Evolution of School Websites

Following the pattern in the private sector, most school websites began as "static" sites in which the content remained fixed in place. These sites were often wonderful collaborations among students and faculty that contained:

• Head of School message, history and mission
• Contact information
• Admissions policy and instructions
• School pictures and story board

"Dynamic" elements, where website content changes as new data is received, began to appear in school websites in 2000, as the general population's experience and comfort level increased with the Internet, email, and e-commerce. Parents often inquired why school websites didn't offer some of the same functionality available in their professional environments. Gradually, solutions such as event calendars, assignments, and other dynamic content appeared, often cobbled onto existing sites.

As the year 2003 begins, school websites span a spectrum of capabilities and sophistication, from those viewing Internet and broadband technologies as an integral part of their infrastructure, to those recognizing the value of a school website but have postponed having one for various reasons. Some have, or are considering development of, sophisticated intranet sites. And a small number are exploring the leverage and productivity enhancing potential of database driven web-based applications.

Surveys on consumer spending consistently show that prior to making big-ticket purchases, the first place consumers search for relevant information is the Internet. For schools this is a wonderful, cost-effective opportunity to present themselves and their message(s).