# Western Academy of Beijing

Western Academy of Beijing (WAB, Chinese: 北京京西国际学校) is an international school located in Beijing. Founded in 1994, the school provides education from early years 3 to grade 12. WAB uses the IB PYP (IB Primary Years Program) until Grade 5, IB MYP (IB Middle Years Program) up to and including grade 10, and the IB DP (IB Diploma Program) for grades 11 and 12.
WAB was an Olympic Educational Model School for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Out of the 500 schools across China, who were awarded by Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games as an Olympic Educational Model School, WAB was among the top 120 schools.
In 2013, Mike Embley, the headmaster of the British School of Beijing (BSB), stated that along with BSB and the International School of Beijing (ISB), WAB was one of the top three English-language international schools in Beijing, all having long waiting lists. Citing Embley's definition of two lower tiers of Beijing Anglophone international schools which have vacant student spaces, Tristan Bunnell, the author of The Changing Landscape of International Schooling: Implications for Theory and Practice, stated that this was an instance of the idea of "'superior' and 'inferior' schools" shared by teachers and parents.

## Campus

WAB’s three school sections; Elementary, Middle, and High, are all located on one campus across six buildings. Each school section has its own self-contained environment, and the entire campus is equipped with a professional grade indoor air filtration system.
The 99,000 m$^2$ campus boasts a wide range of facilities, including 3 well-resourced libraries, Design Technology Studios, Science labs, film editing and recording studios, as well as professional level music, drama and dance studios. Students enjoy the use of dining courts, cafes and lounges, an indoor swimming pool, 3 full-size gyms, a FIFA-approved football field, as well as indoor basketball and tennis courts.

## WABX – extracurricular activities

Activities are offered from Junior Grade 1 to Grade 5 students in the Elementary School. These can include culture, games, arts, and sports. In Middle and High School students can choose from a range of activities and student led clubs, as well as arts and service.
Athletics is offered to students from Junior Grade 1 to Grade 12 with opportunities to participate in 16 different competitive sports.
WAB participates in interscholastic sporting competitions, including the ACAMIS (Association of China and Mongolia International Schools), ISAC (International Schools Association in China), Tri-Cities (Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai), China Cup, EARCOS, and APAC (Asia Pacific Activities Conference). Sports include rugby, football (soccer), tennis, badminton, cross-country, track and field, volleyball, basketball, swimming, baseball, table tennis, and softball.

## Accreditation

WAB is accredited by:
* The International Baccalaureate (IBO)
* New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
* The Council of International Schools (CIS)
And is a member of:
* International Schools Athletic Conference (ISAC)
* Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS)
* East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS)
* Tri-Cities Association Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai (Tri-Cities 北京，广州，上海)
* Asia Pacific Activities Conference (APAC).