School Marketing Must-Do: Campus Clean-up

At Blueprint Schools, we have the privilege of visiting schools frequently. It’s one of our favorite things to do–experience ministry in action all across the country.

We’re struck by how alike AND how different our school ministries are. There are unique struggles and universal ones; blessings we all enjoy and special ones that set each school apart.

As we visit schools, the first item on our itinerary is a school tour. As we walk through classrooms, hallways, and outdoor spaces, we hear about the ways facilities are a blessing…and a challenge. We also learn about all the wish list items a school has (a gym or bigger workroom, a bathroom in the preschool room or wider hallways) and hear the longing for better or newer spaces.

Start with What You Have

I’m very often encouraged by the phrase, “Do the best with what you have.” We can also view this phrase through the eyes of stewardship: using what God has provided to the best of our ability for His glory. While we may be pining for a new sports court or an extra classroom, there’s low hanging fruit that we all can reach: the cleanliness and organization of our classrooms, offices, and hallways.

We’ve toured beautiful, new buildings that felt cluttered and chaotic. And we’ve walked through 50-year-old campuses where everything was spotless, organized, and inviting.

When parents and families visit your campus they notice EVERYTHING.

• What message does cluttered offices, dingy floors, or a broken fence send?

• What message do tidy hallways, sparkling windows, and framed student artwork communicate?

Your buildings and grounds should reflect the same level of care and attention that you give to your students. A clean, organized environment sends a powerful message: we value our school, our ministry, and the children we serve.

Action Steps for a Cleaner, More Organized Campus

Your school may not have the newest or largest facilities in town, but there’s nothing to keep you from having the cleanest and most organized. Use this list of recommendations to ensure your buildings and grounds reflect the same care and commitment you show to your students.

1. Find Your COC (Clean & Organized Champion)

Identify someone in your ministry who has natural talents for organizing, cleaning, and decorating. This person might be the teacher whose classroom always elicits “ooohs and ahhhs,” or it could be a real estate agent in your congregation who knows how to create inviting spaces. Have him or her make a list of to-do items for your ministry and tackle a few at a time, recruiting parents or ministry members along the way to help. Cleaning and organizing aren’t everyone’s “thing,” but you may just have someone that would love to roll-up their sleeves and lead the cleaning charge at your school.

2. Evaluate Your Cleaning Plan

• Does your school have a cleaning schedule that covers all areas?

• Are cleaners properly trained and held accountable?

• Are outdoor areas maintained—landscaping refreshed, fences repaired, lightbulbs replaced, and signage updated?

  Clean schools don’t happen by accident. They require planning and consistency!

3. Create a Painting Schedule

A fresh coat of paint is one of the most affordable ways to refresh a space. Touch up classrooms annually and repaint fully every few years.

4. Try a Clutter Challenge

One of our favorite strategies! Challenge each team member to remove/donate/trash 10 unnecessary items from their classroom or office every weekday for a month (maybe even in April!). In June, assign each person to a shared space (closet, workroom, etc). Clutter communicates disorganization, creates overwhelm, and makes even clean spaces appear dirty.

5. Make a Storage Wish List

Sometimes schools appear messy simply because they lack proper storage. After decluttering, assess what’s needed—shelving, bins, or cabinets—and include it in next year’s budget.

Plan Quarterly Improvements

Share this list with your team and commit to:

• One improvement this quarter

• One improvement over the summer

• One improvement each quarter for the next year

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it wasn’t cleaned in one, either! Small, steady improvements will make a huge difference over time. Imagine how your campus will look a year from now if you tackle one step every quarter!

If you’re looking for more helpful marketing articles, check out the Blueprint Schools Marketing Round-up.

Blueprint Schools loves helping schools reach more families in their communities. If you feel stuck or need advice about your marketing and admissions, we’ll listen to your unique situation, answer your questions, and share how we can help your school thrive. 

Take the first step by scheduling a Zoom consultation with us.