Canadian International School of Beijing vs Western Academy of Beijing

	C Canadian International School of Beijing Beijing, China	W Western Academy of Beijing Beijing, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 135,500 - 336,800	Fees / year RMB 146,500 - 376,700
Age range	Age range 6 months - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Canadian Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Montessori Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 1,400	Pupils 1,400
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 22
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2005	Opened 1994
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location CIS Beijing is on a single downtown campus at 38 Liangmaqiao Road in Chaoyang District (the Liangmaqiao/3rd Embassy area of central Beijing), within easy reach of the embassy and Sanlitun neighbourhoods. The school describes itself as a downtown campus and gives the full address and admissions contact on its website.	Location WAB's campus is in Laiguangying, Chaoyang District (10 Lai Guang Ying Dong Lu), northeast Beijing — about 500 m off Jingmi Lu. The school is near bus stops on Jingmi Lu and is reachable from Line 15 (Cui Ge Zhuang) with local buses to the Ma Nan Li stop; visitor parking is available on campus.
Stages	Stages CISB covers Early Years through Grade 12: Early Years (from around 6 months to 5 years), Elementary (Grades 1–5), Middle School (Grades 6–8) and High School (Grades 9–12). The site also notes the school delivers the IB PYP, MYP and DP within a Canadian (New Brunswick) curriculum framework.	Stages WAB is an Early Childhood–Grade 12 international school, organised into an Early Childhood Center, Elementary School (Junior/Senior Grade 1–Grade 5), Middle School and High School (Grades 9–12). The school follows IB programmes across the sections.
School type	School type CISB is a co‑educational, private day school; the school's public materials describe a single downtown day campus. External summaries list it as a private day school; the official site does not describe on‑site boarding.	School type WAB is an independent, non-profit international school and an authorised IB World School. It is co-educational and operates as a day school (no boarding facilities).
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school operates a Student Support/Student Support Services structure and states in its admissions information that it accepts students with mild learning disabilities and certain physical disabilities, with placements considered case‑by‑case. Elementary facilities listed on the site (for example a sensory room) indicate specific resources used in support and inclusion.	Additional learning support WAB uses an integrated student-support model; services include learning support, English as an Additional Language (EAL), counseling, educational psychology and psychological services, and access to therapies such as speech and occupational where needed. Teachers work with the Student Support team and parents to create individualised plans and reasonable adjustments.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation CISB follows a Canadian curriculum in partnership with the New Brunswick provincial system and presents itself as a Canadian international school on its website. The school combines that Canadian curriculum with the IB continuum (PYP/MYP/DP).	Country affiliation The school is an independent international school founded to serve the expatriate community and is not affiliated with a particular country.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school does not list any religious affiliation on its public materials and presents itself as a secular international school. No faith or religious denomination is indicated on the official site.	Religious affiliation WAB is nonsectarian and does not have a religious affiliation.
School day structure	School day structure Division‑specific schedules are published for families (for example through the Parent Portal and the Student/Parent handbooks), and the school calendar shows regular school days plus occasional early dismissals. School transport timings on the site indicate buses arrive around 8:00–8:10 a.m. and regular dismissal is mid/late afternoon (see bus times below); for exact start/end times by division check the school's Student Handbook or contact Admissions.	School day structure Standard school hours are 8:30am–3:20pm Monday–Friday. Elementary and Early Childhood bell times and break/lunch windows are published (for example, ES morning break and a lunch window around midday; detailed bell times are available on the school's ‘School Day' page).
Bus service details	Bus service details CISB operates an on‑site school bus service; the school says its fleet typically arrives at campus each morning around 8:00–8:10 a.m. and departs after school at about 3:45 p.m. (Mon–Thurs) and 2:45 p.m. (Friday). A later bus for after‑school activities is available (about 4:45 p.m. Mon–Thurs and 3:45 p.m. Friday); most stops serve north‑east Beijing and the school will consider new stops when there is sufficient demand. The school lists a dedicated bus email and phone extension for enquiries and publishes a bus policy and stop/fee details.	Bus service details WAB runs a student bus service to and from campus; buses typically arrive between 8:00–8:30am and afternoon buses depart around 3:25–3:30pm. The school also offers ASA (after-school activity) buses and a limited ‘late bus' service; families must communicate changes to the Transportation Manager and follow the school's procedures for bus changes. Public city bus lines and subway connections are also listed for families using public transport.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - The school operates an online application process; the publicly available pages do not list a fixed application fee amount for new applicants. Parents will be required to submit an application through the school's admissions system. Tuition fees by year group (per term / per year) - A detailed grade-by-grade tuition table for the current academic year is not published on the public School Fees page. CISB publishes a formal Tuition Fee Schedule and individual invoices to families (the public site indicates fee schedules are issued as part of re-enrolment/package information). Exact per-term and per-year tuition figures are provided to enrolled families and on official fee documents. