International education is changing. ISS is evolving too. Go Forward with ISS.
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ISS EDU Platform

Start a New School

Opening a School Requires Connected Support
A new school opening brings together decisions that will shape the school for years. The strongest launches begin with clarity around market opportunity, academic model, governance, operations, staffing, facilities, finance, procurement, and community expectations.

ISS helps schools approach those decisions as connected pieces of one larger plan. Instead of treating launch work as disconnected projects, ISS helps align the practical details needed to move from concept to opening day – and from opening day to long-term school success.

ISS Can Provide Expertise

ISS is here with you every step of the way when starting a new school, from market and feasibility analysis to leadership hiring and staffing strategy. Learn about all of the ways in which ISS can help bring your dream to life.

Market and Feasibility Analysis
Explore demand, community needs, competitive context, positioning, and the viability of a new school concept.
Academic and School Model Design
Clarify the learning model, curriculum direction, program structure, student experience, and educational priorities.
Governance and Ownership Structures
Support the planning, roles, responsibilities, and decision-making structures needed to guide the school responsibly.
Finance and Foundation Operations
Access financial and administrative infrastructure when schools benefit from U.S.-based foundation support, transactions, donations, payroll, grants, or related services.
Campus and Classroom Planning
Align learning environments, facilities, furniture, fixtures, technology, and program needs with the school model.
Leadership Hiring and Staffing Strategy
Plan for the leaders, educators, support staff, and operational roles needed before and after opening.
Operational Setup and Systems
Prepare the systems, processes, policies, and workflows that help the school operate effectively from the start.
Opening Readiness and Launch Execution
Coordinate the final planning, procurement, staffing, onboarding, and operational details required for a successful launch.

Support for Every Stage of School Development

  • Early Exploration
    Clarify the idea, audience, market, model, and feasibility before major decisions are made.
  • Planning and Design
    Build the academic, operational, governance, staffing, financial, and facilities plans needed to move forward.
  • Pre-Opening Preparation
    Coordinate hiring, procurement, policies, systems, onboarding, campus setup, and launch readiness.
  • Opening and Beyond
    Support the school as it opens, grows, strengthens operations, develops staff, and plans for long-term sustainability.
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Explore the SISU School Model

The Finnish SISU School model makes it easier than ever to build a state of the art international school. Experience SISU schools around the globe and learn what makes this model work so well.
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Resources

How ISS Brings the Ecosystem Together

New school openings often require support from more than one service area. ISS can connect school development work with the broader For Schools ecosystem so teams have access to the right support at the right time.

Leadership
Search

Identify the right founding or next-stage leader for the school community, governance model, and strategic priorities.

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Educator Recruitment

Promote roles, search educator profiles, meet candidates, and build hiring visibility through ISS EDUrecruit®.

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Professional Learning

Prepare teachers, leaders, support staff, and operational teams with flexible learning through ISS EDUlearn®.

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Procurement and Logistics

Source supplies, furniture, technology, learning materials, and large project orders through ISS Supply Marketplace and procurement support.

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Advisory and Operations Services

Strengthen strategy, governance, enrollment, operations, academic programs, and long-term performance.

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Finance and Foundation Operations

Support financial flexibility and administrative infrastructure for schools that benefit from a U.S.-based presence.

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FAQ

Questions Answered

Have questions about starting a new international school, assessing feasibility, preparing for launch, building the team, coordinating operations, or choosing the right ISS pathway? Start here for quick answers about how ISS supports new school openings.

CommonlyAskedQuestions

Can ISS help open a new international school?

Yes. ISS can support new school projects from early exploration through launch readiness, including feasibility, academic model design, governance, staffing strategy, operations, procurement, finance, and opening support.

What stage should we contact ISS?
Schools, owners, and investors can contact ISS at any stage. ISS can help with early feasibility and concept development, detailed launch planning, pre-opening execution, or support for an existing school or regional system.
What can ISS support during a school start-up?
Support may include market and feasibility analysis, school model design, governance planning, leadership hiring, educator recruitment, professional learning, procurement, finance and foundation operations, operational setup, and launch readiness.
Can ISS help with hiring for a new school?
Yes. ISS can support leadership search, educator recruitment, job visibility, candidate outreach, recruitment events, and staffing strategy for new and expanding schools.
Can ISS help source school supplies for a new campus?
Yes. ISS can help schools source supplies, furniture, technology, learning materials, specialized equipment, and large project orders while supporting vendor coordination, shipping, customs, and delivery planning.
What if we are opening or managing more than one school?
ISS can support organizations building regional systems or multi-school networks through planning, shared standards, leadership capacity, operational alignment, procurement, staffing, governance, and long-term support.
What is SISU Schools®?
SISU Schools® is a structured school model supported by ISS school development experience. It can provide partners with a defined educational concept, program resources, operating tools, and support for launch and school operations.
How do we choose the right new school pathway?
Start by connecting with ISS. The team can help clarify your goals, timeline, market, school model, operating needs, and whether a customized ISS pathway, SISU Schools® model, or another service area is thebest fit.
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Next Steps

Start a School with ISS

Starting a school isn’t easy. It requires vigorous planning and attention to detail. Fortunately, ISS has helped open schools around the globe. Contact our team to learn how to make your dream a reality.

Get in Touch Today

Contact our team to get your project started.