Over the last few years, school websites have evolved rapidly, with many public districts transforming how their sites look and feel to support their role in engaging and informing their community. 

Today, the best school district websites connect their families, communicate their values, and streamline their school-to-home communications. And whether that's through engaging with current parents and students or inviting prospective families into the district, of the hundreds of sites launched with Finalsite this year, community engagement was a big focus. 

Equally important is how your website represents your district's brand. After all, ninety-four percent of first impressions relate to your site’s web design, and seventy-five percent of your website’s credibility comes from design. If your website doesn’t look good or function well, the perception of your district will be the same.

When compiling this list of the best school district websites of 2024, it's clear these sites are going the extra mile. They've also set a new standard for website design, functionality, accessibility, and personalizing the overall user experience, including:

• Clear Navigation and User-Friendly Design: The sites featured are easy to navigate and have a clear, intuitive layout. They often have a well-organized menu that categorizes information logically, making it easy for users to find what they need quickly.
   
• Up-to-date and Relevant Information: They regularly update content to ensure that all information, such as news, events, school calendars, contact information, and important announcements, is current and relevant to their audience.
   
• Responsive Design for Various Devices: These websites are designed to look great and function well on any device, including smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers.
   
• Accessibility Features: They incorporate accessibility features to assist users with screen reader compatibility, adjustable text sizes, and high-contrast color options, among many other options.
   
• Comprehensive Profiles About the District: The best sites offer detailed information about the district for prospective students and families, including its history, mission, policies, and administrative details. They often provide profiles of schools within the district, including programs offered, staff information, and demographics about their students and families.
   
• Resources for Students, Parents, and Staff: They provide a wide range of resources for students, parents, and staff, such as links to upcoming events, customized portals, staff directories, and learning resources.
• Multilingual Support: Many of the best websites offer multilingual support to accommodate growing and diverse communities.

While these websites come in no particular order, if you’re looking for inspiration to create the best websites for your schools, these district site examples set the bar!

East Grand Rapids Public Schools

East Grand Rapids Public Schools' website makes a great first impression—it cleverly uses flowing lines and curves, reminiscent of the “rapids” in a river, to create a modern, inviting, fluid feel. While the site is clean, easy to use, and shows what makes East special, it's also incredibly user-friendly and effectively communicates the school district's values.

Here are some of the things that make this site shine:

• Eye-catching homepage: The first thing you see is a video montage of students and teachers, which really captures the school's spirit. This "flows" into their mission statement, which focuses on community, academics, and inclusion.
   
• Inspiring stories: A slideshow features graduates sharing how their experiences at East shaped their paths to success.
  You'll also find an engaging video highlighting the real-world opportunities students have access to, such as internships and hands-on projects that extend learning beyond the classroom—a nice little bookend that speaks to the daily activities and the results of that experience.
   
• Easy to navigate: Finding your way around the site is a breeze. Convenient quicklinks direct you to information about each school, and the main menu offers clear sections for essential content like district news, enrollment procedures, and the school calendar.
   
• Careers section: The site also dedicates a section to prospective employees, current job openings, and compelling reasons why East Grand Rapids is an exceptional place to work.

Green Bay School District

The Green Bay Area Public School District launched its new website in June, and it's definitely worth checking out! It's packed with information and has a fun, energetic design that captures the spirit of the district, while individual school websites focus on school-specific details like bell schedules, newsletters, activities, and athletics.

It’s a fantastic example of creating a digital space that’s informative and engaging, and it does a great job of showcasing the district's personality.

Here's what makes it special:

• Vibrant and Engaging: The website is full of life, with bright colors and eye-catching videos showing everything from exciting sports moments and classroom activities to special events and celebrations across the district.
   
• Staying Up-to-Date: A news panel informs you about the latest happenings and important events. There's also a calendar that's easy to use on your phone so that you can stay connected on the go.
   
• A Consistent Look: The website has a unified design that uses the district's leaf and tree logo and a mix of blue, purple, and green to give it a playful and modern feel.
   
• Helpful Tools: If you need help finding something, there's an AI chatbot ready to answer your questions. You can also use the search bar at the top of the page to find what you want.
   
• Sharing the Good News: The website has a section dedicated to sharing inspiring stories from across the district. You'll find articles about graduating classes, student achievements, and school events. Plus, it shows the latest posts from the district's social media pages so that you can stay connected on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Community Consolidated District 15

CCD15 in Illinois launched a new website this year, and it’s a shining example of how to build an online space that's welcoming, informative, and accessible to all. And as the second-largest elementary school district in the state, they have a lot of students and families to connect with!

Here's why it stands out:

• Warm and Welcoming: The moment you land on the homepage, you're greeted with beautiful pictures and a video showing students involved in all sorts of activities. The design uses the district's colors and friendly language, like "You belong here," to create a sense of purpose and belonging.
   
