Washington International School - Primary School Campus

Please ask pointed questions before you enroll you child in the lower school at WIS. We have watched the school experience high student and faculty turnover in recent years because of a myriad of serious problems. The school may state that the high turnover is primarily attributed to the school being International, but it is not. Many teachers and students leave the school as soon as they get a chance because of dissatisfaction with the school. For years parents have been unhappy with the quality of the math education, as the school seems to be more focused on math theory and less on math practice. We have also had the same experience with the math curriculum. The school preaches Internationalism, but has an abysmal record of domestic diversity, especially as it related to African-Americans. They have not have not had an African American full-time teacher in many years. The population of African American students is also extremely low; one of the lowest in all of DC. Domestic and International parents should look at some of the other excellent school options where there is a true commitment to geographic, academic, extracurricular, ethnic, and racial diversity.
--Submitted by a parent

We are finding WIS is an exceptional school overall. PK and K are full immersion. The additional space in the primary school that opened in the fall of 2011 is a tremendous asset as it all goes to enhancing programs during and after school, not to any addition of students. The school follows the IB Primary Years Program curriculum. The teachers are warm, effective, and experienced. First choice school of quite a few in the class we are familiar with. A calmer reality among the parents than some of the nearby privates. PK-12 so no need to apply again down the road. Upper school campus similar to small college in feel - lovely setting. To do later years work in two languages requires lots of work. The school helps, but students and families must engage to make the necessary progression after the immersion years. Perhaps an easier task where a parent speaks the target language. That said, appears many who stay through grade 12 have added a 3rd language.
--Submitted by a parent

We were a family there with two kids for five years until this year. While the premise of the school (Internationalism and dual language) sounds interesting, particularly in Washington, we never saw it come together in ways that overcame the inherent complexity of the endeavor. Classes are organized so half the day is in English with one teacher, and the other half in the second language (French or Spanish) with another teacher. We always were wanting to see more coordination between the two teachers on daily lessons and overall goals. Parent / Teacher conferences were never satisfying and usually exposed the lack of coordination between the "team" of teachers. Given the need to cover two languages during one day, little time is left for math, or especially sceince, where test scores are very low, and the resources teachers are notoriously weak. The leadership of the Primary School is also weak at this time. We left the school, as have many other families in recent years.
--Submitted by a parent

WIS has some good qualities, inc. a warm environment and decent facilities. However, we have not been terribly impressed with our PK teacher who does not seem terribly committed or interested in the children in ways that we've seen other teachers (both at WIS and at other schools) and we're not convinced that the teacher really has invested in the children and identified strengths and weaknesses. Overall, b/c of its language immersion program and diversity (more racial than economic), WIS is certainly better than your average DCPS but at the pre-K to elementary school level, it's perhaps not significant enough for some to warrant the large cash outlay.
--Submitted by a parent

Diversity and excellence and commitment to success, measured in a variety of ways.
--Submitted by a parent

Incredibly dynamic faculty and parent population. We are American and I can't believe how lucky my kids are to be learning in two languages with strong academics and care in the school
--Submitted by a parent