Bill Delbrugge, Head of School, The Village School

Invest: spoke with Bill Delbrugge, head of school for The Village School, about Houston’s international pull, evolving workforce needs, and how K-12 leaders are adapting curriculum and talent strategies to match a fast-changing economy. “We want this to be a home environment just as much as a powerful educational environment,” Delbrugge said.

What shifts are impacting education in Houston, and how are they influencing your decisions at The Village School?

Houston and The Village School are extremely international, so we pay close attention to changes in the international market and how families feel about coming to the United States, Houston, and our campus. With national politics and broader global issues, there is more concern in the air, and it is something we have to take seriously.

We also have a boarding program with 260 students who live with us 24 hours a day. Those students and their families want to feel welcomed and comfortable, and the broader international outlook of the city and the world affects that sense of confidence. It also influences how we communicate with families and how intentional we are about creating a campus culture where students feel safe, supported, and connected.

How would you describe the demand for private education, and where do you see the biggest opportunities?

Demand remains strong. We are at 7.8% year-on-year growth compared to last year, and we continue to see interest from families who value the education and opportunities available in the United States.

Additionally, families are more cautious. They still want strong academics and outcomes, but they are also paying attention to stability and the overall environment their children will be entering.

As Houston continues to attract new residents and international families, how is that influencing your enrollment strategy and long-term planning?

Curriculum is where we have adjusted the most. We already offered an IB diploma option and an entrepreneurship diploma option, and we have expanded into areas that align with Houston’s growth.

We launched a pre-medical diploma option because of the expansion we are seeing on the west side of the city, where medical centers continue to grow. We also added a computer science and robotics diploma option, largely because of AI and the new pathways students will be considering.

The reality is that many of the careers of the future have not been invented yet, so our job is to build strong foundations and help students develop the habits of learning that will carry them forward.

The Village School has earned national recognition. How are you building on that momentum, and what are you prioritizing across academics, facilities, and technology?

One of our defining strengths is diversity and internationalism. The Village School is the most diverse school in Texas, and also one of the most diverse schools in the United States. That matters because it prepares students to work with people of different cultures, nationalities, and ways of thinking, which is exactly what they will face in college and in business.

It also aligns with Houston. Houston is the fourth-largest city in America, and it is the most diverse city in America. That diversity is a strength for the region, including for international companies that want to locate here, because they know they are entering communities that will openly welcome them and want them to succeed.

For us, the global mindset is not a slogan. It is the daily learning environment, and we intend to keep strengthening it as we grow.

How are you integrating AI and new technologies into your curriculum to prepare students for workforce demands?

With AI, the challenge is that technology can generate papers, videos, and images quickly and easily. We want to embrace new tools, but we also want students to understand that their voice still needs to come through in what they produce.

That is why we emphasize research skills and strong writing. Even if students use AI tools, it has to be their thinking and their expertise that show in the final product.

Education has navigated this kind of transition before. I remember when calculators became common and people worried students would stop learning math fundamentals. Calculators became part of life and made us stronger. AI is a bigger leap, but the responsibility is similar: teach students how to use tools wisely while still building real skills.

How are you partnering with industries around you to support college placement and career readiness?

Internships are one of the most powerful experiences we can provide. Our students gain placements with major corporations, hospitals, and professional offices, and that hands-on learning helps them connect coursework to real career pathways.

If a student wants to be a dentist, for example, an internship in a dental office gives them exposure to day-to-day practice and the technology professionals are using. It also helps students make more informed decisions about college and long-term goals.

How are you balancing rising costs, tuition, and accessibility while maintaining a high-quality experience?

We work to be as efficient as possible and to support our community in practical ways. At the state level, the TEFA program is also a significant development, with Texas setting aside $1 billion to help families access opportunities at schools like ours.

We also rely on families giving back to the school, which helps us expand scholarships and widen access. The goal is to stay financially stable while continuing to deliver the level of education families expect.

How are you recruiting and retaining strong educators in a competitive environment?

This is the number one issue for us, because we cannot exceed the abilities of our teachers. If we want students to reach higher levels, we need educators who can take them there.

We recruit within Houston, but we also recruit nationally and internationally through agencies. That larger pool allows us to bring in expertise that benefits students and fits our international mindset. Retention matters just as much, so we focus on supporting teachers with strong professional development, clear expectations, and the resources they need to do the work well.

With increasing competition in K-12, what makes The Village School different?

Any strong private school has to deliver a high-quality education, or it will not survive. Families will not invest unless they see real benefits for their children.

For us, two things stand out. First, students receive a strong education in a truly international environment that opens doors for the future. Second, the school is also a home. We push students to be great and to expand their abilities, but we never forget they are children.

We want this to be a welcoming environment just as much as a powerful educational one, and that shapes how we lead, teach, and support students.

As you look ahead, what are your top priorities over the next two to three years, and what is your overall outlook?

My outlook is positive. We are in uncharted waters as a society, and the pace of change is exciting.

For The Village School, the priority is giving students tools they can use to pursue questions that matter to them and to develop the ingenuity and creativity to answer those questions. If students can learn how to learn, adapt, and think clearly, they will be prepared for whatever comes next.