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school uses an invoicing and re-enrolment timetable; historical re-enrolment notices show an early-bird deadline and fixed withdrawal deadlines by term (examples cited for 2023–24: early-bird deadline and term withdrawal cut-off dates). Formal payment dates, discounts and the term-by-term billing schedule are issued on the school's fee/invoice documents to families. Boarding fees (if applicable) - CISB's public programme listings (Early Years through High School, plus student life pages) do not include a boarding/residential programme; no boarding fees are published because boarding is not presented as an offered option. Other costs and typical additional fees - Uniforms and sports wear are sold via the CISB School Shop (online purchases via the school's Yoopay link); uniform costs are charged to families through that shop. Summer-camp, after‑school activities, enrichment courses and special programmes carry separate fees (examples and rates for summer programmes are published on the site). Additional common charges include student bus service, meals and trip/excursion fees; amounts are detailed in the school's fee documents. Refund information - The school's re‑enrolment materials reference withdrawal deadlines and a formal refund/withdrawal policy included with invoices and re-enrolment packages; refund rules and any applicable penalties are set out in those official documents provided to families. A sample set of term withdrawal dates and early-bird arrangements are shown in re-enrolment notices. Fee payment options - The website and school shop reference online payment through Yoopay and the Parent Portal; the school issues invoices to families and uses its payment platforms for transactions. Bank transfer or local electronic payment methods are commonly used via those systems (Yoopay/Parent Portal are referenced).	Fee details Application fees - Application fee: RMB 2,100 per applicant (non-refundable). Annual tuition fees (by year group) — published for 2025–2026 - Early Years (3/4 years old, half day): RMB 146,500 per year. - Early Years (3/4 years old, full day): RMB 246,500 per year. - Junior Grade 1 – Senior Grade 1: RMB 293,100 per year. - Grades 2–5: RMB 314,300 per year. - Middle School (Grades 6–8): RMB 333,500 per year. - High School (Grades 9–10): RMB 367,100 per year. - High School (Grades 11–12): RMB 376,700 per year. Per-term (per-semester) guidance — calculated - WAB's academic calendar is structured in two semesters. The per-term figures below are calculated by dividing the published annual fee by two to provide a per-semester amount (this is an inferred per-term breakdown for database use; WAB publishes annual fees). - Early Years (half day): RMB 73,250 per semester (RMB 146,500 ÷ 2). - Early Years (full day): RMB 123,250 per semester (RMB 246,500 ÷ 2). - Junior Grade 1 – Senior Grade 1: RMB 146,550 per semester (RMB 293,100 ÷ 2). - Grades 2–5: RMB 157,150 per semester (RMB 314,300 ÷ 2). - Middle School (Grades 6–8): RMB 166,750 per semester (RMB 333,500 ÷ 2). - High School (Grades 9–10): RMB 183,550 per semester (RMB 367,100 ÷ 2). - High School (Grades 11–12): RMB 188,350 per semester (RMB 376,700 ÷ 2). Billing schedule and payment terms - Returning students: full annual tuition is due by April 30, 2025. - Newly admitted students: tuition fees must be paid within 21 calendar days of the invoice date. - A non-refundable portion of RMB 30,000 of the annual tuition is required each school year to secure a student's enrollment. - Prorated tuition is available for students enrolling after the October break: a 10% reduction of tuition per calendar month applies from October (excluding the non-refundable RMB 30,000). - Late payments incur a surcharge of 2% per month on overdue balances. Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable; WAB does not operate a boarding programme. Other costs and common additional fees - Laptops and calculators: students are required to purchase their own laptops and calculators (cost borne by the family). - Lunch and snacks: not included in tuition; lunch purchases via SmartCard typically range from RMB 30 to RMB 45 per meal. - Optional/extra-cost items not covered by tuition: intercity travel for competitions, conference-related travel, individual music lessons, additional after-school swim lessons, and home language programs. - Enriched Inclusion Program Fee (if applicable) is non-refundable. - Transportation: standard WAB school bus service within the designated WAB network is provided without an additional tuition charge. - Any school uniform costs or optional activity fees are treated as additional charges when applicable (families should expect occasional optional fees for external activities or equipment). Refund information - Application fee (RMB 2,100) is not refundable. - RMB 30,000 of the annual tuition is non-refundable. - The remaining portion of the annual tuition (the refundable Grade Level Tuition Fees) is refundable according to a tiered schedule when the Admissions Office receives written withdrawal notice. The published refund schedule (examples of key cutoff points) is: on or before May 30, 2025 — 100% of the refundable portion; August — 90%; September — 80%; October — 70%; November — 60%; December — 50%; January — 40%; February — 30%; March — 20%; April — 10%; May and June — no refund. Specific dates and percentages are published by the school. Refunds require return of the original WAB fapiao and must be claimed within three months of the student's last school day. Fee payment options and instructions - Invoices are issued in RMB. WAB accepts bank transfers in RMB or other currencies (families should ensure the full invoiced amount is received after any bank charges). The school provides CITIC Bank account details and requires the invoice number or student number to be included with the remittance. SWIFT code and account information are published with invoices. Overseas RMB cash deposits may also be accepted. - Card payments: overseas debit/credit cards incur additional fees (example published rates: Visa/Master 2.8%; AMEX 3.0%; JCB 3.5%). Local credit/debit card handling fees are also noted (example: 0.6% for local credit cards plus RMB 20 administration on debit transactions). All bank fees are the payer's responsibility. - Fapiao (official Chinese tax receipt) will be issued for tuition only after full payment; WAB Finance issues fapiao on request and provides instructions for corporate and personal payers. Notes for records - The figures above are WAB's published annual tuition rates for 2025–2026 and the school's published payment and refund rules. Per-term numbers shown under “Per-term (per-semester) guidance” are calculated by dividing the published annual tuition by two to align with WAB's two-semester calendar and to provide a per-semester amount for database use (this division is an inferred breakdown; WAB's official invoices are issued as described above).
