Finance in the International School [Operated jointly with the PTC]

The PTC and the BTC jointly offer this course on International School Finance. Formerly offered only as a seven day course through PTC sessions, this course is now offered through the BTC, with a five day format.

The course will be helpful to practicing and aspiring principals, school heads, beginning business managers and any others  who need a basic grounding in international school finance.  A more advanced course, directed at more experienced business managers and school heads, will be added to course offerings in 2011. 

Keeping an international school true to its mission and financially viable is becoming increasingly challenging. This unique climate in which international schools operate demands an equally unique set of leadership skills. Through a series of case studies and common financial scenarios in international schools, this course will focus on practical skills and understandings including:

• How to keep learning at the center of financial decisions
• How to distinguish between board and administrative responsibilities with regard to finance
• How to put in practices which ensure that financial decisions follow what is best for students
• Basic accounting principles in the international arena
• Best practices in budgeting, monitoring and control
• Long range financial planning, with student learning as the centerpiece
• Key financed-related personnel policies, including performance pay
• Basic use of spreadsheets as a key tool

Participants are required to bring a laptop computer to this course. Please ensure you have the proper power adaptors.

For business managers, principals, school heads, and other school leaders.

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Marketing the International School

The global economic situation is dramatically altering the way we do business in the international school. Most schools are no longer the 'only game in town' and cannot rely on past experience to predict enrollment, demographics, nor the climate for giving. This course prepares participants to better address these issues through developing a strategic marketing and/or development plan, including goals, metrics, and strategies.

Participants will also learn:

• to research and apply data for a strategic marketing plan
• how families evaluate and select international schools
• how highly successful admissions offices attract and enroll students who are the right match
• to improve the conversion rate from interested families to enrollment
• strategies to build word-of-mouth and your school's brand
• how to conduct a "Message audit' and ensure there is consistent message characterizing the school
• to determine a school's competitive advantage
• how to apply the seven steps in acquiring a gift and how to conduct 'The Ask'
• to build and nurture relationships with the right corporate and community leaders, organizations, networks, to achieve your school's financial goals
• to understand donors expectations and common mistakes in fundraising
• to evaluate the power and effectiveness of the school website as a marketing and 'giving' tool