Western Academy of Beijing
| Western Academy of Beijing | |
|---|---|
 Western Academy of Beijing logo | |
| Location | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Type | IB International School/Private School |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Director | Geoffrey Andrews |
| Division Principals | Casey Cosgray (ES), Donna Connolly (MS), Rena Mirkin (HS) |
| Grades | Nursery–12 |
| Enrollment | 1,500+ |
| Campus type | Large Private Campus |
| Color(s) | Black and Yellow |
| Mascot | WAB Tiger |
| Newspaper | The Inkblot |
| Website | WAB.edu |
The Western Academy of Beijing, or WAB for short. The school is located in Beijing and was founded in 1994. WAB uses the IB PYP (IB Primary Years Program) until grade 5, IB MYP (IB Middle Years Programme) until grade 10 and the IB DP (IB Diploma Program) from grades 11 to 12. The school provides education from Nursery to grade 12. Western Academy was an Olympic Educational Model School for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Out of the 500 schools across China who were awarded by BOCOG as an Olympic Educational Model School, WAB was one of the 120 schools awarded as an Excellent Example.
Student body
WAB's student body consists of over 1,500 students from 57 countries.
Facilities
WAB has an Early Childhood Center, Elementary School, Middle School and High School. The school has three libraries: the Sabina Brady library, the Red Scroll, and the Green Sky Studio. The HUB is the sports, arts and technology center of the middle and high schools. Other facilities include:
- Three double gymnasiums
- One swimming pool
- Fitness center
- Athletics track
- Tennis courts
- Indoor and outdoor basketball courts
- Vertex climbing walls
- Three theaters
- An indoor amphitheater
- Three libraries
- Computer laboratories
- Forty science laboratories
- Music, dance and drama studios
- Soundproof Recording Studio
- Specialist classrooms, such as languages, technology, learning kitchens, arts and learning support
- dining courts, cafes and lounges
WAB has recently finished the construction of a new FIFA approved field with a track. It is also said to be one of the best rugby fields in mainland China. The school has just improved the tennis courts, and moved the basketball courts.
Technology
WAB offers a 1:1 laptop environment (for Grade 1- 12) with wireless access across the school. Students in grade 6 and up are required by the school to own their own Apple laptop. The school utilizes a number of IT systems for education, including but not limited to Moodle, PowerSchool, and WordPress. Drupal-powered public news sites and community portals are also integrated into regular school life.
Teachers
WAB currently has over 190 teachers recruited internationally.
WABX
WABX is WAB's extra-curricular program, including sports and various other activities. WAB participates in multiple interscholastic sporting competitions, including the ACAMIS (Association of Chinese And Mongolian International Schools,) ISAC (International Schools Association in China), EARCOS and APAC.
The Arts
In addition to the music, drama and art taught at the school, there are also bands, orchestras, choirs and student theater groups. There are a variety of after school activities for the listed groups. The arts department is considered to be one of the best among all international schools in Beijing.