October brought another strong set of private school website launches, each using thoughtful design and strategic content to better connect with families and support their school’s mission.

From the snowy peaks of Switzerland to sunny California, this month’s roundup features schools like Vail Mountain School, Leysin American School, Eton School, and more, each school bringing a creative spin to design, messaging, and storytelling to welcome its families.

Check out these schools using the latest messaging and tools that help tell their story and grow their community.

(And don’t forget your skis!)

Roland Park Country School

Roland Park Country School’s new site pairs a fresh visual style with modern animations and clear calls to action that help families move from curiosity to action. A highlight video sets the tone on the homepage, leading into content that promotes joy, curiosity, and challenging oneself to "find your path."

The site’s storytelling centers on student voice and outcomes, and several custom elements elevate the experience, like the video testimonials spotlighting how girls grow in confidence and purpose, and an alumnae portrait panel connecting classroom experiences to life after RPCS. 

The “Five Things That Bring Us Joy” section cleverly introduces the school's values before visitors explore further into academics, arts, or athletics. Quicklinks for “Inquire, Visit, Apply” stay visible with sticky navigation, so interested families can take the next step at any time.

There’s more to explore, including:

• Interior pages that use full-width panels and bright secondary colors to guide the eye without clutter.
• A filterable calendar to help families find events by category, like athletics, arts, or alumnae.
• A polished employee directory combines a beautiful layout with bios.
• Animated full-width cards draw attention to mission, history, and philosophy, while a custom image button grid on Culture, Community & Belonging makes exploring simple. 
• A testimonial panel (“Hear What Our Students Love”) keeps authentic voices close to calls to action.

Congrats on a site that helps families find answers fast, showcases signature programs, and supports enrollment goals!

Vail Mountain School

Vail Mountain School’s new website captures both the energy of its mountain setting and the values of a school rooted in character, learning, and community. Visitors are welcomed with the tagline “A Mountain of Possibilities” and a clean, expansive design that mirrors the open-air feel of Vail itself. 

As users scroll, the site introduces them to signature programs through full-width parallax panels, animated content blocks, and sections that explore the school’s approach to community, the arts, and its snow sports program. Stories and testimonials highlight the school’s impact, while social media integration adds freshness to the experience with a mix of campus moments.

Interior pages carry the same level of care and design:

• Custom layouts elevate the most standard content, combining high-quality imagery with supporting text that makes even logistical information feel thoughtful.
   
• For more detailed or layered content—like academic programs, college counseling, or support services—accordion menus and tabbed panels keep everything organized without feeling overwhelming.
   
• The site also features standout elements like a custom faculty and staff directory, branded image buttons, and intuitive CTAs that guide families toward inquiries and admissions. 

It’s a site built for exploration, and as the school grows its digital presence even further, the platform gives VMS the tools it needs to communicate clearly, invite curiosity, and welcome families into its close-knit community.

It's one of the more fun, creative, and engaging sites I've seen in a while!

Eton School

Eton School’s new site brings its Montessori philosophy to life through thoughtful design and a focus on the individual learning journey. Serving students from age 3 through grade 8, the site frames education as a path shaped by curiosity, independence, and growth. Users are invited to “start their journey,” a message that aligns with Eton’s emphasis on lifelong learning and personalized development.

Visual storytelling plays a central role here, with natural imagery of tree rings, bark textures, paths, and plant motifs that mirror the school’s Montessori values, creating a calm and welcoming tone. Rounded image treatments, soft animations, and balanced color choices support a youthful, organic feel.

• A horizontal gallery of classroom photos and campus videos helps users avoid any clutter and explore each division, from Pre-Elementary through Grade 8.
   
• Clear calls to action at the bottom of the homepage encourage families to inquire, attend an open house, or schedule a campus tour—all from a single branded inquiry form powered by Finalsite Enrollment.
   
• Post-driven content and structured interior pages keep the experience consistent and manageable for families returning for details or updates.

It's a beautiful, intuitive site for the school’s mission and the family experience at every stage. Nice work!