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements Day school; no on-campus boarding.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement All students wear CISB school uniforms while on campus. Uniforms and CISB merchandise are available through the CISB Online Uniform Shop, which stocks all uniform articles including athletic wear.	Uniform requirement The school does not require a uniform.
Food options	Food options The CISB cafeteria is operated by Sodexo, providing healthy, balanced meals prepared onsite. A diverse menu includes Western and Chinese-inspired dishes. Students use a smart card for food services, with balances managed via WeChat or in person.	Food options Sodexo provides lunch options on campus; students can purchase meals using a SmartCard.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership CISB was founded in 2005 as a State Level Project. It is a not-for-profit, co-educational international school governed by a Board of Directors. It is fully licensed and accredited by the New Brunswick Department of Education and is undergoing accreditation with the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).	Governance and ownership Independent non-profit international school governed by an all-volunteer Board of Trustees.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Canadian International School of Beijing (CISB) delivers a New Brunswick (Canadian) curriculum taught within the International Baccalaureate framework and is authorized to offer the PYP, MYP and DP. Early Years (6 months–5 years) includes a Montessori nursery and early-years programming that prepares children for the Primary Years Programme. Elementary School (Grades 1–5) follows the IB Primary Years Programme. Middle School (Grades 6–8) comprises the first three years of the five-year MYP (MYP covers Grades 6–10) and teaches the eight MYP subject groups, including Language & Literature, Language Acquisition (Mandarin or French), Mathematics, Sciences, Individuals & Societies, Design, The Arts and Physical & Health Education. High School (Grades 9–12) provides senior secondary courses with the two-year IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12, and students who complete the IB Diploma at CISB also qualify for the New Brunswick High School Diploma.	Curriculum details Western Academy of Beijing delivers the full IB continuum: Primary Years Programme (Early Years–Grade 5), Middle Years Programme (Grades 6–10) and the IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12). In Early Years and Elementary students follow the inquiry-based PYP framework (ages 3–12) with transdisciplinary subject coverage and a PYP Exhibition as an extended inquiry. Middle School runs the MYP across Grades 6–10 with eight subject areas taught concurrently, MYP objectives and assessment approaches, and a culminating Personal Project. High School (Grades 11–12) offers the IB Diploma Programme: students choose subjects across the six DP groups and complete the DP core (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity, Service) with a wide range of SL/HL course options. WAB's curriculum covers literacy/language and literature, language acquisition, individuals & societies, sciences, mathematics, the arts, design, PHE and school-wide social‑emotional learning, and it is informed by additional reference standards such as ACARA, CEFR and HSK while providing personalised pathways and experiential learning opportunities.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
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 CISB states that Social-Emotional Learning is integrated across its IB programmes and is supported through a daily Advisory programme with extended Advisory sessions on Wednesday afternoons for deeper SEL work. Elementary structures include daily morning meetings, classroom agreements and a response-to-intervention model for tiered support. Teachers receive training in responsive classroom approaches and work with the school counsellor when students need individual or small-group interventions. The school names specific leaders involved in SEL delivery, including the Middle/High vice-principal and school counsellors who contribute to programme design and delivery.	Social & emotional learning WAB describes SEL as an integrated part of its Student Support model, with homeroom/subject teachers as primary supporters working closely with counselors and specialist staff to develop individual plans. The Counseling Department uses a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate model addressing academic, personal, social, and global/intercultural domains across Elementary, Middle and High School. Counseling staff explicitly list social skills, relationships, and positive coping strategies among their areas of support, and the school links inclusion and belonging to improved social‑emotional outcomes. Counselors also provide resources to parents and collaborate with Learning Support and EAL teachers to support students' social integration.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) CISB's admissions information states the school accepts students with mild learning disabilities and certain physical disabilities but notes it cannot accept students whose needs it cannot effectively meet. The school has a Learning Support role on staff (for example, Paul Amos is listed as Learning Support) and an Inclusion Policy describing differentiated instruction and support. Where needs exceed school capacity the admissions process and support planning involve observations, external assessments and collaboration with parents and external professionals. CISB is not presented as a specialist SEN institution; support is provided within its mainstream programmes.	Special educational needs (SEN) WAB's Learning Support team provides inclusive, classroom‑based accommodations, pull‑out small‑group interventions, co‑teaching and targeted programs such as Individualized Literacy Support (ILS) and Enriched Inclusion, with progress reviewed regularly and Individual Education Plans where required. The school states it works with external specialists and coordinates on‑campus therapy (speech, language, occupational) when needed, and the Educational Psychologist supports assessment and program planning. Staff lists and roles for Learning Support are published for each school section, indicating an embedded, collaborative model rather than a segregated specialist facility. The school does not describe itself on its public pages as a specialist SEN institution; rather, it presents learning support as an integrated student support service.