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British International School of Washington

United States, Washington DC

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees $19,700 - 47,930
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 550
Type Co-educational
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Taught languages English, Spanish, French
Typical class size 12
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, STEM
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

British International School of Washington BISW is a private international school in DC serving ages 2 to 18 and part of Nord Anglia Education. Opened in 1998, BISW blends a British educational heritage with an international focus. The school offers a curriculum across 2–18: Early Years Foundation Stage; the English National Curriculum supported by the International Primary Curriculum; the International Middle Years Curriculum; IGCSE in Upper Secondary (Years 10–11); and the IB Diploma Programme in Upper Secondary (Years 12–13). English and Mathematics are taught in line with the English National Curriculum. The campus is a single building housing facilities for the sciences, arts, music, dance, computer science and design technology, plus a learning hub, library, and counseling space. BISW uses Seesaw in Primary and ManageBac in Secondary to track progress. Juilliard and MIT collaborations enrich arts and STEAM, alongside Nord Anglia's Global Campus programs. Preparing students for a global career.

2001 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007, United States

The Essentials

British International School of Washington has 550 pupils, typical class sizes of 12, instruction in English.

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.

Stages
The school serves ages 2–18 (Early Years through Secondary) in a single building that houses all year groups.

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.

Pupil Nationality Mix
More than 70 nationalities are represented among BISW students.

Additional learning support
There is a learning support center on campus and BISW assesses learning support needs to tailor support for students.

Country affiliation
United Kingdom

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.

Bus service
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.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
The school has a café and an on-site kitchen for school lunches.

Governance and Ownership
The school is part of the Nord Anglia Education family.
Fees

Annual tuition at British International School of Washington ranges from USD 19,700 to USD 47,930 for 2026/27.

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.
Academics

British International School of Washington teaches IB (DP), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS (Early years foundation stage) for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
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.

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.

Higher Education Progression
Offers from top universities in the UK, US, Europe, Canada, and other international locations.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
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.

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.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
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.

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.

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.
Parent Experience

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.

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.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
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.
Facilities

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.

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.

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.

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 Activities

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
Languages

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.
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.
School Events
The school has not added events
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