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West Sound Academy

United States, Poulsbo

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 11 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 100
Type Co-educational
Opened 1998
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages Spanish, French
Typical class size 15
Stages Middle School, High School
Introduction

West Sound Academy is an independent private school in Poulsbo, Washington, United States, offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP). The school serves students in grades 6 through 12 and operates as an IB World School. The campus is located at 16571 Creative Drive NE, Poulsbo, WA 98370. With a focus on the IB DP, the school provides a continuous program for middle and high school students within the United States. This arrangement supports a consistent IB experience as students progress from early adolescence to late adolescence within the same IB framework. As an independent school, West Sound Academy emphasizes its IB curriculum within a U.S. educational setting. Prospective families seeking an internationally oriented preparation for secondary education will find the DP central to the school's offerings. The campus environment supports collaboration, guided inquiry, and global citizenship as part of West Sound Academy's commitment to preparing students for education paths.

16571 Creative Drive NE, Poulsbo, WA 98370

The Essentials

West Sound Academy has 100 pupils, typical class sizes of 15, instruction in English.

Location
16571 Creative Dr NE, Poulsbo, WA 98370. The campus sits on 20 acres with views of Liberty Bay.

Stages
Grades 6–12; middle and high school; offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in the junior and senior years.

Type
An independent school in Washington state.

Country affiliation
United States

Bus service
Daily bus service to Bainbridge Island; transportation for students from Bainbridge Island and Port Townsend.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Homestay with a host family is available for international students; if a host family is needed, a Homestay Fee of $18,000 is charged.

Food Options
Hot lunches are available two days per week.

Governance and Ownership
West Sound Academy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the Board of Trustees serving as the stewards of the vision of the school.
Fees
Application fees
- There is a $60 fee to submit the sliding-scale (Clarity) tuition application.
- No separate, mandatory admissions application fee is published in the school's publicly posted admissions/tuition materials.

Tuition — structure and amounts (by academic year / year group)
- Tuition is set using a sliding-scale model and is stated as an annual amount that is assigned to each family based on financial information; families who do not apply to the sliding scale pay the maximum rate.
- Published annual tuition range for the upcoming year: USD 4,900 – USD 29,600 (annual).
- Program fee (charged per student, per academic year): USD 300 for Grades 6–8; USD 500 for Grades 9–12. The program fee covers bound and digital textbooks, student planners and binders, online subscriptions, IB exam fees, club fees, and most school trips (optional June TREC trips are not included).
- Homestay (for international students needing a host family) is charged separately: USD 18,000 (annual). This is not an on-campus boarding charge but a homestay accommodation charge when a host family placement is required.
- Summary: tuition is expressed as an annual charge falling somewhere in the stated sliding range; the program fee and homestay fee are in addition to annual tuition. Payments are arranged through the school's billing system (see Billing schedule and Payment Terms).

Billing schedule and payment terms
- The school's billing and family account portal is managed through the FACTS Family Portal. Families enroll in the school's FACTS account to receive invoices and to set up payment plans.
- Annual tuition is charged as a single annual obligation; families choose a FACTS payment plan to divide that annual obligation according to the plan they select (examples commonly supported by FACTS include pay-in-full, semi-annual, or monthly installment plans). The billing dates and any FACTS plan setup fees or convenience fees are determined at the time the family enrolls in the FACTS payment plan.
- Payment responsibility: the annual tuition obligation is the family's responsibility; selecting a FACTS plan divides the payment schedule but does not change the annual amount assigned. Specific due dates and consequences for late or missed payments are managed through the FACTS agreement and the school's billing policies.

Boarding / Homestay fees
- The school does not operate on-campus boarding dormitories. For students requiring placement with a host family, a homestay fee of USD 18,000 is charged. This homestay charge is distinct from the annual tuition and from the program fee.

Other costs and recurring fees
- Required additional costs (family responsibility beyond tuition and program fee): a laptop or Chromebook, a scientific calculator, and routine school supplies.
- Optional/ancillary expenses that families commonly incur: hot lunches (available two days per week), school spirit gear, van transportation, admission fees for events, and optional June TREC trips. These are charged separately from tuition and the program fee.
- Incidental charges covered by the program fee: bound and digital textbooks, student planners and binders, online subscriptions, IB exam fees, club fees, and most school trips (excluding certain optional trips such as June TREC).

Refunds and withdrawal
- The school's published tuition and affording materials do not include a detailed public refund or withdrawal schedule within the tuition/affording pages; explicit refund and withdrawal terms are not specified in those public tuition summaries. Families are billed according to the annual assignment and their chosen FACTS payment plan.

Fee payment options
- The school uses the FACTS Family Portal for billing and account management; FACTS supports multiple payment methods (for example, automatic bank draft/ACH and credit or debit card payments) and multiple plan types (pay-in-full, semi-annual, monthly installments) as part of its tuition-management services. Payment method selection and any card convenience fees are handled through FACTS when the family enrolls in a payment plan.

Notes for families
- Tuition is assigned annually within the published sliding range; the program fee is charged per student each year; homestay accommodation is a separate annual charge when required. Families who wish to be considered for reduced tuition must submit the Clarity sliding-scale application (USD 60 submission fee).
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Middle School program weaves self-management and social-emotional awareness throughout the curriculum. Upper School emphasizes social and emotional growth alongside intellectual development, encouraging the whole person to flourish. The IB Diploma Programme emphasizes social-emotional balance and well-being, with Health and Wellness offered as a course. Students participate in a range of clubs and activities—such as peer tutoring and student leadership—that foster social development.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
A Learning Support Specialist is part of the staff. The student population includes neurodiversity, and the community emphasizes inclusion and a welcoming environment for the whole student.

Mental Wellbeing
Health and Wellness is offered as part of the Upper School curriculum. The IB core emphasizes social-emotional balance and well-being as students develop through inquiry and collaboration.

Safeguarding
The admissions policy states non-discrimination and equal access for all applicants. The school emphasizes inclusion and a welcoming environment for the whole student. International students have access to health-insurance guidance and related support as part of the program.
Parent Experience

Community
West Sound Academy is an independent college preparatory IB World School serving grades 6–12, offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in the junior and senior years. The campus spans 20 acres in Poulsbo, Kitsap County, Washington, with views of Liberty Bay and the Olympic National Park. Classrooms and studios include light-filled spaces for technology, design, music and theater, along with two science labs; outdoor spaces include walking trails, an amphitheater, a sports field, a basketball court, and a maker's playground. The student-to-teacher ratio is 8:1, with an average class size of 15 and typical class sizes ranging from 8 to 21. Students participate in community service, and the school supports activity opportunities such as a Knowledge Bowl team through its Brain Sports program.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
West Sound Academy has a Parent Guardian Association (PGA) that engages parents and guardians in school life. PGA meetings are held on campus, including events such as the PGA meeting on November 18, 2025 at 6:00 PM. The PGA supports volunteer opportunities and school initiatives, and parents can contact the association at mstrum@westsoundacademy.org for involvement.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school is located at 16571 Creative Dr NE Poulsbo, WA 98370 and serves Grades 6-12 as an International Baccalaureate World School.
Languages

Language Provision
West Sound Academy is an International Baccalaureate World School for Grades 6-12. Spanish is offered as a language. Introduction to Spanish (8th Grade) builds foundational skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish. In Upper School, Language Acquisition includes Emerging Spanish in 9th Grade and Intermediate Spanish in 10th Grade; English is taught as English Language and Literature.
School Events
The school has not added events
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