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The State of District Communications: 2025 Report Highlights
Connor Gleason

Ever wonder how often other districts email their parents? It can't be nearly as often as you do...right? Or if other schools are considering two-way chat or adding AI to their website this year? Do any other schools personalize their messaging, and how do they really know if their social media is making an impact?

Well, now you can find answers to those nagging questions because hundreds of school districts shared their goals, struggles, and successes to compile Finalsite’s 2025 District Communications Report, a 40+ page resource covering how your peers connect with their communities and strengthen their district’s brand.

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There’s a lot to review, along with the pitfalls to avoid and the opportunities to improve your own school-to-home communication strategies. So grab your free copy and take a look. Until then, here are just a few takeaways from the report:

Key Takeaways from the District Communications Report:

Email Still Reigns Supreme

One thing is clear: The responses showed that email remains a primary communication tool for most districts. It's the go-to tool for sharing important announcements, sending regular newsletters, and issuing urgent alerts.

Interestingly, though, no single email platform dominates the field. Districts use various systems, often choosing solutions that work seamlessly with their existing content management or student information systems.

But email takes a lot of time. The survey revealed that a whopping 72% of schools spend up to 5 hours each week just on email communication. Think of all the other important tasks you could accomplish if you had that time back!

Expanding Communication Channels

While email is essential, many districts also embrace other communication channels to connect with their communities. Mobile apps, for instance, are becoming increasingly popular as they provide families with easy access to calendars, news updates, and important notifications, all in one convenient place.

Urgent Alerts and Instant Updates

And when it comes to urgent situations—school closures, emergencies, or anything that requires immediate attention—mass notification systems are absolutely critical for getting the word out quickly and efficiently through SMS text messages, voice calls, app notifications, and more.

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Real-Time Connections: Parent-Teacher Chat Platforms

Parent-teacher chat platforms, which open up a whole new approach to school-to-home communication and collaboration, are also being used by districts to engage parents, teachers, and coaches directly, often bypassing emails for the convenience of real-time communication.

Feeling Overwhelmed? You're Not Alone. 

The report also revealed some of the common challenges that districts face in their communication efforts. A significant 60% of districts feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information they need to share, and finding the time to do it all can be a real struggle.

Is Anyone Listening? 42% of Districts Face Low Engagement

Additionally, many districts are grappling with managing data across different systems while ensuring their communication is consistent with their district's mission and brand identity. 

They want to make sure their communication matches their brand, and it's not just about getting information out the door; communicators want to make sure that information is actually read and understood. Despite their efforts. 42% of districts struggle with low engagement and crafting messages that resonate.

Streamlining Communication is a Top Priority

Still, districts are actively working to improve their communication strategies. In fact, 32% of districts say that streamlining communication is their “top goal” for the year, and the majority of districts also want to improve school-to-home communications.

The Power of a Unified Platform

A unified platform can transform how your district engages with its community, and when selecting new communication tools, cost and ease of use are the most important factors.

A single communications hub ensures your messages are timely, consistent, and impactful. As seen in the report, a platform can streamline messaging efforts, free up valuable time, make it easier to engage and inform families, and ultimately help unite your entire school community.

Is Your District on the Right Track?

Download your free copy of the 2025 District Communications Report and see if your school’s communication tools are reaching their potential!

Connor Gleason Headshot

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,


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