Beijing Royal School vs Western Academy of Beijing

	B Beijing Royal School Beijing, China	W Western Academy of Beijing Beijing, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 66,000 - 240,000	Fees / year RMB 146,500 - 376,700
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Canadian Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 2,500	Pupils 1,400
Typical class size	Typical class size 25	Typical class size 22
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1996	Opened 1994
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Beijing Royal School (BRS) is on a large campus in Changping District at No.11 Wangfu Street (postcode 102209). The school is north of the Olympic Village and reachable by Beijing Metro Line 5 (Tiantongyuan North) with a transfer to the rapid bus line 3; the school provides driving directions from the North Fifth Ring and the G6 expressway.	Location WAB's campus is in Laiguangying, Chaoyang District (10 Lai Guang Ying Dong Lu), northeast Beijing — about 500 m off Jingmi Lu. The school is near bus stops on Jingmi Lu and is reachable from Line 15 (Cui Ge Zhuang) with local buses to the Ma Nan Li stop; visitor parking is available on campus.
Stages	Stages BRS is a K–12 school with four divisions: kindergarten, primary (including an IB PYP stream), middle/junior high and senior/high school; each division runs its own programmes and admissions. The school offers multiple international pathways at the upper levels (A-Level, IB Diploma, AP/OSSD and similar options).	Stages WAB is an Early Childhood–Grade 12 international school, organised into an Early Childhood Center, Elementary School (Junior/Senior Grade 1–Grade 5), Middle School and High School (Grades 9–12). The school follows IB programmes across the sections.
School type	School type BRS is a co-educational private school that operates as a boarding school while also accommodating day students. Lower grades can be day students (with boarding available if needed) and senior grades are generally expected or encouraged to board; the school publishes dormitory facilities and boarding routines.	School type WAB is an independent, non-profit international school and an authorised IB World School. It is co-educational and operates as a day school (no boarding facilities).
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school publishes an inclusion (融合/‘Inclusion') department for primary years and an Inclusion Policy, and describes differentiated and layered teaching, bilingual support and personalised learning pathways; parents are advised to contact Student Services/Admissions for specifics and assessment arrangements.	Additional learning support WAB uses an integrated student-support model; services include learning support, English as an Additional Language (EAL), counseling, educational psychology and psychological services, and access to therapies such as speech and occupational where needed. Teachers work with the Student Support team and parents to create individualised plans and reasonable adjustments.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation BRS is a Beijing-based (China) private school; it is part of the Fazheng Group and delivers international curricula rather than being formally affiliated to a foreign government or embassy.	Country affiliation The school is an independent international school founded to serve the expatriate community and is not affiliated with a particular country.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school does not list any religious affiliation on its public information pages; its materials present a secular, international curriculum focus.	Religious affiliation WAB is nonsectarian and does not have a religious affiliation.
School day structure	School day structure Daily schedules vary by division; the primary division reports an 8:20 start for lessons (adjusted under recent national ‘double reduction' guidance), with a one-hour lunch/nap period and structured boarding routines (boarding students commonly wake around 07:00 and have a lights-out time around 21:00). Exact start/end times and after-school services differ by year group and are provided in division-specific timetables.	School day structure Standard school hours are 8:30am–3:20pm Monday–Friday. Elementary and Early Childhood bell times and break/lunch windows are published (for example, ES morning break and a lunch window around midday; detailed bell times are available on the school's ‘School Day' page).
Bus service details	Bus service details BRS operates organised student bus services and partners with certified school-transport providers; the primary division publishes multiple dedicated routes, safety specifications for the vehicles, and an assigned staff member on each bus. The school also runs scheduled boarding-student shuttle lines (detailed pick-up/drop-off times and routes are listed on the primary/boarding pages). Parents should contact the primary office for current route maps, daily times and registration.	Bus service details WAB runs a student bus service to and from campus; buses typically arrive between 8:00–8:30am and afternoon buses depart around 3:25–3:30pm. The school also offers ASA (after-school activity) buses and a limited ‘late bus' service; families must communicate changes to the Transportation Manager and follow the school's procedures for bus changes. Public city bus lines and subway connections are also listed for families using public transport.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / registration fees - The school's published admissions pages do not list a universal application or registration fee amount for general applicants; no formal application fee is published on the school's online application or admissions Q&A pages. Tuition fees by year group (breakdown available from the school) - High School (Senior High): RMB 232,000 per year to RMB 252,000 per year (range varies by curriculum stream). Annual amounts are published; a per-term (semester) breakdown is not published on the school pages. - Middle School (Junior High): RMB 203,000 per year. A per-term breakdown is not published on the school pages. - Primary School (Elementary): RMB 119,000 per year to RMB 155,000 per year (varies by class/type). Per-term amounts are not listed on the school pages. - Kindergarten: RMB 6,800 per month to RMB 11,000 per month (some Montessori/international classes listed at higher monthly rates). Tuition is presented on a monthly basis for kindergarten; no official per-term kindergarten schedule is published on the admissions pages. Boarding fees and boarding arrangements - The school operates as a boarding-capable campus and recommends boarding for senior grades. The school's public pages describe boarding practice (weekend leave arrangements and that lower grades may commute) but do not publish a standard boarding-fee figure on the admissions or fee pages. Any specific boarding-rate schedule (weekly/monthly/annual boarding fee) is not shown on the publicly available admissions materials. