From the Nominator

For the first time since 2016, we undertook a full redesign and refresh of Exeter.edu, the public website of Phillips Exeter Academy. The project, which also entailed changing software platforms from Drupal to WordPress, focused on the primary goal of enhancing the site's user experience, especially for prospective students and their families. The redesign prioritized intuitive navigation, streamlined content organization, and improved accessibility to ensure visitors could easily find key information about the academy's core offerings, foundational values, and diverse community. A major emphasis was to update the site's storytelling to reflect Exeter's vibrant campus life and academic excellence. New photography, compelling video content, and refreshed written materials were incorporated to tell Exeter's story in a dynamic and engaging way. These updates not only showcased the academy's rich traditions but also highlighted the spirit of discovery that defines our educational approach. While the look and feel of the site evolved, maintaining the core messaging that has set Exeter apart remained central to the project. The team carefully preserved the academy's emphasis on its unique Harkness teaching approach, commitment to academic rigor, and the powerful sense of community that students experience on campus. The result is a modern, visually compelling, and user-focused website that meets the expectations of today's digital audience. The new Exeter.edu provides a clear and engaging introduction to the academy while offering important secondary audiences like current students, faculty, and alumni an improved platform for staying connected and informed.

From the Judges

Exeter’s full redesign is bold and modern, vividly expressing its core values. This entry stands out for its transformation of a sprawling 3,000-page website into a streamlined, user-focused platform with fewer than 250 essential pages—achieving clarity and efficiency without sacrificing impact. Especially noteworthy is the small but dedicated redesign team’s skill in curating imagery, video, and written narratives that not only reflect Exeter’s distinctive brand but also serve as a valuable resource for prospective students and their families. As their well-crafted submission notes, the final product is unmistakably Exeter, seamlessly blending tradition with a refreshed, contemporary web experience.