
How can schools become happier and more inclusive spaces? School happiness isn’t just about smiles and laughter—it’s about creating a welcoming, supportive environment where students and teachers thrive. Communication is vital, and digital signage is invaluable for whole-school communication. In this updated post, we’ll explore 11 effective ways digital signage contributes to a happier, more inclusive school environment.
Happiness matters
Why should we be aiming for happier schools in the first place? Partly because we naturally want our kids to be satisfied. However, if that goal conflicted with increased academic performance, some parents (and kids) would discuss trade-offs. There’s no trade-off. Instead, there’s mutual reinforcement. Happier schools mean happier, better-educated kids.
According to Harvard neuroscientist and lecturer Christina Hinton, Ed. D., Happier students get better grades. When schools create positive relationships with high expectations, they can help foster those results. It’s even more effective when it’s done at the district level: on average, SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) interventions led to 11% improvements in grades across the board, while one 2017 study found gains of 33% in academic attainment. These outcomes resulted from efforts to improve students’ emotional well-being and self-regulation and their ability to navigate their social worlds: their happiness, in other words.
Almost 100% of principals surveyed said they thought such efforts would significantly or significantly affect everything from graduating K12 to going to college to reducing bullying.
A happier school is desirable for all sorts of reasons. How can we use digital signage to help create and maintain one?
1. Highlight Achievements and Build Pride
Digital signage showcases the school’s accomplishments to both internal and external audiences. It can display student awards, classroom projects, and athletic milestones. Featuring student achievements fosters pride and inspires others. Schools like St. Margaret’s have leveraged cloud digital signage to showcase photo slideshows of memorable moments, creating a sense of belonging and celebration. Updating this regularly ensures the content remains relevant and engaging.
2. Promote Upcoming Events in Real-time
Keeping everyone informed about events is more straightforward with digital signage. From sports tournaments to parent-teacher meetings, displaying upcoming events ensures no one misses out. Schools can use dynamic countdowns, QR codes for event registration, or multimedia content to build excitement and engagement.
3. Celebrate Everyday Activities
School digital signage can bring the spotlight to everyday school life. Highlighting classroom activities, club meetings, or lunchtime trivia engages students and encourages participation. Schools like Watrous Elementary have found that showing photos of day-to-day happenings sparks interest and builds community among students.
4. Boost Financial Literacy Awareness
Financial literacy is a huge deal for students planning college careers or work. Whatever their next step, it’s a significant factor in a successful adult life. Yet, it’s a complex subject. Digital signage can be an ideal way to expose students to age-appropriate financial education. For example, dedicated templates can be used to show stock market winners and losers, like this NASDAQ losers template:
Financial literacy is critical for preparing students for life after school. Digital signage can provide resources like stock market tickers, budgeting tips, or links to financial education workshops. Schools can incorporate interactive displays to make learning engaging and practical, ensuring students develop the skills they need for future success.
5. Positive behavior
Get started with this inclusivity digital signage template here.
Positive behavior thrives in a supportive environment. Use digital signage to display affirming messages, reminders of school values, or shoutouts to students who demonstrate kindness or responsibility. Custom templates emphasizing inclusion and respect can create a more welcoming atmosphere.
6. A safe, friendly campus
Get started with this school vandalism awareness digital signage template here.
A clean, well-maintained school sends a message of care and pride. Use signage to promote cleanliness, anti-vandalism campaigns, or recycling initiatives. Interactive campaigns, like student competitions for the cleanest classroom, can instill a sense of responsibility and camaraderie.
7. Simplify Navigation with Wayfinding Features
Navigating large campuses can be daunting for new students and visitors. Digital signage with interactive maps or directional guidance helps everyone find their way quickly and reduces stress. Schools can update wayfinding systems to include specific event directions, room numbers, or after-school activity locations.
8. Strengthen School-Community Connections
Schools thrive when they are integrated into their communities. Use digital signage to welcome parents, recognize local sponsors, and highlight collaborative initiatives. Schools like Germantown Academy have used signage in admission offices to welcome prospective families with personalized messages, fostering a sense of community.
9. Recognize and Celebrate All Students
Celebrating students for their efforts, not just their accomplishments, fosters inclusivity. Highlighting birthdays, event participation, or “kindness awards” encourages students to feel valued. Schools like Cornwall-Lebanon have introduced programs like "Wings of Praise," spotlighting students for their positive impact, which can be displayed on digital boards throughout the campus.
Anyone, student or teacher, can nominate a student to be entered into a prize drawing; winners get a prize, typically a gift certificate, and their photo is taken against the Wings of Praise to be displayed on digital signage schoolwide:
10. Reinforce Core Values
Schools can integrate their core values into daily life with digital signage—display messages about teamwork, respect, and perseverance. Schools like Lakeview Community Schools use signage to spread uplifting messages and promote digital citizenship, ensuring students feel guided and inspired.
Get started with this team-building digital signage template here.
Tracy Briggs, Tech Coordinator at Lakeview Community Schools, echoes that sentiment. ‘On our secondary display, we have been spreading messages from the counselor’s office and student-made slideshows about digital citizenship, college and business meetups, and being kind to each other.’
For more on how to build a positive school community with digital signage, see this post.
11. Unite the School Around Major Events
Special events and holidays bring communities together. Schools can use signage to celebrate multicultural events, promote charity drives, or create excitement around milestones like graduation. Incorporating countdowns, themed visuals, and student-generated content can make these moments more memorable and unifying.
For more on how to use digital signage for holidays, check out our guide.
Conclusion: Happier Schools, Brighter Futures
Happier schools create better outcomes for students, teachers, and communities. Digital signage is a powerful tool for building an inclusive, supportive environment that fosters connection, recognition, and pride. By incorporating these 11 strategies, schools can embrace technology to create a space where happiness and success go hand in hand.
Schools looking to enhance communication and engagement can start with a trial of free digital signage from Rise Vision, allowing them to explore how dynamic displays can positively impact their environment.
Let’s make schools happier, one screen at a time.