What Are Some “Out of the Box” Ideas for Marketing a Charter School?

The best way to market anything is word of mouth. If a charter school has a good reputation—the word will travel to other parents/students. Another idea is to try the local Board of Realtors—because in the world of real estate it is essential for potential home owners to know what schools are located in their neck of the woods. This is also an important element for those who are trying to sell their homes. Another approach is through traditional public relations—and ultimately through community relations. Your charter school may want to beef up your public relations by:

1. Getting to know your community
2. Developing a community relations policy
3. Reviewing the organization’s practices, policies, and procedures
4. Utilizing all means to communicate with the community in which your school is located
5. Get involved in organizations around the community—like the Boys and Girls Club or YM/YWCA
6. Using local businesses to do business—such as a local bank, printer, etc.

Your charter school could also do the following to promote awareness:

• Host an open house—Charter School Week (28 April through 2 May 2003) is a great opportunity to do this.
• Organize a speakers’ bureau.
• Volunteer for civic events: Sign up for walks, recycling, cleaning, etc.
• Schedule student performances at a local events.
• Donation of social products: Arrange a food and/or clothing drive.
• Make facilities available for public use, when available.
• Collaborate with other schools, companies, and/or organizations to fulfill your objectives.

Another angle is to offer incentives for students/parents to refer new students to your school—perhaps a gift card or something of that nature for the child to enjoy.

For more information about community relations click here and for more FAQ's click here.