British International School Washington....any experiences?

[Anonymous]

We toured and actually really liked this school. DS made fast friends with his shadow and many other children there. Very welcoming atmosphere and the parents were wonderful. All willing to share how much they loved the school. Definitely liked it a lot more than WIS.

Didn’t ultimately choose it because DS is into sports and as expected in an international school sports just aren’t a thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here…If the rankings are so perception-based, and in the case of a school with little responses largely inaccurate, and if the lower ranking of the school is driven by lack of responses to surveys and not due to academic or other serious deficiencies, I prefer to maintain this lower ranking. It will keep the school truly a “hidden gem” and will continue shielding our school from the toxic culture that infests other DC private schools. I would rather keep us under the radar screen than to see kids and families from other schools pouring in. I think the school is smart in not promoting the school further.

BISW is actually not ranked much lower than WIS. I just checked on Niche. WIS is number 9, BISW 11. I think both are probably very good. You have to see what works best for your child and family.

[Anonymous]

Go see both WIS and BISW. They could not be more different. I think you'll get the answer you need. I'm hearing that WIS is a vastly improved place this year because of a campus upgrade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go see both WIS and BISW. They could not be more different. I think you'll get the answer you need. I'm hearing that WIS is a vastly improved place this year because of a campus upgrade.

I agree. I have one kid in each school. They are very different and I prefer one over the other for each of my kids. The WIS upgrades are great! I love WIS for my older child who is more outgoing and an extrovert. My younger child is more mellowed down, much more into studying and less into flashiness and trends. She does much better at BISW. I think they each have their pros and cons and fit very well different personalities. In terms of level of education, I am very happy with both.

[Anonymous]

I am not a fan of Nord Anglia, but we have been very happy with BISW. It is perhaps a “hidden gem”, in that people who are looking for prestige and amazing facilities would see it as worthless. But for people looking for good teachers, a good IB program, and a small welcoming community it can be a good option. Both my kids made lifelong friends from all over the world, and got into good schools in UK. I do know some people were disappointed by the US exmissions, but that is true for other schools too, I don’t know if that just reflects the times we are in…

[Anonymous]

Very bad school. Do not apply.

[Anonymous]

I have several children across the upper and lower WIS campuses, and the comment about a toxic, heavy bullying culture there was clearly made by someone with no actual WIS experience. One of my children has been bullied repeatedly at (and then withdrawn from!) multiple extracurricular classes and summer camps elsewhere, but absolutely never at WIS or by any other WIS child. And we've been with the school for a very long time now. That comment is simply wrong.

[Anonymous]

It’s a for-profit school. That should tell you everything you need to know.

[Anonymous]

I am looking at this school for my kid, who will be entering high school. I understand about the limited facilities, but curious to know whether they have a band and/or drama program?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a for-profit school. That should tell you everything you need to know.

Well, most non-profit schools look like for profit school at the current tuition levels.