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language CISB is an English-medium school and explains that non-native speakers complete WIDA assessments during admission; the school runs an English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme for students who need extra support. The EAL department describes a co-teaching model in which EAL teachers co-teach content classes (especially Individuals & Societies and some Sciences, Maths and Design) and collaborate with content teachers on scaffolding and sheltered instruction. The website also lists EAL staff and sets WIDA-based proficiency requirements by grade for progression.	English as an additional language WAB publishes a dedicated EAL program that uses co‑planning and co‑teaching with classroom teachers and offers in‑class support, small‑group instruction, one‑to‑one assistance, and targeted Emergent and Bridging English programs for students new to English. The school assesses progress using WIDA descriptors alongside teacher observation and regular assessments, and EAL teachers are named on the site for each section. The model is described as flexible and adaptive to individual needs and aims for maximum classroom integration while providing focused language blocks as required.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing CISB publishes that it employs school counsellors and psychologists who provide one-to-one and group counselling, workshops and wellbeing programmes (for example, stress-management and meditation sessions) across Early Years through High School. The school's counselling team is named in staff pages and news items, with counsellors trained in approaches such as CBT and with external training like ASIST noted for some staff. Counsellors work with teachers, parents and external specialists (occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and clinical psychologists) when needed to create support plans. The school describes advisory and counselling as central elements of student wellbeing provision.	Mental wellbeing WAB's Counseling Department states its remit includes promoting personal well‑being, healthy relationships, and balance between academics and extracurricular life, with counselors working across personal and social domains in all school sections. The site also names an Educational Psychologist who provides psychoeducational assessment, individual and group psychotherapy, crisis management, and coordination of external therapy services on campus. The school publishes that psychological services include consultation with teachers and parenting workshops to support student mental health and home‑school partnerships. Together, these pages present a linked model of counseling and psychological services for student mental wellbeing.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding CISB publishes a detailed Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy (effective February 2025, revised May 2025) that sets out roles, reporting procedures, definitions of abuse, staff responsibilities and links to Chinese law and international best practice. The policy names the Designated Safeguarding Lead (David Bremner) and a Deputy DSL (Hisham Farghaly) and states that all staff must be trained and required to report concerns. The school's Policies page links explicitly to the full child protection policy and to related policies (Inclusion, Health & Safety, Complaints). The document therefore provides the formal procedures and contact points for safeguarding and child-protection matters.	Safeguarding WAB states it is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students and aligns its approach with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and China's Law on the Protection of Minors. The site names Mr. Todd Hutchinson as the designated safeguarding officer and provides a contact email (safeguarding@wab.edu), and it describes child‑protection screening for staff including completion of ECIS online child protection training, police background checks, a Code of Conduct, and reference checks. A downloadable safeguarding policy is linked from the page. These published statements set out the school's public safeguarding responsibilities and contact routes.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school is located at 38 Liangmaqiao Rd., Chaoyang District, Beijing 100125, China. The campus spans about 38,000 m2 and is air-quality controlled. It is situated in the embassy district, within walking distance to multiple embassies and Chaoyang Park's north gate. The facilities support learning both inside and outside the classroom.	Facilities overview The campus is on one site with six buildings housing Elementary, Middle and High School sections. The classrooms are flexible and purpose-built to support a variety of learning experiences. The campus includes three libraries, Design Technology Studios, Science labs, Photography, editing and recording suites, and specialist language classrooms. The grounds feature gardens and trees with Duck Lake at the center, and dining courts, cafes and lounges. The campus has a state-of-the-art indoor air filtration system.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Two gymnasiums support fitness and physical education, along with a dedicated nursery gym. The campus includes a 25-meter swimming pool with a wading pool. An athletics field, a dance studio, and science and design technology labs support sports and STEM learning. An onsite cafeteria, a 500-seat auditorium, and a lecture theatre provide spaces for gatherings and performances.	Sports facilities The facilities support multiple sports with an indoor swimming pool, three full-size gyms, and the multi-sport Tiger L'Air dome. There is a FIFA-approved full-length football field with a track. A Vertex climbing wall and indoor basketball courts are available, along with tennis courts and a fully-equipped workout room.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The campus houses libraries for Elementary and Middle/High students. It includes Science and Design Technology labs and makerspaces to support hands-on learning. Specialized Visual Arts and Music classrooms are on site. An auditorium and a lecture theatre support assemblies, presentations, and performances.	Academic facilities The campus includes three well-resourced libraries, Design Technology Studios, science labs, and photography, editing and recording suites. It features specialist classrooms for languages and learning kitchens. Music, drama and dance studios support performing arts, with three theatres on site. The six-building campus houses separate elementary, middle and high-school facilities designed to meet developmental needs.