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school's published materials present tuition as annual (or monthly for kindergarten) figures but do not publish a full billing schedule or standard payment-term table (for example: number of instalments, due dates, or late-payment penalties) on the admissions or online-application pages. Families should note that only annual/monthly fee amounts are listed publicly. Other costs and typical additional fees (from published school-directory summaries and admissions notes) - Uniforms and school materials: third-party school-directory summaries list typical uniform costs in ranges (examples published externally indicate roughly RMB 880–2,500 for uniforms), but a specific official uniform-price list is not provided on the school's public admissions pages. - Transport (school bus): third-party listings show annual or termly bus fees as an additional cost (examples published externally include ranges such as RMB 1,400–8,500 depending on route/type). The school's public admissions pages note campus transport options but do not publish a standard transport-fee schedule. - Examination, testing and external exam fees: the school is a test centre for many external exams (AP, A‑Level, IB, TOEFL/IELTS, etc.). Candidates should expect exam-registration and external marking fees for these qualifications in addition to tuition. Specific exam fees are set by the exam bodies and are not shown as part of the tuition figures on the school's admissions pages. Refunds and deposits - The school's publicly available admissions pages and online application form do not publish a standard refund policy, deposit amounts, or how refunds are processed (for example deposit refund terms or prorated refunds on withdrawal). No formal refund schedule is shown in the public admissions materials. Accepted payment methods and practical payment information - The school's public admissions pages and the online application form provide contact details for admissions and finance enquiries but do not list specific accepted payment methods (for example: bank transfer, credit card, or other channels) or bank details on the public pages. Notes on what is and is not published - Published, load-bearing fee figures available from the school are the annual (or kindergarten monthly) tuition rates listed above. The school's public admissions and brochure pages do not publish a full itemised fee schedule covering application/registration fees, per-term billing tables, boarding fee amounts, deposit/refund rules, uniform price lists, or explicit payment-method instructions. Third-party school directories reproduce the tuition figures and list additional typical costs (uniforms, bus) in ranges; those third-party figures are summarized above where available. Summary (practical points for a parent) - Tuition is published by division as annual amounts (high school, middle school, primary) or monthly for kindergarten; use RMB figures shown above for budgeting. - The school does not publish per-term billing breakdowns, a standard application fee, boarding-price schedule, refund policy, or payment methods in its publicly available admissions materials; these items are therefore to be confirmed directly with the school's admissions/finance office.	Fee details Application fees - Application fee: RMB 2,100 per applicant (non-refundable). Annual tuition fees (by year group) — published for 2025–2026 - Early Years (3/4 years old, half day): RMB 146,500 per year. - Early Years (3/4 years old, full day): RMB 246,500 per year. - Junior Grade 1 – Senior Grade 1: RMB 293,100 per year. - Grades 2–5: RMB 314,300 per year. - Middle School (Grades 6–8): RMB 333,500 per year. - High School (Grades 9–10): RMB 367,100 per year. - High School (Grades 11–12): RMB 376,700 per year. Per-term (per-semester) guidance — calculated - WAB's academic calendar is structured in two semesters. The per-term figures below are calculated by dividing the published annual fee by two to provide a per-semester amount (this is an inferred per-term breakdown for database use; WAB publishes annual fees). - Early Years (half day): RMB 73,250 per semester (RMB 146,500 ÷ 2). - Early Years (full day): RMB 123,250 per semester (RMB 246,500 ÷ 2). - Junior Grade 1 – Senior Grade 1: RMB 146,550 per semester (RMB 293,100 ÷ 2). - Grades 2–5: RMB 157,150 per semester (RMB 314,300 ÷ 2). - Middle School (Grades 6–8): RMB 166,750 per semester (RMB 333,500 ÷ 2). - High School (Grades 9–10): RMB 183,550 per semester (RMB 367,100 ÷ 2). - High School (Grades 11–12): RMB 188,350 per semester (RMB 376,700 ÷ 2). Billing schedule and payment terms - Returning students: full annual tuition is due by April 30, 2025. - Newly admitted students: tuition fees must be paid within 21 calendar days of the invoice date. - A non-refundable portion of RMB 30,000 of the annual tuition is required each school year to secure a student's enrollment. - Prorated tuition is available for students enrolling after the October break: a 10% reduction of tuition per calendar month applies from October (excluding the non-refundable RMB 30,000). - Late payments incur a surcharge of 2% per month on overdue balances. Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable; WAB does not operate a boarding programme. Other costs and common additional fees - Laptops and calculators: students are required to purchase their own laptops and calculators (cost borne by the family). - Lunch and snacks: not included in tuition; lunch purchases via SmartCard typically range from RMB 30 to RMB 45 per meal. - Optional/extra-cost items not covered by tuition: intercity travel for competitions, conference-related travel, individual music lessons, additional after-school swim lessons, and home language programs. - Enriched Inclusion Program Fee (if applicable) is non-refundable. - Transportation: standard WAB school bus service within the designated WAB network is provided without an additional tuition charge. - Any school uniform costs or optional activity fees are treated as additional charges when applicable (families should expect occasional optional fees for external activities or equipment). Refund information - Application fee (RMB 2,100) is not refundable. - RMB 30,000 of the annual tuition is non-refundable. - The remaining portion of the annual tuition (the refundable Grade Level Tuition Fees) is refundable according to a tiered schedule when the Admissions Office receives written withdrawal notice. The published refund schedule (examples of key cutoff points) is: on or before May 30, 2025 — 100% of the refundable portion; August — 90%; September — 80%; October — 70%; November — 60%; December — 50%; January — 40%; February — 30%; March — 20%; April — 10%; May and June — no refund. Specific dates and percentages are published by the school. Refunds require return of the original WAB fapiao and must be claimed within three months of the student's last school day. Fee payment options and instructions - Invoices are issued in RMB. WAB accepts bank transfers in RMB or other currencies (families should ensure the full invoiced amount is received after any bank charges). The school provides CITIC Bank account details and requires the invoice number or student number to be included with the remittance. SWIFT code and account information are published with invoices. Overseas RMB cash deposits may also be accepted. - Card payments: overseas debit/credit cards incur additional fees (example published rates: Visa/Master 2.8%; AMEX 3.0%; JCB 3.5%). Local credit/debit card handling fees are also noted (example: 0.6% for local credit cards plus RMB 20 administration on debit transactions). All bank fees are the payer's responsibility. - Fapiao (official Chinese tax receipt) will be issued for tuition only after full payment; WAB Finance issues fapiao on request and provides instructions for corporate and personal payers. Notes for records - The figures above are WAB's published annual tuition rates for 2025–2026 and the school's published payment and refund rules. Per-term numbers shown under “Per-term (per-semester) guidance” are calculated by dividing the published annual tuition by two to align with WAB's two-semester calendar and to provide a per-semester amount for database use (this division is an inferred breakdown; WAB's official invoices are issued as described above).
