Shaping Curious Minds at Carrollwood
THE SCHOOL
Carrollwood Day School is an independent school in Tampa, Florida, serving students from preschool through grade 12. As an International Baccalaureate World School, curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking sit at the heart of its approach to education.
Known for encouraging students to challenge convention and explore new possibilities, the school fosters a culture where learning is active, ambitious, and deeply personal. It was this spirit of exploration that inspired a website experience unlike any other.
One of the goals that I set for after launch was I want admissions to be the highest visited page, and it is. So it makes me happy. It's doing its job.
THE CHALLENGE
Carrollwood Day School wanted to redefine the role of its website. While the current site served current families well, the team saw an opportunity to create a more purposeful experience for prospective families; one that reflected the school's philosophy, encouraged exploration, and played a more active role in supporting enrollment.
The Discovery
As an International Baccalaureate school, Carrollwood Day School encourages students to be curious, open-minded, and willing to take risks.
When the school identified "risk-taker" as its learner profile trait of the year, Ubiq's Creative Director, Kris, proposed a bold "choose your own adventure" concept that would encourage exploration rather than traditional navigation.
The idea captured the spirit of Carrollwood Day School perfectly, resulting in an experience that feels every bit as distinctive as the community it represents; inviting prospective families to explore in a more engaging and memorable way.
Designed to Stand Out
Inspired by Carrollwood Day School's International Baccalaureate philosophy, Ubiq worked closely with the team to create a bold, choose-your-own-adventure experience that challenged traditional website conventions. The result is a distinctive digital experience that encourages exploration with every scroll.
Enrollment First
Rather than trying to serve every audience, the website was strategically refocused around the needs of prospective families. Through clearer calls to action, stronger admissions pathways, and a more intentional content structure, the site now helps guide visitors from initial curiosity to meaningful engagement with the school.
Easy to Manage
A great website shouldn't require constant developer support. Built on AMAIS™, the communications team can confidently publish stories, update content, and manage the website day-to-day, giving them the flexibility to keep the experience fresh long after launch.
Collaborative Effort
Great ideas rarely happen in isolation. Through open dialogue, shared ambition, and a willingness to challenge convention, Carrollwood Day School and Ubiq worked together to create a website that feels unmistakably authentic to the school and its community.
Turning curiosity
into engagement.
The feedback that I've gotten has been that it's fun and it's different. I love the fact that it will never be used for another client.
Designed To Be Explored
THE THINKING BEHIND THE EXPERIENCE
Authentic
Throughout the website, prospective families hear directly from the people who know Carrollwood best. Short-form student, alumni, and community stories bring the experience to life, creating a more personal connection and helping families see themselves reflected in the school community.
Choose Your Adventure
Rather than following a fixed path, visitors can navigate based on their interests, uncovering stories, programs, and experiences that are most relevant to them. The result is a more engaging journey that rewards curiosity and encourages deeper discovery.
Purposeful Simplicity
The design strips away unnecessary distractions in favor of a clean, editorial aesthetic. Carefully curated content, strong visual hierarchy, and intentional use of Carrollwood's signature red help visitors focus on what matters most while creating a distinctive experience that's both modern and timeless.
The Testimonial
Having experienced website projects on a range of platforms, Nicki doesn't recommend partners lightly. Today, she's spoken to more than 20 schools about her experience working with Ubiq.
"Anyone can build a website. Anyone can make it look pretty. The difference is the people.
The team is incredibly responsive, the support is outstanding, and the culture they've created makes it feel like you're working with a much smaller company. That partnership is what made the process so successful."
NICKI RAGAN
Director of Marketing & Communications
Carrollwood Day School
The Engine Room
THE TEAM BEHIND THE INNOVATION
Kirby Lima
Project Manager
Ollie Vincent
Front End Developer
Kris Jeary
Content Designer
Susie Cain
Experience Director
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