World Academy of Tirana, an Orbital Education School

What World Academy of Tirana, an Orbital Education School does

World Academy of Tirana (WAT) is a private international school operating in Tirana, Albania under the legal entity Montessori Albania Sh. p.k. Founded in 2010 and operational since 2013, WAT is the first authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) World School in Albania and the country's only IB Continuum school, delivering the full Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Pre-Diploma Programme (Pre-DP), and Diploma Programme (DP). The school serves students from ages 5–18, drawn from an estimated 38+ nationalities, primarily expatriate families in Albania and local Albanian families seeking international credentials for university admission abroad. Instruction is delivered in English with EAL support.

The school's core product is the IB continuum itself — a curriculum platform authorized and quality-controlled by the International Baccalaureate Organization — supported by a purpose-built 4,700+ m² campus in the Lunder suburb of Tirana with over 40 classrooms, science labs, art studios, libraries, and specialist athletic and performance facilities. Complementary revenue streams include a summer camp (120 EUR/week), fee-based extracurricular clubs (Karate at 70 EUR/month, Film Making & Acting at 100 EUR/month), and partial scholarships that modestly depress tuition capture. WAT joined Orbital Education Group in June 2023, a UK-headquartered international schools operator with presence across Europe, Qatar, China, Mexico, and Ecuador, providing governance, IT, and operational support. Go-to-market is event-driven and sales-led, leveraging open days, school tours, virtual campus tours, a self-serve online admissions portal, community events (International Night, Community Playdates), and an outbound newsletter.

WAT employs 71 staff and tracks student outcomes against IB benchmarks: 2025 cohort averaged 33 points on the IB Diploma versus a global average of 30.6, with an 83% pass rate (global: 81.3%), MYP Personal Project average grade of 4.52 versus worldwide 3.94, and a 2024 graduate achieving a perfect 45 placing in the top 1% globally. University placements have included Yale, University of Geneva, University of Vienna, and University of Bristol. Recent strategic emphasis has shifted toward thought leadership in AI in education, including an international conference scheduled for June 2026 at Rogner Hotel Tirana.

Name

World Academy of Tirana, an Orbital Education School

Legal name

Montessori Albania Sh. p.k

Website

https://wat.al

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

World Academy of Tirana is the first IB Continuum World School in Albania, delivering PYP, MYP, Pre-DP, and IB Diploma programmes to approximately 300-500 expatriate and local students from 38+ nationalities on a purpose-built campus in Tirana, operating under Orbital Education Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Baccalaureate Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Curriculum Early Learning Academies (e.g., IB Early Years) (EDACADAK), Overseas Summer School Programs (Secondary) (EDAIAHAC)

Keywords

• International baccalaureate education
• IB world school
• IB diploma programme
• Primary secondary education
• University preparation courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Tirana

HQ country

Albania

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Primary revenue stream from tuition fees for IB programs (PYP, MYP, Pre-DP, DP) covering KG to Grade 12 education
2. Summer Camp Programs: Seasonal summer camp offering for KG to Grade 2 students (ages 6-8) running June 24 - July 26 at 120 EUR per week
3. Extracurricular Activities: Fee-based extracurricular programs including Karate Club (70 EUR/month) and Film Making & Acting Classes (100 EUR/month)
4. Scholarships: Partial scholarships offered to existing students and applicants in MYP 5 and DP 1, representing commitment to accessibility while reducing potential revenue

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

World Academy of Tirana (WAT) is the first authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) World School in Albania, delivering the complete IB Continuum (Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, Pre-Diploma Programme, and Diploma Programme) for students from Kindergarten through Grade 12. The school provides English-medium instruction with EAL support from a 4,700+ m2 purpose-built campus in Tirana, alongside a portfolio of extracurricular activities (Athletics, MUN, Karate-do, Film Making, Debate Club) and a seasonal Summer Camp.

