The International School of Minnesota

What The International School of Minnesota does

The International School of Minnesota (ISM) is a private, college-preparatory K-12 institution founded in 1985 and based on a 57-acre campus in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, a suburb of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. It is wholly operated as part of the global SABIS® Network controlled by SABIS Educational Services S.A.L. (Adma, Lebanon), which supplies the proprietary SABIS® Educational System, the SABIS® Digital Platform (SDP), the SABIS® Student Life Organization® (SLO®) leadership framework, and a 140+ year standardized curriculum and testing architecture used across more than 50 schools in 21 countries. ISM delivers Preschool through Grade 12 instruction with up to 18 AP® courses, daily world-language programming, college counseling beginning in Grade 7, and over 35 extracurricular activities; student outcomes include a 100% college acceptance rate and AP® School Honor Roll Platinum distinction for three consecutive years (2023-2025).

ISM earns revenue through four primary streams: domestic day tuition (2026-27 range $15,495-$33,095 across Preschool-Grade 12, weighted toward Grade 6-12), a +$2,000 annual international student surcharge for F-1 visa-sponsored students (17% of enrollment), a 10-month boarding contract ($23,000 quad / $29,500 single) at its 32-bed on-campus residence hall built in 2014, and ancillary fees including a $150 application fee, a $3,000 non-refundable registration deposit, plus the Discovery Kids Summer Camp (ages 3-12) and specialized sports camps. The school operates exclusively on its Eden Prairie campus with no online or hybrid delivery, runs rolling admissions year-round, maintains SEVP/DHS F-1 visa authorization, and holds triple accreditation (Accreditation International, MSA-CESS, NCPSA). Distribution is anchored in the Twin Cities market (81% Minnesota), with growing international and boarding enrollment.

The institution's go-to-market relies on a sales-led direct admissions process (online application, transcript review, recommendations, Skype interview for international students, Blackbaud-powered enrollment management) supported by earned-media social proof from Niche #1 rankings and Minnesota's Best awards. Customer concentration is geographically concentrated in Minnesota but structurally diversified across hundreds of individual families, while ISM itself sits within a global parent organization (SABIS®) that provides curriculum, technology, and cross-network referral pipelines.

Name

The International School of Minnesota

Legal name

The International School of Minnesota

Website

https://internationalschoolmn.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The International School of Minnesota (ISM) is a private, college-preparatory PreK-12 day and boarding school on a 57-acre Eden Prairie campus, operated within the global SABIS® Network and serving Minnesota families, international F-1 students, and boarding residents in Grades 8-12.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

English Language Schools (ESL/EFL) (EDAIAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Youth & Teen Language Camps (Summer/Winter) (EDAIAEAF)

Keywords

• Private K-12 education
• College preparatory school
• Boarding school programs
• International student education
• Early childhood education

Headquarters

HQ city

Eden Prairie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Domestic Day Tuition: ISM generates the majority of its revenue from tuition fees charged to domestic (U.S.) students across all grade levels (Preschool through Grade 12). Tuition varies by grade level and program type (half-day vs. full-day for early childhood). The school offers financial aid and scholarship programs.
2. International Student Tuition: International students pay domestic tuition rates plus an additional annual international student fee. These students require F-1 visa sponsorship, I-20 documentation, and proof of finances as part of enrollment.
3. Boarding (Room and Board): ISM operates an on-campus residence hall (built 2014, 32 bed spaces) offering single and quad-room accommodations. Boarding fees include three meals per day, seven days per week. Additional deposits apply (housing security deposit, registration deposit).
4. Summer Camp Programs: Discovery Kids Summer Camp generates revenue through weekly registration fees for children ages 3-12. The program includes optional chef-prepared lunch and weekly field trips. The camp runs full-day (8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) on ISM's campus.
5. Application and Enrollment Fees: ISM charges a $150 application fee for admissions processing. Upon enrollment, a non-refundable registration deposit of $3,000 is required (with an additional $2,000 boarding deposit for residential students).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The International School of Minnesota (ISM) is a private, non-profit college-preparatory school delivering Preschool through Grade 12 education on a 57-acre campus in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, using the proprietary SABIS® Educational System. The school enrolls domestic day students, F-1 visa-sponsored international students, and boarding students (Grades 8-12) in a 32-bed residence hall, and supplements its academic program with college counseling, athletics, performing arts, and the Discovery Kids Summer Camp for ages 3-12.

