September wrapped up with another impressive group of private school website launches, each one designed to communicate clearly, engage meaningfully, and guide users through key actions like exploring programs, scheduling a visit, or officially kick-starting the admissions process.

The month’s roundup has a little of everything—long-established institutions, innovative learning communities, and bright, bold styles that pop. And we’re going all over the world, from the mountains of Georgia to the city of Pittsburgh, all the way over to London proper.

All of these schools, though, are using their websites to tell stronger stories, improve the user experience, and invite families to explore what makes their mission stand out. Let's take a look!

Winchester Thurston

Winchester Thurston has launched a new website that’s engaging, beautiful, and brings its tagline, "The Future Grows Here," to life. With a focus on community, place-based learning, and student voice, the site serves as a strong introduction to the values and experience at the heart of WT.

The homepage opens with a vibrant display of imagery that reflects the school’s mission in action. Clear calls to action invite users to schedule a tour or explore more about the WT experience, while a cascade of fast facts uses bold iconography to highlight key details like financial aid, athletic participation, and student life.

One of the site’s most distinctive features is an interactive custom map that showcases Pittsburgh as an extension of the WT campus. Users can explore the school’s city-based learning approach, showing how students engage with real-world learning through its facilities and partnerships throughout the city.

• The Voices of WT slideshow brings the community to the forefront with testimonials and imagery from parents, alumni, and faculty.
   
• A live social feed keeps the homepage current, pulling in updates from Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
   
• Interior pages are well-organized with expanding accordions that make content easy to navigate, and cleanly styled headings and subheadings help break down the heavier information and guide users through the site with ease.

Congrats to the WT team on a launch that supports their mission and helps their future continue to grow.

St. Dunstan's College

St. Dunstan’s College, an independent school in South East London with a rich history spanning more than 130 years, has launched a new website that beautifully shows its spirit, purpose, and place in the community. A Best-in-Class launch, the site blends modern design with timeless values and the proud tradition of academic excellence, creativity, and service.

The homepage opens with an inset video montage of student life, community events, and the energy of the St. Dunstan’s experience. A guiding visual line takes visitors through the homepage, connecting key entry points and highlighting what makes this school “a school like no other.”

Content blocks showcase St. Dunstan’s many strengths, like strong academic outcomes, a thriving arts and drama program, athletic success, and a culture of scholarship and compassion. The Student Voices section is a standout feature, with video testimonials that answer the question: What makes St. Dunstan’s special? It’s a compelling, personal touch that gives prospective families a closer look at the student experience.

The site also highlights the school’s connection to South East London, with a custom map design and a thoughtful look at how the city’s culture and diversity shape life on campus. Navigation is intuitive, guiding users through entry points for the Junior School, Senior School, and Sixth Form, and anchor links make it easy to move up and down the homepage for a smooth, accessible browsing experience.

Interior pages are content-heavy but structured well with multi-columns, image buttons, and testimonials to present information clearly. Pages like the Junior School Admissions, St. Dunstan’s Education Group, and Senior School Welcome showcase the site’s design flexibility, pairing strong messaging with a little visual polish.

Don’t miss the History section, which traces the school’s roots back to 1446 and its connection to the parish of St. Dunstan’s in the East, a legacy that continues to shape the school’s values and identity.

Congratulations to the St. Dunstan’s College team on a distinctive, elegant, and purpose-driven website launch. It’s a site worthy of the legacy it represents!

International School of Brussels

If you're looking for a site that's full of character, color, and fun, look no further. The International School of Brussels (ISB) has launched a vibrant new website that perfectly captures its diverse, inclusive, and dynamic school community of more than 1,300 students from over 60 countries. Another Best-in-Class launch, the site brings together a bright, bold design, intuitive navigation, and joyful storytelling for an experience that’s every bit as engaging as life on campus.

The homepage bursts with vivid colors, playful typography, and smooth animations that bring each section to life. As users scroll, they’re invited to take a virtual campus tour, explore upcoming events, and connect with the latest stories from across the ISB community. 

