Western Academy of Beijing

Western Academy of Beijing

WAB logo

Western Academy of Beijing logo
Location
10 Laiguangying East Rd.
Chaoyang District, Beijing 100102
People's Republic of China
Information
Type IB International School/Private School
Founded 1994
Director Dr. J. Courtney Lowe
Deputy Director Donna Connolly
Division Principals Casey Cosgray (ES), Marina Frias-Gavidia (MS), Melanie Vrba (HS)
Assistant Principals Justine Smyth (ES), Huiman Cheng (MS), Murray Polglase (HS)
Grades Nursery–12
Enrollment 1,500+
Campus type Large Private Campus
Color(s)              Red, Black and Yellow
Mascot WAB Tiger
Newspaper Lianxi (official), The Inkblot (student)
Website WAB.edu

The Western Academy of Beijing, or WAB for short, is a school located in Beijing that was founded in 1994. The school provides education from Nursery to Grade 12. WAB uses the IB PYP (IB Primary Years Program) until Grade 5, IB MYP (IB Middle Years Programme) 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 one of the 120 schools awarded as an Excellent Example.

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:

WAB sports a 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 3 - 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.

The high school's Tiger Sports Network also provides a livestream to watch most high-school sporting matches.

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. Sports consists of: Rugby, Football (Soccer), Tennis, Badminton, Cross Country, Track and Field, Volleyball, Basketball, Swimming, Baseball, and Softball.

The Arts

Music including Bands and Orchestras, Drama and Art are also taught at the Western Academy of Beijing.

Student Life

The school has many charity groups which are actively involved in the local community. Each division (ES, MS and HS) has a student government, known as the "Student Council" or "Stu Co" for short.

WAB also has many extra-curricular clubs like:

WAB is also one of the first international schools in Beijing that has a half paper and half electronic yearbook starting from the Middle School in the 2012 - 2013 school year.

Accreditation

WAB is accredited by many associations, such as IBO, NCCT, NEASC, ACAMIS and the CIS. The Middle School Student Council is currently a part of the accreditation process that will be taking place November 2013.

External links