Must-Have Features of School Websites: Is Yours on the List?
Ever landed on a school website and wondered if you’d stepped into a digital maze?
No calendar in sight, outdated announcements, links that go nowhere — it’s like trying to find the front office in the dark.
But imagine a school website that feels like walking through the front doors on a bright, welcoming morning — easy to navigate, full of life, and built for connection.
In this guide, we’ll explore the essential features that turn a basic site into a powerful hub for students, parents, and staff — from smart student portals to sleek responsive design that works on any device.
What Makes an Excellent School Website?
1. Principal’s Welcome Message
A great school website should start with something warm and personal — and that’s where the Principal’s Welcome Message comes in.
Think of it as a friendly hello to anyone visiting your site.
It’s a simple way for the principal to share what the school is all about, from its values to its goals, using the tools of a good educational website.
Just like you’d greet someone walking into the school building, this message should feel genuine and inviting.
A few kind words from the principal can go a long way in making parents, students, and visitors feel more connected. 
2. Updated Content & Effective Communication
Another key part of a successful school website is keeping everything up to date and making communication easy.
With a solid plan in place — and the right educational website builder — you don’t need to spend hours managing content.
Simple updates like contact info, school news, or basic FAQs can go a long way when combined with your student portals, newsletters, and Student Management System.
When everything works together, your website becomes more than just a landing page — it turns into a central communication hub.
3. Secure and Mobile-Friendly Website
In today’s world, your website needs to work smoothly on phones and tablets — especially since over 60% of people browse the web on mobile devices.
If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, visitors may leave before they even get to know your school.
That’s why responsive design is a must-have in any great educational website builder.
Equally important is security.
Your site should have an SSL certificate — that little padlock icon in the browser bar — which protects personal data and builds trust with your audience.
Without it, visitors might question whether your site is safe to use.
Want to check if your site meets these standards?
Just pull it up on your phone.
If the layout looks clean and easy to navigate, and there’s a lock next to the URL, you’re on the right track.
If not, it’s time for some quick updates!
4. Online Admissions Portal
The admissions process is often the first real interaction parents have with your school — so it needs to be easy, clear, and stress-free.
That’s where a simple, user-friendly online admissions portal really makes a difference, especially when built using a solid educational website builder like Alweb.ai.
Instead of making parents dig through paperwork or call the school for updates, a good portal lets them do everything in one place — from filling out forms to checking on their application status and downloading documents when needed.
It saves time for both families and your staff.
A well-designed admissions portal should include:
Easy-to-fill forms for new students
Tools for handling enrollment
Automatic reminders for deadlines and important documents
5. Enrollment & Registration Information
Your school website isn’t just there for current students and parents — it’s also where new families go when they consider joining your school.
That’s why making enrollment and registration info easy to find and even easier to understand is important.
With a good educational website builder, you can set up a simple page that guides families through the process, step by step.
No guessing, no digging around.
Just clear answers to common questions, key deadlines, contact info, downloadable forms, and a list of what they’ll need to enroll.
6. Academic Calendar & Events
Schools are busy places — there’s always something happening, from soccer games and school plays to bake sales and parent-teacher meetings.
Your school website should be the first stop for families looking to stay updated, and an easy-to-find academic calendar makes that possible.
Using a good educational website builder, you can create a simple online calendar where families can quickly find details about events.
Instead of searching backpacks for lost flyers, parents and students can just go to your website to see exactly what’s happening, where, and when.
Having everything neatly organized in one spot doesn't just help keep everyone informed — it also encourages more families to get involved.
While looking up one event, parents might notice another fun activity or important meeting they didn't even know was happening.
It’s a great way to build community.
And if your school uses tools like Schoolzine, it’s even easier.
Your calendar can automatically update everywhere at once, meaning you’ll spend less time managing it, and families will always see accurate, current information.
7. Easy-to-Use Parent and Student Portals
These days, online learning is part of daily life.
Students regularly log in to their school portals to check grades, submit assignments, or explore the school’s digital library.