The site embraces ISB’s belief that no two students are the same, and that message comes through clearly in how content is presented; through interactive infographics, post sliders, content carousels, and vibrant full-width cards. Whether you’re exploring learning pathways, campus life, or the student-led stories, there’s a consistent sense of movement and creativity throughout.

The site is filled with enhancements reused thoughtfully across pages, including:

• Hero visuals and infographic sliders
• Custom post sliders and content carousels
• Text treatments with design elements
• Full-width cards and image buttons

ISB’s new site supports the school’s mission of empowering every learner to thrive, all while on a campus surrounded by the Forêt de Soignes and steps from a UNESCO World Heritage site. Congratulations to the ISB team on a site full of the color, culture, and creativity of your incredible school community.

Abington Friends School

Abington Friends School has launched its new website, and it’s a thoughtful, beautifully designed representation of the AFS community: welcoming and rooted in connection. The new site invites everyone to explore what makes AFS such a meaningful place to learn and grow, and it feels like home. OK, that might be because it’s 20 mins away from my home, but still…

The homepage leads with a powerful message: Are you ready for an experience that’s more than a school? From there, visitors are encouraged to find themselves at AFS—a sentiment that’s carried through every page and interaction. A fixed side panel keeps key calls to action within reach, including options to view events, apply, or support the school.

Bold imagery, clean navigation, and warm color choices work together to create an experience that’s easy to explore and full of heart. A series of engaging homepage enhancements, including hero treatments, animated containers, and image buttons, brings the site to life, while CTAs guide users to learn more and take action.

Throughout the site, visitors can browse academic offerings, discover signature programs, and stay current through news updates and integrated social media posts. The Our Community section in particular stands out with large images, bold typography, and design elements that animate smoothly and seamlessly.

When prospective families are ready to take the next step, they can inquire, schedule a visit, or register for an open house through Finalsite Enrollment, making the admissions process feel approachable and personalized.

As the school shared, “We wanted a digital home that reflects the spirit of AFS and makes it simple for you to be part of school life no matter where you are.”

Congratulations to the Abington Friends School team on a launch that’s both inspiring and practical—an experience that feels like AFS from the very first click.

The Galloway School

The Galloway School’s new website is live, and it captures everything the school stands for: joyful learning, meaningful experiences, and a fresh perspective on education. The site is a standout example of how purposeful design and strong branding can elevate storytelling and user experience.

The homepage opens with a clear message: This is what school can be. A video montage sets the tone with authentic moments of discovery, connection, and play. As users scroll, a "scrolljack" effect calls out signature elements of the Galloway experience—joy, respect, wonder, and more—all underscored by bright, secondary brand colors that bring energy to every section.

• Testimonials from alumni, students, and faculty are thoughtfully placed throughout, supported by parallax design effects and animated fast facts that spotlight the school’s strengths in academics, arts, and athletics.
   
• An automated horizontal scroll subtly echoes the tagline and invites users to take the next step, whether it’s scheduling a visit, inquiring, or starting an application.
   
• Interior pages continue the immersive experience with large imagery, custom typography, and well-structured layouts using tabs and accordions. The Academics section and Early Learning pages are great examples of how content and design work together to communicate the Galloway approach.

The Athletics page brings it all together—fast facts, coaching staff highlights, and social feeds that offer a complete look at the school’s athletic life. Meanwhile, the News & Media page, powered by Finalsite Posts, keeps the community updated and engaged.

With enhancements like custom headings, image buttons, custom containers, and more, Galloway’s new site feels as thoughtful and forward-thinking as the school itself. Don’t miss this cool video that explains their rebrand.

Congrats to The Galloway School on a website that celebrates curiosity, creativity, and community.

Hathaway Brown School

Hathaway Brown School is celebrating 150 years of academic excellence, leadership, and community—and now it has a new website to match the moment. This independent, coeducational Early Childhood and all-girls K–12 school in Shaker Heights, Ohio, has launched a beautiful digital experience that honors its legacy while pointing confidently toward the future.

