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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, 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 fits the needs of our school not just this year, but 5, 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 the 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, 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 the 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 fits the needs of our school not just this year, but 5, 7, 10 years into the future.”

-– Matt DiGiulio, Director of Technology, Whitfield School

A Future-Ready Approach for Whitfield School

This new approach to technology funding allows Whitfield to provide the best educational experience possible for their students by staying current with technological changes while meeting critical and sustainable financial goals. 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.

"We were able to transition to a more sustainable IT program that leveraged the school’s financial resources and created a disciplined refresh cycle that offers greater flexibility for the future."

– Rob Quinn, Vice President, First American

Other Relevant Case Studies

Haysville School District

Technology Refresh Program Elevates the Student Learning Experience

Charter Management Organization, NYC, NY

A Better Way to Manage Technology for a Growing CMO

Boarding School, Northeastern CT

A Budget-Neutral Solution Keeps a Boarding School Build on Track

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