British International School of Washington vs Washington International School - Tregaron Campus
British International School of Washington and Washington International School - Tregaron Campus are both in Washington Dc, about 2 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes, and British International School of Washington also offers IPC, British, Cambridge IGCSE and EYFS. Published annual fees are $19,700 - 47,930 at British International School of Washington and $34,315 - 56,820 at Washington International School - Tregaron Campus, which puts Washington International School - Tregaron Campus roughly 35% higher. British International School of Washington takes pupils from 2 to 18, and Washington International School - Tregaron Campus from 3 to 18. Typical class sizes are 12 at British International School of Washington and 17 at Washington International School - Tregaron Campus.
IB (DP), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Curriculum
IB (PYP), IB (DP)
Pupils
Pupils
550
Pupils
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Typical class size
Typical class size
12
Typical class size
17
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English, French, Spanish
Opened
Opened
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Opened
1966
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
British International School of Washington is located at 2001 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007, United States, in the heart of Georgetown. The entrance is on the courtyard side of the building, off Whitehaven Street, with the Wisconsin Avenue doors designated as emergency exits. The school sits at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Whitehaven Street NW and is accessible from major routes via I-495 and the Key Bridge.
Location
Two campuses in Northwest Washington, DC: the Primary School Campus (Preschool to Grade 5) at 1690 36th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007; and the Tregaron Campus (Grades 6–12) at 3100 Macomb Street NW, Washington, DC 20008.
Stages
Stages
The school serves ages 2–18 (Early Years through Secondary) in a single building that houses all year groups.
Stages
Primary School Campus (Preschool–Grade 5). Middle and Upper Schools (Grades 6–12).
School type
School type
The British International School of Washington is a premier private international school in Washington, DC and is part of the Nord Anglia Education family.
School type
not-for-profit independent day school
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
More than 70 nationalities are represented among BISW students.
Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
There is a learning support center on campus and BISW assesses learning support needs to tailor support for students.
Additional learning support
Language support in English, French, and Spanish for Grades 1–5; Learning Specialists provide strategies to address identified learning needs; After-School Supervised Study and Tutoring available for Middle and Upper Schools; Counselors provide short-term counseling and psycho-education; University Counselors provide additional support for Upper School.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
United Kingdom
Country affiliation
United States
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
—
Religious affiliation
—
School day structure
School day structure
Arrivals begin at 8:00 AM. Primary school day begins at 8:30 AM and ends at 3:20 PM. Secondary school day begins at 8:30 AM and ends at 3:40 PM.
School day structure
Primary School follows a 10-day rotating schedule; arrivals typically 8:00–8:15 a.m. with classes from 8:20 a.m. to about 3:00–3:30 p.m. Middle and Upper Schools follow an eight-day rotating schedule with five periods per day; arrivals 8:00–8:10 a.m., classes begin 8:15 a.m., with dismissal around 2:50 p.m. (Grades 6–10) or 3:45 p.m. (Grades 11–12).
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school provides a bus service to families within a reasonable distance, with morning and afternoon routes to MD, DC, and VA areas including Alexandria, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Downtown DC, DC Northwest, Falls Church, and McLean. Sign up online.
Bus service details
WIS offers two bus options: an inter-campus shuttle between the Primary School Campus and the Middle/Upper Campus (Tregaron), and a bus service between Capitol Hill/Eastern Market and the WIS campuses. Bus services are available to children five years and older, with registration by semester or full year.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application & Registration Fees
- Application Fee: USD 190 (one-time, non-refundable). - Enrollment Deposit: USD 2,000 (due each year to secure enrollment or re-enrollment; this deposit is applied as an advance tuition payment and is subtracted from a later tuition payment). - New Enrollment Fee (one-time): USD 2,700 (non-refundable; payable before the first year of enrollment). - Refundable Security Deposit: USD 1,000 (due in the first year of enrollment to the secondary school; held to cover loss or damage).
Annual tuition by year group — 2026/27 school year (USD)
- Pre-Nursery (Part Time): USD 19,700. - Pre-Nursery (Full Time): USD 33,890. - Nursery: USD 37,300. - Reception: USD 37,300. - Year 1: USD 40,070. - Year 2: USD 40,070. - Year 3: USD 40,970. - Year 4: USD 40,970. - Year 5: USD 40,970. - Year 6: USD 40,970. - Year 7: USD 45,270. - Year 8: USD 45,270. - Year 9: USD 45,270. - Year 10: USD 46,960. - Year 11: USD 46,960. - Year 12: USD 47,930. - Year 13: USD 47,930.
