Washington, DC: the Primary School in Georgetown and the Tregaron Campus in Cleveland Park. The Primary School building was constructed in 1998 and expanded in 2011, and offers light-filled classrooms, a library with books in English, French, and Spanish, the Lasseron Design Lab, an art room, music rooms, a multipurpose room, and a gymnasium. Outdoor facilities at the Primary School include a field, two separate playground areas, and a paved surface for ball games and activities, with a dedicated outdoor area for Early Years. The Tregaron Campus houses the Middle and Upper Schools on six wooded acres, with historic buildings rehabilitated in 2013–2014 and walking paths and a pond on site. Beginning in 2023, Le Centre Brown, a science-centric facility, is under construction to provide science classrooms and a dining facility; it will join six other buildings, and a Dacha was constructed by previous estate owners. Huffard Hall Dining Hall and a Language Center are among the campus amenities, and sustainability features include a green roof, geothermal power for the Mansion, interior storm sashes, and efforts toward LEED Gold certification for Le Centre Brown.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Nearby playing fields and a gymnasium support physical education and team sports. After-school sports include basketball, cross-country, football (soccer), swimming, track and field, and volleyball.	Sports facilities On the Primary School campus, facilities include a movement room, an indoor gymnasium, an artificial turf field, a blacktop space for ball games, and a wood-chip playground area. There is a separate outdoor play area for Early Years. The Tregaron Campus has an indoor gym, an outdoor basketball court, and a regulation-size artificial turf soccer pitch. The Middle and Upper School PE program includes three hours of PE and one hour of health or life skills during each eight-day cycle.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Specialist facilities for the sciences, visual arts, music, dance, computer science, and design technology, plus a learning support center. The primary school has a learning hub for collaborative, project-based learning, and there is a library with learning spaces. Classrooms are high-tech, with interactive SMART boards. Wireless access and devices—iPads, tablets, or laptops—are available for students, and Seesaw (Primary) and ManageBac (Secondary) are used to share assignments and track progress. Technology and Computer Science labs house laser cutters, engravers, 3D printers, and robotics tools.	Academic facilities Le Centre Brown is a science-centric facility under construction on the Tregaron Campus, planned to be completed in summer 2025 and to meet LEED Gold Certification, providing science classrooms and a dining facility. Le Centre Brown will join six other buildings housing classrooms and offices, along with a Dacha constructed by Ambassador Joseph E. Davies and Marjorie Merriweather Post. The Primary School includes the Lasseron Design Lab, an art room, music rooms, a library with English, French, and Spanish, and light-filled classrooms. Huffard Hall Dining Hall is part of the Tregaron Campus facilities, and there is a Language Center on site. Sustainability features include a green roof, geothermal power for the Mansion, interior storm sashes, and renewable energy credits; Le Centre Brown is associated with LEED Gold goals.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities We have a wide range of after-school activities that help students explore their interests. Examples include Walk in the Woods (Reception–Year 2), performances and musicals, music programs, Green Team, Model UN, and a newspaper club, with a rotating slate of 20+ clubs each term. After-School Sports include basketball, cross-country, football, swimming, track and field, and volleyball. The school also offers trips and visits to enrich learning experiences, and residential trips for certain year groups. The Global Classroom is an online Nord Anglia Education program with school challenges and an annual expedition to Tanzania.	Extra curricular facilities The WIS Extended Learning (WISEL) program offers after-school classes in art, science, technology, languages, sports, instrumental music, dance, chess, and more, with three terms each year. WISEL provides Primary School before- and after-school programs, Middle School After Care, and vacation camps; music lessons are available for Grades 6–12, and a Math Olympiad program exists for Grades 6–8. Grades 6–12 offer after-school extracurriculars in drama, music, choir or band, and participation in sports teams, with student governments such as International Students United (ISU). Club Fairs reveal activities like Model UN, Amnesty International, Black Student Union, Debate, It's Academic, Mock Trial, and Pride Alliance, among others; band and choir opportunities exist after school for certain grades.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Opened in 1998 and joined Nord Anglia Education in 2013. The school blends a British academic heritage with a personalized approach to learning and an international focus. It is part of the Nord Anglia Education global family. The BISW program emphasizes a distinct British-inspired education within an international setting.	History Washington International School was founded in 1966 by Dr. Dorothy Bruchholz Goodman to meet the educational needs of Washington's international community and American families seeking a rigorous international education. Goodman started WIS with three preschool students in the basement of her Washington, DC, house, guided by research on the capacity of the brain to learn multiple languages in early childhood and by market research focused on international families. She envisioned an independent school where children could become functionally multilingual and well informed about world history, geography, literature, and cultures. Goodman continued to live in the same house until her death in 2023.
