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Best School Websites of 2025 – Learn From These Top School Web Design Examples

Article posted by Murad Bushnaq

Article posted on Jul 2, 2025 • 12 min read

Explore the best college and university websites to gain inspiration for your own design.

People form the initial perception of your school on your website and not so much at the school entrance. In today’s digital world, a school website needs to reflect its culture which consists of their values, mission, curriculum, teachers and the community they serve. A thoughtfully crafted website serves as the first conversation between parents and the school, providing a glimpse into the organization and how it will guide your child's education over the years. Therefore, your website needs to guide the expectations of potential and current families, students, and employees.

To inspire your school's website strategy, we’ve curated a selection of top-performing school websites from K-12, charter schools, stem schools and higher education institutions. These examples demonstrate how exceptional school web design can help drive online engagement, build trust, and increase student enrollment.

What Makes an Exceptional School Website Design?

An effective school website isn't just about looking good—it should be functional, accessible, and aligned with the school’s goals. Based on recent UX studies and education industry benchmarks, here are the core elements that make a website truly exceptional:

Mobile Responsiveness

67% of parents and nearly 75% of prospective students interact with school websites primarily on mobile devices. A responsive design ensures your site performs flawlessly on all screen sizes—phones, tablets, and desktops. From tap-friendly navigation to fast-loading mobile layouts, this is no longer optional—it's essential.
Why it matters: Google prioritizes mobile-first indexing, so if your site isn’t mobile-friendly, your rankings (and reach) will suffer. Plus, frustration from poor mobile UX can deter applicants and disengage donors.

Clear Navigation & Quick Access to Resources

Users typically leave a website if they can’t find what they need within 3 clicks. Design your navigation to minimize friction. Group content by audience (e.g., Prospective Students, Parents, Faculty), and ensure that high-priority pages like “Apply Now”, “Tuition & Aid”, and “Event Calendar” are no more than one or two clicks away.
Pro Tip: Use dropdowns and mega-menus to guide users intuitively, and include a search bar for quick access to deeper content.

Strong Calls-to-Action (CTAs)

Websites with clear CTAs experience a 121% increase in conversion rate on key pages. Your site should guide visitors toward outcomes that align with your school’s goals:

“Apply Now” for enrollment
“Donate Today” for fundraising
“Schedule a Visit” to drive in-person engagement
“Subscribe to Newsletter” for ongoing communication

Use high-contrast buttons and action-oriented language to prompt behavior on every landing page.

Integrated Calendars and Event Listings

Schools with regularly updated event sections see a 32% increase in time on site. Your calendar isn’t just a utility—it’s a storytelling tool. Segment events by type (e.g., Academics, Athletics, Fundraising) and link each to a dedicated landing page or registration form.

What to include:

Filters for audience type (e.g., student, parent, public)
iCal or Google Calendar sync
Mobile-friendly view toggle (month/list)

Engaging Visuals & Videos

Pages with video content see 88% more time spent on-site on average. Invest in authentic, high-quality visuals—student interviews, campus walkthroughs, classroom action shots. Avoid stock imagery whenever possible.

Visual elements to include:

Background video headers
Virtual tour embeds
Highlight reels of student achievements

Accessibility Features (ADA/WCAG Compliance)

71% of ADA lawsuits in 2023 involved inaccessible websites. Meeting WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards isn’t just legally required—it improves usability for everyone.

Key accessibility improvements:

Proper contrast ratios
Keyboard navigation and screen reader labels
Closed captions and descriptive alt text
Clear language and logical heading structures

Bonus: These improvements also enhance SEO by making your site more crawlable and structured.

Dynamic Content Modules (Blog, News, Program Finder)

Websites with regularly updated blogs generate 55% more leads than static sites. Use dynamic content modules to feature your latest updates in multiple areas: homepage, dedicated news section, and program detail pages.

Examples:

Blog modules with search and tag filters
Program finder with subject filters and degree types
Auto-publishing event updates to homepage tiles

Your website is your digital front door—and often, your only chance to make a strong first impression. By investing in these best practices, your school can create a seamless, inclusive, and action-oriented experience that drives enrollment, builds community, and reflects your institution’s values.