Per-term tuition (2026/27) — amounts shown per academic term
- The school year is organised into three academic terms (Autumn, Spring, Summer). Per-term figures below are the annual tuition divided by three to reflect term charges.
- Pre-Nursery (Part Time): USD 6,566.67 per term (USD 19,700 ÷ 3). - Pre-Nursery (Full Time): USD 11,296.67 per term (USD 33,890 ÷ 3). - Nursery: USD 12,433.33 per term (USD 37,300 ÷ 3). - Reception: USD 12,433.33 per term (USD 37,300 ÷ 3). - Year 1: USD 13,356.67 per term (USD 40,070 ÷ 3). - Year 2: USD 13,356.67 per term (USD 40,070 ÷ 3). - Year 3: USD 13,656.67 per term (USD 40,970 ÷ 3). - Year 4: USD 13,656.67 per term (USD 40,970 ÷ 3). - Year 5: USD 13,656.67 per term (USD 40,970 ÷ 3). - Year 6: USD 13,656.67 per term (USD 40,970 ÷ 3). - Year 7: USD 15,090.00 per term (USD 45,270 ÷ 3). - Year 8: USD 15,090.00 per term (USD 45,270 ÷ 3). - Year 9: USD 15,090.00 per term (USD 45,270 ÷ 3). - Year 10: USD 15,653.33 per term (USD 46,960 ÷ 3). - Year 11: USD 15,653.33 per term (USD 46,960 ÷ 3). - Year 12: USD 15,976.67 per term (USD 47,930 ÷ 3). - Year 13: USD 15,976.67 per term (USD 47,930 ÷ 3).
Billing schedule & payment terms
- The Enrollment Deposit (USD 2,000) is due each year to secure a place; it is applied as an advance tuition payment and subtracted from a future tuition payment. Mid-year enrollments are charged pro-rated tuition based on the published annual schedule. - Specific billing dates, payment deadlines and detailed payment-instruction documents are used to issue invoices and to explain how the enrollment deposit is applied. The school's 2026–27 academic calendar shows the three-term structure used for scheduling charges.
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable at this school; the British International School of Washington operates as a day school. No boarding fees are charged.
Other costs and supplementary fees
- Potential obligated supplementary fees: additional Learning Support where provision exceeds 3 hours per week. - Required supplementary costs: school uniform (cost varies by items purchased). - Optional supplementary costs (pay-as-needed): additional overnight or multi-day trips (e.g., MIT visit, Juilliard camps, Global Games, Primary Camps, World Scholars Cup, ski trips, overnight sports tournaments), IB/IGCSE retakes or remarks, SAT/ACT/SAT II or other non-compulsory assessments, school bus transportation, after-school childcare and vacation programs, externally run clubs, individual music lessons, private tutoring, and school portraits or graduation photos.
Refund information
- The Application Fee (USD 190) and the New Enrollment Fee (USD 2,700) are non-refundable. The Enrollment Deposit (USD 2,000) is applied as an advance tuition payment rather than returned in cash. A Refundable Security Deposit (USD 1,000) is held to cover potential loss or damage and is refundable subject to the school's conditions for return. Mid-year tuition is charged on a pro-rated basis for students who enroll part-way through the year.
Fee payment options
- Online Payment Portal (for tuition and incidental payments). - Wire transfer (bank transfer) instructions are provided for families who prefer to pay by bank transfer.
All amounts above are shown in USD and are for the 2026/27 academic year. Annual tuition figures are presented as published; per-term amounts are the annual tuition divided by three, consistent with the school's three-term academic calendar.
Fee details
Application fee
- New-student application fee: USD 75. A reduced application fee of USD 25 is available to families applying for financial aid. Applications and application fees are due by the published admissions deadline.
(Annual tuition covers school lunches, textbooks, most local field trips, retreats, outdoor education fees, laboratory and other science fees, tickets to school productions, a yearbook, student photographs and ID cards, workbooks, and classroom materials.)
One-time and additional mandatory charges
- International Baccalaureate (IB) service and examination fee for Grade 12 students: average approximately USD 1,100 (actual IB exam charges vary by student program). - Capital Levy (one-time, for newly enrolled students): USD 2,500 for newly enrolled Primary School students; USD 5,000 for newly enrolled Middle/Upper School students. - Incidental expenses (charged as billed) may include replacement of lost library books, recommended tutoring, and similar items.
Optional or program-specific costs
- 1:1 device program: Chromebooks provided for Grades 6–8. Upper School (Grades 9–12) students are required to bring a daily Internet-enabled device (laptops strongly suggested); families on financial aid may request assistance for device purchase. Costs for devices or outside tutors (for independent language study) are the family's responsibility. - Optional extra trips and special events (camping, long-distance class trips, ski trips, optional performances, etc.) are not covered by tuition; costs vary and are billed prior to the event.
