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BRITISH HERITAGE, GLOBAL EDUCATION
At BISW, our personalized approach to learning encourages students to reflect on their thinking and grow both academically and personally. We inspire students to reach their full potential by not only focusing on what they are learning but also how they are learning it. Through the careful integration of metacognition into our teaching, we help your child become aware of their learning process, enabling them to take ownership of their educational journey.
Our school program blends the best international practices, perfected across our family of international schools, with innovative curricula to pave the way for success at the world’s top universities. As students engage with these programs, they reflect on their strengths, areas for improvement, and the strategies they can use to reach their goals.
WELCOME TO BISW
At BISW, we believe that learning is not just about acquiring knowledge but also understanding how to think critically and solve problems. By teaching students to reflect on their learning methods, we provide them with the tools to develop independent learning skills that will serve them for a lifetime.
British International School of Washington
#8 in Best Private High Schools in District of Columbia
#11 in Best Private K–12 Schools in Washington, D.C. Area
Key facts about our school
APPLICATIONS OPEN!
A LEADING INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL IN WASHINGTON, DC
The British International School of Washington is committed to providing a safe, happy, student-centered learning environment. We’ll give your child plenty of opportunities to explore global connections and their own place in the community, so that they’ll be ready for a future as a leader who makes a difference.
primary
- Primary School
A TYPICAL DAY AT BIS WASHINGTON Primary SCHOOL
READY FOR LEARNING
ENGLISH AND MATHS
LUNCHTIME
EXPLORING IPC TOPICS
SPECIALIST LESSONS
AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Our School Facilities
Our campus is conveniently close to the centre of Washington and next door to Dumbarton Oaks Park, the Naval Observatory, and the National Cathedral. We take full advantage of our fantastic location and also enjoy the many world-class museums at our doorstep.
Our campus is fun and welcoming! Our students love that we’re all housed in one building – this helps us to develop a true sense of school spirit across all the ages, interests, and cultural backgrounds we have in our community.
Our Advanced Facilities
From classrooms equipped with interactive SMART board technology to our sports fields, every part of our urban campus has been thoughtfully arranged to enhance your child’s learning. Whether your child is decorating the classroom or playing the guitar, our school is ready to support the building of their character within and beyond our own building.
High-Tech Classrooms
We provide your child with all the tools they need to create imaginative and innovative projects, making their ideas come into reality and developed at their fullest potential.
Our technology not only supports students’ projects, but also helps accelerate their creation process with technical experiences that prepare our students well with the 21st century skills.
Specialist Evnrionments
Our school has specialist pre-nursery and nursery environments, and also outstanding spaces for the sciences, visual arts, music, dance, and integrated technology.
Bespoke Learning Areas
Our classrooms include computer labs, an advanced music technology suite, well-stocked art rooms, and purpose-built science labs.
Early Years
- Early Years
- Primary
- LOWER Secondary
- IGCSE PROGRAMME
- IB PROGRAMME
OUR CURRICULUM
We’ll unlock your child’s potential through our internationally recognized curricula, personalized approach to learning, and integration of subjects. We’ll also guide your child in connecting their questions or interests to the world outside of school.
PRIMARY SCHOOL (ELEMENTARY)
We build our students’ confidence as they develop new skills.
By exploring modern topics and themes across the subjects, your child will work towards their questions, interests, and goals in various areas of the International Primary Curriculum (IPC).
LOWER SECONDARY (MIDDLE SCHOOL)
Following the International Middle Years Curriculum and the English National Curriculum, we nurture our lower secondary students’ curiosity so that they love learning. While we have specialist teachers for each subject, we’ll also encourage your child to connect their ideas across the subjects, linking each lesson by “big ideas.”
IGCSE programme (upper secondary)
In Years 10 and 11 of High School (Upper Secondary), our students complete the two-year Cambridge IGCSE program, which involves a world-class curriculum that ends in the globally recognized exam and qualification, as developed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
Our students go on to achieve impressive IGCSE results, as over half achieve A*–A grades – which is double the global average. And after the IGCSE qualification, they’ll have the ideal preparation for continuing to the impressive International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).
Our students go on to achieve impressive IGCSE results, as over half achieve A*–A grades – which is double the global average. And after the IGCSE qualification, they’ll have the ideal preparation for continuing to the impressive International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).
THE IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME (UPPER SECONDARY)
From Year 12 onward of High School (Upper Secondary), students at BISW all follow the The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme to prepare for university. The IB is a challenging two-year course of study that prepares students for success in a global society. This program of study leads to the highly regarded qualification that is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities.
TALK TO OUR ADMISSIONS TEAM
WE’RE HERE TO HELP
We know that choosing the right school for your child can be hard. Our international school admissions team is here to help. They’ll guide you through the process, answer any questions, and make sure you have the information you need.
- Get in touch with us today – fill in our online enquiry form, give us a call, or send an email.
- Visit us in Washington– or join us for a virtual discovery meeting.
- We’ll walk you through our step-by-step admissions process.
OUR STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS
Chart your course to enrollment at BISW.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
FUTUREPROOF LEARNING THROUGH METACOGNITION
At BISW, we incorporate metacognition—the understanding of how we think and learn best to succeed—into every aspect of our learning environment. From daily reflections on how students approach tasks to dedicated opportunities for them to assess their learning strategies, we emphasize the importance of becoming self-aware learners. Encouraging students to monitor and regulate their learning develops resilience and adaptability, key qualities that contribute to success both inside and outside the classroom.
