Putting the “International” in International Baccalaureate

For almost 30 years, Riverstone International School (Riverstone) has attracted students from far and wide to study in the Pacific Northwest. Based in Boise, Idaho, Riverstone is a small private school that serves students from preschool to 12th grade. In addition to its regular day school program, Riverstone offers a boarding program for up to 32 high school students. The school is also one of 37 schools in the United States authorized in the 3 International Baccalaureate (IB) programs for primary, middle, and high school. The internationally recognized IB programs offer intellectually rigorous courses across all subject matters; their high school programs often count as college credits for students who score high enough on the final exams.

Riverstone is no stranger to global education—their student body is made up of students from over 40 countries. In 2024, the school signed up for the Idaho Governor’s Trade Mission to Japan and Taiwan which was organized by the Idaho Department of Commerce and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. The organizers looked to the U.S. Commercial Service (CS) office in Boise, ID for assistance in preparing for this mission. After further discussion on their international market expansion goals with CS Boise, Riverstone decided to pursue a Potential Partner List through the CS Rural Export Center (REC) ahead of their trip to Japan.

A Potential Partner List ranks 8 to 10 overseas potential partners in a given country based on their assessed strength as a business partner. Riverstone decided to focus their Potential Partner List on education agencies and independent, private schools in Japan. Riverstone’s Potential Partner List was also shared with the Idaho Department of Commerce and the trade mission’s organizers, who facilitated scheduling appointments with potential Japanese business partners.
While on the trade mission, Riverstone met with companies from the Potential Partner List. After further discussions on a potential collaboration, Riverstone signed with one of the companies from the PPL as a new agent.

Regarding the effectiveness of the REC’s Potential Partner List, Riverstone noted the following:
“The Rural Export Center clearly understood the type of partners we were looking for at Riverstone International School. The Potential Partner List they provided was well-researched and high-quality, leading directly to productive and meaningful meetings. Their support was strategic, focused, and impactful.”—Rachel Pusch, Director of Enrollment Management & Marketing

Riverstone plans to continue its partnership with its new Japanese partner for further exposure in the Japanese education market. 

Riverstone’s story is just one of the many successes that have resulted from the joint efforts of CS and state agencies. In fact, the CS REC has worked with companies from 37 states to bring global opportunities to rural communities. For more information on how REC services can help your business, contact the Rural Export Center or your local CS Trade Specialist today!

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