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements Day school; no on-campus boarding.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement The school does not require a uniform.
Food options	Food options The campus has a Grade-A hygienic standard dining hall with a 3,000-person capacity.	Food options Sodexo provides lunch options on campus; students can purchase meals using a SmartCard.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is a Sino-foreign joint venture and the first Sino-foreign joint venture school established in Beijing. In October 2023 it achieved dual accreditation from WASC and NEASC/CIPSH.	Governance and ownership Independent non-profit international school governed by an all-volunteer Board of Trustees.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Beijing Royal School operates several international pathways by school stage: the primary section uses the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) delivered in a bilingual immersion model. The middle school follows the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and also prepares students for Cambridge IGCSE within the school's Cambridge K‑12 framework. Upper secondary students have multiple qualification routes: the school is authorized to offer the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) and also runs Cambridge AS/A‑Level and a large AP programme, so students may follow IBDP, A‑Level or AP tracks. The BRS AP page lists many specific AP subjects (for example Calculus AB/BC, physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, English, economics and Chinese) and states the school is an early AP adopter and an AP teaching demonstration school. Across all stages the school describes a blend of national curriculum content with international programmes (IB, Cambridge, AP and AQA), publishes subject‑level lists and assessment policies, and emphasises bilingual delivery and age‑appropriate assessment.	Curriculum details Western Academy of Beijing delivers the full IB continuum: Primary Years Programme (Early Years–Grade 5), Middle Years Programme (Grades 6–10) and the IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12). In Early Years and Elementary students follow the inquiry-based PYP framework (ages 3–12) with transdisciplinary subject coverage and a PYP Exhibition as an extended inquiry. Middle School runs the MYP across Grades 6–10 with eight subject areas taught concurrently, MYP objectives and assessment approaches, and a culminating Personal Project. High School (Grades 11–12) offers the IB Diploma Programme: students choose subjects across the six DP groups and complete the DP core (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity, Service) with a wide range of SL/HL course options. WAB's curriculum covers literacy/language and literature, language acquisition, individuals & societies, sciences, mathematics, the arts, design, PHE and school-wide social‑emotional learning, and it is informed by additional reference standards such as ACARA, CEFR and HSK while providing personalised pathways and experiential learning opportunities.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Beijing Royal School (BRES) integrates social and emotional learning into its curriculum: the IB PYP primary programme explicitly includes “Personal, Social and Emotional” learning and the school describes whole‑child, socio‑emotional aims in its PYP materials. The kindergarten programme lists an SEL (社会情感实践课程) strand as part of its teaching. Class organisation in the PYP/fusion primary department uses dual homeroom teachers (a native-speaking foreign teacher plus a bilingual Chinese teacher), which the school presents as part of supporting students' social and emotional development. BRES also runs parent workshops and reflective/cooperative learning activities tied to the PYP approach.	Social & emotional learning WAB describes SEL as an integrated part of its Student Support model, with homeroom/subject teachers as primary supporters working closely with counselors and specialist staff to develop individual plans. The Counseling Department uses a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate model addressing academic, personal, social, and global/intercultural domains across Elementary, Middle and High School. Counseling staff explicitly list social skills, relationships, and positive coping strategies among their areas of support, and the school links inclusion and belonging to improved social‑emotional outcomes. Counselors also provide resources to parents and collaborate with Learning Support and EAL teachers to support students' social integration.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school's primary (PYP) pages list an Inclusion Policy (全纳政策) and operate a ‘fusion' primary department (小学融合部), indicating an inclusion approach and personalised learning within the PYP framework. The website presents the Inclusion Policy as one of the PYP's six formal policies but does not publish, on public pages reviewed, a detailed list of specific categories of special educational needs it will support. Likewise, BRES does not describe itself on the public site as a specialist SEN institution; its materials emphasise inclusive PYP practice rather than specialist SEN provision. For specifics about assessment, provision levels, or formal SEN placement, families are directed to contact the school directly.	Special educational needs (SEN) WAB's Learning Support team provides inclusive, classroom‑based accommodations, pull‑out small‑group interventions, co‑teaching and targeted programs such as Individualized Literacy Support (ILS) and Enriched Inclusion, with progress reviewed regularly and Individual Education Plans where required. The school states it works with external specialists and coordinates on‑campus therapy (speech, language, occupational) when needed, and the Educational Psychologist supports assessment and program planning. Staff lists and roles for Learning Support are published for each school section, indicating an embedded, collaborative model rather than a segregated specialist facility. The school does not describe itself on its public pages as a specialist SEN institution; rather, it presents learning support as an integrated student support service.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language BRES publishes a Language Policy as one of its formal PYP policies and operates bilingual/immersion provision in the primary and kindergarten programmes. The primary (融合部) states it uses a dual‑teacher model in each class (a native‑speaking foreign teacher plus a bilingual Chinese teacher) and describes immersion and language support as part of daily teaching. The school's exam and testing centre also lists support for a wide range of language tests (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge suite, HSK etc.), indicating institutional capacity for language assessment and preparation. The website therefore documents structured bilingual instruction and language testing support rather than a separate labeled “EAL only” programme.	English as an additional language WAB publishes a dedicated EAL program that uses co‑planning and co‑teaching with classroom teachers and offers in‑class support, small‑group instruction, one‑to‑one assistance, and targeted Emergent and Bridging English programs for students new to English. The school assesses progress using WIDA descriptors alongside teacher observation and regular assessments, and EAL teachers are named on the site for each section. The model is described as flexible and adaptive to individual needs and aims for maximum classroom integration while providing focused language blocks as required.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing BRES publishes evidence of organised mental‑health activity: the school runs psychology/mental‑health talks and workshops (for example puberty mental‑health lectures) and reports student psychology activities led by named staff. The site describes a psychological counselling office and public events where the counselling lead (identified by name in activity reports) delivers community mental‑health education and interventions. The school also carries out routine health checks and reports follow‑up/feedback to parents as part of its health and wellbeing work. For details on day‑to‑day counselling access, referral procedures or crisis support, the website points families to the school counselling team and student services.	