Washington International School is a IB Primary Years Programme / IB Diploma Programme / IB school in Washington, United States. Founded in 1966. Annual tuition ranges from $75 to $56,820 USD.
Location & Getting There
NanaSays Scorecard
Key Details
Scholarships Available
Financial aid is awarded based on demonstrated need. Approximately 14–15% of current students receive some financial aid; aid is available to approximately 15 newly admitted students each year. Applications processed through School and Student Services (SSS). Steps: (1) Parent Financial Statement due January 15; (2) supporting documentation due February 1 (new) or March 1 (returning); (3) 2025 tax documentation due April 20. Grant notifications sent with offers in late February for new students and mid-March to mid-April for returning students. The school aims to offer aid to every accepted student who demonstrates need, subject to available funding.
Key facts
About
Washington International School is a private day school in Washington DC that has been an International Baccalaureate World School since 1977. The school offers both the Primary Years Programme and the Diploma Programme with English as the language of instruction for coeducational students. The school maintains two locations in Washington DC to serve students across its programmes.
School data verified by NanaSays. Last updated: April 2026.
Why Families Choose
WIS is a not-for-profit IB school spanning ages 3–18 across two DC campuses with deep language immersion from the earliest years — French or Spanish in Preschool/Kindergarten, dual-language programs in Grades 1–5, and Mandarin from Grade 6. It holds LabelFrancÉducation accreditation for high-quality French bilingual education. The IB Diploma Program produces strong results (2025 average score 33, 71% bilingual diplomas). Tuition covers lunches, textbooks, field trips, retreats, science fees, and yearbook. Le Centre Brown, a LEED Gold science facility, is under construction.
Fees & Financials
| Grade / Year | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Preschool | USD 34,315 |
| Grades 1-5 | USD 49,930 |
| Kindergarten | USD 47,430 |
| Pre-Kindergarten | USD 43,685 |
| Middle School (Grades 6-8) | USD 55,780 |
| Upper School (Grades 9-12) | USD 56,820 |
Original currency: USD 75 - 56,820. Application fee: $75.
Admissions Process
- 1Applications submitted through the online Admissions Portal with a $75 application fee (reduced to $25 for financial aid applicants). Applications due January 5; financial aid applications due January 15. For Grades 1–5: English and math testing, written assessment in French or Spanish for Dual Language applicants, virtual language assessment for Dual Language applicants. For Grades 6–12: applicant interview, local English and math testing, language assessments, Parent Questionnaire, and two teacher recommendations all due February 1. Decision notifications February 27; families accept by March 21; enrollment contracts binding June 1.
Admissions Details
School Day
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).
Student Life
There is no general school uniform requirement. Some school traditions or event-specific dress expectations exist (e.g., senior class dress traditions on certain days). Families should plan for occasional event-specific wardrobe items but a general uniform purchase is not required.
Food services are provided by Meriwether Godsey, using fresh, seasonal ingredients, local produce, and from-scratch cooking. Dining is a standard part of WIS programming with no separate dining charge. Primary School Campus offers family-style meals; Tregaron Campus (Grades 6–12) offers community dining in Le Centre Brown. Weekly menus are posted. Breakfast is available at Tregaron from 7:30–8:15 AM.
Facilities & Programmes
Wellbeing & Safety
WIS approaches health and wellness in a holistic, age-appropriate manner using the Responsive Classroom approach. Programs include strategies for managing anxiety and depression, healthy friendships, technology use, physical activity, and nutrition. School Student Support Teams identify at-risk students. Counselors provide short-term individual or small-group sessions, crisis intervention, psychosocial assessment, and referrals. Faculty participate in professional development for student wellness; wellness activities such as yoga and mindfulness are available for employees.
WIS is committed to safeguarding and protecting students. The Child Protection Policy was developed in accordance with accrediting agency standards and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Annual training on child protection awareness occurs. All employees and many volunteers complete background investigations prior to hire, renewed every two years. Security measures include guards and cameras; drills for internal and external threats are conducted. The Safeguarding Lead is Associate Head of School Natasha Bhalla. Child Protection Teams exist at the Primary, Middle, and Upper divisions.
Student Demographics
School Background
private