| In today's Internet savvy society, sophisticated school | | | | and more. Don't forget to update the calendar regularly |
| websites are increasingly becoming the norm. To | | | | to drive parents and students back to your website |
| stand out from the masses, a school website should | | | | for the latest news and information. |
| have compelling content and visual appeal, be engaging | | | | 7. Contact Information: Access to a list of teacher, |
| and informative, and reflect the spirit and activities at | | | | administration and faculty email addresses is essential |
| the school. Creating an interactive online presence that | | | | for open parent communication and relationship-building. |
| appeals to parents, students, faculty, and the | | | | The more engaged parents are, the more connected |
| community encourages involvement, strengthens | | | | students will likely feel to their school and community. |
| community and fosters loyalty. With the help of a | | | | 8. Alumni Section: Whether you are an elementary, |
| school administration software program that includes a | | | | middle or high school, you should include an alumni |
| website content management feature, your school can | | | | section to show the success of graduates who gained |
| achieve a secure, customized and user-friendly | | | | a valuable education from your school. This section |
| website. Below are a few tips to make your website | | | | can also serve as a forum for alumni to connect and |
| compelling and effective: | | | | show their support for school activities and fundraisers. |
| 1. Format: Make sure your website font sizes and | | | | 9. Pictures: Nothing makes a website more personal |
| colors are easy to read. The style should be | | | | than photographs, videos and podcasts of students |
| consistent throughout the entire website and look | | | | and teachers who are enjoying their experiences at |
| similar to standard school documents for consistency | | | | school. Parents and students alike will be eager to |
| and brand recognition. | | | | check back to your website frequently to view photos |
| 2. Homework Board: Allow teachers to post | | | | and recordings of classmates and teachers. |
| homework assignments and class updates online. This | | | | 10. Online Registration: Drive participation and support |
| offers parents a glimpse into their students' | | | | of school activities by offering parents, students and |
| coursework, while offering students access to | | | | community members convenient online access to |
| assignments from missed classes. | | | | register for school plays, dances, events and other |
| 3. School Supply List: Post a list of items that students | | | | programs. With school registration software, this |
| should have access to, whether in their backpacks, | | | | feature can easily be added to your site with secure |
| lockers, or at home. Leave the list posted all year long | | | | registration and payment processing. |
| as a reference and update it as needed. | | | | 11. Online Store: Offer parents and students an |
| 4. Student Project Showcase: Show off your talented | | | | opportunity to shop online for everything from school |
| students by displaying impressive work such as a | | | | t-shirts and supplies to event tickets and |
| video report or a touching poem. This shows parents | | | | recommended books for sale. |
| and the community the caliber of students at your | | | | 12. Fundraising Tools: Provide an online donation option |
| school and offers students an added incentive of | | | | for parents, community members and alumni to donate |
| public recognition. | | | | to school fundraisers while they're on your site |
| 5. Parent Resources: Equip parents with the latest | | | | reviewing information, registering for an event or |
| education and parenting-related materials, from a class | | | | shopping at your online school store. |
| syllabus and student/parent handbook to | | | | What's important to remember when creating your |
| recommended reading to a community directory. By | | | | school's website is to explore school software |
| communicating directly to parents and families, you will | | | | systems that allow you to incorporate creative, |
| set the benchmark for bringing education from the | | | | interactive tools that drive parents and students to |
| classroom into the home. | | | | your site frequently, improve operational efficiencies, |
| 6. Master Calendar: Include a master calendar with | | | | and foster community involvement and student, parent |
| school events that include sports games, back to | | | | and teacher interaction. |
| school night, guest speakers, report card release dates, | | | | |