Mental wellbeing WAB's Counseling Department states its remit includes promoting personal well‑being, healthy relationships, and balance between academics and extracurricular life, with counselors working across personal and social domains in all school sections. The site also names an Educational Psychologist who provides psychoeducational assessment, individual and group psychotherapy, crisis management, and coordination of external therapy services on campus. The school publishes that psychological services include consultation with teachers and parenting workshops to support student mental health and home‑school partnerships. Together, these pages present a linked model of counseling and psychological services for student mental wellbeing.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding BRES lists a Child Protection Policy as one of its formal PYP policies and provides a downloadable Child Protection document on its site (Child Protection / 儿童保护政策 is presented among the school's six policies). The school additionally publishes routine health and safety measures such as annual student health checks and on‑site medical/health services. Public pages therefore show that safeguarding and child protection are formalised policies and operationalised through health screenings and pastoral structures; however the website's public pages do not replace the full policy document for legal/operational detail, so families should consult the school's Child Protection Policy PDF or contact the school for the complete safeguarding procedures.	Safeguarding WAB states it is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students and aligns its approach with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and China's Law on the Protection of Minors. The site names Mr. Todd Hutchinson as the designated safeguarding officer and provides a contact email (safeguarding@wab.edu), and it describes child‑protection screening for staff including completion of ECIS online child protection training, police background checks, a Code of Conduct, and reference checks. A downloadable safeguarding policy is linked from the page. These published statements set out the school's public safeguarding responsibilities and contact routes.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview Beijing Royal School sits on a 150‑acre campus with about 120,000 square meters of state‑of‑the‑art facilities, including a 1080‑seat auditorium with a six‑language interpretation system and a 400‑seat international conference hall. The campus is strategically located along Beijing's historic central axis north of the Olympic Village. The school operates four integrated divisions—Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, and High School—providing a continuous K–12 education. Facilities cover academic, athletic, residential, and cultural spaces and emphasize a digitally enabled learning environment with smart classrooms and laboratories. The campus includes a TOEFL/IELTS testing center and a 100‑seat Model UN‑style Council Chamber, among other specialized spaces.	Facilities overview The campus is on one site with six buildings housing Elementary, Middle and High School sections. The classrooms are flexible and purpose-built to support a variety of learning experiences. The campus includes three libraries, Design Technology Studios, Science labs, Photography, editing and recording suites, and specialist language classrooms. The grounds feature gardens and trees with Duck Lake at the center, and dining courts, cafes and lounges. The campus has a state-of-the-art indoor air filtration system.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The school features an international standard sports field with a 400m track, a Champions League‑regulation football field, and an NBA‑standard indoor basketball arena. It has a multi‑functional indoor gymnasium and an Olympic‑standard indoor swimming pool, plus a professional fitness training center. A table tennis and badminton center with Olympic‑caliber trampoline/rock climbing facilities is available, as is an Arts District with piano rooms, art studios, and dance studios.	Sports facilities The facilities support multiple sports with an indoor swimming pool, three full-size gyms, and the multi-sport Tiger L'Air dome. There is a FIFA-approved full-length football field with a track. A Vertex climbing wall and indoor basketball courts are available, along with tennis courts and a fully-equipped workout room.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Academic facilities include fully digitized smart classrooms and A‑Level standard digital laboratories for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. The modern e‑library houses 300,000 volumes. A 400‑seat TOEFL/IELTS testing center operates on campus with satellite distance‑learning classrooms. The 1080‑seat auditorium has a six‑language simultaneous interpretation system, and there is a 400‑seat international conference hall. A 100‑seat Council Chamber supports Model United Nations activities, and a distance learning recording studio enables remote instruction. Curricula include AP, A Level, IB, and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) program.	Academic facilities The campus includes three well-resourced libraries, Design Technology Studios, science labs, and photography, editing and recording suites. It features specialist classrooms for languages and learning kitchens. Music, drama and dance studios support performing arts, with three theatres on site. The six-building campus houses separate elementary, middle and high-school facilities designed to meet developmental needs.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities International cooperation partnerships with organizations such as UN Women, UNESCO, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Oxford Entrepreneurs Association, Harvard Medical School, and Duke University provide BR S students with access to nearly 100 academic competitions across 10 subject areas. A Model United Nations Conference Hall on campus supports MUN activities. Global graduate destinations include the United States (approximately 88.5% of graduates), Canada (4%), the United Kingdom (3%), and smaller shares in Germany, Switzerland, Hong Kong/China, and Australia. Notable university placements include Princeton, Yale, MIT, Stanford, UC Berkeley, Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, McGill, the University of Melbourne, and the University of Hong Kong.	Extra curricular facilities Three theatres support performances and productions. Music, drama and dance studios enable arts-based extracurriculars, while design spaces, photography/editing/recording suites support visual media clubs. The libraries and learning spaces provide resources for clubs and competitions, contributing to a wide range of extracurricular options.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Beijing Royal School (北京王府学校) was founded in 1996 and is noted as Beijing's first Sino‑foreign cooperative school. The school introduced A‑Level and AP pathways in the 2000s and later gained IB authorization in 2018. It is part of the Fazheng Group education network and has pursued international accreditations and partnerships, including WASC and NEASC/CIPASH recognitions reported in 2021–2023. The school marks milestones and public partnerships in a running timeline of events (for example, a 25th‑anniversary program in 2021).	History Western Academy of Beijing was founded on September 1, 1994 by a group of parents and teachers to provide additional schooling choices for Beijing's growing international population; it opened that day in a refurbished factory with 149 children from Nursery through Grade 6. In the early 2000s WAB moved to a purpose-built campus (August 2001) and added dedicated facilities over the next decade, including an Early Childhood Center (2002), a new Middle School (2003), the HUB (2005) and a High School (2006). WAB operates as an independent non-profit governed by an all-volunteer Board of Trustees; the board combines appointed and community‑elected members and limits any single nationality to no more than 50% of voting membership. Notable milestones in its history include an early partnership with Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots (from 1997), hosting China's first Swiss School at WAB in 2017, and a 30th‑anniversary community celebration on September 1–2, 2024.
