How to Build Positive Online Reviews for Your School

Have you ever wondered what people think about your school? One quick way to find out is to simply Google your school’s name and see what pops up. Whether you’re aware of it or not, people are leaving reviews online, and those reviews can shape public perception. In this article, we’ll explore how you can start building positive online reviews for your school and why it’s crucial to your school’s reputation.

When you think of online reviews, you may picture searching for restaurant recommendations or researching the latest kitchen appliance. Increasingly, though, families are using review platforms like Google, Yelp, and even educational sites to research schools before making enrollment decisions. As the landscape of school choice grows, so does the importance of positive online reviews.

Why Reviews Matter: Digital Word-of-Mouth with Clout

In the past, families had limited school choices, but today, options like open enrollment, voucher programs, charter schools, and private schools mean that parents are actively shopping for the best educational fit for their children. Word of mouth—a personal endorsement from a trusted source—remains one of the most powerful influences on school choice. But with the rise of digital platforms, online reviews have become a critical extension of word-of-mouth recommendations.

In addition to traditional reviews, families often visit school websites and base decisions on the quality of the site’s design, navigation, and content. A poorly maintained website can leave a bad impression, just as much as a negative review. To keep your school’s website in top shape, check out our guide to effective school website design.

Popular School Review Sites

If you’ve Googled your school’s name, you may have noticed a “Reviews from the web” section, which pulls reviews from multiple sources like Google, Facebook, and educational platforms. Here are four popular review platforms that you should be aware of, and tips for improving your presence on each.

1. Google Reviews

Google Reviews is one of the most widely used review platforms. Anyone with a Google account can leave a review, which will appear alongside search results and Google Maps.

How to Get More Google Reviews: Ask families, staff, and even students (where appropriate) to leave a review. Encourage them to rate your school on a scale of 1-5 stars and share a few comments about their experience.

Start building positive Google reviews today.

2. Facebook Reviews (Recommendations)

Facebook recently transitioned from a traditional review system to “recommendations,” but the platform still provides a 5-point rating based on user feedback.

How to Boost Your Facebook Recommendations: Encourage your followers to recommend your school page and share their positive experiences. Be sure to regularly update your Facebook page to keep your content fresh and engaging.

3. GreatSchools Reviews

GreatSchools.org is one of the most popular review platforms for schools, with a 10-point rating system that includes reviews and data from state and national education agencies.

How to Get More GreatSchools Reviews: Direct parents to leave a review on GreatSchools by searching for your school by name, state, or zip code, and clicking “Review.” Families can rate your school and provide comments about their experiences.

Start building your presence on GreatSchools.

4. Niche Reviews

Niche.com is another platform that ranks schools based on a 5-star system. Niche takes into account reviews, test scores, teacher quality, and other key data such as clubs, sports, and diversity.

How to Improve Your Niche Reviews: Encourage parents and students to leave a review on Niche by finding your school and selecting the “Write a Review” option. These reviews can help elevate your school’s profile, especially for prospective families comparing schools.

Visit Niche.com to see how your school is rated.

Steps to Build Positive Online Reviews

Building a positive online reputation starts with taking control of the review process. Here’s how to begin:

1. Rate and Review Your Own School: Go to Google, Facebook, GreatSchools, and Niche and leave a positive review about your own school. This helps familiarize yourself with the process, so you can guide others.
2. Encourage Staff and Families to Leave Reviews: After reviewing your own school, ask select staff and parents to do the same. A strong collection of reviews will improve your overall rating and influence others to participate.
3. Survey Your School Community: Consider conducting a family survey to gather insights about their experiences. Once they’ve provided feedback, kindly request that they share their thoughts on one or more review platforms. If you’re not sure where to start, check out this article on creating effective family surveys.
4. Don’t Fear Negative Feedback: Occasionally, you might receive a less-than-stellar review. While it may seem daunting, negative feedback can provide valuable insights into areas that may need improvement. Authentic and constructive feedback—positive or negative—can add credibility to your reviews.

By encouraging positive reviews, you can strengthen your school’s digital footprint and reputation. The more reviews and ratings your school gathers, the more influence you’ll have in guiding potential families’ perceptions.

Conclusion

Online reviews are here to stay, and they play an increasingly significant role in how families choose schools. By actively managing your school’s presence on review platforms like Google, Facebook, GreatSchools, and Niche, you can build a positive online reputation that attracts new families and strengthens community trust.

Curious to know what people think of your school? Start building positive online reviews today and take charge of your school’s digital reputation.