Photo courtesy of Kamau Kegler ’27
In the digital age, online appearance may be the single most important first impression. After a decade of use, the Episcopal Academy website has been retired and replaced by a new and improved page, which is not only visually appealing and easily navigable but also contains new information available on the website, inviting visitors to learn more about our vibrant community.
“Our website had last been constructed over 10 years ago, so we were due for an updated look and feel to better reflect the current EA community,” says Carolyne Totherow, Associate Director of Admissions. Totherow is especially thrilled that the new website will help share the vibrant EA community with potential applicants and their families. “From an admission standpoint, we get a lot of traffic from word of mouth and social media connections for initial interest. But the website gives us a platform to really emphasize to someone unfamiliar with EA what makes our school stand out,” she says. “It’s an introduction to who we are as a school and community.”
The new website features quotes from real EA community members, as well as new images showcasing the daily classroom life at EA. The composition was created by EA’s own Assistant Director of Communications, Kate Andris. About a year ago, Andris held focus groups and interviews with members of the EA community, including parents, students, and staff. She focused on asking them about their EA experience and what makes EA special. Then, she spent time figuring out how a new website could reflect that experience. Totherow explains how Andris conducted extensive research to create the best website possible. “She researched websites of other schools for styles and formats, looking for cutting-edge ideas. Andris is a graphic designer, so she has a great sense of branding and impact.”
The new website features updated images of students and teachers, both inside and outside the classroom. The athletic pages and homepages include pictures of real students experiencing all EA has to offer.“I think it’s so cool to see my classmates and people I recognize on the website,” says Ryann Newcomb ’26. “I think it shows families what student life is like at EA. seeing people’s smiling faces on the website reassures them that their students will have a positive experience.” Authenticity goes a long way in branding, and the inclusion of real members of the EA community bolsters the website’s effectiveness in representing the EA community as well as it can.
When asked what the communications department focused on when making the new website, Director of Strategy and Communication Michele Godin says, “We wanted a site that not only meets the highest standards of web design, but also better captures who we are today as a school.”
To achieve this, they emphasized the EA mission and values more prominently. They also focused on presenting, in Godin’s words, “the power of our coeducational model, and the incredible achievements our students and alumni experience through academics, arts, and athletics.”
New sections of the website include an updated historical timeline of Episcopal’s history, alumni profiles, and more detailed information about EA’s curriculum. This is all accompanied by the new interactive features of the website, such as videos on the home and athletic pages, as well as hover animations.
The new website better reflects the Episcopal Academy community as it is today and offers a comprehensive view of all EA has to offer in an impactful way. “Our goal with the site is to help bring our school to life for people through impactful visuals, video, and stories,” says Godin. “Our hope is that new families come away thinking, ‘I want to be a part of that amazing community!’”