ISS & SISU Schools
School models and operating experience for what comes next.
ISS has decades of experience helping international schools start, grow, operate, and strengthen their work. Through ISS-supported schools and the SISU Schools® model, school owners, boards, and leadership teams can explore proven approaches to school development, management, and long-term success.
Whether you are opening a new school, building a regional network, exploring a pre-developed school model, or looking for experienced operational support, ISS helps bring the planning, people, systems, and expertise together.
Where Would You Like to Begin?
Choose the path that best matches your school project, operating need, or stage of exploration.
Explanation of Services
Explore ISS Schools Around the World
See examples of international schools connected to ISS operations, management, and school development experience.
See examples of international schools connected to ISS operations, management, and school development experience.
Learn About SISU Schools®
Explore a structured school model built around Finnish and American educational principles, standardized plans, and launch support.
Explore a structured school model built around Finnish and American educational principles, standardized plans, and launch support.
Start a New School
Connect with ISS support for feasibility, planning, academic model design, staffing, operations, procurement, and launch readiness.
Connect with ISS support for feasibility, planning, academic model design, staffing, operations, procurement, and launch readiness.
Manage or Strengthen a School System
Explore how ISS can support school operations, regional systems, governance, finance, staffing, and long-term performance.
Explore how ISS can support school operations, regional systems, governance, finance, staffing, and long-term performance.
Talk with ISS
Start a conversation about whether ISS support, SISU Schools®, or a customized school development pathway is the right fit.
Start a conversation about whether ISS support, SISU Schools®, or a customized school development pathway is the right fit.
Pathways to School Launch and Growth
Explore Models
Clarify Priorities
Build the Plan
Launch and Operate
Grow with Support
ISS Experience in Action
Opening, operating, and sustaining an international school requires more than a strong idea. It takes academic clarity, operational discipline, leadership capacity, staffing strategy, procurement planning, financial infrastructure, community trust, and long-term adaptability.
ISS brings these elements together through its work with schools around the world. This page should show prospective owners, boards, and school leaders that ISS understands what it takes to move from concept to operation – and from operation to ongoing school improvement.
ISS Schools Around the World
Ambatovy International School
Toamasina, Madagascar
Cayman International School
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Dalian American International School
Dalian, China
Dar Essalam American School
Rabat, Morocco
International School Dhaka
Dhaka, Bangladesh
International School of Aruba
Oranjestad, Aruba
Luxelakes Cloudland International Kindergarten
Chengdu, China
Mt. Zaagkam International School
West Papua, Indonesia
Nansha College Preparatory Academy
Guangzhou, China
Shekou International School
Shekou-Shenzhen, China
SISU School Cancún
Cancún, Mexico
SISU School Macau, Generations International School
Macau, China
SISU School Punta Cana
Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic
SISU School Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Yangon International School
Yangon, Myanmar
GTIIT Affiliated International School
Shantou, China
The Support Behind the Schools
School Start-Up Planning
Support feasibility, model design, launch planning, governance, staffing, operations, and readiness from early exploration through opening.
Leadership and Recruitment
Build the team needed to open and sustain a school, including school leaders, educators, and operational staff.
Professional Learning
Support teachers, leaders, support staff, and operational teams with practical learning through ISS EDUlearn® and school-wide Passport options.
Procurement and Logistics
Coordinate school supplies, furniture, technology, learning materials, and large project orders through ISS Supply Marketplace and procurement support.
Finance and Foundation Operations
Access U.S.-based financial and administrative infrastructure when schools benefit from foundation management, U.S. dollar transactions, grants, donations, payroll, or related support.
Advisory and Operations Services
Strengthen governance, enrollment, operations, strategy, academic programs, and long-term performance with sector-specific guidance for international schools.
Explore Related Start a New School Pathways
Getting Started
For owners, investors, or organizations at the early stage of exploring whether a school project is viable.
Managing Regional Systems
For organizations building or operating multiple schools that need aligned systems, shared standards, leadership capacity, and operational consistency.
Taking Your Idea to the Finish Line
For projects that are ready to move from concept and planning into launch readiness, staffing, procurement, operations, and opening.