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities After-School Activities (ASA) are offered, and there are regular field trips. Outdoor Education programs include Week Without Walls and field trips. The Duke of Edinburgh program is part of the student life program. Students participate in performing arts and competitions, such as StageCats performances and mathematics competitions.	Extra curricular facilities Three theatres support performances and productions. Music, drama and dance studios enable arts-based extracurriculars, while design spaces, photography/editing/recording suites support visual media clubs. The libraries and learning spaces provide resources for clubs and competitions, contributing to a wide range of extracurricular options.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History The Canadian International School of Beijing (CISB) was founded in the fall of 2005 as a state-level project established in partnership with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Education, the Government of Canada, and the New Brunswick (Canada) Department of Education. It operates as a not-for-profit, co-educational international school governed by a Board of Directors and is licensed and registered with the Beijing education authorities. CISB holds recognition from the New Brunswick Department of Education and has engaged in external accreditation processes with organizations such as the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC). Over the years the school has developed a larger downtown campus and a range of programmes to serve Beijing's diplomatic and expatriate communities.	History Western Academy of Beijing was founded on September 1, 1994 by a group of parents and teachers to provide additional schooling choices for Beijing's growing international population; it opened that day in a refurbished factory with 149 children from Nursery through Grade 6. In the early 2000s WAB moved to a purpose-built campus (August 2001) and added dedicated facilities over the next decade, including an Early Childhood Center (2002), a new Middle School (2003), the HUB (2005) and a High School (2006). WAB operates as an independent non-profit governed by an all-volunteer Board of Trustees; the board combines appointed and community‑elected members and limits any single nationality to no more than 50% of voting membership. Notable milestones in its history include an early partnership with Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots (from 1997), hosting China's first Swiss School at WAB in 2017, and a 30th‑anniversary community celebration on September 1–2, 2024.
Community	Community CISB's student body includes learners from more than 60 nationalities, creating a multicultural school community. The school schedules a variety of whole-school and division-level events that bring families together, including an International Festival, a recently introduced CISB Sports Day, and student-led activities such as TEDx Youth and CANMUN (CISB's Model UN). Regular elements of school life also include arts weeks, service-learning projects and experiential learning trips like Week Without Walls, which are used to build connections across the community.	Community WAB describes a diverse international community that extends beyond students to include parents, staff and alumni; parents are organized and active in school life. Regular community and cultural activities include markets and fairs (for example the Winter Community Market and annual Fun Fair), school‑hosted events such as the dragon boat race on Duck Lake, and city‑focused Community Link activities that bring families together around local sights and culture. The school also runs parent‑focused learning sessions and makes campus facilities available to families outside school hours to support social and recreational connections.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association CISB's Parent's Association (PA) is an active family group with listed representatives for the 2024–25 year (for example, a Middle School representative, a High School representative, and a Treasurer) and communicates its initiatives through the school's news channels. The PA played a central role in organizing the revitalized Terry Fox Marathon of Hope at Chaoyang Park, an event that involved students, families and staff and combined community-building with charitable fundraising. The association describes its focus as bringing families together around events and initiatives across the year and invites parent collaboration and support for those activities. Information about current PA officers and the PA's recent activities is published on the school website and in school news posts.	Parent teacher association WAB's volunteer parent organisation is called Parent Link; all WAB parents and guardians are members and are invited to participate in its activities. Parent Link's stated mission is to connect, support and enrich the community and it communicates parent needs and views to school leadership. Sub‑groups and initiatives run or supported by Parent Link include Tiger Spirit Link (support for extracurricular sports and arts), Friends of the Library (book clubs, fairs and reading events), Charity Link (student‑led service collaborations) and the Parent Link shop (volunteer‑run clothing and gift sales). Parent Link organises signature events such as the annual Fun Fair, Community Market/Career Fair, Winter Community Market and Staff Appreciation Day, and also produces practical resources like the WAB Beijing Living Index to help families settle in. For questions or to get involved, Parent Link lists a contact email (parentlink@wab.edu) and encourages new volunteers.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school offers an internationally recognized Canadian (New Brunswick) curriculum taught within the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework, providing the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP) as an IB World School.	Academic & intellectual Model United Nations (MUN) is a student activity in which participants explore global issues and public speaking, following United Nations procedures to tackle world challenges. The World Scholar's Cup is a global competition where teams compete in debate, writing, and subject categories, with local rounds leading to opportunities to travel abroad for advanced rounds. ACAMIS Teams Mathematical Challenge involves teams of Grade 9 and 10 racing to answer increasingly difficult math problems.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative Choir, band, orchestra, and instrumental programs provide opportunities for vocal and instrumental performances across school sections. The instrumental program includes String Orchestra, Beginner Band, Intermediate Band, Concert Band, and Jazz Band, and students may audition to represent WAB at APAC Music Conference and the ISCMS Festival. Visual arts are offered through after-school activities and exhibitions, and drama and film programs include student productions and related opportunities.