If you're sending emails to your school community, you already know how important it is to get it right. But between juggling multiple lists, writing content, and trying to make it all look polished, it can start to feel like a chore.

With built-in tools like drag-and-drop editing, SIS-integrated mailing lists, and dynamic content, schools are saving time, improving engagement, and actually having fun with email again.

Here’s how some schools are putting these tools to work—and what you can learn from them.

Make It Fun to Open — and Easy to Read

Latin School’s Upper School email had one goal: grab attention—and it delivered. With a bold headline, animated gifs, short and witty copy, and strong calls-to-action, the message kept readers engaged all the way through.

Using Finalsite Messages, Latin’s communications and admissions teams created an email that felt approachable, personal, and easy to digest. With built-in tools for drag-and-drop design, CTA buttons, and responsive formatting, the team focused on what really mattered—great content. The layout made it easy to scroll or skim, and student quotes added authentic voices that families could relate to.

Best of all? Latin sent the message off on a confident and positive note.

Why it works:

• Emails were built quickly with Finalsite Messages' editor
• Student quotes offered credibility without extra work
• The tone matched the audience—and so did the results

Smart Automation That Saves Time

Not every email needs to be flashy. The Woods Academy keeps it simple—and smart—with their weekly newsletter. By using dynamic content from Finalsite Posts, their team doesn’t have to copy and paste updates or reformat content every week. Instead, once a post is added to the website, it's ready to appear in the next email.

The design is clean, using icons, clear headings, and is for easy browsing. And thanks to integrated mailing lists based on content interests, families get the information they care about most without clutter.

Why it works:

• Finalsite Messages pulls content automatically from Posts
• Lists are targeted by subject, not just role
• Easy layouts keep parents informed without overwhelming them

Why manually add content each time you create a newsletter when you can automate the process with dynamic content? As long as you keep your content updated in Posts, Athletics Manager, and Calendar Manager, you can populate each newsletter in seconds. 

Personalize for Results

Want better open and click-through rates? Start with personalization. Finalsite Messages’ personalization features make it easy to insert first names and merge tags to tailor the message.

Consistent calls-to-action drive engagement, and clean layouts help readers know where to click next. It’s a straightforward approach that leads to strong performance—especially for campaign or fundraising emails.

Keep Reading: Master Email with These 7 School Newsletter Tips

Only 42% of school marketers personalize their emails, but studies show a 26% increase in open rates when subject lines are personalized. Finalsite Messages makes it easy to personalize subject lines, since it's integrated with your SIS data.

But don’t overdo it! Too much personalization feels artificial. Stick to the key details that help your emails feel like they were written for a real person.

Oregon Episcopal School also does a nice job at tailoring its email and newsletter content to its recipients. With dynamic lists, its easy to send upper school information to upper school parents, for example, and make sure the information and content is relevant to its audience.

Why it works:

• Finalsite Messages makes personalization easy and scalable
• Simple layouts and clear CTAs keep attention
• Clean formatting = more clicks

Use Your Website to Your Advantage

Chinese International School (CIS) takes a different approach altogether. Their newsletters and parent communications are powered by the winning combo of Finalsite Posts, Messages, and Composer.

By combining Posts content with email teasers from Finalsite Messages, they keep families updated and traffic flowing back to the website. Accordions and columns help segment content by school level, and smart design keeps it skimmable.

Each content section is automatically populated from a corresponding Posts board. Once updates are added to the website, they’re reflected in the newsletter—no need to recreate them elsewhere.

Why it works:

• News updates are automated and always up-to-date
• Families can browse content in bite-sized sections
• Messages and Posts work together to create a smart, branded experience

Quick Tips for Better School Emails

Whether you're sending a weekly newsletter or a one-time campaign announcement, here are a few quick best practices using Finalsite Messages:

• Start with your SIS: Sync distribution lists for accurate, up-to-date email targeting
• Use merge tags: Personalize your messages without manual editing
• Keep your layout clean: Two-column or single-column designs are easiest to scan
• Use gifs over video: Most inboxes won’t play embedded video, but gifs display easily
• Include CTA buttons: Make it clear what readers should do next
• Automate with Posts: Let your content work double duty across site and email

Key Takeaway

Email is still one of your school’s most powerful communication tools—and with Finalsite Messages, it’s also one of the easiest. Whether you're designing fun campaigns, automating newsletters, or targeting the right families with the right message, you don’t have to start from scratch or switch between systems.

Everything you need's in one place—so your emails are smarter, faster, and more effective.

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. At Finalsite, 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.