At Alma, we believe schools of every size deserve tools and partnerships that help them thrive. That’s why we’re proud to highlight leaders like Emmanuel Lacoste, founder of EduVision LLC. His work exemplifies how small and international schools can achieve ambitious goals with the right support, clear strategy and technology that’s built to grow alongside them.

For Lacoste, technology has always been more than a classroom tool. After more than two decades in education as a teacher and school leader, he saw firsthand that success depended on more than academics alone.

“Through that experience, I realized how critical technology was, not just as a classroom tool, but as a backbone for school operations, student engagement and long-term sustainability,” Lacoste said.

That realization inspired him to launch EduVision, a consultancy that supports small and international schools often left behind in conversations about innovation.

“Schools wanted to innovate, but lacked the roadmap, expertise or bandwidth to get there,” he said. “I founded EduVision to provide schools – especially small and international schools – with access to the consulting, tools and partnerships typically available to larger institutions.”

From need to mission

EduVision’s mission, Lacoste explained, is to help schools with limited budgets achieve outsized goals, whether that means accreditation, building an online program or developing new learning pathways. His approach focuses on making change manageable.

“I’ve learned that while technology changes at an incredible pace, schools don’t always need massive overhauls to keep up,” he said. “Our clients often just need a minor, well-placed adjustment, the right platform, a shift in process or targeted training to open the door to fundamental transformation.”

Guiding schools step by step

Lacoste describes EduVision’s process as “matchmaking.” The first step is understanding a school’s strengths, challenges and resources. From there, EduVision identifies solutions that fit.

“We often recommend Alma because it is intuitive, scalable and designed with schools’ needs in mind,” Lacoste said. “For our clients, it strikes the right balance between powerful features and affordability, exactly what small schools need to succeed.”

Many of those schools share common barriers: limited staff, tight budgets and the sense of being overwhelmed. Resistance to change is also frequent, especially when teachers already feel stretched thin.

Lacoste points to a small K–8 school that wanted to expand into high school but faced financial and accreditation hurdles.

“We recommended a phased approach, adding one grade each year, to ensure their eighth graders could naturally transition into the new high school,” he said. “By using our online course resources, the school could broaden its curriculum without immediately hiring new teachers. At the same time, we set up systems to streamline documentation and reporting, reducing the burden on staff.”

The result, he added, was sustainable growth and a clear pathway to accreditation.

What separates the best partners

When evaluating technology, Lacoste looks for three non-negotiables: simplicity, scalability and strong customer support.

“The best solutions are simple, scalable and backed by great support,” he said. “Standout platforms make life easier for schools with limited staff and budgets, while giving them the confidence that the system will grow with them, not hold them back.”

His confidence in Alma comes from personal experience.

“I was first introduced to Alma as a school leader, when we implemented the platform on our own campus,” Lacoste said. “What immediately stood out was how intuitive it was for teachers and staff, even those with limited technical experience. The rollout was smooth, the support was responsive and it quickly became clear that Alma was designed with schools like ours in mind.”

Above all, he said, Alma’s responsiveness is what makes it stand out.

“The single biggest reason is Alma’s outstanding customer support,” Lacoste said. “Alma’s team is responsive, patient and proactive. They don’t just solve problems, they make schools feel supported every step of the way.”

For international schools in particular, Alma’s flexibility is critical.

“One of the features that makes Alma stand out is the flexibility of its grading system options, which allows schools to align with U.S., IB or other international frameworks without forcing a one-size-fits-all model,” Lacoste said.

Looking forward

Lacoste believes the future of EdTech lies in personalization powered by artificial intelligence.

“I believe the next wave of EdTech will be defined by AI and its ability to make learning truly individualized,” he said. “Instead of static programs, schools will have access to adaptive, competency-based tools that give each student a clear view of their progress and a customized path forward.”

For leaders beginning their technology journey, his advice is simple:

“Start small and stay focused on your school’s real needs,” he said. “Involve teachers and staff early to foster a sense of ownership, and select platforms that are intuitive, scalable and backed by strong support. Don’t try to do everything at once.”

That perspective is part of why Lacoste sees his partnership with Alma as a natural fit.

“I only recommend products and services I’ve personally used and found to be exceptional,” he said. “What excites me most is working with a partner that genuinely values schools and the people in them.”

About EduVision

EduVision LLC helps small private and international schools raise the quality and efficiency of teaching and operations. Eduvision’s team brings deep experience in American K–12 education, both in the U.S. and abroad, and we also support the launch of new K–12 online schools. The mission is to empower educators with practical tools, clear guidance, and hands-on support so students thrive and schools excel. To learn more or start a conversation, email info@eduvisionllc.com
Explore EduVision’s blog at https://edvission.com/blog/