Three Essential Partners for Quality Schools

Quality schools follow this essential partnership model

What is a Property Company (PropCo)?

In the context of a private international school, “PropCo” typically refers to a Property Company. A PropCo is a distinct legal entity or company specifically established to own, manage, and oversee the physical properties and assets of the school. These assets may include the school building, classrooms, administrative offices, sports facilities, and any other real estate holdings associated with the institution. Quality schools depends on excellent facilities.

The establishment of a PropCo allows the school to segregate its educational operations from the responsibilities related to property management. Often, the PropCo leases the school’s facilities to the operational arm or entity responsible for delivering educational services. This separation of functions can provide several advantages, including more efficient resource allocation, clearer delineation of roles, and improved financial management.

By having a dedicated PropCo, a private international school can streamline its focus on delivering high-quality education while ensuring that the physical infrastructure is well-maintained. This organizational structure allows for more strategic and effective management of both educational and property-related aspects, contributing to the overall success and sustainability of the institution. Beautiful, well run school facilities are essential for quality schools.

They also bring very secure and profitable returns for property investors.

What is an Operating Company (OpCo)?

“OpCo” is a common abbreviation for “Operating Company” in the context of private international schools. In the realm of education, an OpCo is the entity responsible for investment in the day-to-day operations and management of the school, including educational programs, staffing, student services, and overall administration.

In a typical structure, the OpCo leases or rents the school’s physical facilities from a separate legal entity known as the PropCo (Property Company). The PropCo owns and manages the school’s real estate, while the OpCo focuses on the business of delivering the educational services.

This separation of roles allows the OpCo to concentrate on its core mission—providing quality education—without the added responsibilities of property management. The OpCo handles the operational business of the school.

The OpCo and PropCo structure is often employed to enhance financial management, operational efficiency, and strategic planning within private international schools. It provides a clear division of responsibilities, allowing each entity to invest specifically in its respective areas and contribute to the overall success and sustainability of the educational institution.

Quality schools deliver very secure and profitable returns for OpCo investors when they are well managed.

What is an Education Management Company (EMC) for Quality Schools?

An Education Management Company (EMC) in the context of a private international school refers to an organization that takes on the responsibility of overseeing and managing all aspects of the school’s operations. Private international schools partner with EMCs to handle education, administrative, financial functions as well as coaching and mentoring the school’s leadership to focus on academic excellence and strategic planning. Research proves that the very best quality schools are optimised by the highest quality education management.

Compromising on quality leadership is something great schools don’t do.

Key responsibilities of an Education Management Company include:

1. Administrative Services: EMCs can manage day-to-day administrative tasks such as human resources, admissions, enrollment, and facility management. This enables the school’s leadership to concentrate on educational priorities.
2. Financial Management: EMCs often handle financial matters, including budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting. This can provide the school with financial expertise and help ensure fiscal responsibility.
3. Technology Integration: Education Management Companies may assist in implementing and managing educational technologies, such as learning management systems, to enhance the school’s overall efficiency and effectiveness.
4. Strategic Planning: EMCs may contribute to the development and execution of strategic plans for the school. This collaborative effort ensures alignment between operational functions and the school’s long-term goals.
5. Regulatory Compliance: Staying compliant with local and international educational regulations can be complex. EMCs often have expertise in navigating these regulatory frameworks, ensuring the school operates within legal parameters. This also includes accreditation and certification.
6. Educational Programs : While the primary focus is often on administrative and operational support, good quality EMCs play a crucial role in developing or enhancing educational programs, ensuring they align with best practices and educational standards. They coach and mentor the school leadership team in ways that a PropCo or an OpCo is unable to do so. They are education leadership experts.

By partnering with an Education Management Company, quality schools can leverage specialized expertise, streamline operations, and potentially reduce costs. This arrangement allows school leadership to allocate more time and resources to the core mission of providing high-quality education to students.

A reputable management brand helps build credibility for schools in the same way that brands like Sheraton, Hilton and others have done with hotels.

Partners are more satisfied knowing that the school is being managed by a reputable brand and not just commercial operators.

GSE is a Best Practice Education Management Company

Why does this three partner model work best for quality schools?

We often see scenarios where a school is not operating to its potential because these three partners are not in place and focussed strategically on their core strengths. The paradigm difference between PropCo/OpCo and Education Management is very different. They are all invaluable but they need to focus on their key portfolios and then have strategic alignment.

Ask parents: Do you want a business person running your school, independently?

Ask parents: Do you want an educator running a multimillion dollar business, independently?

We are brave enough to make a generalisation that often offends people:

“Educators don’t understand business and business people often dont understand education.”

Overseas School Brands

We also see well regarded school brands in the UK, USA, Australia and Canada genuinely concerned that their school will not be operated well in another location overseas. This is very valid. Websites and marketing will give the perception that the school is the same, or operated directly by its name-sake but in almost all cases this is not practical or true in practice. (We call it ‘Smoke and Mirrors’)

Students, parents, legislative, cultural and context differences are immensely different in other countries. Schools are not like McDonalds or KFC. You cant just duplicate a model from another location. In fact you will note that many traditional business and brands fail in different overseas locations because they are not able to adapt to a different context.

Schools need international education management expertise that understands unique cultural contexts. Well regarded schools need their legacy protected by international expertise on the ground. Equally, investors in PropCo and OpCo need to have faith and trust in operators who can operationalise an overseas school brand and curriculum on the ground, not at a distance or just in name.

Global Services in Education (GSE) is Unique

GSE is an international education management company

GSE are experts both in education as well as international business acumen

GSE have set up, led schools and operated unique education projects in 16 different countries of the world

GSE are advisors to several international investors and education groups

GSE are specialists in K-12, Early Years, Higher Education, Vocational Education and Virtual Schooling.

GSE is led by educators who understand business and unique cultural contexts.

Good people.

Authentic, trustworthy leadership of good character.

You should meet them in person……..

GSE have previously operated, or currently operate projects, in the following locations:

India, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, East Timor, Mongolia, Myanmar, South Korea, Saudi Arabia (KSA), UAE, Equatorial Guinea, Zambia, Kenya, Libya, Bahrain, Iraq, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, USA

Contact GSE Soon 👇

GSE set up schools in all areas of the world

GSE manage and operate schools in all areas of the world

CEO and Education Expert Greg Parry

Internationally renowned for his expertise in education leadership and Leading with impact, Greg Parry’s vast experience includes leadership of projects for education institutions throughout Australia, the Middle East, the United States, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and China. Recognised for his numerous contributions in the education arena, Greg has received the Ministers Award for Excellence in School Leadership based on improvements in school performance and a range of successful principal training and leadership development programs, as well as the School of Excellence Award for Industry/School Partnerships and the School of Excellence Award for Technology Innovation. His company GSE (Global Services in Education) has been recognised as having the Best Global Brand in International Education in 2015 and 2016.

Considered one of the premier experts in his profession, Greg has trained teachers and principals throughout the world in areas such as critical thinking, language development and leadership. His expertise in school start up projects, leadership and curriculum development, has made him a sought after authority in these discipline.

www.gsineducation.com

Global Services in Education set up and operate schools in all parts of the world. Governed by a philosophy of global citizenship, every member of the GSE team shares a passion to help shape international education and student achievement through inspiration and collaboration.
Our goal is to meet the highest objectives of every school, teacher, student and parent, with an unwavering dedication to quality education, shared ideals and intercultural perspectives.