A private school’s website is one of its most important assets. It is the first place a prospective family will go to learn about your values, your programs, and your community. For current families, on the other hand, it is the central hub for important information, from school calendars to homework assignments. For these reasons, a great private school website must serve many different audiences at once. It has to be a powerful marketing tool for your admissions team, a vital communication hub for your current families, and a compelling fundraising platform for your development office.

Balancing these different needs can be a challenge. For example, the homepage needs to be beautiful and engaging to capture the attention of a prospective parent. At the same time, it needs to provide a clear and easy path for a current parent to log in to their portal. This guide will provide a clear roadmap. We will walk you through the 10 essential features that every successful private school website needs to have. By focusing on these key elements, you can create a website that not only looks great but also works hard for every part of your school community.

Feature 1: An Engaging and Professional Homepage

Your homepage is your school’s digital front door. It must make a great first impression. This means it needs to be visually beautiful, with high-quality photos and videos that show what makes your school special. Moreover, it needs to be incredibly easy to navigate. A new family should be able to instantly understand your school’s mission and find the admissions page. Likewise, a current parent should be able to find the school calendar in a single click.

Feature 2: A Detailed ‘About Us’ Section

After the homepage, your “About Us” section is where prospective families will go to get a feel for your school. This is your chance to tell your story and show what makes you different. This section should be more than just a few paragraphs. It should include:

• Your Mission and Values: A clear statement of what your school believes in.
• Your History: A short story of how your school was founded.
• Leadership and Faculty Bios: Professional photos and short biographies of your key team members.

This is a critical place to build a strong non-profit brand and make a human connection.

Feature 3: A Clear and Comprehensive ‘Academics’ Section

Prospective parents want to know about your educational philosophy and your curriculum. Your “Academics” section should be detailed and easy to understand. For instance, you should have separate pages for each division of your school (e.g., Lower School, Middle School, Upper School). On these pages, you can describe the curriculum, highlight special programs like arts or STEM, and introduce the faculty. Subsequently, this helps families see the value of the education you provide.

Feature 4: An Intuitive Admissions Portal

Your admissions process should feel welcoming and be easy to navigate. A dedicated “Admissions” section is a must-have. This section is the primary tool for your admissions team, and therefore it must be flawless.

Feature 5: A Vibrant ‘Student Life’ Section

A great school is about more than just academics. The “Student Life” section of your website is where you can show off your school’s personality. This is the place for photos and stories about your sports teams, your arts programs, your clubs, and your community traditions. Ultimately, this section helps a prospective family imagine their child being happy and successful at your school. This is a perfect place to use powerful images and videos.

Feature 6: A Robust Parent and Student Portal

A secure, password-protected portal for your current families is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. This portal is the central hub for all the information a current parent or student needs. A great portal can save your staff a huge amount of time on phone calls and emails. For example, it should include:

• School calendars and event schedules
• Lunch menus
• Homework assignments and grades
• Teacher contact information and class pages
• Re-enrollment forms

Feature 7: An Active News or Blog Section

A blog is a fantastic way to keep your community informed and to showcase your school’s achievements. You can use it to share stories about interesting classroom projects, celebrate student accomplishments, and share news from your alumni. Furthermore, a regularly updated blog is a powerful tool for your SEO, which can help new families find your school when they search online.

Feature 8: A Prominent and Easy-to-Use ‘Giving’ Section

As a non-profit, fundraising is critical to your mission. Therefore, your website must make it easy for your community to support your school. A clear “Giving” or “Support Us” button should be in your main navigation. This should lead to a section that explains why giving is important and shows the different ways people can contribute, from the annual fund to a capital campaign. Most importantly, it must have a simple and secure online donation page.

Feature 9: A Calendar and Events System

A busy school has a lot going on. A central, easy-to-read calendar is one of the most important tools for your community. A great calendar system will allow you to have different categories (like “Athletics,” “Arts,” and “All School Events”) that users can filter. This helps parents, students, and staff quickly find the information that is most relevant to them. In short, it makes life easier for everyone.

Feature 10: A Clear and Accessible Contact Page

Finally, you need to make it easy for people to get in touch. Your contact page should be easy to find and should include your main phone number, your physical address, and a simple contact form. Many schools also include a staff directory on this page so that visitors can find the contact information for specific people. Because your website should be welcoming to everyone, it is also important to ensure it follows the principles of website accessibility.

Your website is your school’s digital campus—make it a welcoming place for everyone.

Conclusion: Your Digital Front Door

A modern private school website is a complex and powerful tool. It must be a beautiful marketing piece, a functional communication hub, and an effective fundraising platform all at the same time. By focusing on these 10 essential features, you can create a website that serves all of your audiences well. A great website will help you attract new families that are a perfect fit for your mission. In addition, it will make life easier for your current families. Ultimately, it will help you build a stronger, more connected community around your school.