Western Academy of Beijing
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| Director | Robert Landau |
| School type | Private Day |
| Religious affiliation | None |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Location | Beijing, China |
| Enrollment | 1,400+ |
| Campus Surroundings | Large Private Campus |
| Mascot | Tigers, Tigersharks (swim team) |
| School color(s) | Black, Yellow |
The Western Academy of Beijing, better known to the International School Community as "WAB" is an international school in Beijing, founded in 1994. The school uses the IB PYP (IB Primary Years Programme) until grade 5, IB MYP (IB Middle Years Programme) until grade 10 and the IB DP (IB Diploma Programme) from grade 11 to grade 12. The school provides education from nursery to grade 12. Western Academy is an Olympic Model School for the upcoming Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, yet it is debated whether WAB models a good example of a school or a bad example of a school.
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[edit] Mission
WAB's Mission Statement states that the goal of WAB is to "educate our children to reach their full potential in a warm and caring community that fosters excellence and responsibility." The core values of the school include: the school will remain learner-centered, there will be China-Global coherence, the "Mosaic of Diversity" will be respected, the WAB "Gong He" spirit will exist through the entire school and the entire community will dedicate itself to caring for the individual.
[edit] Student Body
WAB's current student body consists of approximately 1500 students from 53 nations, that speak 38 different languages. The students may choose from school-arranged after-school activities, ranging from chess to soccer.
[edit] Facilities
WAB currently has an Early Childhood Center (ECC), Elementary School (ES), Middle School (MS), and High School (HS). The school itself has three libraries: the Sabrina Brady library(ES), the Red Scroll(MS), and the Green Sky Studio (HS). The HUB is the sports, arts and technology center of the school. It is mainly used by high school and middle school students. It is where the middle school gymnasium, dance class rooms and the school's black box theater is located.
Other facilities include:
- Gymnasiums (3)
- Swimming pool
- Fitness center
- Astroturf sports fields (2)
- Athletics track
- Tennis courts (5)
- Indoor and outdoor basketball courts
- Vertex climbing wall
- Theaters (3)
- Libraries (3)
- Computer laboratories
- Science laboratories
- Music, dance and drama studios
- Specialist classrooms, such as languages, technology, learning kitchens, arts and learning support eg ESOL and Gifted program
- 10+ dining courts, cafes and lounges
[edit] Technology
Technology is integrated into many aspects of learning, starting from a very young age. WAB has a Macintosh-run atmosphere with Apple Computer-run IT labs and centers. Students may also use Windows-based computers. In the elementary school, students may borrow laptops during the school day from the IT Center. In the Middle School and High School, WAB provides a laptop grant which applies a discount to laptop purchases made through the school. MacBooks and MacBook Pros are available. Students may also bring their own laptops to school. In the high school, a laptop is mandatory.
[edit] Teachers
The 200+ teachers are recruited from all over the world.
[edit] WABX
WABX is WAB's extra-curricular programme, including sports and other activities. WAB participates in multiple interscholastic sporting competitions, including the ACAMIS (Association of Chinese And Mongolian International Schools) and in the ISAC (International Schools Association in China). The WAB girls soccer team has the highest reputation out of the sports teams with two consecutive undefeated seasons (2006-present). WAB has hosted a number of these events. WAB will be involved in the APAC (Asia Pacific Activities Conference) competitions beginning of 2008.
[edit] The Arts
Other than the music, drama and art WAB teaches, there are also bands, orchestras, choirs and small groups of student bands. There are different orchestras, bands and choirs for Elementary School, Middle School, High School. There are also plays being performed each year by students.