Product overview

World Academy of Tirana offers a comprehensive IB education through its authorized PYP, MYP, and Diploma Programme (DP) continuum, complemented by Albania's first Pre-Diploma Programme for Grade 10 students transitioning into the IB. The school provides a portfolio of extracurricular activities including Athletics, Model United Nations, Film Making (Catalyst Story Institute), Karate-do Club, and Debate Club, alongside seasonal offerings like Summer Camp. The educational offering is unified under the IB framework, with programs structured to progress students from ages 5-18 through inquiry-based learning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Primary Years Programme (PYP) IB-authorized programme for ages 5-11 (Primary), offering structured inquiry-based learning through six transdisciplinary themes, developing globally-minded students with IB Learner Profile attributes. English-medium instruction with EAL support.
• Middle Years Programme (MYP) IB-authorized programme for grades 6-10, covering Language Arts, Individuals and Societies, Mathematics, Integrated Science, French, Albanian, Personal and Health Education, Drama, Art and Design.
• Diploma Programme (DP) Two-year academically rigorous IB programme for grades 11-12 (ages 16-18), including six subject areas, Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and CAS requirements, with a maximum score of 45 points.
• Pre-Diploma Programme Albania's first IB Pre-DP foundational year at Grade 10 level, designed to bridge students transitioning into the IB Diploma Programme through academic alignment, skill mastery, and personalized support.
• WAT Athletics Program Competitive athletics programme featuring football, basketball, and volleyball across three levels (upper PYP grades 3-5, lower MYP grades 6-8, and senior level grades 9-12), competing in TAIS league.
• Film Making & Acting Classes (Catalyst Story Institute) Youth filmmaking and acting afterschool programme offered in partnership with USA-based Catalyst Story Institute, supported by the US Embassy in Albania. Students learn acting, writing, directing, editing, and cinematography at 100 EUR per month.
• Karate-do Club Martial arts club taught by Mr. Takeshi Sasagawa from Japan with over 40 years of teaching experience, held twice weekly from 3:15 to 4:00 PM at 70 EUR per month, with the aim of participating in the European Karate Championship.
• Model United Nations (MUN) Annual international diplomacy simulation programme bringing together students from Orbital Education schools globally, developing leadership, negotiation, and public speaking skills through structured debate on global issues.
• Summer Camp Annual summer programme for ages 6-8 (Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2) featuring activities led by WAT teachers, offered weekly from June through July at 120 EUR per week, including meals.
• Debate Club Platform for nurturing critical thinking, communication skills, and global-mindedness through structured debates on international issues.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average IB Diploma score of 33 points vs world average of 30.6 points
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Orbital Education MUN Conference 2025 (Multi-School)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2025Annual MUN conference in Bled, Slovenia (Feb 3-5, 2025) bringing together students from four Orbital Education schools to debate global issues including AI in warfare, nuclear energy, immigration, and animal testing.
• Orbital Education GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWAT joined Orbital Education Group in June 2023, becoming part of a network of internationally acclaimed schools. Orbital Education provides UK expertise and support for continued excellence, including governance, IT services, and operational management. Karl Wilkinson serves as Regional Head of Schools.
• British International School of LjubljanaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister school within Orbital Education Group participating in collaborative events including Model United Nations conferences. Students from both schools engage in joint MUN conferences in Bled, Slovenia.
• Britannica International School BudapestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrbital Education sister school participating in Model United Nations conferences and Week Without Walls programs. Students engage in cultural exchange and collaborative learning experiences.
• Baleares International College MallorcaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrbital Education sister school participating in collaborative MUN conferences and international events across the group.
• Catalyst Story InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSA-based institute partnering with WAT MediaClub to offer exclusive youth filmmaking and acting classes as an afterschool program. Supported by the US Embassy in Albania. Instructors have experience at HBO, Netflix, Warner Brothers.
• Sønderborg Stats Skole (Denmark)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDanish secondary school engaging in cultural exchange with WAT DP1 students, providing exposure to Danish culture and perspectives.
• Ministry of Education of AlbaniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWAT's Director of Education Michael Clack extended expertise to Albania's Ministry of Education to enhance national policies on safeguarding and youth mental health.
• British Embassy AlbaniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWAT is a proud sponsor of the annual King's Birthday Party organized by the British Embassy in Tirana, celebrating diplomatic relations between the UK and Albania.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Albanian International School (AIS): International school in Tirana offering Cambridge/IB-aligned curriculum. Competes for the same expatriate and affluent local families seeking international education pathways in Albania.
• International School of Tirana (UST): International school in Tirana offering US-style and international curriculum. Serves similar expatriate and local families seeking premium international education credentials in Albania.
• British International School of Tirana: Another international school in Tirana offering British/international curriculum to expatriate and local families. Directly competes with WAT for the same addressable market of premium international education in Albania.
• Britannica International School Budapest: Orbital Education Group sister school in Budapest offering IB curriculum. Direct peer through same parent company and shared programming.
• Baleares International College Mallorca: Orbital Education Group sister school in Mallorca offering international curriculum. Comparable as Orbital network peer with shared programs and group governance.
• British International School of Ljubljana: Orbital Education Group sister school in Ljubljana offering international curriculum. Direct peer through shared ownership and group-wide MUN and exchange programs.

Others

• International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO): Curriculum oversight body that authorizes IB World Schools globally. WAT operates as an authorized IB World School, making IBO the framework provider and accreditation body that governs the school's core curriculum.

Regional players

• American International School of Budapest: Premium international school in Budapest offering IB curriculum. Comparable as a Central European international school with similar target market and educational program.
• International School of Bucharest: Major international school in Romania offering IB curriculum. Comparable as a Southeastern European international school serving expat and local families with similar business model.
• German International School Tirana: German-international school in Tirana offering German curriculum and international programs. Comparable as a competing international school in Albania targeting expatriate families.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCjqtXfVO5ol5sA40yc6Myuw
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/worldacademyoftirana_wat
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/world-academy-of-tirana

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about World Academy of Tirana, an Orbital Education School