Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) is one of the capital's established international schools and among the first to adopt the full International Baccalaureate continuum. The school operates across the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and IB Diploma, giving it a consistent pedagogical thread from nursery through to university preparation.

WAB's campus in the Lido area of Chaoyang was substantially rebuilt in the 2010s and now offers a modern facilities package: specialist science labs, a performing arts centre, sports fields, and a 25-metre pool. Class sizes across primary and secondary are capped to maintain small-group teaching.

Admission is restricted to children holding foreign passports; Chinese nationals — including those with dual citizenship — are not eligible under Chinese regulations governing international schools. Applicants typically submit academic records, teacher references, and attend a placement assessment. English is the primary language of instruction; Mandarin is taught at all year levels, with mother-tongue language support available in some programmes.

The school has a large and active parent community drawn from the diplomatic and multinational corporate communities based in Chaoyang, Shunyi, and the embassy districts. IB Diploma results are published annually and have consistently placed above global averages.