Choosing an International School in Brussels David Willows Director of External Relations, ISB www.isb.be

www.isb.be The event

Telling the story of my school And helping people find their place in that story

What do we all want for our children ?

What do we all want for our children? Will my child be safe? Will my child be happy? Will my child learn anything? Will my child fit in? Will my child transfer on effectively to the next stage?

What do we all want for our children? Will my child be safe? Will my child be happy? Will my child learn anything? Will my child fit in? Will my child transfer on effectively to the next stage? Happy Ethical Successful

What motivates people? What do we already know Colleagues in Brussels 36% Website 31% Employer 9% Colleagues at home 8% Relocation agents 7% Expatriate forums 5% Books/magazines 3% Adverts 1%

What motivates people? What do we already know Two types of people: Word of mouth 65% Word of web 31%

What influences people? What do we already know Academics 23% Other students / families 4% Campus 13% Tuition fees 4% Campus visit / tour 11% Athletics 3% Conversations with teachers and staff 10% Available space 3% Location 9% Website 1% Learning support 7% Brochures 0% Values 7% Extra curricular 5%

The business of international schools Business is booming! More than 1000 international schools worldwide 6% increase in these schools each year Now represents a $4 billion industry Since 2001, international schools around the world have experienced unprecedented growth , particularly in Asia

Business is booming!

More than 1000 international schools worldwide

6% increase in these schools each year

Now represents a $4 billion industry

Since 2001, international schools around the world have experienced unprecedented growth , particularly in Asia

The business of international schools Business is business Quality assurance : Accredited Schools (eg CIS) Profit making? Many not-for-profit, managed by volunteer Boards Balancing the books : Costs are high, so the fees are high Market competition : recruiting students and teachers

Business is business

Quality assurance : Accredited Schools (eg CIS)

Profit making? Many not-for-profit, managed by volunteer Boards

Balancing the books : Costs are high, so the fees are high

Market competition : recruiting students and teachers

The business of international schools Whom do we serve? ISB as an example… 1500 students, from 70 nationalities , aged 2 ½ - 19 years 24% US expatriates , compared with 42% ten years ago 10% Belgian and 10% Dutch , representing 2rd and 3rd largest community groups Characterized by diversity – cultural, linguistic, ways of learning… 26% turnover each year

Whom do we serve? ISB as an example…

1500 students, from 70 nationalities , aged 2 ½ - 19 years

24% US expatriates , compared with 42% ten years ago

10% Belgian and 10% Dutch , representing 2rd and 3rd largest community groups

Characterized by diversity – cultural, linguistic, ways of learning…

26% turnover each year

The business of international schools The business of learning International Curricula : IB Diploma, AP International Diploma Access to top universities : >95% go on to top univerisities Academics, Arts, Athletics : opportunities to learn and be successful, both inside and outside the classroom Access: Learning support, ESL, Technology…

The business of learning

International Curricula : IB Diploma, AP International Diploma

Access to top universities : >95% go on to top univerisities

Academics, Arts, Athletics : opportunities to learn and be successful, both inside and outside the classroom

Access: Learning support, ESL, Technology…

The experience of international schools

ISB offers a rich, balanced programme of academics, arts, sports and service, designed as a coherent learning continuum, Nursery through Grade 12/13. This programme of learning provides a unique ISB experience through which: The experience of international schools

Everyone Included All learners’ needs are supported, their perspectives sought and respected and their qualities valued and nurtured. ISB offers a rich, balanced programme of academics, arts, sports and service, designed as a coherent learning continuum, Nursery through Grade 12/13. This programme of learning provides a unique ISB experience through which: The experience of international schools

Everyone Challenged All learners make annual learning progress through the achievement of specific, appropriate learning targets. ISB offers a rich, balanced programme of academics, arts, sports and service, designed as a coherent learning continuum, Nursery through Grade 12/13. This programme of learning provides a unique ISB experience through which: The experience of international schools

Everyone Successful All learners have multiple opportunities to succeed and to secure their best future. ISB offers a rich, balanced programme of academics, arts, sports and service, designed as a coherent learning continuum, Nursery through Grade 12/13. This programme of learning provides a unique ISB experience through which: The experience of international schools

Independent Learner All learners are able to explain what they are learning and why, to reflect on their own learning and plan their next steps and to apply what they have learned in a variety of situations. ISB offers a rich, balanced programme of academics, arts, sports and service, designed as a coherent learning continuum, Nursery through Grade 12/13. This programme of learning provides a unique ISB experience through which: The experience of international schools

International Citizen All learners develop a personal code of ethics, respect for diversity of opinion and culture, competency in communications, collaboration and conflict resolution, an empathy for others, an age-appropriate understanding of global issues and a disposition towards positive community participation . ISB offers a rich, balanced programme of academics, arts, sports and service, designed as a coherent learning continuum, Nursery through Grade 12/13. This programme of learning provides a unique ISB experience through which: The experience of international schools

Happy Successful Ethical Prepared for the real world Prepared for real work The experience of international schools

ISB 2010 Student Learning Agenda Professional Learning Agenda Campus Agenda Technology Agenda Environmental Agenda The experience of international schools

ISB 2010

Student Learning Agenda

Professional Learning Agenda

Campus Agenda

Technology Agenda

Environmental Agenda

The experience of international schools ISB High School Student, The Experience of International Education , Newsweek 2008

In the end, it’s all about fit Choosing the right school for your child, on top of everything else, is one of the most important decisions you will make as parents. But what should you look for in a school?

Families, companies and organisations purchase international school education in just the same way as they buy a new Luxury BMW, iPod or pair of Chanel sunglasses. In the end, it’s all about fit

Costs vary: from 16000-28000 euros per year Often companies are paying as part of an expatriate package. Some schools will offer financial aid. In the end, it’s all about fit

Costs vary: from 16000-28000 euros per year

Often companies are paying as part of an expatriate package.

Some schools will offer financial aid.

Starbucks as the ‘Third Place’: WORK HOME STARBUCKS In the end, it’s all about fit Kind of like Starbucks

Starbucks as the ‘Third Place’:

WORK

HOME

STARBUCKS

Kind of like Starbucks Starbucks as the ‘Third Place’: WORK HOME STARBUCKS ISB ISB In the end, it’s all about fit

Starbucks as the ‘Third Place’:

WORK

HOME

STARBUCKS

To keep the conversation going…. David Willows PhD Director of External Relations International School of Brussels (ISB) Kattenberg 19 Brussels, Belgium  Telephone: +32 2 661 4223 GSM: +32 485 732564 Skype: davidwillows Blog: http://davidwillows.squarespace.com  www.isb.be The International School of Brussels - Kattenberg 19, 1170 Brussels. Belgium - Tel: 00 32 (2) 661 42 11 - Fax: 00 32 (2) 661 42 00 www.isb.be