Washington International School

Washington International School describes an inquiry-driven approach that emphasizes students asking questions, challenging assertions, and developing critical thinking—an approach reinforced across grades through the International Baccalaureate (IB) programs and Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Project Zero methodologies. It also emphasizes international-mindedness and multilingual learning (beginning with French or Spanish immersion), using language study as a key lens for understanding and appreciating different cultures and perspectives.

Washington International School (WIS) recommends starting by submitting an online Inquiry Form and attending a small-group virtual Information Session (often offered weekly September–December), after which families may be invited to an in-person tour; applications are then submitted via WIS’s online admissions portal. (wis.edu) For the 2026–2027 cycle, WIS lists key dates of January 5 (application deadline), January 15 (financial-aid deadline), February 1 (supporting forms due and visits/interviews/testing scheduled or completed), and February 27, 2026 (decision notifications). (wis.edu) Requirements vary by grade but generally include an application and fee, a parent questionnaire, and grade-appropriate components such as applicant visits, interviews (middle/upper school), admissions testing in English and math (and language assessments for certain programs), plus school/teacher recommendations and transcripts; some supplemental evaluations/recommendations are optional. (wis.edu) After notification, families typically have until March 21 to accept/decline, and enrollment contracts become fully binding on June 1, 2026. (wis.edu) WIS’s publicly available admissions pages do not spell out a waitlist policy or formal priority categories (e.g., sibling/legacy/staff), so families would need to confirm those details directly with the admissions office. (wis.edu)