Today we’d like to introduce you to Anji Price.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
At the time I arrived in The Woodlands, there were limited options for private schools. My own children, having attended International Schools overseas, was the initial motivation for starting a school. There was no international school or curriculum at the time, and many families were looking for something else other than what was on offer in the area. I jumped in with both feet and surrounded myself with great teachers who were also disillusioned with the education system in general. We have had to overcome an exorbitant amount of obstacles, but being idealists and wanting to create a school that truly engaged in best practices, we were simply determined to ensure the school not only survived but thrived. Whilst we are still small, we provide such a unique experience for our students and their families – a sort of village/community school, whereby each student is an individual and not just another number or graduation statistic. Our school is built on relationships and integrity; and it is a testament to my staff who have toiled with me through the years, and made it their own. It’s not just a job, but a lifestyle! We have made a place where we actually want to get up in the morning and come to work, and this filters down to the attitude of the students, thus making them want to come to school, opening them up for greater learning. I personally can’t thank my supportive staff and parents who have helped this little school become a gem in the community.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I nearly fell off my chair. No smooth road. When you open a school with 5 students, try convincing the community that you are a real school! In fact, my husband didn’t buy it either, despite his support. 11 students the next year, still a challenge, 23 the following, still a challenge. Although we have been here for 11 years and have approximately 80 students, the community still asks if we are viable. My answer is YES. You don’t have to be big to be viable, but you have to have grit to stay in the game, and be creative with strategic planning. I use strategic planning not only for my own business but also when students struggle throughout their educational journey. I remind them there isn’t one path but we have to put our heads together and come up with other strategies. Other challenges: floods; rogue builders; surrounding development, to name a few. I can say I’ve been on the floor many a time in my wardrobe, beaten. But the next day I always haul myself up and usually at that point when wondering if it’s worth it, one of my parents reminds me how important the work that we do is; or another prospective parent walks through my door with an educational horror story; and that’s where I get my strength from to move past whatever challenge is in front of me.
Cunae International School – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
As you may have guessed, we are a small private school. We cater to 4-18 year olds and do the International Baccalaureate. Our clientele are made up of a third Americans, a third International families, and a third mixed American-International families. What they have in common is looking for a school that provides not only a great solid rigorous education program, but an environment that truly takes into consideration their child, and what is psychologically and socially responsible education. We are a dichotomy; we provide one of the most rigorous programs and yet open it up to all children so that they can experience and benefit from such a program. Yet we do it in a way that is individualized to the student, and ensure that the challenges they experience are personal to them so that competitive stress is minimized. Cunae International School is a small, progressive, boutique private school, liberated from conformity, and set within six picturesque acres on the edge of The Woodlands. Nestled within the boundaries of a certified wildlife habitat, you will find a school community where integrity and best practices have ensured a high level of dedication and commitment to students and families. We are a next generation school – a model for how students drive their own learning to be successful; through providing high impact teaching whereby students’ individual needs are supported; deeper learning is facilitated, and the development of cognitive skills and habits of success are encouraged in our students. When you arrive on our campus you are likely to ponder our unique space. Hints of Australia and Europe in its urban architectural style, set within nature, offers up a calming surrounding that helps students find balance during their active school day.
Students take part in preserving our wildlife status and monarch butterfly waystation, through various curriculum related activities; and they learn not only how they impact the environment, but also how the environment impacts them. Our architectural design was influenced by our desire to respond to the natural elements around us, namely nature. We sought to create buildings that were tactile and modern, environmentally responsible, artful and crafted. Within our learning spaces, gone are the conventional rows of desks and chairs, and instead are spaces that allow for movement, independence and collaboration. We feel we have created a unique environment that possesses compelling authenticity and beauty. We are proud of how we have been able to preserve the ideas of The Woodlands’ original visionary, George Mitchell, who wished to create a sustainable environment where humans and nature could cohabit in synchronicity. Despite the more severe development of the community that surrounds us, we have been mindful of our development, and engaged in ecological planning; epitomizing Mitchell’s vision. We are still considered a young school and therefore as we continue to grow, development is essential. However, we remain dedicated to minimizing our footprint as well as providing essential resources for students and ensuring a tranquil campus, enhancing their experience.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
For me personally, success is ‘having a go’ at everything you want to do, win or lose.
When in a given business, whilst the bottom line is important in order to keep a business going, for me it is more about being goal oriented, finishing what I started, and leaving a lasting imprint. It’s about the challenge and the hardship, and overcoming them. They always say it’s about the journey – I have to agree – although occasionally I have hoped for greater peace on my journey!
It’s also about building relationships and a community. This has become more important to me as having been an expatriate and being away from my own family, building one also helped meet my own personal needs. So I foster relationships with my staff and families in a different way than many businesses, and I think for a school, this is particularly important, so it serves the needs of myself and my constituents. And that is success!
Pricing:
- Tuition ranges from $9000-$20000
Contact Info:
- Address: 5655 Creekside Forest Drive, The Woodlands TX 77389
- Website: www.DoorToMySchool.com
- Phone: 281.516.3770
- Email: aprice@doortomyschool.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doortomyschool/
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