Transport and extended-care fees (examples and billing cadence where specified)
- Intercampus shuttle annual cost: USD 600 one‑way or USD 1,200 round‑trip. Registration is completed by term (Primary School) and by semester (Middle/Upper School); fees assume daily attendance and can be prorated for fewer than five days weekly (not prorated below a per‑term basis). - Eastern Market bus annual cost: USD 2,400 one‑way or USD 4,800 round‑trip. - Primary School Early Arrival and Extended Day Care (registration completed by term): example term rates shown as follows (assume daily attendance; prorating rules apply per term): - Early Arrival / Extended Day Care — Example schedule and term rates: - Option A: Fall Term USD 1,900; Winter Term USD 1,125; Spring Term USD 1,125; Drop‑in USD 50/day. - Option B (alternative rate shown): Fall Term USD 2,500; Winter Term USD 1,485; Spring Term USD 1,600; Drop‑in USD 50/day. - Middle School After School Supervision (Grades 6–8), registration completed by semester: USD 2,380 for Semester One and USD 2,380 for Semester Two; drop‑in rate USD 50/day. Late pick‑up after 6:00 PM incurs USD 30 per quarter‑hour. - Vacation camp fees (Primary School winter/spring breaks) are typically approximately USD 650 per week (USD 130/day); optional extended care available for additional per‑day fees.
Voluntary and community fees
- Washington International School Parent Association (WISPA) voluntary fee: USD 85. This fee appears on the initial bill; families may decline by notifying Student Accounts by the published deadline.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Families choose one of these payment plans when submitting an enrollment contract (payment collection is managed through the FACTS Tuition Management platform; all families must set up a FACTS account): - Plan A — One full payment: 100% of tuition (minus the enrollment deposit credit) due on or before June 19, 2026. A 1% tuition discount applies when full payment is received by that date (this tuition discount does not apply to families on financial aid and does not apply to other fees). - Plan B — Two payments: 60% of tuition (minus the enrollment deposit credit) due on or before June 19, 2026; remaining 40% (minus the enrollment deposit credit) due on or before December 1, 2026. - Plan C — Ten monthly installments: Ten equal monthly payments (each 10% of tuition and fees) due monthly from May 15, 2026 through February 15, 2027. The enrollment deposit is credited toward the last installment. A processing surcharge of USD 200 is charged with the first installment. - The full terms and conditions of payment are set out in the enrollment contract; enrollment contracts become fully binding on the date specified in the admissions/enrollment materials. Contact information for Student Billing is provided on billing materials.
Payment methods and processing
- Tuition payments are processed through FACTS Tuition Management; every family is required to create a FACTS account for billing and payments. Payment for optional services and charitable contributions may also be accepted by credit card. Specific payment method options available in FACTS (ACH/Bank transfer, credit card, and other methods supported by the FACTS platform) are managed through the FACTS account.
Boarding
- Washington International School operates as an independent day school; boarding is not offered.
Uniform and dress costs
- There is no general school uniform requirement; some school traditions or event‑specific dress expectations exist (for example, senior class dress traditions on certain days). Families should plan for occasional event‑specific wardrobe items but a general uniform purchase is not required.
Refunds and tuition‑protection options
- The School uses an optional Tuition Refund Plan (TRP) to protect the family's tuition obligation in the event of a covered withdrawal, dismissal, or extended medical absence. The student's financial obligation to the School remains for full annual tuition as stated in the enrollment contract; the TRP, if purchased, provides insurance benefits payable to the School under the policy's terms for covered reasons. Typical TRP benefit examples include payment of a percentage of unused insured fees for medical withdrawals, non‑medical withdrawals after a required minimum attendance period, and dismissals; specific benefit percentages, exclusions, coverage effective dates, enrollment deadlines, and claim procedures are set out in the TRP policy and enrollment materials. The TRP premium cost and enrollment instructions are provided with enrollment materials; written election of the plan and premium payment are required by the plan's stated deadlines.
Other notes on charges and how amounts are billed
- Many ancillary programs and services (optional trips, camps, device purchases, outside tutor fees for independent language study, certain long‑distance trips, and some special events) are billed separately and may require advance payment prior to participation. Capital Levy and other one‑time charges for newly enrolled students are billed at enrollment. Some recurring services (bus service, early arrival/extended day care, after‑school supervision) are registered and billed by term or semester as specified. Late pick‑up and drop‑in fees apply at published rates.
