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?


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?


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?


Two types of people:

Word of mouth 65%

Word of web 31%

What influences people?


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 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


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 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

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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:


Everyone Included All learners’ needs are supported, their perspectives sought and respected and their qualities valued and nurtured.



Everyone ChallengedAll learners make annual learning progress through the achievement of specific, appropriate learning targets.



Everyone SuccessfulAll learners have multiple opportunities to succeed and to secure their best future.



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.



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.



HappySuccessful

EthicalPrepared for the real world

Prepared for real work


ISB2010

• Student Learning Agenda•Professional Learning Agenda

•Campus Agenda•Technology Agenda

•Environmental Agenda



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.


• 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


Kind of like Starbucks

Kind of like Starbucks

Starbucks as the ‘Third Place’:

•WORK

•HOME

•STARBUCKS

ISB

ISB


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