Community	Community The school community includes students, families, alumni and international partners and regularly convenes cultural and academic events such as an International Culture Festival, the “future diplomat” (未来外交官) program and ambassador visits. Performing‑arts groups, music ensembles and dance teams present on‑ and off‑campus, and students run community and IB‑MYP service projects that engage local and regional issues. Parents are invited frequently through grade‑level meetings, open days and alumni gatherings, which bring families onto campus and connect overseas alumni with current students.	Community WAB describes a diverse international community that extends beyond students to include parents, staff and alumni; parents are organized and active in school life. Regular community and cultural activities include markets and fairs (for example the Winter Community Market and annual Fun Fair), school‑hosted events such as the dragon boat race on Duck Lake, and city‑focused Community Link activities that bring families together around local sights and culture. The school also runs parent‑focused learning sessions and makes campus facilities available to families outside school hours to support social and recreational connections.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The school operates formal parent committees (家委会) with elected roles such as a director, secretary‑general and vice‑directors; elections and a published committee charter are part of the governance process. Committee representatives meet with school leaders to discuss home–school coordination and have participated in on‑site activity reviews (for example, canteen and dormitory visits) and formal briefings. At the primary level the school describes parents as members of the school learning community and lists PTA activities including parent lectures, workshops, classroom observation and volunteer programs. School reports and interviews with parent‑committee members show parents take part in organizing open days, fundraising and educational workshops and in promoting communication between families and staff. The school also runs online and in‑person curriculum briefings and orientation sessions for parents to explain term plans, learning goals and ways families can support students.	Parent teacher association WAB's volunteer parent organisation is called Parent Link; all WAB parents and guardians are members and are invited to participate in its activities. Parent Link's stated mission is to connect, support and enrich the community and it communicates parent needs and views to school leadership. Sub‑groups and initiatives run or supported by Parent Link include Tiger Spirit Link (support for extracurricular sports and arts), Friends of the Library (book clubs, fairs and reading events), Charity Link (student‑led service collaborations) and the Parent Link shop (volunteer‑run clothing and gift sales). Parent Link organises signature events such as the annual Fun Fair, Community Market/Career Fair, Winter Community Market and Staff Appreciation Day, and also produces practical resources like the WAB Beijing Living Index to help families settle in. For questions or to get involved, Parent Link lists a contact email (parentlink@wab.edu) and encourages new volunteers.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Beijing Royal School offers AP, A Level, IB, and the OSSD Program. It provides 34 AP courses and 19 A Level courses and is designated by the College Board as an AP Demonstration School in China. The school was authorized as an IB World School in January 2018 and achieved dual accreditation from WASC and NEASC/CIPSH in October 2023. 100% of graduates are admitted to universities among the world's top 100 institutions.	Academic & intellectual Model United Nations (MUN) is a student activity in which participants explore global issues and public speaking, following United Nations procedures to tackle world challenges. The World Scholar's Cup is a global competition where teams compete in debate, writing, and subject categories, with local rounds leading to opportunities to travel abroad for advanced rounds. ACAMIS Teams Mathematical Challenge involves teams of Grade 9 and 10 racing to answer increasingly difficult math problems.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative The school has a strong visual arts program and experienced art teachers, including China's first AP Studio Art teacher and staff with study-abroad art experience and advanced degrees from leading universities. In 2017 Beijing Royal School signed a five-year partnership with MassArt to provide priority access to U.S. art education, portfolio development assistance, guidance on teaching methods, and opportunities to participate in MassArt's Summer Studios. The campus includes an arts district with piano rooms, art studios, and dance studios, and a modern library with extensive collections.	Arts & creative Choir, band, orchestra, and instrumental programs provide opportunities for vocal and instrumental performances across school sections. The instrumental program includes String Orchestra, Beginner Band, Intermediate Band, Concert Band, and Jazz Band, and students may audition to represent WAB at APAC Music Conference and the ISCMS Festival. Visual arts are offered through after-school activities and exhibitions, and drama and film programs include student productions and related opportunities.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Language of instruction is English and Chinese. The auditorium features a six-language simultaneous interpretation system and a 400-seat international conference hall, with a TOEFL/IELTS testing center and satellite distance-learning classrooms. Graduates have gained admission to prestigious universities worldwide, including institutions such as Princeton, Yale, MIT, Oxford, and Cambridge.	Cultural & language Chinese language is taught in all school sections, and Chinese language programs accommodate beginners through native speakers. China Studies trips for Grades 6–12 include week-long field experiences across different regions, with experts in Chinese culture and the arts visiting classes. Students engage in local community activities and authentic partnerships to deepen their understanding of China.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Beijing Royal School hosts a 100-seat Council Chamber for Model UN events, providing a venue for student leadership and debate. The school participates in a wide range of academic competitions and activities through its international cooperation program, engaging students across multiple subject areas. Global alumni trends reflect the school's strong university placements at top universities around the world.	Social & hobbies Elementary School After School Activities (ASA's) include WABTV, Elementary School Student Council, Stop Motion Movie Making, Physical Activities, Lego Clubs, and Reading for Pleasure. Middle and High School offer a broad range of activities and student-led clubs, including Student Council, MS STEAM Team, Inkblot, Model United Nations (MUN), ACAMIS Teams Mathematical Challenge, Yearbook Committees, and the Tiger Sports Entertainment Network (TSEN). World Scholars Cup is a competitive activity for debate and related topics.