Facebook has become an essential communication tool, with over 70% of U.S. internet users active on the platform. For schools, Facebook is a vital tool in the communication strategy. Many of your school’s families—and likely your students over 13—are already on the platform. A school Facebook page can help you share updates with these groups, as well as prospective students and community members.
Why Schools Need a Facebook Page
A school Facebook page provides a direct line to your community. Many of your school’s families and students are already on the platform, making it an accessible tool for announcements, event promotion, and meaningful community engagement. Here’s how to get your school’s page up and running and start making the most of its features.
Step 1: Create Your School’s Facebook Page
If you have a personal Facebook account, setting up your school’s page is straightforward.
- Log in to Facebook and click the drop-down arrow in the top-right corner.
- Select “Create a Page.”
- Choose “Company, Organization, or Institution” and narrow down to “School.”
- Name your page after your school. This will be the official name displayed to followers.
Need more guidance? Check out Facebook’s Create a Page Guide.
Step 2: Add Images to Your Page
Images make your page look professional and welcoming. Set a profile picture—your school logo or mascot is a great choice—and add a cover photo, like a picture of the school building or students. These visuals make your page more engaging and establish it as an official school resource.
Step 3: Write a Short Description
Use Facebook’s 255-character space to add a brief description of your school and the purpose of your page. This helps visitors quickly confirm they’re on the official school page.
Step 4: Assign Page Administrators
To keep the page active, assign a few key staff members as administrators. This could include your marketing or community relations director, a principal, and possibly a teacher.
- Click “Edit Page” from your page settings.
- Go to “Manage Page Roles.”
- Assign different roles to your chosen administrators, ensuring they have access to post updates and manage the page.
For tips on managing administrators, see Facebook’s Page Roles Guide.
Step 5: Attract Followers
To start growing your audience:
- Like the page from your personal account to share it with friends.
- Encourage staff and administrators to share the page.
- Post valuable content regularly. Even with a small following, consistent posts establish your page as a trusted source.
Once you have 25 followers, you can create a custom URL like “www.facebook.com/ABCelementaryschool,” making it easier for families to find your page.
Pro Tips for Growing Your School’s Facebook Presence
- Like the Page: When staff members like the page, their friends are more likely to see and follow it.
- Share the Page: Encourage staff to share the page to grow an initial following.
- Post Consistently: Regular updates on school closures, events, lunch menus, and more make the page useful.
- Create a Custom URL: After reaching 25 followers, set up a custom URL for easier promotion.
Looking for more social media tips? Explore our School Communications Planning Guide.
Final Thoughts
There are lots of tips you can use to strengthen the impact of your school’s Facebook page. Facebook is too important to not be in your communications strategy. It’s also incredibly simple to set up and manage. You might be late to the Facebook party, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss it altogether. Get started on your school’s Facebook page today.
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