Washington International School - Primary School Campus

Posted: February 17, 2018

Posted: February 17, 2018

Posted: February 17, 2018

Posted: February 17, 2018

Posted: February 17, 2018

Posted: February 17, 2018

Hype, hype and more hype. Full immersion? Not so. After over 10 years of "full immersion", students are barely able to speak the language (Spanish or French). "Global" and "diverse" thanks mainly to a rotating population of expatriates. The diversity is geographic, not racial. Poor administration - problem students are not addressed and remain in the school. Families' (and students') concerns are treated according to affluence and influence. Cliquish environment, although the school writes and aims to sell a sense of community, which all false/fake. There are much better schools out there for that kind of money. You just have to get past the smoke and mirrors and then be able to get your students to switch. "WIS lifer" no more; every year for the past 11 years, things have gotten worse.

Posted: February 17, 2018

Posted: November 30, 2016

i suppose that people with negative things to say are more likely to take the time to write a review, but, I take serious issue with most of these "nay-sayers". My child came to the primary school in 1st grade in 2014. First grade is not a normal entry year and we were worried, since he was one of only two newcomers. Our worries were unfounded. The primary school is nurturing, kind, and supportive. The management has been excellent. I have never witnessed any of the negative conduct mentioned by others. The Principal is bright, greets the children and parents with enthusiasm and professionalism. My child's academic prowess is on a par with students from others schools and, just as important, he loves to go to school, day after day. This is due, in no small part, to an excellent professional and support staff, the small, personal classes and the excellent design and presentation of the curriculum. As to fundraising and disparity among parent giving levels, there has been absolutely no pressure of any kind (apart from alerts as to fundraising events) and never have we heard of repercussions from failing to make contributions. There has been absolutely no indication of this at all. The fundraising is low-key, non-intrusive, and probably on a par with all other private schools.

The result is that the students receive an amazing education, of which the bilingual aspect is an integral part and, more importantly, the students become well-rounded, mature, self-confident, and sociable.

I don't know what more you could ask for.

Posted: November 30, 2016

One example, children in the third grade who need more attention to their writing schools, have an additional professional who works with them, both in the classroom and apart from the others, in small groups. Simply outstanding.

Posted: November 30, 2016

Posted: November 30, 2016

This school takes justifiable pride in turning out children who are respectful, kind and empathetic.

Posted: November 30, 2016

By far, the high quality of teachers and the curriculum are this schools greatest assets.

Posted: November 30, 2016

Posted: September 22, 2016

Posted: September 22, 2016

Posted: September 22, 2016

Posted: September 22, 2016

Posted: September 22, 2016

Posted: September 22, 2016

My children have been lifers at WIS. The primary school has always been subpar to the Upper School, but things hit rock bottom with their appointed director as of a few years ago. The lower school principal is not only incompetent and has no idea what she is doing, but she is vulgar and classless. Her comments towards the parents are unacceptable and her lack of ability to head a school is evident to the parents. The math program does not prepare the students to face the upper school requirements, and they have no ability to sustain a child who learns differently from the A student, which leaves many parents of multiple children frustrated with having to move one of their children out of the school. Send your child somewhere else for the primary years and the to WIS for their upper school experience, which, in our case, has been stellar.

Posted: May 23, 2016

The school is a perfect combination of diverse parents, supportive students and caring teachers. We put our child in WIS with a common degree of trepidation that most parents encounter. The teachers and administrators asked us to trust them and it's been wonderful to watch. The environment truly nurtures a global attitude which cannot be duplicated by the other schools in Washington. The language immersion is only one part of the education and watching the kids interact in myriad languages is great. Lastly, issues do arise here as in any school. The administration has been very good about actively correcting issues as they arise and are very professional about it. Maybe one day I'll have something critical to say about WIS, but they've been great for the first couple of years.

Posted: May 23, 2016

Posted: May 23, 2016

The overall philosophy with regards to homework is undergoing a universal debate at the moment and WIS is no different. In the primary school the children are given homework but it's simple, quick and geared to give the children responsibility more than further their learning in any given subject.

Posted: May 23, 2016

Posted: October 18, 2015

Over half of the teachers are not American. We love the differences they bring to the school. My hats go off to the administration for developing and growing such a strong group of teachers. I know that they are both highly supported and pushed.

