The school’s curriculum is based on the rigorous International Baccalaureate program, and WIS is the only school in the Washington area and one of only a few schools in the United States that offers the IB curricula from Pre-K through Grade 12. The program of studies emphasizes inquiry, languages, and an understanding of the development of world cultures and literature. IB Diploma results are well above the world-wide pass rate, and WIS graduates attend highly selective colleges and universities. The entire school community – alumni, parents, students, teachers, administrators and staff – are ardent advocates for international education. WIS has played a prominent role in setting a standard for a global perspective that many schools now emulate.

The school culture is highly egalitarian, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and understanding differing points of view. One third of the school’s families are American, one third international, and one third mixed American and international. Many families are partially subsidized by international organizations such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Economic diversity is a high priority at WIS; 14% of the students receive financial assistance. Washington International School offers the rigorous International Baccalaureate curriculum throughout the grades, with the PYP, MYP, and Diploma programs. Commitment to the intensive study of a second language is central, with pre-k and kindergarten classes taught entirely in French or Spanish. All instruction in grades one through five is “dual language” in English and either French, Spanish or Dutch. Chinese is offered, beginning in Grade six. Typically, a half to a third of WIS graduates earn the Bilingual IB Diploma. Upon graduation, approximately two-thirds attend American universities and one-third universities abroad.