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service Global Citizenship includes CAS (Creativity, Action, Service), a core IB Diploma Programme component that integrates service with learning. CAS is the heart of the diploma, emphasizing life outside academics. Korean InfoByte is a service club that translates the WAB weekly into Korean to support the local Korean community; TBD@WAB is a community service club partnering with Springsations to assist single mothers in China.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Leadership Education is a formal part of Academic Success. The school emphasizes student-centered learning, global competency, and a fusion of Chinese and Western educational approaches to foster leadership and professional skills. Model UN participation and international collaborations offer practical leadership experiences, and graduates routinely move on to leading universities and programs worldwide.	Leadership & professional Tiger Leadership offers High School students leadership opportunities with certifications and real-world experience in areas such as event management, fitness center supervision, and lifeguarding. Coach in Training (CIT) provides a pathway to become a certified coach for Middle School teams and complete NFHS/CA coaching courses. Each school section maintains its own Student Council to voice student perspectives and contribute to school life.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing The 150-acre campus includes premium facilities such as a Grade-A dining hall with a 3,000-person capacity and premium student dormitories. There is a national standard school bus system, a faculty club and exchange center, and a comprehensive campus security surveillance system. The campus also features athletic facilities including an Olympic-standard indoor swimming pool, football field, indoor gym, and an arts district with dedicated spaces for music, art, and dance.	Lifestyle & wellbeing The WABX program provides more than 100 sporting options and 16 competitive sports for students from Senior Grade 1 to Grade 12. The athletics program participates in interschool competitions through APAC, ACAMIS, and ISAC and includes a wide sports-exchange program with other international schools. The Olympic Dream Series offers a year-round emphasis on participation, teamwork, and athletic growth.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision Beijing Royal School uses English in its international curricula and provides English-language testing for admissions and language proficiency. The campus features a 400-seat TOEFL/IELTS testing center and a 1080-seat auditorium with a six-language simultaneous interpretation system. Admissions testing includes English and an interview to assess oral English ability, and about 40% of faculty are foreign-born or hold overseas degrees, while 20% are Chinese teachers proficient in English. Cambridge Primary includes English among its core subjects.	Language provision English is the language of instruction and primary language of communication at WAB, with English as an Additional Language (EAL) support for all grade levels. Chinese is taught through a tiered program that serves students from Junior Grade 1 to Grade 12, including a China Studies program that uses Chinese for authentic purposes. From Grade 6 onward, Spanish and French are offered as curricular languages, and German is available through Swiss School Beijing up to Grade 9. The school also runs Home Language Programs for fluent speakers and a Dutch language program supported by the Dutch Ministry of Education, with access to Dutch, Swedish, Finnish, and German as Home Languages.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards - 2025 AP Capstone — “2025 AP Capstone Project China Honor School” (award to the school, reported by the school on October 28, 2025). The school's site states the College Board formally conferred this honor on the school in recognition of its AP Capstone programme implementation and outcomes. Clarification and sources: I searched the school's official website (http://www.brs.edu.cn/) for awards and recognitions between January 1, 2021 and the present. The only item presented on the school website as an award given to the school itself within that five‑year window (2021–2025) is the AP Capstone China Honor School designation cited above. Other items on the site from 2021–2025 are institutional accreditations (WASC, NEASC/CIPASH, IB authorization) or descriptions of student competition results and individual student recognitions (which you asked to exclude). If you would like, I can: 1) export the specific pages I used as sources, or 2) check for any additional awards in a different set of pages (for example, local media reports linked from the school site).	Awards All entries below are taken from WAB's public website (news and school pages) and refer to awards or recognitions given to the school or its school sections in the past five years (2021–2025). • China Schools Award (CSA) — Arts & Creativity (WAB, Mar 11, 2025): CSA judges the strength and breadth of arts provision across a school; the school's news item reports WAB won the 2025 Arts & Creativity category. • KingLead: China's Most Innovative International School (WAB, Mar 20, 2025): KingLead's annual ranking/recognition named WAB “China's Most Innovative International School” (the school's news item notes this was the fifth consecutive year of recognition). This is a sector ranking/recognition reported by WAB's news pages. • KingLead: Top‑30 / Five‑A Kindergarten recognition for WAB ECC (Jun 17, 2024): WAB's Early Childhood Center (ECC) was listed among KingLead's Top‑30 international kindergartens in China and rated as a Five‑A kindergarten in the published ranking. This recognition applies to the ECC section of the school. • China Schools Awards (CSA) — Science & Technology Award (WAB, 2024): WAB's site states the school won the 2024 CSA Science & Technology Award, which recognises integration of STEM and educational technology across a school's programmes. • China Schools Awards (CSA) — Staff Development & Wellbeing Award (WAB, 2024): WAB's site states the school won the 2024 CSA Staff Development & Wellbeing Award, which recognises schools prioritising professional growth and staff wellbeing. • China Schools Awards (CSA) — Holistic Education Award (WAB, 2023): WAB's site reports it received the 2023 Holistic Education Award, which recognises a school's commitment to emotional, social and broader developmental provision beyond academics. • ISC Research International Schools Award — Strategic Leadership (WAB, 2022): WAB's internal accreditation/strategy pages note the school was the 2022 winner in ISC Research's International Schools Award Strategic Leadership category, an external recognition tied to the school's Strategy 2022+ work. If you'd like, I can: (a) pull the individual news pages for each of the 2022–2025 awards so you have the school's full news text and dates, or (b) produce a short, dated timeline of these awards for use in a brochure or summary document.
