2014 - 2015annual report

TheAntwerpInternationalSchool, vzw

Inspiring Successful Futures

boarda message from the

Dear AIS Community and Friends, The last year has been exhilarating for all of us in the AIS Community. A successful transition in leadership has led to a fresh dynamic approach at AIS, initiated by the interim appointment of Ginger Apple, and catalyzed in January with the arrival of Andreas Koini as Head of School. As a group of 12 volunteers, the AIS Board of Trustees has played its part in a transition that would put many so-called ‘professional’ boards to shame. The manner in which they went about the selection of our new Head has resulted in exciting and realistic plans for AIS for the immediate future as they relate to academic, social and financial infrastructures. Andreas brings over 20 years of teaching experience to AIS, after completion of a double Hons. Masters in Education, Mathematics and Sports Science, followed by an M.Sc. in Finance, all from leading European universities. As an experienced Head of School, Andreas is an advocate for educating children in a holistic way, encompassing academic subjects, arts and sports as well as creativity and service learning. The Board expects that the Community’s ambitions for AIS will be fully realized through the energetic leadership, academic expertise and pragmatism that define Andreas. Your Board, which itself is going through a transition with three new members, accepts its financial and legal responsibilities for the governance and financial stability of the school. In approving policies to improve the quality of education and other matters, we are guided by Andreas, who in turn is accountable to the Board for achieving the school’s academic and business objectives. As a Board, we know it is not our role to ‘second guess’ or interfere in the day-to-day operation of AIS. Rather, with renewed confidence in the school’s future, the Board has been decisive in investing in key areas. In teaching and learning, we backed the implementation of MYP and PYP to anchor academic excellence. In approving the release of funds for the construction of the new cafeteria, we are starting to refresh our facilities. The market for students at international schools has changed across Europe, and in this context we need to strengthen relationships with all communities and the corporate world. The Board’s External Relations Committee has taken on this challenge. The financial position of the School is stable, following a performance over the last year that exceeded our expectations. We invite you and every member of the Community through your interactions outside school to be an advocate for the academic and social accomplishments of AIS and for the extraordinary global citizens that our students become. Expect your Board to communicate frequently. We insist on sharing with you, the entire AIS community and friends of the school, our enthusiasm for AIS for the coming year and the years ahead!

Sincerely, Andrew KrisOn behalf of the Board

“AIS is on an exciting

journey, and your board

welcomes and values

your support.”

Students from the Class of 2015 have taken up places at a number of prestigious universities, including the University of Edinburgh, University of Warwick, KU Leuven, Maastricht University, McGill University, Northeastern University and Stern NYU. AIS always works closely with students to find the best match possible for their personal aspirations, areas of interests and academic ability.

University Placements

academic results

This was an impressive year for AIS, with 97% of our IB Diploma students passing; the world average is usually around 79%. The average score was just under 33.5 points, significantly above the world average of 29.88.

Class of 2015 Profile

Two of our students achieved 39 points out of a maximum of 45. One of our key target areas is to focus on stretching our most able students, and we hope to see scores of 40+ in the next few years. In 75% of all subjects, AIS students’ average score was above the world average.

Most of the Class of 2015 have already started at college and university, with only a few electing to take a gap year before commencing further education. The United Kingdom, United States and The Netherlands remain the most popular destinations for AIS graduates, and this year students have also begun tertiary education in Belgium, Spain, Italy, Canada and Sweden.

Teachers are committed to ensuring that students perform to the best of their ability in internal assessments and coursework, as well as to making sure that they are well-prepared for the challenges of the examination papers.

summaryfinancial

Cash reserves:

total cash

net cash

7,314K5,193K

Overall financial result:

annual net P/L deficit

annual net cash surplus

75K590K

92 new students started during the academic year

75 teachers, administrators and support staff (FTE) were employed

7.3:1 student/teacher ratio

383 total number of students

70% of total investments in Information Technology (IT)

10% of total investments in classrooms and playground equipment

15% of total investments in facility maintenance

3% of total investments in fire safety

Investments in our students:

€ €

€ €

Sources of Revenue SY 2014-2015: Cost Structure SY 2014-2015:

Sources  of  Revenue  SY  2014-­‐2015 % Euro'000Gross  Tuition  Revenue 90% 8.543Other  Income 10% 912