Contact for billing questions
- The Student Billing office contact number is provided in billing materials for account questions and clarifications. Tuition and payment enrollment is managed through the FACTS platform.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Primary School follows the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and the National Curriculum for England (NCE). Lower Secondary follows the International Middle Years Curriculum and the English National Curriculum. IGCSE is offered in Upper Secondary (Years 10-11). The IB Diploma Programme is offered in Upper Secondary (Years 12-13). English and Mathematics are taught in alignment with the English National Curriculum.
Curriculum details
The IB Primary Years Program is the framework for the Primary School curriculum. PYP learning is organized into Units of Inquiry under six core themes and is inquiry-based, emphasizing student agency. Preschool to Kindergarten participate in Language Immersion in French or Spanish; Grades 1–5 follow a Dual Language Program of English with either English/French or English/Spanish; French as an Additional Language (FAL) and Spanish as an Additional Language (SAL) are available. The school earned LabelFrancÉducation accreditation for high-quality French bilingual education. Mandarin begins in Grade 6. In the Middle and Upper Schools, the IB Diploma Program is the university-preparatory curriculum for Grades 11–12, with six subjects (three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level), plus Theory of Knowledge, an Extended Essay, and a 60-hour Creativity-Activity-Service component; final exams are externally graded by the IB.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
IB Diploma Programme pass rate for the Class of 2025 was 97%. The average IB score was 34.9. IB subject results average 5.3. IB score range was 40–45, with 16% achieving the highest range.
Exam results
IB Diploma Program results (2025): WIS average 33; 93.7% pass rate; 71% bilingual diplomas; 5.17 average subject score; 39% of diplomas with 6s and 7s.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Offers from top universities in the UK, US, Europe, Canada, and other international locations.
Higher education progression
Graduates matriculate to universities worldwide, including Harvard University, Columbia University, Stanford University, Yale University, University of Chicago, University of Michigan, University of California Berkeley, University of Toronto, Sciences Po, Bocconi University, Trinity College Dublin, Durham University, Imperial College London, University College London, Cambridge, Oxford, and Georgetown University.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
The British International School of Washington enrolls students aged 2 to 18 in an inclusive, non-selective setting, with rigorous programs that require commitment. To join BISW, submit an inquiry, schedule a campus tour or virtual meeting, attend a taster day if offered, complete the online application, nominate teachers for evaluations if applicable, and schedule a cognitive abilities test if applicable. BISW offers rolling admissions and mid-year enrollments to streamline the process for families worldwide. Key admission dates for 2026–27 include Open House on March 11, 2026; March 25, 2026; April 1, 2026; and June 17, 2026.
Admissions
The school has two campuses: Primary School Campus for Preschool through Grade 5 at 1690 36th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007, and Tregaron Campus for Grades 6–12 at 3100 Macomb Street NW, Washington, DC 20008. Admissions are managed through the online Admissions Portal; the application fee is $75, with a reduced rate of $25 for families applying for financial aid; applications and application fees are due January 5; financial aid applications are due January 15. For Grades 1–5, testing includes English and math, with a written assessment in French or Spanish for Dual Language Program applicants; non-local applicants have their admissions tests mailed to their current schools, and Dual Language applicants also schedule a virtual language assessment. For Grades 6–12, the process includes an applicant interview, local testing in English and math, and language assessments as applicable; local applicants register for on-site visits; a Parent Questionnaire and two teacher recommendations are required; all items are due February 1. Decision notifications occur February 27, 2026; families have until March 21 to accept the offer of admission; enrollment contracts become fully binding on June 1, 2026. Fluency in French or Spanish is not required; language programs include Language Immersion in French or Spanish for Preschool–Kindergarten; a Dual Language Program English/French or English/Spanish for Grades 1–5; and French as an Additional Language and Spanish as an Additional Language for Grades 1–5.
Scholarships
Scholarships
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Scholarships
WIS offers financial aid based on need. Grants based on financial need are awarded to students whose families cannot afford tuition; about 14–15 percent of current students receive some financial aid, and aid is available to approximately 15 newly admitted students each year. Financial aid applications are processed through School and Student Services (SSS). Step One: Complete the Parent Financial Statement due January 15; Step Two: Submit supporting documentation due February 1 for new applicants and March 1 for returning; Step Three: Submit 2025 tax documentation due April 20. Newly admitted students receive grant notifications with offers in late February; returning students receive grant notifications mid-March to mid-April. The school intends to offer aid to every accepted student who demonstrates need, but funding may be limited; therefore families should apply for aid in parallel with their WIS application. See the Financial Aid brochure and guide for details.
