IB Curriculum International Schools in Washington DC, United States
Compare 8 IB Curriculum international schools in Washington DC, United States. Filter by curriculum, fees (average USD 30,181), location, and more to find the right international school now.
About international schools in Washington DC, United States
Washington, DC’s IB community includes both private international day schools and publicly funded charter and DCPS schools that deliver parts or the IB continuum; several local schools also link IB learning with language-immersion programmes. The most commonly offered IB programmes in the city are the Primary Years (PYP), Middle Years (MYP) and Diploma (DP), and families will find frequent language provision in French, Spanish and Mandarin alongside English. Tuition for private IB schools varies widely - published fees at long-established private IB schools in the city run from the low tens of thousands up to about US$55 - 57k a year for upper school places, while DC public and charter IB schools participate in the city’s My School DC system and do not charge tuition for resident families. Admissions follow two rhythms: public and charter IB schools use the My School DC lottery with winter application windows, whereas independent international schools run their own autumn - winter application and financial-aid cycles, so relocating families should plan early, check residency requirements for public options, and confirm language placement and EAL/SEN support before moving.
Which IB programmes cover which ages, and will a school usually offer the whole IB continuum?
The IB framework comprises the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for roughly ages 3 - 12, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for about 11 - 16 and the Diploma Programme (DP) for 16 - 19; some schools also offer the Career-related Programme (CP). Not every school offers all three programmes in a single campus: in Washington, some schools provide a continuous PYP→MYP→DP pathway while others specialise in part of the continuum.
How do admissions differ between private international IB schools and public/charter IB schools in DC?
Public and charter IB schools in Washington use the unified My School DC application and randomised lottery, which opens in winter and publishes specific deadlines each year; families must meet the residency and enrolment deadlines to participate. Independent international (private) schools follow their own admissions calendars - usually opening enquiries and applications in the autumn with decisions in late winter or spring - and they separately manage assessments, interviews and financial-aid processes.
What languages of instruction can we expect at IB schools in Washington, DC?
English is the primary language of instruction at most IB schools, but several local IB programmes emphasise bilingual or immersion models: for example, Mandarin - English immersion at a public PYP school and French or Spanish immersion/dual-language options at private IB schools. If language learning or continuity of mother-tongue instruction matters, check each school’s published language programme, daily language allocation and entry placement testing.
What do IB school fees look like, and are there lower-cost options?
Private international IB schools in Washington publish widely different fee schedules; recent published tuition examples include lower-school figures in the low-to-mid tens of thousands and upper-school fees that can exceed US$50k per year at some independent schools. Families on a budget can choose DC public and charter IB schools, which do not charge tuition for resident students, or apply for financial aid at private schools that offer need-based grants - always request the full fee schedule (including enrolment deposits, examination and activity charges) before accepting a place.
What should relocating parents look for when comparing IB schools in the city?
Check which IB programmes the school is authorised to teach and whether it is an authorised IB World School; examine language provision and how the school supports English-additional learners and special educational needs; and assess practicalities such as commute, before-/after-school care and published fee inclusions. Also ask about transitions between PYP→MYP→DP (if your child will move through multiple stages), class sizes and the school’s evidence of ongoing IB professional development and review.
