The end of the calendar year is always "crunch time" for districts! Between wrapping up projects, planning for the holidays, finalizing reports, and dodging all those nasty head colds, it can be tough to squeeze in anything extra.

But these districts went above and beyond, demonstrating incredible dedication by launching their new websites amidst the flurry of end-of-year activities. They've proven that with careful planning, a focus on priorities, and probably way too much coffee, it's possible to achieve ambitious goals even during the busiest times.

Now, these districts are entering 2025 with powerful sites to connect their communities and share their stories in exciting new ways. Let's take a closer look at the impressive designs, user experiences, and content of these recently launched district websites and celebrate their hard work and success!

Glens Falls City Schools

Glens Falls City School District, located in the scenic Adirondack region of New York, recently launched a new website that prioritizes efficiency, especially on mobile devices. The site greets visitors with a captivating video montage and features big, mobile-friendly icons for quick access to essential resources for students, staff, and families alike—simple, effective, and easy!

• Need to find the sports schedule or register a new student? No problem! GF makes it straightforward, with links at the front and center of the homepage.
   
• A handy "How Do I...?" section provides answers to frequently asked questions, while the "GF Nation" brings together the latest news, calendars, and district highlights to keep its community informed and engaged.
   
• Navigation is a breeze with an expandable menu that includes a keyword search and clear links to all major sections of the site.
   
• Weglot integration brings more accessibility for a diverse community, offering one-click translation into multiple languages.

Congratulations to the district on this successful launch!

Maize Unified SD 266

Maize Unified School District 266 in Kansas has launched a new website that embodies its mission to help students "discover their potential." Backed by Finalsite’s team of brand and marketing strategists, the site features a distinctive design with a striking red, tan, black, and white color scheme that instantly captures attention.

• The homepage offers a great UX with prominent icons for quick access to essential resources, including the district calendar, bus information, lunch menus, and career opportunities. Visitors can also read up on the latest news stories, social media feeds, and upcoming events.
   
• The site effectively showcases the district's various programs, from early childhood education to secondary schools, while a dedicated section highlights the strategic plan, outlining key goals and initiatives that will guide the district's progress through 2028.
   
• For those interested in getting more involved, a comprehensive volunteer page provides information about booster clubs, parent-teacher organizations, site councils, and classroom volunteer opportunities—love it!
   
• Its interior pages keep the same visual appeal and user-friendly design, with clear tabs and organized sections. The careers page, for example, features testimonials and slideshows to engage prospective employees and show the value of working in the district.

More “a maize-ing” design features include:

• School-specific watermark with main hamburger navigation menus and school logos
• Auto-resizing of site logos in the sticky header
• Diagonal panel divisions and custom section dividers
• Fade-up animations for content panels (News, Social, Calendar) and the search overlay, which fades into the center of the screen

Dallas Independent School District

While we've been highlighting some fantastic sites that launched in December, we can't overlook the impressive accomplishment of the Dallas Independent School District! Although the main district site launched back in October, the rollout of over 230 individual school sites in the last couple of months has been a remarkable feat.

Both the district and school websites deliver a captivating experience, starting with an entertaining animated video in the header that really sets Dallas ISD apart and is sure to leave a lasting impression on visitors.

There’s a lot more to explore, including:

• The homepage navigation is intuitive, with menus at the top and just below the header offering quick access to essential information like calendars, transportation, and district details. A slideshow highlights key programs, including early learning and legacy schools, while recent news and announcements keep the community informed. The 3x3 design of the calendar showing upcoming events is a great addition, too!
   
• Dallas ISD proudly showcases its achievements with compelling statistics, including its place as one of the top-ranked districts in the nation and its 276 extracurricular and co-curricular activities, among many other impressive stats.
   
• Accessibility is a priority, with AudioEye's visual toolkit empowering users with visual impairments to customize their browsing experience. They can adjust contrast, colors, text spacing, and so much more to view and explore the site comfortably.
   
• Whether you're looking for volunteer opportunities, district leadership information, or details about its specific schools, the site provides a seamless browsing experience, and exploring the district and school websites is easy, thanks to expandable menus and a convenient search bar.

Congratulations to the district on this remarkable achievement!

Greensburg Community Schools

It's a great day to be a Pirate!

Greensburg Community Schools (home of the Pirates, obviously) sets sail with a new website that's anything but ordinary. The site's blend of blues and purples creates a distinctive look, while bold text proclaiming "Think Opportunity" reinforces the district's commitment to providing a pathway to success for every student.

GCS really leans into its unique approach to education with a focus on six fundamental characteristics, represented by the acronym PRIMED: Persistent, Respectful, Inquisitive, Motivated, Employable, and Dependable. The custom design element allows visitors to hover over each letter to learn more about these essential qualities.

The new site is a valuable resource for the entire community:

• The homepage features a variety of engaging elements, including textured backgrounds and animated wave designs, to bring even more creativity to the page. Calls to action guide visitors to important information, such as enrollment resources for new families and career opportunities for prospective employees.
   
• An expandable menu provides easy access to details about the district, school board, individual schools, and dedicated resources for parents, students, and staff.
   
• Greensboro celebrates its commitment to well-rounded education with information about fine arts and athletics programs, accessible through a convenient drop-down menu. There's also a content area highlighting several of the areas "where opportunity happens" throughout the district.

Henry County School District

Henry County Schools, a large and growing district in Georgia, recently launched a new website designed with accessibility and user experience in mind. While the site may appear modest at first glance, it delivers a wealth of information in a streamlined and efficient manner, perfect for mobile viewing.

Be sure to take a closer look at a few of its highlights, including:

• A prominent slideshow on the homepage highlights key initiatives, such as the superintendent's 90-day entry plan and the district's commitment to excellence. News stories and district highlights, presented in the signature purple color, showcase the many opportunities and achievements across the district.
   
• A section called "Henry Community" brings together event calendars and social media posts, providing a snapshot of the latest happenings. The navigation menu, while straightforward, includes a helpful "I Would Like To..." dropdown that guides users to common tasks like registering a child, finding school calendars, and accessing classroom resources.
   
• Interior pages that are thoughtfully organized with dropdown menus and expandable sections make it easy to navigate and find information quickly, especially helpful on a smartphone.

Congratulations to Henry County and all the other sites that went live with Finalsite in December!

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.