Delphian School: 4 Essential Outreach & Engagement Tips for Educational Institutions

Are you struggling to connect with potential students and stakeholders? Does your educational institution’s outreach feel like shouting into the void? You’re not alone. Many schools face challenges in cutting through the noise and reaching their target audiences effectively.

But schools like Delphian School, a private K-12 institution in Sheridan, Oregon, have mastered community outreach. They’ve learned how to effectively communicate with current and prospective students, their families, alumni, and other stakeholders. Here are four strategies successful schools use to enhance their outreach efforts and build meaningful connections. And you can, too.

1. Know Your Audience Inside and Out

Understanding who you’re trying to reach is the cornerstone of effective outreach. Your audience isn’t a monolith — it’s a diverse group with varying needs and interests.

Start by identifying key demographics:

• Prospective students
• Parents
• Alumni
• Community members

Each group has unique concerns. Prospective students might prioritize career outcomes and campus life, while parents often focus on academic quality and safety. Community members may be more interested in local impact and collaboration opportunities.

Use data to refine your understanding. Analyze website traffic, social media engagement, and event attendance. This information can reveal patterns in behavior and preferences, allowing you to tailor your approach.

2. Leverage Digital Platforms

Likely you’ve set up a variety of online platforms for your school, ranging from Facebook to your own website. Each platform offers unique advantages. The key is to use them correctly and consistently.

Twitter: Share quick updates and engage in real-time conversations. For example, despite its relatively small size, Delphian School’s Twitter account boasts nearly 2,500 followers. It draws people in — and keeps them engaged — through a mixture of student success stories, alumni updates, information for prospective students, student and campus photos, and more.

Facebook: This platform is ideal for longer-form content and community building. The University of Michigan’s Facebook page, for example, engages nearly 800,000 followers with a blend of academic achievements and alumni success stories.

Instagram: Showcase visual content like campus life and student achievements. Need some inspiration? Take a look at UCLA’s Instagram account, which has over 440,000 followers. Note how it mixes up its content to include popular football photos alongside short audio takes from commencement speakers like Sean Astin.

LinkedIn: Network professionally and highlight alumni success. Stanford University’s LinkedIn page connects over 1 million followers with job opportunities, research breakthroughs, and industry insights.

Your website and blog also serve as central hubs for engaging content. Share student success stories, highlight alumni achievements, and feature current projects. Personal narratives and testimonials can be particularly powerful.

And yes, email is still relevant, and can be very effective when done right. In fact, A survey by Carnegie Higher Ed found that 57.8% of students want to receive emails from a single institution either once a week or once every two weeks.

3. Maintain Consistent Communication

Building relationships requires ongoing effort. Regular updates keep your institution top-of-mind and demonstrate ongoing value.

Adopt a multichannel approach:

• Email newsletters: These are perfect for delivering detailed updates and stories straight to inboxes.
• Social media updates: Quick, engaging posts on platforms like Instagram and Twitter can keep your followers in the loop with real-time news.
• Traditional direct mail (for certain segments): Yes, it still has its place, especially for those that appreciate a tangible connection.

The key is to maintain a cohesive message across all these channels. Adapt the format to suit each platform, but make sure that your core message remains consistent. Consider leveraging modern communication tools like mobile push notifications and in-app messaging. These can help you reach students where they’re most active, making your updates more immediate and relevant.

Feedback loops are your friend. Consider incorporating surveys and polls within your communications to gather valuable insights. Encourage your audience to share their thoughts. Open lines of communication not only make your audience feel valued but also provide you with the information you need to continuously improve your outreach efforts. 

Foster Community Partnerships

Collaborations with local businesses, organizations, and alumni can amplify your outreach efforts significantly. Identify potential partners whose values align with your institution’s mission.

Develop mutually beneficial relationships:

• Collaborative events
• Shared resources
• Joint community initiatives

If your school is like most, it already does a lot in the community. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 64% of all public schools in the United States had students participating in community service activities recognized by or arranged through the school during the 1998-99 school year. (High schools were particularly active, with 83% of them having students engaged in such activities.) Private schools like Delphian make community engagement and volunteering central to student activity. For example, one of their recent online magazines featured stories of students volunteering at a local Salvation Army food pantry and at a free community breakfast program. Follow their lead by sharing your institution’s commitment to community engagement. 

Also, don’t overlook your alumni network. Engaged alumni can be your most authentic ambassadors. Create opportunities for them to connect with current and prospective students, share experiences, and contribute to your institution’s growth.

By implementing these strategies, you can create a dynamic, engaging outreach program that resonates with your audience and supports long-term success. Keep refining your approach based on feedback and results, and stay open to new ideas and technologies that can enhance your outreach efforts.

Remember, effective outreach is an ongoing process that requires continuous adaptation. By focusing on understanding your audience, leveraging digital platforms, maintaining consistent communication, and fostering community partnerships, your institution can improve its engagement and achieve its outreach goals.