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Just How Creative Is Your School Website's Template?
Connor Gleason

Name and logo in the top left corner? Check. Video in the header? Yup. A line of text with your school’s tagline? Got it.

Sound familiar, or maybe a little too familiar? If you’re browsing school websites for inspiration or as part of a website redesign, after a while, templates can all start to look the same.

Sure, design conventions are important for navigation and creating a great user experience, but your site needs to tell the story of your school—one that’s as unique as the students and staff who walk your halls every day.

Whether it's your commitment to learning, a strong arts program, or an inclusive environment, these elements should be front and center on your site in a way that makes your program stand out. Your school's website needs to help visitors quickly understand if your school is a good fit for them in a way that excites families about the possibilities your school offers.

So, why do so many school website designs look the same?

Schools often rely on established design practices that are known to provide a good user experience. For many schools and districts, the goal is to provide essential information quickly and clearly, opting for simpler designs and usability over aesthetics. As a result, many of the website designs for schools may end up with a clean, ”bare bones” look that looks similar across the board.

And there are certainly valid reasons for that...

Limited Resources and Templates

Many of the website templates for schools lack flexibility. While these templates may provide a cost-effective and quick way to build a website, they often result in sites with similar layouts, fonts, colors, and imagery. They might be practical and functional, but sometimes they don’t stand out.

A template or flexible theme design with enough creative options can make all the difference.

Compliance with Accessibility Standards

School websites must comply with accessibility laws to ensure that all users can easily access information. These guidelines involve certain design choices, like high-contrast colors, larger fonts, and straightforward navigation, and while these standards are essential, they can sometimes limit creativity a bit.

Minimal Risk

Schools might adopt a more "conservative" approach to web design. They might feel safer sticking to familiar design elements that they know work rather than experimenting with cutting-edge or distinctive designs. This can produce websites that feel very alike because they're trying to appeal to as broad an audience as possible without taking a risk.

Lack of Specialized Design Expertise

Not all schools have access to specialized web designers or marketing teams who can produce a custom, innovative design. Without this expertise, schools may rely on basic layouts, WordPress themes, or open-source websites that don’t stand out visually.

So, are any of those actually "bad" things? Not necessarily, but many schools that go that route miss out on an opportunity to share their story and express their spirit.

Why Your Site Should Be Unique

When families see a site that feels real and captures the core of your school's mission and brand, it taps into their psyche and leaves a lasting impression. But the goal isn’t to use the latest flashy designs that are nearly impossible to update with a support ticket—it’s to find ways to highlight what truly sets your school apart AND be able to make edits at a moment's notice.

Every school has its own story, teaching style, history, and community spirit, and by calling out and celebrating these qualities, your site can show what makes your school truly different.

Screenshot of Centennial Homepage

Centennial School District 12’s theme site dedicates a panel for some of its main themes, like connecting, preparing, achievement, and involvement. With a strong image and brief supporting text, it makes an impact and tells users what the district is all about.

What if the design panels look the same...What makes it feel different?

When many school websites have similar design features—like layout, color schemes, fonts, and image placements—they can start to look and feel the same, even if the text or content is different.

However, there are several strategies you can use to make your website feel distinct and memorable:

Use Storytelling

One of the simplest ways to make a website feel different is by using authentic stories—no one else has your stories, right? Instead of presenting facts or information in a cookie-cutter way, weave it into compelling narratives about important moments, achievements, and everyday life at your school. That means:

  • Avoid generic stock photos that could be on any website. Instead, use high-quality images of your actual students, teachers, classrooms, and events.
     
  • Showing real moments that capture the life and spirit of your school—blog posts are a great idea!
     
  • Featuring photos of students engaged in activities and teachers interacting with small groups or special school traditions. That intimacy can feel much more personal.
     
  • Videos can also be powerful; consider adding short clips or virtual tours that give visitors a sense of your school’s energy and community.
Screenshot of Springfield-clark career center Homepage

Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center shares the stories of its alumni, and a “by the numbers” section shows off some of the impressive stats of its programs and students.

Screenshot of Sweet Home Central Homepage

A 30-second highlight video showcases some high-impact moments throughout Sweet Home Central School District’s site, and to help users navigate, mobile-friendly CTAs can be found conveniently on the right-hand side. The district’s tagline in the top-left corner is also a nice touch!

Develop a Distinct Color Palette

Using unique color combinations that reflect your school's branding can make your website instantly recognizable. If your school is known for creativity and innovation, consider using bold, vibrant colors like South Washington County Schools.

Screenshot of South Washington County Homepage

If it has a long history of traditional values, use more classic, subdued tones. Just make sure the color scheme is consistently applied across the website to create a cohesive look and feel.

Incorporate Interactive Elements

Interactive elements can make your website feel even more engaging and different. Consider adding hover effects, animations, or interactive graphics to help families explore different programs.

Screenshot of Willamette Education Homepage

With a search bar and frequently accessed resources front and center, Willamette Education Service District is ready to answer questions and guide users to exactly what they need. A subtle animation on the buttons responds when a user scrolls or clicks, and dynamic elements like those can help create a memorable experience.

Use Interesting Content Formats

Break away from standard text-heavy pages by using varied content formats. Infographics, slideshows, quotes, and social posts can bring your school's programs, values, and community to life.

Screenshot of Broad-perth Homepage

The social media posts, integrated into Broadalbin-Perth CSD’s homepage, are a great way to keep a homepage updated with the latest content that can’t be found anywhere else.

Design for YOUR Community

Think about the families in your area. Are they looking for a top-notch school with strong academic programs, or are they more interested in activities like sports, music, or drama? Do they value diversity, or are they seeking a supportive environment for students with different needs?

Your website should resonate with the families you hope to reach. Think about their needs, values, and interests, and make sure your website highlights these aspects and speaks directly to the community you serve.

Screenshot of Tupelo Homepage

Strong imagery can make a big difference if you’re dealing with limited design options. Tupelo Public School District always has some amazing photography that perfectly captures the district's energy.

Personalize the User Experience

Use personalization to make the website feel more welcoming and relevant. Consider features like a “choose your own adventure” style homepage, where users can select different paths based on their needs, like learning more about athletics, district resources, or staff directories.

Screenshot of Stanislaus Homepage

Then, the content and user experience should be adapted, similar to what the Stanislaus County Office of Education has done for its users.

Include a Distinctive Call to Action (CTA)

CTAs can also reflect your school’s personality. Instead of generic CTAs like "Learn More," try something more aligned with your school’s tone and culture.

Screenshot of Bronx Charter Homepage

For example, if your school emphasizes exploration and curiosity, a CTA could read "Start Your Adventure" or "Discover Our World." Options like Bronx Charter Schools For Better Learning’s “Find out how we do it” feel different and inviting and can change how visitors perceive and engage with your website.

Key Takeaway

By creating a website that reflects the spirit of your school, you connect with the right families who share your values and are eager to be part of your community. Make your website more than just an information dump anyone could create—make it a space that tells your school’s story in a way only you can.


website redesign playbook

Connor Gleason Headshot

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.


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