Walsingham Academy

Walsingham's new website brings its mission and Mercy values front and center, and with a tagline of “A Path for Every Child,” the site opens with purpose, inviting families to explore the school’s approach to education grounded in compassion, service, and inclusion.

Clear navigation leads to each division so visitors can understand how the school supports students from early childhood through graduation—academically, spiritually, and socially.

From there, the homepage layers storytelling and proof points:

• A “Facts at a Glance” section highlights key achievements like small class sizes, athletic participation, and graduation rates, all of which reinforce the school’s commitment to student success.
   
• A matriculation slideshow and student testimonials bring in posts from Instagram, Facebook, and X, adding warmth and a real-time look at campus life.
   
• Their dedicated social media mashup page takes that idea even further, blending official content with user-generated posts for a look at what’s happening across the school.
   
• The omni menu makes it easy for students, parents, faculty, and alumni to find what they need, from submitting updates and notes to signing up for upcoming events. Whether a prospective family or a longtime graduate, each visitor has a clear path to explore and engage.

Take a closer look at:

• Custom testimonial panels
• Custom Directory
• Campus Map
• Dynamic Athletic Team Pages
• Parent Section

With strong values, clear messaging, and easy access to key content, Walsingham's site sets the tone for a school that is proud of its Catholic identity, forward-looking in its academics, and committed to building an inclusive community.

Leysin American School in Switzerland

With a student body representing over 50 nationalities, Leysin American School’s new website captures the spirit of its alpine setting and the global community it serves. LAS’ homepage sets the tone immediately—parallax scrolling paired with stunning photography brings the Swiss Alps to life; an immersive experience that reflects the school’s sense of curiosity, adventure, and global citizenship.

With all the content elements working together to tell the school’s story, there's a lot to take in, including:

• Fast facts paired with animated tree and mountain graphics highlight the school’s growth, impact, and long history.
   
• Student profiles are brought to life through testimonial quotes and cutout photography.
   
• The “News and Stories” section shares regular updates, from sustainability initiatives to faculty highlights and service learning, while the Family Portal provides returning families with quick access to calendars, resources, and key platforms.
   
• Interior pages balance beauty with function, too. Information on academics, student life, and campus programs is organized into structured layouts with tabs, accordions, and high-quality imagery for a clean, easy-to-use layout.
   
• Don’t miss an impressive drone video tour that provides a bird’s-eye view of the campus and surrounding region, giving prospective families a full sense of place. Very cool!

Global citizenship, leadership, and a love of learning... It’s a site that feels as expansive and inspiring as the "Magic Mountain" itself!

Check out:

• Student Handbook Microsite
• Infographic Enhancements
• Testimonial Posts
• Campus Map
• Testimonial World Map

Laguna Blanca School

Laguna Blanca School’s new website pairs visual clarity with strong messaging to deliver an experience that’s both welcoming and effective. The site introduces visitors to life at Laguna through bold typography, full-width video panels, and a layout that offers room to breathe.

Rather than opening with a typical hero montage, the homepage takes a fresh approach—prompting visitors to “Find your home at Laguna” and guiding them into each division’s offerings.

• A custom slider highlights signature programs like STEM, social-emotional learning, and experiential education, supported by standout photography and crisp design elements.
   
• The site makes it easy for prospective families to connect, thanks to the sticky navigation that lets users inquire, apply, or give back from any point on the homepage. The admissions journey is supported by a branded Finalsite Enrollment form that consolidates options for scheduling tours, requesting information, attending events, and more—all in one place. The form also invites families to share their child’s interests, allowing Laguna to personalize outreach from the first touchpoint.
   
• Branded secondary colors—especially the yellows—stand out against the school’s blues, making calls to action easy to spot. Across the site, thoughtful design elements elevate the user experience: tabbed content for mission and values, custom text highlights on admissions event pages, and full-width cards that help break up dense information.

In a short launch window, Laguna Blanca’s team built a best-in-class website that captures who they are and what they offer: a joyful, connected, and high-quality K–12 experience that’s easy for families to engage with from the start!

Congratulations to all the hard-working teams 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. 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.