Likewise, parents use their own portals to stay in touch with teachers, keep an eye on grades and attendance, or find out about ways they can help out at school.
Because portals are used so often, they need to be quick and simple to find.
Your school's website is the perfect place to put clear links to these portals—ideally right at the top of your homepage.
And since students and parents usually check their portals on the go, having convenient mobile apps can make their lives even easier.
8. School Staff Directory
Parents and students often need to get in touch with someone at school — whether it’s a teacher, a coach, or an administrator.
A parent might want to check in about grades, while a student might need to ask a club advisor about joining an activity.
That’s why it’s so helpful to have all staff contact info in one easy-to-find place on your website.
With a good educational website builder, you can create a simple and organized staff directory that lists names, roles, phone numbers, and email addresses.
Just one click from the homepage should take users straight to the directory.
Want to make it even easier?
Add a search bar at the top.
That way, parents and students can quickly find exactly who they’re looking for without scrolling through the whole list.
9. School Policies & Handbooks
Every school has its way of doing things — the playbook that keeps everything running smoothly.
But for many parents, that playbook can feel like a mystery.
What’s the process for reporting bullying? What happens if a student misses school? Are there rules about when a sick child should stay home?
Instead of leaving families guessing, give them a one-stop spot to find all the answers.
A digital school handbook, built right into your website with the help of a smart educational website builder, makes it easy for everyone to stay on the same page — literally.
Put a clear link at the top of your site and fill it with the essentials: student conduct, attendance policies, anti-bullying procedures, rights and responsibilities, and more.
Think of it as your school’s guidebook — only it doesn’t get lost in a backpack or buried under homework.
10. Resources for Students
School isn’t just about lessons and tests — it’s about ensuring students feel supported in every part of their lives.
Some days, they might need a little extra help with homework.
Other times, they might be dealing with stress, need someone to talk to, or even need support with things going on at home.
The problem?
A lot of students don’t know what kind of help is available.
That’s why your website should have a clear, easy-to-find Student Resources page.
Using a solid educational website builder, you can put everything in one place — tutoring programs, meal assistance, mental health services, and more.
This page is more than just a list of links — it’s a reminder that your school sees them, supports them, and is always ready to help.
Even a small sign that says “You’re not alone” can make a big difference.
11. Resources for Parents
Supporting students also means supporting parents and families.
Sometimes parents worry their child is struggling academically, or they might have concerns about behavior at home.
Many times, they're not quite sure who to talk to or where to find help.
That's exactly why it's helpful to have a clear Parent Resources page on your school’s website.
You can include information about who to contact for behavior support, details about after-school programs, college planning advice, and more — all in one easy-to-find spot.
12. Join Our Team: Careers Page
Hiring people in the old days meant bulletin boards, folded flyers in the office, and a lot of "Do you know someone?" conversations.
But today, your school’s first impression as an employer often starts online — and your Careers page is the front door.
Think of it as your recruitment welcome mat.
This is where passionate educators, counselors, and staff-to-be come looking for more than just a job — they’re looking for a place to belong.
Make it easy for them.
List open positions clearly, along with what each role involves and what kind of qualifications you're looking for.
But don’t stop there — show them what it feels like to work at your school.
Add a message from your superintendent, sprinkle in a few honest words from your staff, and highlight the values that make your school more than just a workplace.
13. School Blog & Newsletter Updates
Every school has stories worth sharing — the science fair winners, the big game highlights, classroom projects, teacher spotlights, or just everyday moments that make your school special.
A blog or newsletter section on your website is the perfect place to bring those stories to life.
Parents, students, and even future families can check in regularly to see what’s new, what’s coming up, and what everyone’s been working on.
Whether it’s an academic achievement, an upcoming event, or a fun school tradition, this space keeps everyone in the loop.
And here’s the bonus: blogs and newsletters can help your school show up better in search engines.
That means when someone Googles schools in your area, your site is more likely to appear — just by keeping your content fresh and meaningful.
Make it easy for parents to access newsletters directly on your website.
Include downloadable versions, quick updates, photos, and articles that capture your school’s energy.