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language Chinese language is taught in all school sections, and Chinese language programs accommodate beginners through native speakers. China Studies trips for Grades 6–12 include week-long field experiences across different regions, with experts in Chinese culture and the arts visiting classes. Students engage in local community activities and authentic partnerships to deepen their understanding of China.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies Elementary School After School Activities (ASA's) include WABTV, Elementary School Student Council, Stop Motion Movie Making, Physical Activities, Lego Clubs, and Reading for Pleasure. Middle and High School offer a broad range of activities and student-led clubs, including Student Council, MS STEAM Team, Inkblot, Model United Nations (MUN), ACAMIS Teams Mathematical Challenge, Yearbook Committees, and the Tiger Sports Entertainment Network (TSEN). World Scholars Cup is a competitive activity for debate and related topics.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service Global Citizenship includes CAS (Creativity, Action, Service), a core IB Diploma Programme component that integrates service with learning. CAS is the heart of the diploma, emphasizing life outside academics. Korean InfoByte is a service club that translates the WAB weekly into Korean to support the local Korean community; TBD@WAB is a community service club partnering with Springsations to assist single mothers in China.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional Tiger Leadership offers High School students leadership opportunities with certifications and real-world experience in areas such as event management, fitness center supervision, and lifeguarding. Coach in Training (CIT) provides a pathway to become a certified coach for Middle School teams and complete NFHS/CA coaching courses. Each school section maintains its own Student Council to voice student perspectives and contribute to school life.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing The WABX program provides more than 100 sporting options and 16 competitive sports for students from Senior Grade 1 to Grade 12. The athletics program participates in interschool competitions through APAC, ACAMIS, and ISAC and includes a wide sports-exchange program with other international schools. The Olympic Dream Series offers a year-round emphasis on participation, teamwork, and athletic growth.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The language of instruction is English. Mandarin is taught as a second language, with a daily 40-minute period in Preschool and Elementary, and Mandarin as one of eight subject groups in Middle and High. French is offered starting in Grade 9 and is supported through after-school language programs. Mother tongue languages are supported through library resources and Mother Tongue Self-Taught courses in the IB Diploma Programme, and English as an Additional Language (EAL) supports non-native speakers.	Language provision English is the language of instruction and primary language of communication at WAB, with English as an Additional Language (EAL) support for all grade levels. Chinese is taught through a tiered program that serves students from Junior Grade 1 to Grade 12, including a China Studies program that uses Chinese for authentic purposes. From Grade 6 onward, Spanish and French are offered as curricular languages, and German is available through Swiss School Beijing up to Grade 9. The school also runs Home Language Programs for fluent speakers and a Dutch language program supported by the Dutch Ministry of Education, with access to Dutch, Swedish, Finnish, and German as Home Languages.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The school teaches all subjects in English. Mandarin is taught as a second language, with daily Mandarin instruction in Preschool and Elementary. In Grades 6–12, Mandarin Language and Literature is available for native Chinese speakers. From Grade 9, students may study French, and mother tongue language classes are available from Grade 11.	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards All entries below are taken from WAB's public website (news and school pages) and refer to awards or recognitions given to the school or its school sections in the past five years (2021–2025). • China Schools Award (CSA) — Arts & Creativity (WAB, Mar 11, 2025): CSA judges the strength and breadth of arts provision across a school; the school's news item reports WAB won the 2025 Arts & Creativity category. • KingLead: China's Most Innovative International School (WAB, Mar 20, 2025): KingLead's annual ranking/recognition named WAB “China's Most Innovative International School” (the school's news item notes this was the fifth consecutive year of recognition). This is a sector ranking/recognition reported by WAB's news pages. • KingLead: Top‑30 / Five‑A Kindergarten recognition for WAB ECC (Jun 17, 2024): WAB's Early Childhood Center (ECC) was listed among KingLead's Top‑30 international kindergartens in China and rated as a Five‑A kindergarten in the published ranking. This recognition applies to the ECC section of the school. • China Schools Awards (CSA) — Science & Technology Award (WAB, 2024): WAB's site states the school won the 2024 CSA Science & Technology Award, which recognises integration of STEM and educational technology across a school's programmes. • China Schools Awards (CSA) — Staff Development & Wellbeing Award (WAB, 2024): WAB's site states the school won the 2024 CSA Staff Development & Wellbeing Award, which recognises schools prioritising professional growth and staff wellbeing. • China Schools Awards (CSA) — Holistic Education Award (WAB, 2023): WAB's site reports it received the 2023 Holistic Education Award, which recognises a school's commitment to emotional, social and broader developmental provision beyond academics. • ISC Research International Schools Award — Strategic Leadership (WAB, 2022): WAB's internal accreditation/strategy pages note the school was the 2022 winner in ISC Research's International Schools Award Strategic Leadership category, an external recognition tied to the school's Strategy 2022+ work. If you'd like, I can: (a) pull the individual news pages for each of the 2022–2025 awards so you have the school's full news text and dates, or (b) produce a short, dated timeline of these awards for use in a brochure or summary document.
