Nassau County School District serves a growing and diverse community in an increasingly competitive K-12 education landscape. With their previous website platform being phased out, district leadership saw an opportunity to do more than simply update technology: they wanted to modernize their online presence and create a cohesive, inspiring brand that reflected their mission to prepare students for life, not just a test.
Storyline
When Nassau County School District (NCSD) in Fernandina Beach, Fla., learned their website platform was being phased out, district leaders recognized an opportunity to do more than simply upgrade technology. They wanted to modernize their online presence and create a cohesive, inspiring brand that reflected their mission to prepare students for life, not just a test.
Rhodes Branding partnered with NCSD to lead a full rebranding effort, working closely with the district to ensure the new identity would resonate with students, families, staff, and the broader community. Through brand perception surveys, we gathered insights from across Nassau County, uncovering a consistent theme—“igniting a generation.” This idea captured the district’s unique blend of opportunity, care, and commitment to lifelong learning.
The new visual identity centers on an abstract spark, integrated into the tassel of a mortarboard, symbolizing the district’s role in inspiring each student to discover their potential. A refined color palette brings a professional yet future-focused feel, while modern typography communicates curiosity and openness.
As the brand took shape, Apptegy developed a dynamic new website that brought it to life. The site’s bold header imagery and gallery showcase daily life across schools, while intuitive navigation helps families and community members find exactly what they need. Features like the Live Feed allow the district to share stories and updates instantly across both the website and social media, and dedicated sections provide easy access to strategic plans, transparency reports, district statistics, and more.
Launched in June 2025, the new brand and website signal NCSD’s commitment to inspiring the next generation of learners and leaders. Superintendent Dr. Kathy Burns summed up the vision best: “We used this opportunity to modernize our online presence in a way that reflects input from across our community and captures the spirit of our mission to ignite a generation of learners and leaders.” Today, the refreshed brand and website work together to tell Nassau County’s story, connect its community, and position the district for continued success in the years ahead.