14. Photo & Video Galleries
Some things are just better shown than told — and that’s exactly what a photo and video gallery can do for your school.
A gallery full of pictures and videos lets people see what life at your school is like.
From classroom activities and art displays to field trips, sports games, and school celebrations, these moments help tell your school’s story in a fun, visual way.
For new families visiting your website, it’s a great way to feel the energy and warmth of your school before they even walk in.
A quick video of a school event or a few photos from a class project can go a long way in showing what makes your community special.
It’s not just about showing off events — it’s about giving people a real glimpse into the everyday life, culture, and spirit of your school.
15. Alumni Network & Updates
Graduation might be the end of high school, but it’s not the end of the story — or the community.
A friendly, easy-to-find Alumni section on your website is a great way to stay connected with former students and celebrate what they’ve gone on to achieve.
You can use this space to share updates on alumni accomplishments, post short success stories or testimonials, and give shout-outs to grads doing amazing things.
It’s a great way to show current students and families how far your school’s influence can reach.
It’s also a space where alumni can get involved again — maybe by attending a fundraiser, giving a career talk, or mentoring a student.
It helps keep that school spirit alive and reminds everyone that once you're part of the school family, you always are.
16. Clubs & Extracurricular Activities
There’s more to school than desks and textbooks — it’s also where passions are discovered, friendships are built, and talents come to life.
A vibrant Clubs & Extracurricular Activities section on your website is like a backstage pass to the heart of your school’s personality.
It’s where families can explore everything that happens after the final bell rings — from the energy of the soccer field to the rhythm of the music room, the creativity of the art club to the buzz of the debate team.
This page isn’t just a list — it’s an invitation.
An invitation for students to dive into what they love, try something new, or simply find their place.
It also shows parents that your school cares about more than just grades — you’re building confident, well-rounded individuals who grow through experience.
17. Contact Us & Social Media
Sometimes, all someone needs from your school website is a quick way to reach out.
That’s why having a simple, easy-to-spot Contact Us section is so important.
Add your school’s phone number, email address, and maybe a short contact form for common questions — it saves time and makes it easy for families to connect when they need to.
But staying in touch isn’t just about phone calls and emails anymore. Social media is where the conversation happens.
Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn are perfect for sharing quick updates, fun stories, and important reminders — all in real-time.
Make sure your social links are easy to spot on your website.
You can place them in the header, footer, or even as floating icons along the side.
The goal is simple: if someone wants to follow your school or check the latest update, they shouldn’t have to search for it.
18. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A FAQ page is one of the most helpful (and underrated) parts of a school website.
It’s like a digital front desk that’s always open — ready to answer the questions people ask most.
Parents might want to know how to enroll their child, what your school’s dress code is, or how to report an absence.
Instead of calling or sending an email, they can just head to the FAQ page and get what they need in seconds.
Keep the answers short, clear, and easy to understand.
And don’t forget to update the page regularly — nothing’s more frustrating than outdated info.
FAQs
What Makes the Best School Website?
A great school website is clear, user-friendly, and regularly updated with accurate information. It connects the school community and reflects the school’s values.
What Are Website Features?
Website features are the tools and elements that help users interact with the site, like calendars, contact forms, or portals. They make the site functional, informative, and engaging.
What Is the Best Feature of a School?
The best feature of a school is its ability to support and engage students through strong academics, inclusive culture, and active communication. A school website should reflect all of these.
What Are the Key Features of a Good Website?
Key features include responsive design, fast loading, clear navigation, and accessible content. For schools, adding student portals and event calendars boosts functionality.
Final Thoughts
Now we've covered all the important parts of a great school website—from easy-to-use student portals and smart, mobile-friendly responsive design, to content that keeps your community connected.
Here's one extra tip: think ahead when creating your website.
As your school grows, you might need to add new tools, languages, or resources.
Making your website flexible and easy to expand from the start will save you lots of time and effort later.
Want some expert help making your school website ready for the future?
Reach out today—we'd love to help you create something special.
