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K-12 Education | Technology

A Custom Refresh Program Empowers Student Success

Fast Facts

Industry

K-12 Education

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Organization

Whitfield School, a private school for grades 6-12 located in St. Louis, MO

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Client Since

2016

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Equipment Financed

$2,500,000 for 1:1 device refresh program

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Financing Structure

24-month FMV lease

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Industry

K-12 Education

Star icon

Organization

Whitfield School, a private school for grades 6-12 located in St. Louis, MO

Building Icon

Equipment Financed

$2,500,000 for 1:1 device refresh program

Money icon

Preparing Students For a Rapidly Changing World

Whitfield School’s mission is to empower students to be successful in a rapidly changing world, and technology is a key component of that. The school prides itself on its advanced curriculum, which relies on the most up-to-date technology to provide the best educational experience possible. Whitfield students are provided laptops when they begin 9th grade and upgrade to more advanced laptops in 11th grade.

Historically, the school paid cash for these devices, which over time proved to be an expensive, unpredictable, and unsustainable approach. Instead, Whitfield sought a cost-effective way to acquire the latest technology, align equipment acquisition with curriculum plans, and maintain a predictable payment schedule.

"Technology changes so rapidly that, we run the risk of technological needs changing faster than the budgeting flexibility to account for them can handle."

– Dave Lauer, Director of Business & Facilities, Whitfield School

"First American took the time to help us design and implement a laptop program that we feel like fits the needs of our school not just this year, but 5, 6, 7, 10 years into the future."

– Matt DiGiulio, Director of Technology, Whitfield School

Less Spending, More Upgrades, and Better Financial Stability

Whitfield School and First American collaborated to customize a two-year device refresh model that complemented the school’s existing acquisition program. Instead of paying cash outright for the devices, Whitfield ended up paying less than the equipment cost to rent the devices for two years at a time. They were also able to benefit from First American’s trade-in program, which remarkets a school’s old devices and applies the proceeds toward future lease payments.

Preparing Students For a Rapidly Changing World

Whitfield School’s mission is to empower students to be successful in a rapidly changing world, and technology is a key component of that. The school prides itself on its advanced curriculum, which relies on the most up-to-date technology to provide the best educational experience possible. Whitfield students are provided laptops when they begin 9th grade and upgrade to more advanced laptops in 11th grade.

Historically, the school paid cash for these devices, which over time proved to be an expensive, unpredictable, and unsustainable approach. Instead, Whitfield sought a cost-effective way to acquire the latest technology, align equipment acquisition with curriculum plans, and maintain a predictable payment schedule.

“Technology changes so rapidly that, we run the risk of technological needs changing faster than the budgeting flexibility to account for them can handle.”

– Dave Lauer, Director of Business & Facilities, Whitfield School

Less Spending, More Upgrades, and Better Financial Stability

Whitfield School and First American collaborated to customize a two-year device refresh model that complemented the school’s existing acquisition program. Instead of paying cash outright for the devices, Whitfield ended up paying less than the equipment cost to rent the devices for two years at a time. They were also able to benefit from First American’s trade-in program, which remarkets a school’s old devices and applies the proceeds toward future lease payments. 

“First American took the time to help us design and implement a laptop program that we feel like fits the needs of our school not just this year, but 5, 6, 7, 10 years into the future.”

-– Matt DiGiulio, Director of Technology, Whitfield School

A Future-Ready Approach for Whitfield School

This new funding approach allows Whitfield to offer their students the best educational experience by staying up-to-date with technology advancements and achieve essential financial objectives. They are prepared for the future knowing their refresh program will yield a consistent and predictable budget year after year, even with changes in equipment needs and costs. Now, the school can be more proactive in supporting other initiatives while setting up students for success at Whitfield and beyond.

"Instead of paying for the full value of the device over the course of 4 years, we end up paying less than the value of the device over the course of 2 years."

 

– Matt DiGiulio, Director of Technology, Whitfield School

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