Posted: October 18, 2015

One of my kids finds the homework easy and just right. My other kid had the same teachers and homework, but struggled. I have learned not to judge a school too much by homework. It is one factor only and so dependent on the child. Both of my children have learned beautifully. It is different for everyone in the process, but the results are great.

Posted: October 18, 2015

This is a strength of the international baccalaureate PYP program. Primary Years Program weaves learner profile words into all aspects of learning. My child comes home talking about empathy, respect and being well balanced for example.

Posted: October 18, 2015

We have been at WIS for 12 years. The program is amazing. Not only is my child bilingual in French and English (we are American) the school is now strong in math ,which once was not a strength. Student test scores are off the charts good in math and reading. I am grateful for everything the school does and has become.

Posted: June 23, 2015

Be careful when you decide to apply. We will go through a nightmare with the admissions office and unless you are rich enough to guarantee a lot of donations will be treated with total disrespect. Kids are not pushed and teacher are most of the time not qualified

Posted: June 23, 2015

People who work at wis are totally dishonest and disrespectful and they cannot be able to teach any of these qualities

Posted: December 29, 2014

Please understand it is difficult to give details that inevitably identify the children. There are some decent people working at the school, and it is certainly not a horrible place, but parents and their offspring are treated based on their fundraising potential by an administration that only cares about money. Donate generously each year, or pledge to do so, and your child will own the school. The "poorer" kids and their parents will be treated as second class citizens... and I cannot imagine how it feel if you received a bit of financial aid. Probably a good lesson in life for our kids anyway.

Posted: October 22, 2014

WIS has been an excellent environment for my son who went to the Primary School for 6 years (K-5). We found it academically stimulating and thought the multi-disciplinary approach was really effective and made learning fun. I think it's great that they leave time for physical activity and play. His ability to speak a second language in such a natural, comfortable way and his comfort with different cultures are huge gifts--especially in this globalized world. The environment is very positive, very safe and we loved the teachers. Their after-care programs are very good, too, which helps for working parents!

Posted: October 21, 2014

We have had three children at WIS for a total of 14 years. This school is nothing short of amazing, and offers a one-of-a-kind education in this region. Our kids emerged from primary school at age 11 completely fluent in Spanish (we are an English-speaking, American family) -- an enormous asset in today's world. But beyond that, growing up at WIS, our children gained a visceral sense of what it means to solve problems in a diverse, internationally-connected community, with teachers and classmates from a variety of countries, backgrounds and perspectives. I cannot agree with the suggestion in another review that WIS Primary's math program is lacking. To the contrary, the math program, which teaches students to go deep into mathematic principles, instead of racing through to "get ahead," has prepared my daughters to study math at the highest level in the IB, a much more rigorous course than the AP Calculus offered at most other high schools. My advice to those interested in a rigorous, bilingual education that prepares kids to live in a global world and to continue their studies at the best universities in the US or abroad -- take a very close look at WIS Primary.

Posted: October 21, 2014

WIS is clearly the best school in Washington DC. We have been at the school for nine years now, and our three kids are thriving. I use the word "best", because every school has more or less the same school hours, yet in those same hours, WIS accomplishes much more as it teaches in two languages, simultaneously, everyday. As a result, our kids are fluent in Spanish, a language we do not speak at home. They get a strong foundation in primary school, all while being taught math and other basic skills and knowledge. Our kids are in upper school now, and the math foundation they received in primary school is paying off, as they are in the highest level of math offered by the IB. Other than the academics, if you want your kids to be worldly, aware and respectful of other cultures, than WIS is the place for you. The school is so diverse in its student body and faculty, that just by being exposed to so many nationalities, one learns different ways of thinking, different ways of seeing, and respecting all. WIS is unique place in Washington DC, those of us who are part of it, feel very lucky.

Posted: March 20, 2014

WIS is an incredible school. My children are growing up speaking more than one language fluently. The curriculum, teaching and facilities are amazing; and the ethos of the school, where each child is treated as a unique individual is empowering. These kids have friends from all over the world and see the world as a whole place from a very young age. We love this school.

Posted: November 21, 2013

We spent two years at WIS Lower School. The first year we thought was an adaptation year and even though we were actively involved in the school we decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. In the second year, we took a more proactive role and when several issues came up (some of these serious issues), we were appalled with the incompetence of the Principal. If you ever have to deal with the Principal, you will understand why the school is so dysfunctional!

Posted: March 26, 2012

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.

Posted: March 9, 2012

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.

Posted: October 24, 2011

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.

Posted: February 20, 2011

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.