Accreditations	Accreditations • Licensed / registered with the Beijing municipal Bureau of Education — the school's official local registration that authorizes it to operate as an international school in Beijing. • Accredited by the New Brunswick (Canada) Department of Education to deliver New Brunswick programmes — this allows CISB to offer the New Brunswick pathway/credentials and aligns the school with that Canadian provincial curriculum. • Authorized as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School (PYP, MYP and DP) — IB authorisation means CISB is approved to deliver the IB Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes, a recognised international continuum of inquiry-based curricula. • Currently engaged in the Council of International Schools (CIS) and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accreditation processes — the school's website states it is undergoing these external accreditation processes, which are independent international reviews of governance, teaching & learning, safeguarding and whole-school practice (note: the site describes these as ongoing processes rather than completed accreditations).	Accreditations • International Baccalaureate (PYP, MYP, DP) — WAB is an IB World School offering the full IB continuum (Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes); this means the school is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organisation to deliver those programmes. • New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC) — WAB is a NEASC‑accredited international school and is participating in the IB‑NEASC Collaborative Learning Protocol (CLP), a contemporary accreditation/evaluation pathway focused on learning impact and improvement. • Council of International Schools (CIS) — WAB is accredited by CIS and has engaged in the CIS Deep Dive pathway (Global Citizenship & Intercultural Learning) as part of its school improvement work. CIS accreditation indicates the school meets international standards for governance, teaching and student support. • Licensed in China as a “School for Children of Foreign Nationals” — WAB's campus operates under the Chinese licensing category for schools serving foreign‑national children, which is the local regulatory status that governs its operation in China. • IB Preferred Training School designation — WAB is listed on its site as one of the IB's preferred training schools, a designation meaning the school hosts and/or supports recognised IB professional learning and training.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Once you inquire, the school assigns a dedicated Admissions Officer who will guide you through paperwork, tours, and next steps; keep that officer's contact details for follow-up. Parents should be ready to explain the child's current school placement, intended start date, and any learning-support needs during this stage. 2. Visit — The Admissions Officer will offer an on-campus visit or a virtual meeting so your family can view facilities and meet staff. During the visit you can ask specifically about how CISB integrates the IB programmes with the New Brunswick (Canada) curriculum and how the school supports transitions from other curricula. If you cannot visit in person, request a virtual tour and ask for sample timetables, examples of student work, and a description of typical class sizes (average 18–20; maximum 25). 3. Application — Complete the OpenApply application and upload all required documents listed on CISB's Application Checklist (two full years of school reports notarized and translated into English, confidential school reference for Grade 1+, passport and visa copies for student and parents, birth certificate, medical insurance proof, completed Enrollment Agreement and Health Questionnaire). A non-refundable application fee of RMB 2,000 is required when you submit the application; keep receipts and record the OpenApply application ID. Parents should ensure transcripts are full (all terms/semesters), officially notarized and translated where necessary — incomplete or non-notarized records delay review. 4. Assessment & Interview — After documents are reviewed, CISB schedules the appropriate assessment(s), observation and an interview (often a Principal interview) for the student and family. English language ability is measured with the WIDA assessment across Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing (levels 1–6); there are minimum English proficiency requirements from Grade 5 upward, so check FAQs for grade-specific thresholds. Be prepared to provide recent school reports and, where relevant, samples of work or teacher references; if your child needs additional language support, discuss available EAL/learning-support options during the interview. 5. Decision & Enrollment — CISB reviews each application holistically (academic records, assessments, interview and references) and aims to notify families within 1–3 working days after assessment completion (allow 5–7 working days in peak periods). The school operates rolling admissions and class placement depends on seat availability; note that applications received in March or later for Pre‑School and Elementary may require Principal approval and could be deferred to the next academic year. Once accepted you will be asked to return the signed Enrollment Agreement and follow the school's payment and registration instructions — confirm deadlines and refund/withdrawal dates with Admissions to avoid losing a place. Note on tuition/fees: CISB's full tuition schedule is published on the School Fees / Tuition page; the application fee of RMB 2,000 is specifically listed in the application checklist. Independent fee aggregators (which mirror published school figures) list per-grade annual tuition ranges for 2025–26 (for example, total first‑year costs and annual tuition by grade). Tuition amounts can change year to year — contact admissions to request the official current fee schedule, payment options, and details about extras (bus, meals, ASA, uniform).	Admissions 1. Submit an enquiry (OpenApply enquiry form). Start by submitting the online enquiry form (OpenApply) so the Admissions team has your basic family details and can set up an account for you; this lets you save progress and return to the application. Parents should use the same email address they plan to use for official communications and check spam folders for replies. 