Walworth Barbour American International School

Walworth Barbour American International School
Walworth Barbour American International School in Israel (WBAIS)
Walworth Barbour American International School in Israel (WBAIS)
Address
Map
65 Hashomron Street

Even Yehuda
,
Merkaz

Israel
Coordinates32°15′53″N 34°52′39″E / 32.26476345°N 34.87752025°E / 32.26476345; 34.87752025
Information
School typePrivate International
Established1958
StatusOperating
PrincipalDr. Devin Pratt
GradesPK3-12
Average class size≈14
Color(s)Blue and White
MascotFalcon
WebsiteWBAIS

The Walworth Barbour American International School in Israel (WBAIS) is an independent, American-curriculum, English-language school. It is composed of a campus with a preschool, elementary, middle, and high school (PK3-12) in Even Yehuda; and the Jerusalem American International School (pre-school through 12th grade).[1]

WBAIS is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools. It is the only primary and secondary school in Israel accredited in the United States. It is the largest school in the country that caters to the diplomatic and international community.[2]

WBAIS was established in 1958[1] under the auspices of the United States Embassy[3] and is named after former Ambassador Walworth Barbour, who represented the United States in Israel from 1961 to 1973.[4]

The original 19-dunam (4.75-acre) campus in Kfar Shmaryahu was sold for $21 million in 2005 to real estate developers who planned to build private homes on the site.[5] The school was relocated to a new facility on a 73-dunam (19-acre) plot in Even Yehuda in 2007, after 49 years at the Kfar Shmaryahu campus.[6] As of 2007, enrollment is about 600 students, most of whom live in the Herzliya Pituah area, closer to the original campus.[2][6]

  1. ^ a b "Israel, Tel Aviv: Walworth Barbour American International School in Israel, Inc.", U.S. Department of State accessed June 5, 2011.
  2. ^ a b Charlotte Hallé (June 8, 2007). "American School Finally Graduates to Upgraded Even Yehuda Campus". Haaretz.
  3. ^ [1], The Walworth Barbour American International School in Israel, August 12, 2008, accessed June 5, 2011.
  4. ^ "Walworth Barbour", U.S. Department of State accessed June 5, 2011.
  5. ^ Arik Mirovsky (July 29, 2005). "American School Sells Old Kfar Shmaryahu Site for $21 Million to Investors Who Plan Private Homes". Haaretz.
  6. ^ a b Daphna Berman (September 21, 2007). "Excitement, and Longer Commutes, as the American International School Settles Into Its New Home". Haaretz.