Website Redesign: Pattonville R-III School District
The challenge
Pattonville School District, located just outside St. Louis, had a website that no longer met the needs of its families or staff. The site wasn’t built on a professional platform, making it difficult to update, navigate or find critical information. Over time, hundreds of separate Google Sites emerged. Each managed independently by schools and departments, leading to a fragmented user experience and inconsistent branding. District leaders knew it was time for a complete overhaul. They wanted a modern, unified and user-friendly website that would strengthen community connections, improve accessibility and showcase the district’s identity. To do it right, they turned to CESO Communications to guide the process from strategy to launch.
Our approach
From day one, CESO served as both a strategic advisor and hands-on project partner. Working alongside Pattonville’s communications team, CESO facilitated an inclusive discovery process — starting with a comprehensive stakeholder survey to understand what families and staff wanted from their new website.
Based on this input, CESO guided the district through the vendor selection process. From there, the team led every phase of the project:
The collaboration went far beyond technical execution. CESO helped the district think strategically about how its website could serve as the digital front door for families — where first impressions are formed and lasting connections are built.
Our impact
The results were immediate and measurable. In a post-launch survey conducted by Pattonville:
- 91% of both staff and families said the new website is easy to navigate.
- 97% of families and 95% of staff agreed that the overall design looks nice.
- 88% of families and 89% of staff found it easy to locate information.
- 98% of families and 97% of staff reported that the site loads quickly and functions properly.
- 97% of families and 98% of staff said the content feels relevant.
- In total, 96% of families and 89% of staff rated the site’s overall effectiveness at a 3, 4, or 5 on a five-point scale.
These numbers confirm what the collaboration set out to achieve: a cohesive, intuitive and beautifully designed digital experience that makes it easier for families and staff to connect with their schools.
Since its launch, Pattonville’s website has received regional recognition for excellence in school communication and continues to serve as a model for how thoughtful design and strategic planning can transform a district’s digital presence.
- Easy to navigate
- Overall design looks nice
- Easy to locate information
- Site loads quickly and functions properly
- Content feels relevant