Product overview

The International School of Minnesota offers a comprehensive K-12 college-preparatory educational program as part of the global SABIS Network. The school provides Early Childhood Education (Preschool-Kindergarten), Lower School (Grades 1-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), and High School (Grades 9-12) as its core academic products. Supporting programs include College Counseling starting in Grade 7, the SABIS Student Life Organization (SLO) for leadership development, Music & Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Sports & Activities, and Technology & E-learning through the SABIS Digital Platform. The school also offers Boarding for grades 8-12 with a 32-bed residence hall, Discovery Kids Summer Camp for ages 3-12, specialized sports camps (Basketball, Soccer), and an Extended Day program. Dining Services and International Student Support round out the comprehensive educational ecosystem, all delivered on a 57-acre campus with 100% college acceptance rates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Childhood Education (Preschool - Kindergarten) Foundational preschool, Pre-K, and kindergarten program for children ages 3-5, offering daily world-language instruction and academic readiness.
• Lower School (Grades 1-5) Elementary education for students in Grades 1-5, combining rigorous academics with character development, daily world-language exposure, and global awareness.
• Middle School (Grades 6-8) Middle school program for Grades 6-8 providing rigorous academics in preparation for high school, including a Grade 8 Washington, DC field trip and college counseling starting in Grade 7.
• High School (Grades 9-12) College-preparatory high school for Grades 9-12 offering up to 18 AP courses and 100% college acceptance rates, with college counseling support.
• Boarding Program (Grades 8-12) Residential boarding program for Grades 8-12 housed in a 32-bed residence hall with single or quad occupancy, three meals per day seven days a week, 24/7 supervision, and weekend programming.
• Discovery Kids Summer Camp Full-day summer camp (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) for children ages 3-12 with weekly themed activities, field trips, swimming, STEM, arts, and sports on ISM's 57-acre campus.
• College Counseling Personalized college counseling program beginning in Grade 7 that guides students through college selection, applications, financial aid, and matriculation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% college acceptance rate across all graduates
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship / core, core and minor.

• SABIS Educational Services S.A.L.flagship / coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1985ISM has been a member of the SABIS® Network since its founding in 1985. SABIS® (SABIS Educational Services S.A.L., headquartered in Adma, Lebanon) is a global education management organization that provides ISM with its proprietary SABIS® Educational System, the SABIS® Digital Platform, the SABIS Student Life Organization® framework, AP® preparation support, college counseling methodologies, and access to the global alumni network of 34,000+ graduates across 50+ schools in 21+ countries. SABIS® has been developing and refining its educational system for over 140 years.
• Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISM participates in MSHSL-sanctioned athletics and fine arts activities, including the One-Act Play competition and the Student Advisory and Leadership Team (SALT). MSHSL is the governing body for high school activities in Minnesota. ISM student Yevhen L. ('27) was selected to serve on the MSHSL SALT team as one of 11 students statewide.
• SABIS® International School-Yas Island (Abu Dhabi)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerISM sent 26 student-athletes to compete in the 14th SABIS® Global Sports Tournament (GST) hosted by SABIS® International School-Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. 30 SABIS® schools from 17 countries participated. ISM competed in basketball, swimming, football (soccer), and track events.
• Blackbaud, Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationISM uses Blackbaud's cloud software services for managing the Application Form, Contact Us Form, and Request Information Form on its website. Personal data submitted through these forms is stored in Blackbaud's database. Blackbaud is a U.S.-based provider of cloud software for nonprofits, educational institutions, and social good organizations. Data may be transferred to and stored in the United States. ISM's privacy policy notes that authorized employees from SABIS Educational Services S.A.L. (Lebanon) may access data stored in Blackbaud for technical support purposes.
• Accreditation International, Middle States Association (MSA-CESS), NCPSAcoreOthersISM holds international accreditation from three organizations: Accreditation International, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS), and the National Association of Private Schools (NCPSA). These accreditations validate the school's academic quality and standards.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mounds Park Academy: Independent PreK-12 day school in Woodbury (Minneapolis-St. Paul metro) serving similar college-prep families; competes within the same Minnesota private school market segment.
• The Thacher School: Independent boarding college-preparatory school in California with rigorous academics and high college placement rates; comparable tuition and boarding-program structure for affluent families.
• United World Colleges: Global network of 18 international boarding colleges focused on diverse student bodies and college-preparatory curricula across multiple continents; most direct peer in the international college-prep boarding space.
• Cranbrook Schools: Elite private K-12 boarding and day school in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan with similar college-preparatory curriculum, comparable tuition band, and Midwest geographic overlap. One of the most direct boarding-school comparables in the region.
• Northfield Mount Hermon: Independent boarding and day college-preparatory school in Massachusetts with similar AP-heavy curriculum, college placement outcomes, and tuition levels; comparable boarding-program economics.
• Breck School: Elite private PreK-12 school in Golden Valley (Minneapolis metro) competing for the same Minnesota college-prep families. Episcopal-affiliated with comparable AP offerings and college placement outcomes.
• Minnehaha Academy: Private K-12 Christian school in Minneapolis with similar college-preparatory mission and tuition band; competes for the same Twin Cities families evaluating private day options.
• Providence Academy: Catholic private K-12 school in Plymouth (Minneapolis metro) offering rigorous college-prep curriculum to Twin Cities families; comparable size and tuition structure to ISM.
• The Blake School: Premier private PreK-12 day school in Minneapolis serving the same affluent Twin Cities families with a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum and similar tuition levels. Direct local competitor for domestic day students.

Broad incumbents

• Convent of the Sacred Heart: National network of Catholic independent PreK-12 schools with established college-prep reputation and boarding programs. Operates as a broader incumbent in private K-12 with international student enrollment across multiple U.S. campuses.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/international-school-of-mn

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The International School of Minnesota