The homepage welcomes visitors with a striking collage of archival and current-day images, alongside a video montage that invites users into the daily life of students across all divisions. A scrolljack feature leads the way, celebrating HB’s focus on community, academics, and a lifelong love of learning. The At a Glance section comes alive with animated fast facts, reinforcing the school’s impact through numbers that matter.

Throughout the site, users are reminded that every girl is inspired, encouraged, and prepared.

• Animated imagery and well-placed testimonials help bring that message to life. Clear navigation guides families to explore academic divisions, student life, and the broader HB community.
   
• When users are ready to take the next step, the admissions section provides a simple, well-structured overview of the process—with branded calls to action in the school’s signature yellow and brown tones.
   
• There’s strong attention to detail in both content and design, from the sunray-inspired flourishes in the navigation to illustrated campus graphics in the footer that add warmth and personality.
   
• Interior pages are easy to navigate, with bold text dividers, infographics, and social media integrations that keep content dynamic and engaging. The Alumnae page also stands out as a great resource for staying connected and involved.

Congratulations to Hathaway Brown on a site that beautifully honors its past while creating space for future generations to thrive. It’s a welcoming, thoughtful, and purpose-driven digital presence, fitting for a school that’s been a leader in Cleveland's education for 150 years.

Tallulah Falls School

Tallulah Falls School’s new website is a striking example of how thoughtful branding and design can reflect the heart of a school community. Built in partnership with Finalsite Studio Advantage, the site blends its natural beauty with digital clarity, bringing to life the story of a boarding and day school nestled in the mountains of Northeast Georgia.

Opening with the phrase The Light in the Mountains, the homepage sets the tone with a video montage that highlights the everyday experience of students on campus. The visuals, from academic moments to outdoor adventures, provide a warm and inviting introduction to life at TFS. 

On the right side of the homepage, an expanding panel pulls in the latest news and social media updates, while the full newsroom provides deeper context of the stories and celebrations happening across campus. Further down the page, visitors are guided through the answer to Why TFS? with interactive content focused on character development, academic rigor, leadership, and a school culture rooted in compassion and kindness.

Subtle "topographical" textures in the background show the connection to the school’s mountainous surroundings, adding a layer of visual depth that supports the site's overall theme of belonging and discovery.

The Shine the Light section at the bottom of the homepage shares personal stories from students and community members, bringing heart and authenticity to the experience.

This site takes full advantage of its enhanced design features, including:

• Statistic Tiles
• Image Buttons
• Textured Containers
• Numbered Tabs
• Full-Width Image Cards
• Testimonial Sliders

Congratulations to the Tallulah Falls team on a beautiful website launch, one that captures the school's unique setting, mission, and message.

Charlotte Latin School

Charlotte Latin School’s new website is live, and it beautifully captures the school’s mission to lead with intellect and honor. Visitors are greeted with a full-width video montage of authentic moments of learning, leadership, and community—all reinforcing the school’s core values.

A dynamic news and social panel puts the latest campus updates within easy reach, while the thoughtful use of parallax scrolling, animated slideshows, and bold typography brings content to life. As users scroll, they’re introduced to Charlotte Latin’s aspirations for its students, grade-level programming, and a closer look into the school’s focus on curiosity, service, athletics, arts, and student life.

• Interactive features like horizontal scrolling, custom accordions, tabs, and galleries create a rich, engaging user experience.
   
• The admissions section is especially strong, with clear calls to action for inquiries,
  applications, open house registration, campus tours, and more—all powered through Finalsite Enrollment.
   
• Offset videos, testimonials, and clean interior layouts make each page feel polished yet personal.

One clever feature is the Where to Next? section, which appears at the bottom of many pages to guide users toward additional areas of interest, whether it’s exploring athletics, the arts, or deeper aspects of student life. It’s a smart way to keep users engaged and encourage further discovery.

Built on a foundation of academic excellence and student-centered growth, Charlotte Latin’s new site offers a welcoming, well-organized experience that supports its mission.

Congratulations to the Charlotte Latin team and all the hard-working teams this month on dynamic and thoughtfully crafted launches!
 

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.