• Easy to Use on Any Device: The district knows that many people visit their website on phones and tablets, so they made sure it works perfectly on all devices. The menus are easy to navigate, and it's simple to find important information like lunch menus and calendars with the search function.
   
• Accessible to Everyone: The website is designed to be accessible to all users, including those with disabilities with AudioEye’s Visual Toolkit, which can toggle larger fonts, navigation tools for people with impairments, and more, and there’s even a translation feature that supports 11 different languages spoken in the district.
   
• Sharing Personal Stories: In the "Proud to be 15" section, you can read interviews with different members of the school community, from bus drivers and teachers to principals and administrators, adding a personal touch and showing the diversity of the district.

Liberty Public Schools

Liberty Public Schools’ site is certainly worth a look—it’s a fantastic resource for students, families, and the community, all designed to be informative, user-friendly, and visually appealing.

Here are just a few of the highlights:

• News and Information: The website prominently features the latest news from the district, with easy-to-find links to read more. It also provides information about the district's learning programs, after-school care, and student activities, giving a well-rounded picture of the student experience.
   
• Celebrating Success: The site highlights graduate profiles, showcasing the academic, professional, and personal achievements of former students. There's also a section with key statistics about the district, presented in a visually appealing and mobile-friendly format. Also, the variety of bright colors adds a sense of energy and youthfulness to the design.
   
• Helpful Resources: Dedicated landing pages for students and families offer quick access to important resources like library media information, handbooks, and school counseling services.
   
• Social Media Integration: Right on the homepage, you'll find a panel that displays the latest posts from the district's social media accounts, including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and X, allowing visitors to stay up-to-date on the latest news and events without leaving the website.

Fort Smith Public Schools

Fort Smith Public Schools in Arkansas has a remarkable new website with beautiful illustrations, photos, videos, and creative design elements that capture your attention and make you feel like you’re heading out on an adventure.

Here's what makes it stand out:

• A Sense of Adventure: The website's theme is all about exploration. It uses images of mountains, campfires, and a compass (from the district's seal) to create a sense of wonder and possibility. This connects perfectly with the district's mission of helping students reach their full potential and "find their true north."
   
• Immersive Experience: The website blends captivating visuals with a user-friendly design. The homepage smoothly transitions between sections with dark colors and warm welcomes to introduce details about the district's programs, impressive facts, and the amazing people who make up the Fort Smith community.
   
• Easy Navigation: A "hamburger" menu reveals a well-organized and easy-to-navigate menu with icons that help you quickly find different areas of the site. The interior pages are just as well-designed, making it easy to read and explore on any device, whether it's a tablet, laptop, or smartphone.
   
• Creative Touches: The website is full of creative details, like the pages framed by a beautiful starry night sky and the footer featuring a silhouette of trees against a mountain range—very creative and on-brand!
   
• Custom Features: The website boasts various custom features, including image buttons, full-width containers, and animated heading text. These elements help tell the story of how the district is "moving the needle" and making a difference in the lives of its students.

Central Islip School District

Long Island’s Central Islip School District launched a new website this year with a fresh look. As part of the redesign, the district even updated its logo and mascot with Finalsite Advantage, and there are so many features and enhancements to take in.

Here's what's new and exciting:

• Engaging Content and Design: The website uses creative layouts and design elements to make the content on every page interesting and easy to read. They've also done a great job incorporating the district's colors (purple and yellow) throughout the site to give it a consistent and polished look.
   
• Stay Informed with Alerts: One of the coolest new features is the ability to sign up for alerts about events, calendar changes, and even news updates. You can receive these alerts by email or text, which is super convenient.
   
• Find What You Need Quickly: The website has a powerful search function that gives you instant results. You can search for anything–pages, events, news stories, policies, and more. There's also an A-Z page that lists key resources on the website in alphabetical order, making it even easier to find what you're looking for.
   
• News and Social Media: The website features the latest news from the district and integrates it with its social media accounts, making it easy to stay connected and informed about everything happening in the schools.

South Bend Community School Corporation

The South Bend Community School Corporation in Indiana has a new website that's as impressive as its size (it's the fourth largest in the state!) This website is a great resource for both families who are already part of the district and those who are still thinking about joining.

Here's what makes it special:

• A Welcoming First Impression: The website starts with striking images and strong statements about the district's achievements. It highlights its graduation rates, award-winning career and technical education (CTE) programs, and commitment to supporting future leaders and celebrating excellence.
   
• Serving Current Families: The website is packed with helpful information for families already in the district. Quicklinks, event calendars, and district news keep everyone in the loop and provide easy access to important resources.
   
• Attracting New Families: The website also does a great job of appealing to families who might be considering South Bend schools. It provides "Fast Facts" about the district, information about its various programs, and an opportunity to explore all the different schools within the corporation. There's even a whole section dedicated to prospective families, guiding them through joining the district.
   