2. Complete the OpenApply application (one form per child) and upload documents. Each child needs a full OpenApply application with supporting documents (school reports, passport copies, student and parent statements, and a confidential teacher reference); check the online checklist so nothing is missed. Be prepared to pay the non-refundable application fee (listed on the school's fees page) and note that WAB requires a non-refundable portion of tuition (enrollment deposit) once a place is accepted. Parents should confirm their child's birthdate against WAB's August 31 cut-off and have scanned copies of passports and recent school reports ready. 3. Admissions review and timeframe. After you submit a complete application, the Admissions team reviews documents to understand academic background, language needs and any support requirements; the school aims to respond within a few working days but the review can take longer (for example if additional documentation or specialist reports are needed). If your child has identified learning support needs, expect the review to include follow-up with student-support staff. Parents should upload full and clearly legible documents and respond quickly to any Admissions requests to avoid delays. 4. Interview / assessment stage (if required). WAB will schedule interviews or assessments as appropriate: language assessments for students from JG1 who are not native English speakers and math placement testing for Grade 10+ applicants; other assessments or conversations may be used to check fit and to identify required support. Prepare your child by explaining the purpose of the assessment (it is to place them correctly and identify support needs, not to “pass/fail”) and bring originals of documents to any on-campus meetings. If your child needs English-language support, ask Admissions about the school's EAL arrangements before enrollment. 5. Decision, offer and enrolment paperwork. Admissions decisions are made by a committee (section leaders and support teams) and families are notified by OpenApply email; a formal offer will include invoicing instructions, deadlines and the non‑refundable enrollment amount (the tuition page lists payment deadlines and the 30,000 RMB non‑refundable portion required each year). Newly admitted families must meet the invoice payment deadline (typically within 21 calendar days for new students) and returning-student payment deadlines are published annually; review the Tuition & Fees page for proration rules (e.g., reductions for mid-year entry) and late-payment surcharges. Parents should read the Tuition & Fees Terms & Conditions carefully before accepting an offer.
Scholarships	Scholarships CISB runs an internal Scholarship and Bobcat Grants programme that is intended primarily for current CISB students (awards are credited to tuition for the stated academic year). For 2025–2026 the school has allocated up to RMB 3,000,000 across Scholarships and Bobcat Grants; Scholarship categories include Academic Scholarships (examples published include up to RMB 200,000 for IB/NB Diploma students and RMB 100,000 for Grades 9–12), CISB Excellence Scholarships (for Leadership, STEM and the Arts) and Bobcat Grants (up to RMB 5,000 per student per trip for extracurricular team support). All awards require a formal application to the CISB Scholarship Committee with the documentation specified for each award; decisions are internal, final and applied as tuition credit for the stated year, so families should check deadlines, eligibility criteria, and whether new applicants (incoming students) may apply for particular scholarships.	Scholarships WAB's public website does not advertise a general, school-wide tuition scholarship or needs-based financial-aid program for families; the official Tuition & Fees pages and Admissions materials describe fees, deposits and limited fee-related policies but do not list routine tuition scholarships. There are a few exceptions and related supports to be aware of: the Swiss School Beijing section (a WAB section) has a Tuition Fee Discount Policy for Swiss families; the school also publicises project and student grants (for example Global Citizenship / changemaker grants that fund student projects, not tuition), and staff contracts commonly include dependent tuition benefits for employees' children. If you need information about any exceptional financial support or one-off awards, contact Admissions directly (they can confirm whether any limited bursaries, discounts or staff-dependent rates apply and advise on documentation and eligibility).
Waitlist	Waitlist CISB does operate a waiting‑list system when a grade level is full. Accepted students for whom no place is immediately available are placed on the waiting list in strict chronological order based on the date their application was completed. The school applies priority criteria when offering places from the waiting list; priority groups explicitly include Canadian Embassy staff, CISB alumni/returning students and siblings of current students — if you think you may fit a priority category, notify Admissions and supply supporting documentation. When a space becomes available CISB will offer it according to that order; parents should confirm with Admissions how long waitlist offers remain open and whether any deposit or re-confirmation is required.	Waitlist WAB does use a waitlist approach when the requested grade is full. Admissions policy and the Swiss School section both note that places are offered based on availability and that later applications are more likely to be waitlisted; when a place opens, Admissions will contact waitlisted families through the OpenApply system. Your position on the waitlist depends on timing, the completeness of your application and the school's assessment of fit and support capacity, so submitting a complete application early improves your chances. OpenApply (the platform WAB uses) also supports explicit “Waitlisted” statuses and re‑application workflows, which is how WAB typically manages offers, notifications and any subsequent moves from waitlist to offer. If you're time-sensitive (for relocation or visa steps), tell Admissions your preferred timelines so they can advise on realistic likelihoods and timing.
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