Through metacognition, students at BISW learn to set clear, realistic goals, recognize when they need support, and make informed decisions about how to tackle challenges. By developing these habits, we prepare students not just to succeed academically but to navigate complex situations and lifelong learning with confidence.
Exceptional Learning Experiences
At Nord Anglia Education, we inspire curiosity and innovative thinking in our students - giving them the tools and skills to succeed. Our educational approach uses our global reach, enabled by world-class technology, to bring our students truly transformational learning experiences.
The Juilliard School
Our collaboration with the world leader in performing arts nurtures our students’ love of drama and music.
The Juilliard School
There’s so much more to performing arts than what you see on stage. Children develop self-expression and self-awareness, as well as empathy, confidence, and a love of cultural exploration. Our collaboration with the world-renowned performing arts institution, The Juilliard School, enhances our drama and music programmes, promoting creativity, teamwork, and resilience among students of all ages.
Juilliard is recognised around the world as a leader in the arts. Through our exclusive collaboration, we harness their expertise and experience to create a continually evolving programme, which sparks our students’ imagination and nurtures their talents and interests.
MIT
The MIT-Nord Anglia STEAM programme develops our students’ problem-solving skills through real-world challenges that get them thinking outside the box.
MIT
Our global programme inspires students to look beyond individual subjects, sparking their curiosity through our hands-on interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving. Guided by the world’s leading STEAM institution, our students take part in challenges and visit MIT on a trip led by experts from the university. Our collaboration also gives our teachers the opportunity to learn from specialists in the world of STEAM, coming up with cutting-edge lessons that inspire our students in the future.
UNICEF
Students are challenged to make a difference both locally and internationally, working together to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
UNICEF
Our collaboration with UNICEF challenges both students and teachers to think about how they can make a meaningful, positive impact on the world around them. This includes embedding the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in our teaching and learning, using materials developed by UNICEF. Our students also take part in an annual Global Challenge, as well as local outreach opportunities in our community.
IMG Academy
IMG Academy's sports and wellbeing programme helps students build confidence, resilience, and leadership skills through world-class athletic training, personal development, and elite coaching.
IMG Academy
Our global programme empowers students to develop essential life skills through the discipline of sport, guided by the world’s leading sports education institution.
We equip students with the tools to succeed both on and off the field by combining elite athletic training with personal development, wellbeing, and mindset coaching. Altogether, this builds their resilience, confidence, and leadership skills.
Our teachers also benefit from professional development led by IMG Academy’s expert coaches, ensuring they can inspire and support students in reaching their full potential.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- How large is your school, and what are your class sizes?
We have a student population of about 550. The number of students per year group (i.e. grade) usually falls between 35 to 45. The Early Years and International Baccalaureate Diploma programs tend to have fewer students. Class sizes may vary from 12 to 22 students, depending on the year group and course subject. The student-to-teacher ratio also varies depending on the year group.
Early Years
Pre-Nursery (2 years old)
1:4 student-to-teacher ratio
Nursery (3 years old)
1:8 student-to-teacher ratio
Reception (4 years old)
1:10 student-to-teacher ratio
Primary School
The average size of each year group in BISW's primary school is 36. We divide each group into two (sometimes three) classrooms for an average of 18 students per classroom.
Years 1–2
Each class has a classroom teacher and learning assistant. In addition, students see specialist teachers each week.
Years 3–6
In addition to the classroom teacher, students see specialist teachers each week.
Secondary School
The average size of each year group in BISW's secondary school is 36. Years 7–13 typically have an average class size of 14–24 students. The class size depends on the course and the total number of students in the year group.
- Do you take mid-year enrollments?
- Our school accepts rolling admissions and mid-year enrollments to streamline the admissions process for families worldwide. Apply anytime and expect a prompt review. Contact our Admissions Department at admissions@biswashington.org to speak to a representative who can provide guidance.
- What nationalities make up the student body?
- BISW has a diverse student body, with 25% from the UK, 20% from the US, and over 70 other nationalities represented. The predominant nationalities vary from year to year. For instance, we could have many students from the United Arab Emirates one year and then more students from Denmark the following year.
- Where do BISW graduates usually go to college or university?
- Our graduates often pursue higher education in the UK, US, Europe, Canada, and other international destinations.
- What is the average length of time students attend BISW?
- As an international school in Washington, DC, we recognize that families might be with us for varying timeframes. On average, families are with us for 3 to 5 years. Some stay for one or two years, while others are with us from Pre-Nursery to Year 13. We remain flexible to offer our world-class education to as many students as possible.
- What is the average tenure of teachers at BISW?
- We take pride in our outstanding faculty of highly skilled and experienced teachers, who typically remain with us for several years or more. Some have been with us for over two decades. Moreover, as a member of the Nord Anglia Education family of schools in a prime international location, we have access to a vast pool of exceptionally talented and qualified candidates when we hire new staff.
- How is your approach different from other schools'?
BISW implements Nord Anglia Education's "Create Your Future" approach to prioritize the development of children's minds, relationships, and understanding of the world. We prepare children for success along any path by fostering a lifelong love of learning. We teach our students to be principled, compassionate, tolerant, and responsible and nurture their skills and talents as they become adaptable citizens and future leaders.
