September is a notoriously hectic time of year, but even during the busy back-to-school season, many schools have taken the opportunity to launch impressive website redesigns that mark the start of a new journey.

From inspiring user experiences to beautiful aesthetics and engaging content, many private schools have unveiled stunning new website redesigns that reflect their mission, engage their audiences, and set the stage for a memorable year ahead.

Let’s look at the design, content, and experiences of Finalsite's latest independent school site launches and see how these schools are using their new websites to tell their story better, attract new families, and yes, there's even a Taylor Swift reference, so keep on reading!

Metairie Park Country Day School

Metairie Park Country Day School has launched its beautiful new website, perfectly capturing how students see every day as an opportunity to explore something new. The site opens with a dynamic video montage, showcasing highlights of the campus and drawing users in with key action words like “connect,” “find,” “open,” “explore,” and “stretch.” It’s a refreshing take on the typical language you’d expect, immediately grabbing your attention and setting the tone for the school’s take on discovery and curiosity.

As you scroll, the homepage highlights the school's distinctions through the lens of students carving their own paths. Core values like citizenship, character, and critical thinking are reinforced by video testimonials and impactful quotes of students finding their love of athletics, arts, and academics.

The website fully embraces the theme of each day being an opportunity for exploration, discovery, and growth, and t here's even the call-to-action (CTA) phrased as “Make It Your Day,” inviting visitors to envision how they can take advantage of all the school has to offer.

The vibrant Community page showcases the school spirit with imagery of the red and blue teams, and it covers student life with a focus on inclusivity, clubs, and exploring passions. There are also powerful testimonials and links to the Parent Association and Dads Club, and don't miss the rich collection of stories from around campus, presented as "Cajun Stories," that tie back to the school’s Louisiana roots. There are news highlights and integrated social media feeds, keeping visitors engaged with the latest happenings at the school—Attention Swifties: They are raffling off Taylor Swift tickets.

Notice the subtle background images of the campus, which add a creative flair to the content blocks and the footer. They serve as a backdrop for the CTAs or section dividers and replace a simple line break with something more visually appealing. Once again, a CTA encourages users to consider their future by asking, “What will you do at Country Day?” This inspiring and engaging approach keeps the audience thinking about the possibilities.

Metairie's new website is a great example of blending design with storytelling—It’s visually engaging, inspiring, and beautifully reflects the school’s values and community. Now...about those tickets...Congratulations on a fantastic site!

Saint Mary's School

Saint Mary’s School has launched a best-in-class website that beautifully showcases its all-girls boarding and day school in downtown Raleigh. The homepage begins with a slideshow that immerses visitors in the Saint Mary’s experience. The site's theme of empowering young women to become leaders is clear, supported throughout by fast facts about student organizations, AP courses, and an impressive college acceptance rate.

The site highlights the benefits of living in downtown Raleigh, focusing on its walkability, local museums, and vibrant culture. It also has a dedicated section explaining the benefits of an all-girls school, Episcopal traditions, and the enriching boarding school environment, which is so important for families considering Saint Mary's from out of town.

The site's design is welcoming and inviting, using cool-toned colors, rounded edges, and circular design elements to create a soft, approachable feel. Its interior pages are well-organized, too, with information neatly tucked into accordions for a convenient browsing experience, and a clean three-column layout helps keep content accessible.

A horizontal scroll showcases student leadership and involvement in athletics, arts, academics, and campus life, giving a well-rounded view of the opportunities available to Saint Mary’s students. The site also features a beautifully designed social media integration, pulling in the latest Instagram posts and inviting users to connect with the school through a call to action to "Soar With Us."

Families ready to inquire can do so through Finalsite Enrollment, which streamlines the admissions process, and whether they’re interested in attending group events, scheduling individual visits, or contacting an admissions counselor, everything can be done through a single form, making the experience simple and efficient.

Be sure to check out the 'Student Experience' page, where you’ll find compelling testimonials and highlights of the school’s traditions. The social media and imagery show a deep sense of sisterhood among students, faculty, and staff.

It’s clear that a lot of strategy, love, and care went into how the site is presented— Saint Mary’s partnered with Finalsite Advantage for this redesign, bringing an extra layer of support and thought into how the project was planned and organized.

Congratulations on the successful launch—The site's sure to make a lasting impression!

The Fenn School

I've actually had the pleasure of visiting this school in the past, and Fenn’s new website is a wonderful representation of its beautiful campus and community in Concord, Massachusetts. This all-boys school has always focused on the growth and development of young men, and its new site highlights those features in an engaging and authentic way.

From the homepage, you can immediately see how the school leans into what makes it unique. It answers key questions for prospective families, like “Why Fenn?” and “Is your son ready for more?” The site embraces the school’s identity with pride, positioning itself as celebrating what makes boys, boys.

The school’s blues and accents of yellow gold are in every content block, call-to-action (CTA), and button throughout the pages, including the fast facts icons that are well positioned on a mobile-friendly layout— great job on branding!

A standout section of the homepage focuses on the school’s traditions, including programs like public speaking and senior reflections, as well as fun experiences that define life at Fenn. That 'Life at Fenn' section is filled with videos, social media posts, and upcoming events, giving visitors just a taste of all that's happening.

The website also includes an 'Engage' page, which showcases ways for alumni and the larger community to stay connected, give back, or share their love for the school by writing reviews or testimonials for Fenn’s extended community.

Each interior page balances text and visuals, allowing families to learn about different divisions and departments. Videos, photos, spotlight features, and calendar events support the engaging blend of content, which is informative without feeling overwhelming.

The 'Student Life' page covers what it's like to be a Fenn student, with everything from the experiences in the classrooms, art studios, and athletic fields to details about their cell phone-free environment. It also highlights afterschool programs, DEI initiatives, dining, service learning, and even transportation—offering a complete look at the Fenn experience.

It’s a beautiful site that brings their story to life, making it easier for families to connect with what makes Fenn special. I love the nod to the area's history with the inclusion of the revolutionary "minute man" logo in the footer— Congratulations on the launch!

Union Catholic Regional High School

New Jersey’s Union Catholic Regional High School is celebrating the launch of its new website, which opens with the idea of “tradition meets tomorrow. " The theme highlights the school’s commitment to providing a faith-based environment while offering an innovative experience and a wide range of extracurricular activities.

The site introduces visitors to Union Catholic’s core values, which include respect, responsibility, compassion, and community. From there, users are invited to explore the "UC Difference," which features testimonials from both students and faculty, showcasing the school's supportive and dynamic environment.

The website also includes impressive fast facts and statistics that underscore the strength of the student experience. With sticky calls-to-action (CTAs) on the right-hand side, users can easily inquire, apply, view the latest UC news, or access the school’s calendar at any time.

Don’t miss the interactive campus map, which highlights specific facilities and buildings on campus—especially helpful for prospective students visiting from out of town or attending campus events or sporting activities.

The admissions page is packed with valuable resources, like a viewbook, a school profile, and a profile of a Union Catholic graduate. There's even a 3D virtual tour experience, allowing users to explore the campus from the comfort of their homes. Additionally, a comprehensive FAQ page addresses many common questions, which not only helps prospective families but also boosts the school’s SEO strategy.

The site is clearly set up for continued success, and it’s exciting to see how it will develop over time.

Congratulations to Union Catholic and all the other schools on launching such well-designed, user-friendly sites that capture their values and community!

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.