100% 9.455

90%  

10%  

Sources  of  Revenue  SY  2014-­‐2015  

Gross  Tui?on  Revenue  

Other  Income  

Cost  Structure  SY  2014-­‐2015 % Euro'000Instructional  Salary 58% 5.488Admin,  IT,  Marketing  &  Support  Salary 23% 2.216Operating  Costs 19% 1.853Non  Operating  Cost/  Depreciation 0% -­‐27

100% 9.530

57%  23%  

20%  

0%  Cost  Structure  SY  2014-­‐2015  

Instruc?onal  Salary  

Admin,  IT,  Marke?ng  &  Support  Salary  

Opera?ng  Costs  

Non  Opera?ng  Cost/  Deprecia?on  

Gross Tuition RevenueOther Income

Instructional SalaryAdmin, IT, Marketing & Support SalaryOperating CostsNon Operating Cost/ Depreciation (inclusive of Gain on Sale of House)

How satisfied are you with your experience at AIS?

Parents 81% Very Satisfied/SatisfiedStudents 73% Very Satisfied/Satisfied

I believe that my child is receiving a good education at AIS

Parents 80% Strongly Agree/Agree

I believe that I am receiving a good education at AIS (asked to Grades 6-12)

Students 72% Strongly Agree/Agree

The areas where dissatisfaction was expressed will form the basis for further discussions and/or an action plan to address these concerns during the 2015-2016 school year.

Based on the parent and student survey, when asked:

school developments

Updates with the IB PYP and MYP

In 2014-2015, AIS was a candidate school for both the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) and the IB Middle Years Programme (IB MYP). During the course of the academic year, the school continued its work towards authorization. Special attention was given to teachers’ professional development in relation to their roles and subject areas. AIS also took action in developing key roles as as they relate to the IB, such as a Service and Action Coordinator position. It is the school’s intention to be a full IB school in 2016-2017. With this in mind, AIS will no longer offer the Cambridge IGCSE.

Facilities Updates

During the 2014-2015 academic year, the Board unanimously approved plans to move forward with a new cafeteria on campus to replace our current cafeteria. The school and Board realize that in order to stay competitive in the market, AIS must make some facility upgrades to better serve current and future students.

To ensure minimum disruption to the day-to-day school operations, our goal is for construction to start beginning of February and be concluded by March, just in time for International Day on Saturday, 16 April 2016

The new cafeteria represents a 650,000 € investment from the school, and is the initial step of future enhancements at AIS. The new cafeteria will:

• Allow the school to provide healthy options in food choices for our community members. With this in mind, a committee will be formed to gather input from students, parents and staff to discuss current and future offerings.

• Be equipped with modern kitchen equipment to increase the efficiency and production of food being served at our school.

• Be a hub for social gatherings for the entire community.

2014-2015

Andreas Koini, new Head of School, arrived in January 2015, after a successful career in both Frankfurt and London. The school is looking forward to his leadership, and is also grateful to Ginger Apple, who served as interim Head of School from July - December.

IBDP pass rate was 97% and the overall average score was 33.48.

International Gourmet dinner was organized by Grade 11 students and raised funds for Can-Care, an organization supporting pediatric cancers in India. In the spring a group of students traveled to India to work hands-on with the organization.

The PYP Exhibition took place for the first time at AIS. The research and presentations of our Grade 5 students demonstrated their capacity as researchers and presenters, and highlighted the attributes of the Learner Profile.

Student Council and CAS students showed their care for the wider community by organizing spirit days and social events, visiting area nursing homes, selling Red Cross stickers and volunteering for PTO and school events.

In Sports, the U14 boys basketball team placed second and varsity boys placed third. The U14 volleyball team won NECIS silver, while the U12 girls soccer team attained bronze. Participation in after school sports was at an all time high with 50% of eligible students competing in the fall season, 46% in the winter season and 27% in the spring season.

The Booster Club had another successful season of selling their famous “toasties” and other con-cession stand items to raise funds for the sports department.

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) hosted several events for students during the year, and also organized social events for parents, including a New Year’s Gathering and Disco.

AIS Alumni gathered in London for a reunion event in January. Over 50 alumni from various classes attended.

Fine Arts students participated in the Festival of Peace and Freedom, and Elementary students performed in an original production called “Galaxy Space Station.” Our Secondary School students demonstrated their acting skills in “Albert’s Bridge” and “Frankenstein, The Awful Truth.”

We celebrated

Antwerp International School, vzw | Veltwijcklaan 180 | 2180 Ekeren | Belgium | +32 3 543 93 00 | ais@ais-antwerp.be | www.ais-antwerp.be