Accreditations	Accreditations - Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) — Full 6‑year ACS WASC accreditation (February 2021). WASC accreditation is an external quality review from a U.S.-based regional accrediting body; it indicates the school meets standards for institutional integrity, program quality and continuous improvement. - New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) / CIPASH — NEASC/CIPASH international accreditation (October 2023). NEASC/CIPASH is an external quality review for international K‑12 programs administered by NEASC's China/international commission; the school website reports this as a separate international accreditation that complements WASC. - International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) — IBDP authorization (school reports IB authorization achieved in early 2018 and states it has since been authorized across IB programmes). IB authorization means the school is authorized by the IBO to offer IB diploma (and related IB programmes where authorized), confirming curriculum, teacher preparation and assessment meet IBO requirements. - Cambridge International (CIE) — Cambridge Professional Development Centre authorization (Cambridge PD Centre awarded June 22, 2016) and related Cambridge PDQ recognition (school reports earning Cambridge PDQ Diploma certification for its PD centre/teachers). These show an institutional relationship with Cambridge International for teacher professional development and recognized Cambridge PDQ qualifications. - AQA — Authorized as an AQA International A‑Level Courses Learning and Assessment Center (school reports this status from March 2016). This is an authorization by AQA to deliver/coordinate A‑Level course learning and assessment. - AP / College Board recognition — The school is listed on the site as an AP Teaching Demonstration School (College Board designation; cited on the school's course/admissions pages). That designation indicates recognition by the College Board for AP programme practice and outreach. - GAC / ACT — GAC‑ACT Approved Teaching Center (contract signing reported March 2017). This is a licensed centre arrangement to deliver the Global Assessment Certificate (GAC) pathway and associated services. - Examination/test‑center authorizations — the school's website reports several authorised on‑campus testing/designation items such as a fully‑licensed DELE (Spanish language) Examination Center (reported 2019) and a licensed TOEFL Junior Testing Center (reported 2017). These are official examination‑center qualifications that allow the school to administer those specific external tests on site. Notes on scope: the items above are taken from the school's own website and are presented as accreditations, authorizations or formal recognitions there. I grouped program/assessment centre authorizations (e.g., DELE, TOEFL Junior, AQA, GAC, Cambridge PD centre, AP designation) separately from the major institutional accreditations (WASC, NEASC/CIPASH, IBO) to make the difference in scope clear. All items are cited to the school website.	Accreditations • International Baccalaureate (PYP, MYP, DP) — WAB is an IB World School offering the full IB continuum (Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes); this means the school is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organisation to deliver those programmes. • New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC) — WAB is a NEASC‑accredited international school and is participating in the IB‑NEASC Collaborative Learning Protocol (CLP), a contemporary accreditation/evaluation pathway focused on learning impact and improvement. • Council of International Schools (CIS) — WAB is accredited by CIS and has engaged in the CIS Deep Dive pathway (Global Citizenship & Intercultural Learning) as part of its school improvement work. CIS accreditation indicates the school meets international standards for governance, teaching and student support. • Licensed in China as a “School for Children of Foreign Nationals” — WAB's campus operates under the Chinese licensing category for schools serving foreign‑national children, which is the local regulatory status that governs its operation in China. • IB Preferred Training School designation — WAB is listed on its site as one of the IB's preferred training schools, a designation meaning the school hosts and/or supports recognised IB professional learning and training.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Inquiry & first contact — Start by submitting the school's online application or contacting the admissions office to request a campus visit, counseling session or Open Day. The school's English online application form is available on the BRS website; it also lists upcoming events (campus tours, 1:1 counselling) that parents can book. Parents should note the application form asks for current school, current grade and the grade the student is applying for, so have those details ready when you start. 2. Submit an application and request a document checklist — After the online form, the admissions office will confirm next steps and the documents required for the student's year/grade. BRS does not publish one universal printable checklist for every grade on the public pages, so parents should ask admissions for the exact document list (typical items schools request include recent school reports/transcripts, passport or ID, proof of residence, and health/immunization records). Requesting the checklist early avoids delays and lets you prepare certified translations if needed. 3. Entrance assessment and interview — BRS arranges written assessments (English and mathematics are mentioned as core tests) and an interview that evaluates oral English, independent thinking and subject-level readiness; scores are used as a reference alongside the whole-application review. The school runs its own entrance examinations and schedules interviews; for some international-program pathways there may also be oral interviews or program-specific tasks. Parents should prepare the child for short subject tests and an in-person or online interview, and confirm whether a local test centre or remote option is available. 4. Program placement, pathway options and scholarship screening — Admissions places students into the appropriate division and curriculum track (kindergarten, primary, junior high, senior high with AP/A-Level/IB/OSSD tracks). Some programs (for example the Canada pathway) advertise early admissions if a student passes the school's examinations and also list merit scholarship awards for qualifying candidates; BRS also advertises “excellent new-student” and “outstanding graduate” scholarships with separate application or selection rules. Parents should clarify which curriculum track the student is being assessed for and whether any scholarship application forms or deadlines apply to their child's cohort. 5. Offer, deposit and fee schedule — If the application is successful the school issues an offer letter that will state the tuition amount, any conditional scholarships, and the deposit or payment schedule required to secure the place. BRS publishes tuition bands by division (examples: senior high ~RMB 220,000–240,000 per year depending on curriculum; junior high ~RMB 191,000 per year; primary ~RMB 119,000–155,000 per year; kindergarten by-class monthly rates). Parents should check the offer for whether the quoted amount is tuition-only (additional items such as insurance, uniform, meals, trips, exam/registration fees and refundable deposits can apply) and confirm payment deadlines and refund rules. 