Recommended Links: /for-schools/start-a-new-school/getting-started | /for-schools/start-a-new-school/managing-regional-systems | /for-schools/start-a-new-school/taking-your-idea-to-the-finish-line
Two Ways to Explore School Development With ISS
ISS Schools
For schools, owners, and systems that need a customized approach, ISS can support school development and operations across planning, staffing, leadership, procurement, finance, governance, academic program development, and long-term management needs.
This pathway is ideal for school projects that require tailored support, complex coordination, regional planning, or a deeper operating partnership.
SISU Schools®
SISU Schools® offers a structured school model for owners and partners who want to open or expand a school with a defined concept, educational framework, and support system already in place.
Built around Finnish and American educational principles, the SISU model helps reduce the time, complexity, and uncertainty often involved in starting a school from the ground up.
What the SISU Schools® Model Can Include
School Concept and Standards
A defined K-12 school concept, educational philosophy, and program structure designed to support high-quality learning in international and local contexts.
Program and Curriculum Guidance
Academic guidance, program materials, and learning expectations that help owners and school teams move from concept to implementation with greater confidence.
Operations Manuals, Plans, and Forms
Standardized documentation and operational tools that help school teams prepare for launch and manage essential school functions.
Teacher Support and Recruitment
Support for building a strong team, preparing educators, and aligning staff with the expectations of the school model.
Learning Environment Guidance
Guidance for school spaces, learning environments, and student-centered design decisions that support the SISU model.
Financial Management and Quality Assurance
Structures and support that help owners plan responsibly, monitor quality, and sustain the school over time.
Brand, Marketing, and Community Support
Resources that help schools communicate the SISU model, connect with families, and join a broader global community.
The Support Behind the Schools
School Start-Up Planning
Support feasibility, model design, launch planning, governance, staffing, operations, and readiness from early exploration through opening.
Leadership and Recruitment
Build the team needed to open and sustain a school, including school leaders, educators, and operational staff.
Professional Learning
Support teachers, leaders, support staff, and operational teams with practical learning through ISS EDUlearn® and school-wide Passport options.
Procurement and Logistics
Coordinate school supplies, furniture, technology, learning materials, and large project orders through ISS Supply Marketplace and procurement support.
Finance and Foundation Operations
Access U.S.-based financial and administrative infrastructure when schools benefit from foundation management, U.S. dollar transactions, grants, donations, payroll, or related support.
Advisory and Operations Services
Strengthen governance, enrollment, operations, strategy, academic programs, and long-term performance with sector-specific guidance for international schools.
FAQ
Questions Answered
Have questions about ISS schools, SISU Schools®, school start-up models, or school operations support? Start here for quick answers about how ISS helps owners, boards, and school teams move from idea to operation and beyond.
CommonlyAskedQuestions
What is the difference between ISS Schools and SISU Schools®?
ISS Schools represent schools connected to ISS ownership, management, operations, or school development experience. SISU Schools® is a structured school model built around Finnish and American educational principles, with defined program resources, operational tools, and launch support.
Who is this page for?
This page is designed for prospective school owners, investors, boards, education organizations, regional operators, and school leaders exploring school start-up, school management, or model-based school development support.
Can ISS help start a new international school?
Yes. ISS can support new school projects from early exploration through launch readiness, including feasibility, academic model design, staffing strategy, operations, procurement, governance, and opening support.
What does the SISU Schools® model include?
The SISU model can include school concept and standards, program guidance, operations manuals, teacher support, learning environment guidance, financial management support, recruitment support, quality assurance, brand and marketing resources, school management tools, and a global community.
Can a SISU School adapt to local language or context?
Yes. The SISU model is designed to support different contexts and can be implemented locally, bilingually, or in English depending on the school model, market, and community needs.
Can ISS help manage or strengthen an existing school?
Yes. ISS can support school operations, leadership, recruitment, professional learning, governance, finance, procurement, academic program development, and long-term improvement needs.
How do we know which pathway is right for us?
Start by connecting with ISS. The team can help you clarify your goals, stage of development, operating needs, and whether a customized ISS pathway, SISU Schools® model, or another Start a New School service is the best fit.
Next Steps
Start a School Conversation Worth Having
Whether you are opening a new school, expanding a regional system, exploring the SISU Schools® model, or looking for operational support, ISS can help you understand what is possible and choose a path that fits your goals.
Talk with ISS
Explore Advisory & Operations Services