Western Academy of BeijingVerified
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$20K - US$52K
Curriculum: IB · American
Age Range: 3-18
Students: ~1,319
Location: Chaoyang, Beijing
Updated April 2026
In Brief
WAB is the best choice for families who want genuine international diversity, a non-profit structure, and a school that treats creativity and wellbeing as seriously as exam results. Its IB scores are lower than ISB and Dulwich by design - open enrolment is a deliberate policy, not a weakness.
WAB's constitution limits any single nationality to 20% of enrolment, unique among Beijing's international schools. The student body (67.9% from other countries, 25.3% American, 6.7% Chinese) genuinely reflects the world rather than one or two dominant passport communities. The Chaoyang campus on Lai Guang Ying Dong Lu is the closest of the three schools to central Beijing, practical for families in Sanlitun, CBD, or Guomao. Nonprofit since founding.
The 2025 IB mean of 30.6 across 34 candidates reflects open admission rather than curated entry into Diploma years; 94.5% passed and two students scored a perfect 45. University destinations include Oxford, Columbia, USC, and Brown. Beyond results, WAB runs a dedicated Day 9 personal-interest learning programme, WAB Wild outdoor education, and a Global Citizenship strand. Parents flag these as genuinely embedded, not marketing additions. Named China's Most Innovative International School five consecutive years (KingLead 2025). NEASC and CIS accredited, maximum class size of 20, fees running CNY 148,000 (EY half day) to CNY 380,500 (Grades 11 and 12) on the 2026 to 2027 schedule.
What parents value
- –Most ethnically diverse campus in Beijing - constitutional 20% nationality cap. Nonprofit. Closest to downtown among the three schools. Day 9 programme, WAB Wild, Global Citizenship embedded. NEASC and CIS accredited. Oxford, Columbia, USC, Brown placements (2025). KingLead Most Innovative School five consecutive years.
Points of consideration
- –IB mean 30.6 (2025) is intentionally lower because of open enrolment policy; families expecting selective scores should adjust expectations. Fees published are for 2026 to 2027, the most recent available; confirm the current year with admissions. Smaller DP cohort (34 candidates) than ISB or Dulwich.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| EY Half Day | 3 | NaN |
| EY Full Day | 3 | NaN |
| Grade 1 / JG1-SG1 | 6 | NaN |
| Grades 2-5 | 7 | NaN |
| MS Grades 6-8 | 11 | NaN |
| HS Grades 9-10 | 14 | NaN |
| HS Grades 11-12 | 16 | NaN |
Fees converted from CNY. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee (non-refundable) | NaN |
| Non-refundable Enrolment Fee | NaN |
Photos
Academic Results
| IB Average (2025) | 30.6 |
| IB Candidates (2025) | 34 |
| IB Pass Rate (2025) | 94.5% |
| Perfect Scores (2025) | 2 |
WAB's 2025 IB cohort of 34 candidates achieved a mean of 30.6 with a 94.5% pass rate and two perfect scores of 45. Open admission into the IB Diploma programme is a deliberate policy; the mean reflects a genuinely inclusive cohort rather than a filtered one. University destinations include Oxford, Columbia, USC, and Brown.
Source: WAB HS Profile 2025-2026 (wab-edu.cn)., 2025
Extra Curriculars
Facilities: Chaoyang campus · Outdoor learning spaces · Robotics lab · Arts studios · Sports facilities
WAB's programme extends well beyond the classroom. Day 9 - a weekly personal-interest learning day - is built into the timetable, not bolted on. WAB Wild provides structured outdoor education. The China Studies and Global Citizenship programmes are genuinely embedded rather than optional extras. Robotics, arts, and community service are consistently strong.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
WAB enrols approximately 1,319 students - 67.9% third-country nationals, 25.3% American, and 6.7% Chinese. A constitutional rule caps any single nationality at 20%, making WAB genuinely the most diverse major international school in Beijing. The Korean community is notably active; overall, the mix is broader than most.
Leadership
Dr. Marta Medved Krajnovic
Dr. Marta Medved Krajnovic serves as Head of School at WAB.