Community	Community When you join BISW, you join our whole community. The BISW Parents' Association organizes events to bring the school community together and keeps families connected with learning through activities such as career days and international holidays. As part of Nord Anglia Education, BISW connects to a global network of international students, parents, teachers and alumni, and uses SeeSaw to share student progress.	Community Two campuses serve the school: the Primary School Campus (Preschool–Grade 5) at 1690 36th Street NW and the Tregaron Campus (Grades 6–12) at 3100 Macomb Street NW. The school fosters a strong parent community through WISPA, the WIS Parents Association, whose members are all WIS parents and guardians and which aims to promote communication among parents and between parents and the school, to enhance the educational experience and strengthen the school community. Long-standing traditions such as Founder's Day and the Twenty-One Society foster community; Founder's Day honors the founder and included a 50th anniversary celebration in 2016 with a memorial celebration in 2024, while the Twenty-One Society recognizes faculty and staff who have served 21 years or more. International Dinner is a community event held at the Tregaron Mansion to bring the WIS community together.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The BISW Parents' Association enhances the student experience and promotes BISW's international education by fostering collaboration between BISW families, the school administration, and the DC community. There are many opportunities for parents and guardians to participate in the BISW Parents' Association. The PA brings the school community together through social functions and student-focused activities. It builds partnerships between the school and parents and guardians. It also uses the skills and experience of BISW families for the benefit of the school.	Parent teacher association WIS has the WIS Parents Association (WISPA). Every WIS father, mother, and guardian is a member of WISPA. WISPA promotes communication among parents and between parents and the school, to enhance the educational experience and strengthen the school community. WISPA also supports the school's goals with respect to international-mindedness, diversity and inclusion (IDI) and sustainability. WISPA organizes lunches for faculty and staff on conference days.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual BISW offers a wide range of after-school activities including Model UN for Years 6–11 and a Newspaper Club for secondary students. There is a rotating slate of 20+ clubs each term. The Global Classroom is an online Nord Anglia Education program that runs school challenges to develop teamwork and creative skills, and BISW runs an Annual Expedition to Tanzania. Collaborations with MIT and Juilliard enrich interdisciplinary projects across STEAM and the performing arts.	Academic & intellectual Clubs that have been active at WIS for several years include Model UN, Amnesty International, Black Student Union, Debate, It's Academic, Mock Trial, and the Pride Alliance. A Math Olympiad program serves Grades 6–8. The WIS Extended Learning program offers after-school classes in art, science, technology, languages, sports, instrumental music, and dance. Music lessons are available for Grades 6–12.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Performances/Musicals are offered for primary and secondary students by age group. Instrumental music and choirs are available. The Juilliard School collaboration enriches the performing arts program, and the Performing Arts Department puts on concerts, competitions, school musicals, and dance troupe events. Nord Anglia Education's arts collaborations strengthen creative opportunities across BISW's curriculum.	Arts & creative Grades 6–12 extracurriculars include acting, singing, and dancing in dramatic and musical productions or chorus. There are opportunities to play instruments as part of the band or jazz ensembles. In Fall, the Middle School produces a play and the Upper School produces a musical; in Spring, the Middle School musical and the Upper School play.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Global learning is broadened through collaborations with Juilliard, MIT, UNICEF, and the UN SDGs, enriching cultural understanding and international collaboration. Model UN is offered for Years 6–11, with engagement in the Global Goals and UNCRC resources via UNICEF. The school fosters cultural exchange and global citizenship through these partnerships and in-school programs. These initiatives help BISW students develop cultural awareness and international-mindedness.	Cultural & language Language learning begins with French or Spanish immersion in the early years, and Mandarin begins in Grade 6; the majority of WIS students are biliterate and bilingual by graduation. There are about ten Middle School clubs focused on culture, making, journalism, music, games, and the environment. Active clubs include Model UN, Amnesty International, Black Student Union, Debate, It's Academic, Mock Trial, and the Pride Alliance.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies BISW has over 20 clubs for all ages, including performances/musicals, instrumental music and choirs, Green Team, Model UN, and Newspaper Club. After-school sports include Basketball, Cross-Country Running, Football (Soccer), Swimming, Track and Field, and Volleyball. The clubs and sports support social development and personal interests beyond the classroom. Field trips and on-campus activities broaden student life across disciplines.	Social & hobbies WIS Extended Learning offers after-school classes in art, science, technology, languages, sports, instrumental music, and dance. Primary School students can participate in Band (Grades 4–5) and Choir (Grades 3–5) after school, at no extra charge. WISummer provides language-based summer camps in French and Spanish and travel experiences for students in Grades 5–10.
