Washington International School - Tregaron Campus

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.

Primary School Campus (Preschool–Grade 5). Middle and Upper Schools (Grades 6–12).

not-for-profit independent day school

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.

United States

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, French, and Spanish language support coordinators provide in-class and out-of-class support for individuals and small groups in English, French and Spanish.

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.

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.

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.

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.