Top Picks: Best School Website Examples

These schools represent the gold standard in design, function, and user experience:

1. Cotati Rohnert Park Unified School District

Best for: Quick Access to Resources, Community-Focused Navigation, and School Locations Map

Features a sleek, clutter-free homepage with direct links to Parent Portal and School Calendar. The site is intuitive and prioritizes functionality, a major win for parents and staff alike. The Cotati Rohnert Park Unified School District website presents a well-organized homepage with fast access to key resources like the Parent Portal, School Calendar, and Transportation tools. It’s designed to serve a wide-ranging audience of students, families, and staff. With its clean layout and interactive map of school sites, CRPUSD balances efficiency with a welcoming user experience—making it easy for families to connect with their local school community.. The site is intuitive and prioritizes functionality, a major win for parents and staff alike.

2. Bishop Foley Catholic High School

Best for: Engagement with Clear CTAs, TikTok-Style Video Perspectives, and Community-Driven Appeal

The website captivates prospective families with vibrant visuals and bold calls-to-action like "Apply Now" and "Schedule a Visit." The homepage features a seamless layout that blends traditional Catholic values with a youthful, digital-native vibe. Its use of short-form video content styled like TikTok offers a fresh perspective from students themselves—perfectly tailored to engage both Gen Z audiences and their parents. This multimedia storytelling reinforces authenticity, builds trust, and supports strong enrollment funnel performance. It captivates prospective families with vibrant visuals and bold calls-to-action like "Apply Now" and "Schedule a Visit." Its homepage includes dynamic content, such as student video highlights presented in a short-form, TikTok-inspired format that appeals to younger audiences. This immersive and modern approach effectively communicates school spirit, values, and campus life while making the enrollment process seamless and inviting.

3. Khan Lab School

Best for: Minimalist Design, Student-Centered Storytelling, and Immersive Homepage Video

Their website exemplifies minimalism with purpose. It uses an immersive full-screen video on the homepage that invites users into the school’s innovative, student-first approach to learning. The design emphasizes open space, bold headings, and strategic storytelling that reflects Khan’s commitment to experimentation and personalized education. Built using Morweb's CMS, the site balances visual appeal with accessible navigation.

4. Bright Star Schools

Best for: Multisite Management, Impact-Driven Design, and Community-Focused UX

The Bright Star Schools website consolidates nine campuses under a cohesive brand while still providing a localized feel for each school. It uses well-organized menus, bold infographics, and bilingual accessibility to support its diverse community. The homepage spotlights academic performance, student stories, and strong calls-to-action—positioning the network as both mission-driven and tech-savvy.

5. Vista Charter Public Schools

Best for: Testimonials, Clean Design, and Mobile Optimization

The Vista Charter Public Schools site uses testimonial videos directly on the homepage to bring its mission to life. The layout is clean and modern, designed for easy navigation on both desktop and mobile. It highlights enrollment details, school values, and community stories—making it a strong example of emotionally resonant and highly functional design.

6. TanenbaumCHAT

Best for: Iconography, Mission Clarity, and Community-Centric Design

Their website excels in using vibrant iconography and structured page layouts to clearly convey the school’s values, Jewish identity, and academic priorities. Its homepage features bold callouts to student life, admissions, and giving, making it intuitive for both current families and prospective students.

7. The Association of Theological Schools (ATS)

Best for: Professional Tone, Resource Depth, and Integrated Event Calendar

Offers a clean, minimal layout with a prominent events calendar supporting its network of institutions. Their website reflects the organization's scholarly focus with a professional tone and clean design. Its homepage and top navigation provide direct access to accreditation standards, educational resources, and peer networking tools. A standout feature is the prominently placed event calendar, which supports engagement with member institutions through workshops, webinars, and conferences.

8. Precious Lamb Preschool

Best for: Emotional Storytelling, Donor Engagement, and Support Messaging

Features heartfelt imagery and intuitive navigation with strong calls-to-action for support. The site radiates warmth and purpose. Through personal stories, real-life photography, and mission-focused copy, the site builds an emotional connection with visitors. Prominent calls-to-action like "Donate Now" and "Get Involved" guide users toward supporting the school’s mission of helping children from homelessness and hardship.

9. Zaytuna College

Best for: Cultural Identity, Program Exploration, and Intellectual Depth

Combines cultural richness with modern web tools including a dynamic academic programs section. It reflects the institution’s scholarly mission and cultural roots through elegant design, rich visuals, and a refined content structure. The homepage blends aesthetic typography with a strong sense of tradition, while the academic programs section invites prospective students to explore the curriculum through interactive elements. The design balances spiritual ethos with functional clarity, elevating user experience while staying true to Zaytuna’s unique identity.

