F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote that “life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall,” and while October may signal a shift toward cooler days (maybe not this year...) many schools are keeping things warm and welcoming with fresh website redesigns that beautifully capture their stories and values. 

From captivating mobile-friendly user experiences to vibrant visuals and thoughtful content, these new sites are designed to connect with their communities and inspire visitors with every click.

Let’s review the design, content, and user experience of Finalsite's latest independent school website launches and see how these schools are well-positioned for the year ahead.

Catherine Cook School

Catherine Cook School's recently launched website brings a fresh and engaging experience for visitors, as nearly every pixel is branded with the Kelly Green color scheme, a nod to the city of Chicago. Right on the homepage, full-width video panels grab your attention, supported by additional inline videos to guide users' scrolls.

The site’s vertical scrolling keeps encouraging visitors to learn about Catherine Cook’s unique approach to “educating the whole child,” which emphasizes academics and social-emotional learning. Key calls-to-action (CTAs) include a rotating circular button for scheduling a tour and connecting with admissions, as well as an expandable section that highlights recent Instagram posts and upcoming events.

In the "Beyond the Classroom" section, visitors can explore opportunities outside of academics, like after-school programs, signature trips, service learning, and guest speakers. Video testimonials from faculty and students offer authentic insights, showcasing the diverse voices within the school community.

At the bottom of the homepage, eye-catching (aka HUGE) CTAs prompt prospective families to submit an inquiry, visit the campus, or start an application, keeping them engaged at every stage, while well-crafted imagery throughout the site brings the student experience to life.

Keep an eye out for the Windy City's cityscape and the school’s Cougar mascot, whose paw prints stealthily appear across the site to guide visitors to different sections.

Additional highlights include:

• A custom application timeline
• Image buttons and short-form video elements that add a dynamic feel
• Full-width image and content cards
• A custom slideshow feature for engaging, visual storytelling

Marin Country Day School

Marin Country Day School, a co-ed K-8 school nestled in the San Francisco Bay Area, recently unveiled its new website, which captures the school’s lively spirit with inviting colors and playful animations. Visitors are welcomed with spinning flower petals, growing plants, and wavy lines—design elements that create a joyful, youthful atmosphere that aligns with the school's emphasis on nurturing young learners.

The homepage opens with a full-width video showcasing scenes from the campus and classrooms, giving visitors a sense of the school's vibrant community and extensive campus. Given its proximity to the San Francisco Bay, the design wonderfully blends its visuals and themes focused on marine life and diverse ecosystems, underscoring the school’s commitment to nature-based learning. The 35-acre campus, serving as an extended classroom, allows students the freedom to explore and engage directly with their environment, creating a seamless blend between education and nature.

The design, including the expanded navigation menu, features large typography and bold images, making it easy for users to find what they need while also reinforcing the school’s themes of curiosity, empathy, action, and inspiration.

Each design element, from animations to color choices, translates beautifully across mobile devices, ensuring that users can enjoy a smooth and engaging experience on any screen size. Wonderful job!

​​​​Walnut Hill School for the Arts

Ready to be a walnut? Walnut Hill School for the Arts has launched one "shell" of a beautiful website that stands out for its creativity and energy. Located just outside Boston, this is an "aht" school that draws students from all backgrounds, helping them reach their potential in dance, music, creative studio arts, and more.

The design captures the school's vibrant, artistic spirit, using neon yellows and greens against deep purples to tell a story of connection, self-expression, and artistic exploration.

Take a "note" of some of its highlights:

• A special section showcases profiles of alumni and current students, offering insight into life and learning at Walnut Hill, as well as the unique opportunities Boston’s arts scene provides. Stunning images throughout the site highlight the school's wide-ranging programs in visual arts, writing, film and media, theater, music, and dance.
   
• The latest news section keeps the community informed about recent performances, achievements, and upcoming events, including features on notable alumni who have performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and on Broadway (Hint: practice, practice, practice).
   
• The extensive alumni page shares news of Walnut Hill graduates who have gone on to successful careers in television, theater, and city symphonies, underscoring the school’s role in setting students on the path to success in the arts.

Middlesex School

Designed to inspire visitors to “find your purpose, find your promise, find your passion, and find your people,” the homepage introduces Middlesex as a place of discovery and growth. Student testimonials and alumni stories bring this theme to life, showcasing personal journeys of finding passion in music, academics, and beyond.

The site features engaging design elements, like textured backgrounds and a main navigation bar that incorporates the school’s seal as a gradient, but that's not all:

• The use of branded colors—red, dark gray, and black—appears consistently in text treatments and content blocks, creating a cohesive and visually appealing experience. Unique touches, such as brackets in the navigation menu, add to the site’s polished feel.
   
• There's a beautiful custom campus map that allows users to explore the school, helping them locate buildings and athletic facilities easily.
   
• A panel of fast facts highlights Middlesex as a small school with big opportunities, emphasizing its commitment to excellence. All these key details are complemented by a social media integration, pulling in the latest Instagram posts to keep the content fresh and connected. Congrats!

Wesleyan School

Wesleyan's site features impressive content on every page, conveying the school’s values and mission through thoughtful design and typography. The homepage showcases bold text treatments with outline fonts, oversized "W" initials, italics, and more, reinforcing the school’s message of connecting faith and intellect in a balanced and visually engaging way.

• Social media integration brings in the latest Instagram posts, complemented by unique design elements like custom image buttons, resource sliders, and filtered grid posts that keep users connected to the Wesleyan community.
   
• The use of animated text drawings highlights important keywords and quotes, adding a dynamic touch that draws the viewer’s attention while striking a balance between organized grid layouts and a more organic feel.
   
• A new section makes finding announcements and stories easy, with a filtered search feature that allows users to search by date or keyword.
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• Each landing page is thoughtfully designed with bold elements, minimal text, and features like parallax scrolling and slideshows, creating a lively and immersive experience.
   
• Video testimonials add an authentic voice, enhancing the website's dynamic feel and bringing each page to life.

Congratulations to Wesleyan and all the schools that successfully launched their Finalsite sites this month!

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.