Download - Choosing An International School In Belgium
Choosing an International School in Brussels
David WillowsDirector of External Relations, ISB
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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
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
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
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 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 ChallengedAll 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 SuccessfulAll 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 LearnerAll 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 CitizenAll 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
HappySuccessful
EthicalPrepared for the real world
Prepared for real work
The experience of international schools
ISB2010
• Student Learning Agenda•Professional Learning Agenda
•Campus Agenda•Technology Agenda
•Environmental Agenda
The experience of international schools
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 asparents.
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
Starbucks as the ‘Third Place’:
•WORK
•HOME
•STARBUCKS
In the end, it’s all about fit
Kind of like Starbucks
Kind of like Starbucks
Starbucks as the ‘Third Place’:
•WORK
•HOME
•STARBUCKS
ISB
ISB
In the end, it’s all about fit
The International School of Brussels - Kattenberg 19, 1170 Brussels. Belgium - Tel: 00 32 (2) 661 42 11 - Fax: 00 32 (2) 661 42 00
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To keep the conversation going….
David Willows PhDDirector of External RelationsInternational School of Brussels (ISB)Kattenberg 19Brussels, Belgium Telephone: +32 2 661 4223GSM: +32 485 732564Skype: davidwillowsBlog: http://davidwillows.squarespace.com www.isb.be