10. Athabasca University GSA

Best for: Student-Centric Event Calendar and Resource Navigation

Provides a sleek layout and standout event calendar for navigating dates and deadlines. It offers a user-first design that prioritizes access to upcoming events, news, and essential resources. The homepage features a standout events calendar where students can find deadlines, networking opportunities, and academic support events. Its clean, mobile-responsive layout ensures usability across devices, reinforcing AUGSA’s commitment to accessibility and engagement.

11. AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School

Best for: Program Showcases, Community Values, and Multilingual Navigation

Highlights key programs through compelling visuals and intuitive content blocks. Their website blends tradition with a modern layout, featuring intuitive navigation and a design that highlights Armenian heritage and community-focused values. The homepage emphasizes school events, announcements, and key programs through compelling visuals. Language toggle options and well-organized menus ensure the experience is inclusive and accessible for both English and Armenian-speaking families.

12. Park University

Best for: Advanced Program Finder, Enrollment UX, and Mobile Design

Features a searchable tool for prospective students to explore programs by various filters. The website empowers prospective students to find academic offerings quickly through a sophisticated program finder tool. Users can filter by location, field of study, and program level. The homepage includes clear calls-to-action, interactive campus maps, and virtual tour access—all built into a responsive, user-first layout that balances accessibility with dynamic content.

13. Ross School

Best for: Visual Storytelling, Campus Atmosphere, and Donation Integration

High-impact visuals paired with a donation form embedded directly within the homepage. It uses vibrant imagery and aerial campus video to immediately immerse users in the school environment. Scrolling animations, a live social media feed, and embedded donation forms enhance user engagement. With seamless navigation and design consistency, the site balances emotional appeal with functional clarity—especially appealing to prospective families and donors alike.

14. Bow Valley College

Best for: Balanced Design, Authentic Campus Representation, and Story-Driven Content

The Bow Valley College website effectively uses real student photography and news-driven storytelling to reflect campus life and school values. The homepage is balanced and clean, integrating updates, events, and personal stories in a visually compelling layout. Its structure supports multiple departments while remaining easy to navigate for students, parents, and staff.

15. Putney High School

Best for: Creative Typography, Scroll Animations, and Student Storytelling

Offers slick animations and bold typefaces that capture a modern, engaging feel. Their website brings a vibrant energy to its homepage with scroll-triggered animations and bold, modern typography. The site features dynamic visuals of students and real-time updates, with strong navigation that guides users to academics, wellbeing programs, and extracurriculars. It strikes a balance between elegance and innovation—ideal for an institution that champions forward-thinking education.

Types of School Websites: Public vs Private

Public Schools: Transparency, resources, policy documents, and translation tools
Private/Charter Schools: Storytelling, donation forms, admissions workflows, and CRM integrations

Tips for Designing Your Own School Website

Feature clear CTAs: Apply, Tour, Donate
Embed multimedia: Video, photo galleries, and testimonials
Add trust elements: Stats, awards, partner logos
Use icons and dividers to break content visually
Keep navigation simple and consistent
Optimize local SEO: Add map, service area keywords

Key Features Every School Website Needs

Donation and Giving Tools

Create pages for one-time and recurring giving.

Event Calendar Module

Enable calendar filters by type or audience with our Event Calendar.

Accessibility Toolkit

Use WCAG 2.1 AA-compliant design with font size toggle, alt text, and color contrast options.

Blogging and News Engine

Boost SEO and community engagement with regular blog content. Share school updates, highlight classroom stories, and amplify student voices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What should a school website include?

Home, About, Admissions, Academics, Events, News, Contact
Donation and Parent/Student Portal
Blog, Calendar, Accessibility tools

How can I improve SEO on a school website?

Use schema markup
Target keywords like “school websites,” “school web design”
Link between internal pages, blogs, and resources

What platform is best for school websites?

Morweb: Easy drag-and-drop editing, built-in tools for accessibility, events, and donations—no coding needed.

Final Thoughts

A great school website doesn’t just inform—it inspires. Whether you want to boost enrollment, engage parents, or grow support, let these examples guide your next redesign.

Explore more school-focused web tools:

Talk to Morweb’s team to design a school website built for success.