6. Enrollment logistics (boarding, visa and health requirements) — The school is a boarding-capable campus and recommends boarding for senior grades; junior grades can commute. Non-Beijing-resident students are accepted, and international families should ask admissions about the school's support for visa paperwork, health checks, vaccination records and weekend boarding arrangements. Confirm arrival dates, orientation schedules and whether the school requires specific medical forms or local guardianship arrangements for overseas students. 7. Transfers, late entry and ongoing communication — BRS accepts transfer/inserted students year-round subject to available places; the admissions office schedules transfer testing and will place students according to seat availability. If you are applying mid-year, ask for current seat availability in the target grade, the expected timeline for testing and results, and whether the student's prior curriculum requires bridging support. Maintain contact with the admissions or international programs office so you receive any grade-specific instructions (timetables, exam registrations, uniform lists) before your child starts.	Admissions 1. Submit an enquiry (OpenApply enquiry form). Start by submitting the online enquiry form (OpenApply) so the Admissions team has your basic family details and can set up an account for you; this lets you save progress and return to the application. Parents should use the same email address they plan to use for official communications and check spam folders for replies. 2. Complete the OpenApply application (one form per child) and upload documents. Each child needs a full OpenApply application with supporting documents (school reports, passport copies, student and parent statements, and a confidential teacher reference); check the online checklist so nothing is missed. Be prepared to pay the non-refundable application fee (listed on the school's fees page) and note that WAB requires a non-refundable portion of tuition (enrollment deposit) once a place is accepted. Parents should confirm their child's birthdate against WAB's August 31 cut-off and have scanned copies of passports and recent school reports ready. 3. Admissions review and timeframe. After you submit a complete application, the Admissions team reviews documents to understand academic background, language needs and any support requirements; the school aims to respond within a few working days but the review can take longer (for example if additional documentation or specialist reports are needed). If your child has identified learning support needs, expect the review to include follow-up with student-support staff. Parents should upload full and clearly legible documents and respond quickly to any Admissions requests to avoid delays. 4. Interview / assessment stage (if required). WAB will schedule interviews or assessments as appropriate: language assessments for students from JG1 who are not native English speakers and math placement testing for Grade 10+ applicants; other assessments or conversations may be used to check fit and to identify required support. Prepare your child by explaining the purpose of the assessment (it is to place them correctly and identify support needs, not to “pass/fail”) and bring originals of documents to any on-campus meetings. If your child needs English-language support, ask Admissions about the school's EAL arrangements before enrollment. 5. Decision, offer and enrolment paperwork. Admissions decisions are made by a committee (section leaders and support teams) and families are notified by OpenApply email; a formal offer will include invoicing instructions, deadlines and the non‑refundable enrollment amount (the tuition page lists payment deadlines and the 30,000 RMB non‑refundable portion required each year). Newly admitted families must meet the invoice payment deadline (typically within 21 calendar days for new students) and returning-student payment deadlines are published annually; review the Tuition & Fees page for proration rules (e.g., reductions for mid-year entry) and late-payment surcharges. Parents should read the Tuition & Fees Terms & Conditions carefully before accepting an offer.
Scholarships	Scholarships BRS publishes several scholarship options and program-specific merit awards. The school's public pages refer to “excellent new-student” scholarships (noting that the new-student scholarship is specifically limited to Grade 10 applicants in some program materials) and an “outstanding graduate” scholarship that can be substantial; program pages (for example the Canada pathway) list merit scholarships ranging from RMB 10,000 up to RMB 150,000 for outstanding applicants. Scholarship awards are generally merit-based and tied to either entrance examination results, academic records (including results such as Zhongkao where applicable) or other program-specific selection criteria; parents should confirm whether scholarships are one-off tuition discounts, percentage reductions, or multi-year awards and whether there are renewal conditions (minimum GPA or conduct standards). Because the school's descriptions include program-specific language and amounts, ask admissions for the current scholarship rules, the application window, required supporting documents, and the deadline for accepting an offer once a scholarship is awarded.	Scholarships WAB's public website does not advertise a general, school-wide tuition scholarship or needs-based financial-aid program for families; the official Tuition & Fees pages and Admissions materials describe fees, deposits and limited fee-related policies but do not list routine tuition scholarships. There are a few exceptions and related supports to be aware of: the Swiss School Beijing section (a WAB section) has a Tuition Fee Discount Policy for Swiss families; the school also publicises project and student grants (for example Global Citizenship / changemaker grants that fund student projects, not tuition), and staff contracts commonly include dependent tuition benefits for employees' children. If you need information about any exceptional financial support or one-off awards, contact Admissions directly (they can confirm whether any limited bursaries, discounts or staff-dependent rates apply and advise on documentation and eligibility).
Waitlist	Waitlist BRS's public materials do not describe a formal, published waitlist or central ‘pool' process; instead the school states it accepts transfer or additional students throughout the year and that final admission depends on remaining grade capacity. In practice this means that if a grade is full parents should contact the admissions office to ask whether there is a short-notice opening or whether the school keeps inquiries on file for future vacancies. For the most reliable information, parents should ask admissions whether the school will (a) place an applicant on an internal waiting list; (b) hold completed applications pending a vacancy; or (c) recommend re-applying for the next intake — the public site asks families to contact admissions directly for placement and timing details.	Waitlist WAB does use a waitlist approach when the requested grade is full. Admissions policy and the Swiss School section both note that places are offered based on availability and that later applications are more likely to be waitlisted; when a place opens, Admissions will contact waitlisted families through the OpenApply system. Your position on the waitlist depends on timing, the completeness of your application and the school's assessment of fit and support capacity, so submitting a complete application early improves your chances. OpenApply (the platform WAB uses) also supports explicit “Waitlisted” statuses and re‑application workflows, which is how WAB typically manages offers, notifications and any subsequent moves from waitlist to offer. If you're time-sensitive (for relocation or visa steps), tell Admissions your preferred timelines so they can advise on realistic likelihoods and timing.
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