Christian Schools Blogsite Discussion

This promotional video is powerful because it doesn't try to sell anything. There is no School Principal or Head Master or staff saying what a great job the school is doing. Rather it is just a very simple presentation of some mums and a dad telling parts of their experience with Christian Academy System schools. One mom talks about praying over each of their children. I really like the dad as he says that God is at the centre of what they do and later explains how he doesn't need to UNDO what his children are learning. Rather the student's learning is reinforcing and enhancing what they are learning at home.

Hearing a parent repeat that their children were stopped in the hall and told by a teacher "I am blessed to be teaching you" is much more powerful than promoting academics, sports and other aspects of school life. I like that one parent explains how they did look at other options. Too often school promotion pretends we operate in a vacuum. Recognising the choices parents face and sharing their story helps parents identify with their own struggle.

Interestingly one parent talks about the school being huge. If there is a perception that the school is too big to be welcoming this video story directly addresses that fear. Well done Christian Academy.

ES Elementary Testimonials from Christian Academy on Vimeo.

How do you promote your school on TV or in a Cinema in 30 seconds? It is a challenge. Christian Academy System chose to feature a personal testimony. By sharing the story of a real parent, who was undecided about where they were going to live it would resonate with many parents. Their choice of school helped them re-evaluate what they wanted.

Parents believe the personal testimony of another parent much more than any promotional brochure, website or professional presentation. This video still showcases some aspects of the school while the audio of the parent testimony continues.

Theater Ad from Christian Academy on Vimeo.

The production quality of this video is very good. The video combines history and vision for the future. One of the original teachers describes it as a family school and a happy place to be. The School Captain reinforces the concept of family and how the older and younger children do mix. The Principal's analogy of his cycling and the school community helps him present as one of the community. Interviews include the Chaplain and Head of Religious Studies.

There is a delightful mix of interviews with both enthusiastic teachers and students. One teacher shares the excitement kids have with praying.

The Australian Christian College in Marsden Park NSW Australia includes a video on their website homepage to help visitors know what is important to them. The video is of three parents sharing their story. It is clear that the school aims to be Christ-centred. A parent prayed for godly mentors and teachers for their children so are delighted with the school. Children are challenged academically and spiritually. Students talk about how God plays a part in all subject and are encouraged to pray. One parent clarifies that is it more than memorisation of scripture.

This short promotional video for Greenwood Christian School, located in Greenwood, South Carolina makes a clear emphasis of the Christ centred education they offer. All parents have dreams for their children so this video seeks to tap into that desire.

The messages in these three 36 second promotional videos by Redwood Christian School in California USA could, hopefully, apply to many Christian schools. The first rt reminds parents that education is about giving children a perspective on life. The combination of teachers interacting with students and the sense of discovery about God's creation is very effective.

IN regional areas advertising your school on Television can be quite economical. It presents your school to a wider audience which can also just help with word of mouth marketing. The challenge is to know what to say in 30 seconds. Carinya Christian School is located in Gunnedah NSW Australia.

Carinya Christian School - TVC from Concept Creative Communications on Vimeo.

Hutt Valley Christian School created this promotional video in 2010. The video tells nothing of the school facilities. It doesn't have any photos or video. It is simply a voiceover with text on the screen. There are even some gaps where nothing is on the screen.  

While this approach is not recommended it does allow a clear message of the vision of the school to be communicated. It shows what can be done without even using a video camera. The video is clearly directed at parents not students. It addresses the amount of time that parents spend with their children compared to other influencers. They believe they have a scriptural mandate and that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

The video explains they do not have a government curriculum which gives them a high degree of control of what they teach. The school is therefore funded by school fees - not government - yet they claim to offer some of the lowest private school fees and are willing to help families who may still consider it too expensive.

The school welcomes Christian believers from any church.

Cornerstone Christian School Scotland chose to use a video to help launch the school in 2010. The video makes it very clear they believe that God wants something more than state education can provide for His children.

The video is very simple combining Christian music tracks with a slideshow of photos with text. The video starts with baby photos and uses many scriptures. It states that schools have pushed God out of classrooms and that 1,000 teenagers are leaving church each week. Their vision for the school is to let God back into the classroom and have a school which works in partnership with parents.

River City Christian School San Antonio Texas takes a riskier approach in this promotional video. It highlights that the set curriculum in public schools does not work for all children. It then promotes itself as caring for struggling children. It is an unusual 'marketing angle' trying to attract students who struggle in public schools due to learning difficulties. This approach may turn away the majority of prospective families looking for a Christian school.

It is clear they see that Christ will help students overcome the troubles they are facing.