How to Create an Engaging School Facebook Page

Facebook, founded in 2006, has become a powerhouse in communication, with over 70% of U.S. internet users active on the platform. It has transformed not only personal communication but also how schools and nonprofits connect with their communities. Many schools use Facebook to share important messages, engage with followers, organize events, and even fundraise, reaching audiences who may not be accessible through email or traditional mail.

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.

You can use Facebook for a wide variety of announcements, such as school closures, event promotions, lunch menus, and more. It’s also perfect for rallying support for fundraisers or showcasing achievements of teachers and students. The possibilities are endless.

Read the School Social Media Guide here

Step 1: Create Your School’s Facebook Page

If you already have a Facebook account, getting your school’s page up and running is simple. Log into your account, click the drop-down arrow in the top-right corner, and select “Create a Page”. Choose “Company, Organization, or Institution” and narrow down the category to “School” or something similar. Name the page after your school, and it will go live — but there’s still some work to do.

Step 2: Add Pictures

Adding images is essential to make your page look polished and professional. Set a profile picture, such as your school logo or mascot, and a cover photo, like a picture of the school building or a group of students. These images make your page more engaging and help avoid the perception that it’s “unfinished.”

Step 3: Add a Description

Use the 255-character space provided by Facebook to write a brief description of your school and the purpose of the page. This is often the first thing visitors see and helps confirm that they’ve found the official school page.

Step 4: Manage Administrators

Most schools have a few people who are responsible for updating the Facebook page. It usually includes the school’s marketing or community relations director, a principal or other school administrator, and even a teacher or two.

When you’re logged into your page, you’ll see an option that says “Edit page.” When you click on this, you’ll see an option that allows you to manage administrator settings. Here you can add users and set their permissions so they can have specific access to the page. You’ll likely want at least one or two other people to be administrators so they can post content to the Facebook page if you’re out of the office.

Step 5: Attract Followers

Once your page is set up, it’s time to attract followers. Like the page from your personal account, share it with your friends, and encourage staff to do the same. Even with a small initial following, posting regular updates will increase the page’s value. 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.

A Few Facebook Tips to Help You Get Started:

• Like the Page: When you like the page from your account, your friends see it, expanding your reach.
• Share the Page: Ask staff and administrators to share the page to get the first few followers.
• Post Valuable Content: Regular posts make the page a source of valuable information.
• Get a Custom URL: After 25 followers, create a custom URL to promote your page more easily.

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.