Community & service	Community & service BISW runs local service trips to DC-area charitable organizations to demonstrate the positive impact of students' actions. Service trips abroad connect BISW students with international communities. The school's social purpose is supported by Student Council, Global Goals and Model United Nations clubs, and by the Global Campus social impact program, which focus on the UN SDGs and UNCRC. These experiences cultivate social responsibility and global citizenship.	Community & service International Students United (ISU) is the Middle and Upper School student government that plans activities throughout the year. ISU activities include service programs, fundraisers, spirit days, and dances. Club fairs at the start of each year offer opportunities to start or join clubs focused on culture, making, journalism, music, games, and the environment.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Student leadership opportunities include the Student Council and clubs such as Model UN and Global Goals. Students plan and manage service projects and lead peers through these platforms. Participation in UNICEF initiatives and SDGs fosters leadership, teamwork, and global citizenship. Nord Anglia Education partnerships and collaborations with MIT and Juilliard provide contexts for student leadership in interdisciplinary projects.	Leadership & professional Middle and Upper Schools have a student government known as International Students United (ISU) that leads activities throughout the year. ISU activities include service programs, fundraisers, spirit days, and dances. Club fairs give students opportunities to lead or start clubs such as Model UN, Amnesty International, Debate, and Mock Trial.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing BISW prioritises wellbeing with full-time student counsellors who support the student community. Mindfulness and yoga activities are integrated into the physical education curriculum from secondary school. The Global Campus online platform offers wellbeing resources to support students' mental and physical health. BISW's field trips and team sports also contribute to physical fitness and social-emotional wellbeing.	Lifestyle & wellbeing The Athletics program fosters the development of character, life skills, sportsmanship, and teamwork. Physical education runs through Grade 10, and Upper School students may choose a PE elective in the final years. Facilities include an indoor gym, outdoor basketball court, and a regulation-size artificial turf soccer pitch. Middle and Upper School teams compete in the Potomac Valley Athletic Conference (PVAC).
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English is the language of instruction and aligns with the English National Curriculum for English and Mathematics. Spanish is taught from Nursery through Year 13 with a specialist teacher. French is taught for intermediate to advanced speakers in Years 7–13. External language tutoring is available at an additional cost, with BISW providing space and time in the timetable for those lessons.	Language provision Languages taught are English, French, and Spanish. Core languages are taught across the Primary School, with Dual Language Programs in English/French and English/Spanish in Grades 1–5; many students become biliterate and bilingual by graduation.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching Dual Language Program in English/French and English/Spanish. In Grades 1–5, students pursue either a French/English or Spanish/English track, with about half of academic instruction in the non-English language. Immersion begins in the early years. The program is aligned with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs Immersion begins in the early years with French or Spanish. In Grades 1–5, dual-language tracks provide about half of academic instruction in the partner language, with three core languages taught (English, French, Spanish).
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards null
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations LabelFrancÉducation accreditation.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions The British International School of Washington enrolls students aged 2 to 18 in an inclusive, non-selective setting, with rigorous programs that require commitment. To join BISW, submit an inquiry, schedule a campus tour or virtual meeting, attend a taster day if offered, complete the online application, nominate teachers for evaluations if applicable, and schedule a cognitive abilities test if applicable. BISW offers rolling admissions and mid-year enrollments to streamline the process for families worldwide. Key admission dates for 2026–27 include Open House on March 11, 2026; March 25, 2026; April 1, 2026; and June 17, 2026.	Admissions The school has two campuses: Primary School Campus for Preschool through Grade 5 at 1690 36th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007, and Tregaron Campus for Grades 6–12 at 3100 Macomb Street NW, Washington, DC 20008. Admissions are managed through the online Admissions Portal; the application fee is $75, with a reduced rate of $25 for families applying for financial aid; applications and application fees are due January 5; financial aid applications are due January 15. For Grades 1–5, testing includes English and math, with a written assessment in French or Spanish for Dual Language Program applicants; non-local applicants have their admissions tests mailed to their current schools, and Dual Language applicants also schedule a virtual language assessment. For Grades 6–12, the process includes an applicant interview, local testing in English and math, and language assessments as applicable; local applicants register for on-site visits; a Parent Questionnaire and two teacher recommendations are required; all items are due February 1. Decision notifications occur February 27, 2026; families have until March 21 to accept the offer of admission; enrollment contracts become fully binding on June 1, 2026. Fluency in French or Spanish is not required; language programs include Language Immersion in French or Spanish for Preschool–Kindergarten; a Dual Language Program English/French or English/Spanish for Grades 1–5; and French as an Additional Language and Spanish as an Additional Language for Grades 1–5.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships WIS offers financial aid based on need. Grants based on financial need are awarded to students whose families cannot afford tuition; about 14–15 percent of current students receive some financial aid, and aid is available to approximately 15 newly admitted students each year. Financial aid applications are processed through School and Student Services (SSS). Step One: Complete the Parent Financial Statement due January 15; Step Two: Submit supporting documentation due February 1 for new applicants and March 1 for returning; Step Three: Submit 2025 tax documentation due April 20. Newly admitted students receive grant notifications with offers in late February; returning students receive grant notifications mid-March to mid-April. The school intends to offer aid to every accepted student who demonstrates need, but funding may be limited; therefore families should apply for aid in parallel with their WIS application. See the Financial Aid brochure and guide for details.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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