History

Since 2004, heads from schools in China and leading partners in education from around the world discussed ways to develop enhanced understanding and cooperation between schools. From these discussions grew the desire to create a formal association of selected leading schools, part of them from China and part of them from the West. The World Leading Schools Association was established in 2011 at the 5th World Leading Schools' Forum, which would eventually become the WLSA Global Educators Conference. 

WLSA Founding Members
Eton College
Harvard-Westlake
CHEER Foundation
Groton School
Geelong Grammar School
High School Affiliated to Fudan University
Beijing No. 4

WLSA has a rich history hosting events that bring together leading experts in the field of education to promote cooperation, academic exchange, discussion and research of innovative and stimulating educational topics. School heads, senior faculty, admissions officials, college counselors, students and others working in the field of education from secondary schools, universities and independent educational organizations have worked together at our conferences to support cultural awareness and understanding and to encourage meaningful, long-term collaborative activities across continents.   

Prior to the launch of WLSA at the 5th World Leading Schools Forum, New York, July 2011, International Forums of Leading Schools were hosted by the CHEER Foundation. These conferences were designed to act as a platform to support the world's leading head teachers in increasing international communication and co-operation between China and the West. These events appear on the timeline below.

Past Events
2015
March 3

2015 East to West Exchange at Marlborough College (GB)

2015 East to West Exchange at Marlborough College (GB)
March 3

2015 East to West Exchange at Oakham School (GB)

2015 East to West Exchange at Oakham School (GB)
February 24

2015 East to West Exchange at Appleby College (CA)

2015 East to West Exchange at Appleby College (CA)
February 23

2015 East to West Exchange at Lovett School (US)

2015 East to West Exchange at Lovett School (US)
February 13

2015 East to West Exchange at Westminster School (GB)

2015 East to West Exchange at Westminster School (GB)
2014
October 27

2014 College Board Forum Reception

2014 College Board Forum Reception
The College Board Forum Reception  took place in Shanghai (CN) on October 27 2014.
July 21

WLSA Student Conference 2014 at Harvard-Westlake (US)

WLSA Student Conference 2014 at Harvard-Westlake (US)
June 25

2014 MBA and Norfolk Academy Teacher Training

2014 MBA and Norfolk Academy Teacher Training
June 15

2014 Admission Conference (CN)

2014 Admission Conference (CN)
March 21

2014 East to West Exchange at Eton College (GB)

2014 East to West Exchange at Eton College (GB)
March 5

2014 East to West Exchange at Ridley College (CA)

2014 East to West Exchange at Ridley College (CA)
February 27

2014 East to West Exchange at Westville Boys’ High School (ZA)

2014 East to West Exchange at Westville Boys’ High School (ZA)
February 25

2014 East to West Exchange at Cranbrook Schools (US)

2014 East to West Exchange at Cranbrook Schools (US)
February 25

2014 East to West Exchange at Hackley School (US)

2014 East to West Exchange at Hackley School (US)
February 25

2014 East to West Exchange at Lovett School (US)

2014 East to West Exchange at Lovett School (US)
February 21

2014 East to West Exchange at Marlborough College (GB)

2014 East to West Exchange at Marlborough College (GB)
February 13

2014 East to West Exchange at Groton School (US)

2014 East to West Exchange at Groton School (US)
2013
October 21

2013 Leading Schools Conference

2013 Leading Schools Conference
The 2013 WLSA Leading Schools Conference with the theme “Developing 21st Century Students: Sharing Best Practices from the East and West” was held at Yale University in New Haven (US) between 21 – 23 October 2013.
September 13

2013 Admission Counselor Conference and Fairs

2013 Admission Counselor Conference and Fairs
The 2013 Admission Counselor Conference and Fairs were held in Beijing and Shanghai China between 13 – 15 September 2013.
July 1

2013 WLSA Student Conference

2013 WLSA Student Conference
The 2013 WLSA Student Conference with the theme “Education for the 21st Century” was held in Shanghai, China between 1 – 3 July 2013.
2012
July 3

WLSA International Symposium

WLSA International Symposium
The WLSA International Symposium was held at the Fudan University Campus in Shanghai, China between 4 – 6 July 2012.  
2011
July 17

WLSA Established

WLSA Established
WLSA was established in 2011 at the 5th World Leading Schools’ Forum in New York.
2009
April 4

4th Sino-International Schools Forum

4th Sino-International Schools Forum
The 4th Sino-International Schools Forum was held in Xi’an, China between 4 – 6 April 2009 and hosted by CHEER.    
2007
October 24

3rd Sino-International Schools Forum

3rd Sino-International Schools Forum
The 3rd Sino-International Schools Forum was held in Beijing, China between 24 – 26 October 2007 and hosted by CHEER.
2006
April 1

2nd Sino-International Schools Forum

2nd Sino-International Schools Forum
The 2nd Sino-International Schools Forum was held in London, United Kingdom 1 – 4 April 2006 and hosted by CHEER.