• A Cohesive Design: The website uses a deep purple color in its design elements, including a silhouette of the city skyline. This color scheme is carried through to the area map, creating a unified and visually appealing brand identity. Whether it's an intentional choice or not, even the images in the homepage’s hero slideshow complement the color palette.

Northbrook Glenview School District 30

Northbrook Glenview School District 30 has earned a well-deserved spot on the list of the best district websites of 2024. Its delightful blend of playful design, engaging content, and user-friendly features makes it a must-see.

Here's what makes it so great:

• Youthful and Playful: The site has a vibrant and energetic feel, with rounded edges, bursts of color, and fun animations. Even the "Fast Facts" section comes to life with elements that swivel around, adding a dynamic touch to the page.
   
• Flowing Design: While many websites use a more rigid grid layout, this one flows naturally from section to section. It's easy on the eyes and makes exploring the site a pleasure.
   
• Smiling Faces and Happy Kids: The website features lots of images of smiling students and joyful moments, supporting the district's mission of nurturing the whole child, and you get a real sense that this is a student-centered environment.
   
• Consistent Branding: The district's logo, featuring a blossoming tree, is used throughout the website. You'll find it in the footer and even subtly watermarked in the background to create a strong visual identity that’s consistent across both the district website and the individual school sites.

M.S.D. of Wayne Township

The Metropolitan School District (MSD) of Wayne Township went live with their site this year, and it’s sure to catch your eye if you're a fan of purple! With a sleek and modern design, the site highlights the district's strengths: great schools and a great community.

Here's what makes it great:

• Minimalist Design with a Pop of Color: The website uses a minimalist approach, with clean lines and uncluttered pages—but it's far from boring! Purple gradients are used throughout, leading users through academic, arts, athletics, and student support sections.
   
• A Sense of Belonging: The site does a fantastic job of conveying the district's pride and emphasizing the community's sense of belonging, collaboration, and growth. Engaging testimonials from administrators, teachers, and students share their experiences, insights, and favorite aspects of being part of the district.
   
• Staying in the Know: A news and events calendar keeps everyone informed about the latest happenings in the district. You can quickly learn about upcoming events, important announcements, and other news.
   
• In-Depth Information: The website provides detailed landing pages with comprehensive information on enrollment, including how to enroll, frequently asked questions, and how to transfer into the district. You can even schedule a tour online! There are also in-depth pages on various departments and a dropdown menu that lets you quickly jump to individual school sites, making finding the information you need easy.

Fulton County Schools

Fulton County Schools in Georgia joins our list as one of the best district websites of 2024. This is especially impressive considering the district's size—it has over 93,000 students and over 100 schools! This well-recognized district has created a simple, organized, and incredibly user-friendly website.

Here's what makes it stand out:

• Simple and Effective: The site has a clean and straightforward design, using quick links with mobile-friendly icons, streamlined district news and announcements, upcoming events, and even social media integration from X.
   
• Mobile-First Approach: Everything about the website is designed with mobile devices in mind. Navigation is a breeze, calls to action (CTAs) are easy to find, and the most requested resources are front and center.
   
• Easy Access to More Resources: The "hamburger" menu expands to reveal a handy search bar and dropdown menus, allowing users to easily explore more information about the district, students and families, the community, and more.
   
• Welcoming a Diverse Community: The website features a one-click translation from Weglot, allowing users to quickly convert the content into one of several different languages— a fantastic way to welcome and engage a diverse community.

Lake Washington School District

Last but certainly not least is Lake Washington School District, located east of Seattle. Its website is as impressive as its beautiful surroundings. This large district covers over 76 square miles between Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains and serves over 30,000 students and their families.

Here's why it's so impressive:

• Organized and Streamlined: Although the website has a lot of information, it's presented in a clear and organized way. It starts with news and stories from around the district, followed by a calendar of events and a social media feed that automatically updates with the latest content from their various channels.
   
• Impressive Stats: A "By the Numbers" section highlights the district's key achievements and statistics. Considering it’s the second-largest school district in Washington, it's a great way to showcase their successes and make a strong impression on visitors.
   
• Community Focused: It's clear that LWSD cares about its community. The main navigation includes resources for employment, ways to get involved, information about programs, and links to different services. It also invites users to learn more about the district's diverse programs, including choice schools, accelerated learning, preschool, and career and technical education (CTE).
   
• Powerful Search: The search bar makes finding what you're looking for a breeze. It even includes quick links to popular searches like calendars, registration, transportation, and services.

Congratulations to all of these sites and all of the amazing school district websites that went live with Finalsite in 2024!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Connor has spent the last decade within the field of marketing and communications, working with independent schools and colleges throughout New England. As Finalsite’s Senior Content Marketing Manager, Connor plans and executes marketing strategies and digital content across the web. A former photojournalist, he has a passion for digital media, storytelling, coffee, and creating content that connects.