How to Find Your First Students: Simple Marketing Tips for Starting a Hybrid School
This post is generated from podcast Episode 22.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty details of finances, bank accounts, paperwork, and hiring, let’s pause and talk about something every school founder needs to think about early on: marketing.
Now, I’ll be the first to say I’m not a marketing or graphic design expert. But here’s the truth — you can have the most amazing hybrid school vision in the world, and it won’t go far if no one knows you exist. You need students, and that means you need a plan for helping families discover your program.
Over the years, I’ve learned (often by trial and error!) what really works when it comes to spreading the word. So let’s talk about what that process looks like, step by step.
Start with Conversations and Market Research
Chances are, you started dreaming about your school because you saw a need — maybe your own family needed something different, or you talked with other parents who felt the same way. That small group of like-minded families is your starting point.
When you see that need in several people, there are almost certainly others out there feeling the same thing — they just don’t know about you yet. So begin with conversations and informational meetings.
You can host these casually:
Spread the word through local Facebook groups
Share in homeschool or church communities
Attend nature groups, playgroups, or preschool events
The key is to find where your people hang out and put yourself in front of them.
Have a Simple Infrastructure in Place
Before you start marketing, make sure you have a few basics ready:
A name for your school (branding 101!)
A simple website — even a one-page site works
A way to collect contact information — a form, clipboard, or email list
If you’re talking with people at an event or local fair, have a paper sign-up sheet or QR code handy. Collect names, email addresses, maybe their kids’ ages — anything that helps you keep in touch and update them as you grow.
Build a Simple, Consistent Look
Don’t stress about design — consistency is more important than perfection. Pick a name, a color, maybe a font or logo, and use it on everything: your website, flyers, or social media.
Tools like Canva or VistaPrint make it easy to create brochures or cards without hiring a professional designer. And honestly, we grew like crazy in our early years without hiring any marketing professionals. Consistency and word of mouth did the heavy lifting.
Show Up Where Families Are
In our experience, two things made the biggest difference early on:
A Facebook presence, especially in local homeschool groups
A website with clear information and a contact form
Homeschool families often form the heart of hybrid school communities because they’re already looking for flexible, supplemental options. And even parents who are just beginning to explore alternatives often join homeschool Facebook groups first — that’s where they ask questions and start researching.
So post regularly, answer questions, and be visible there. Once families know you exist and trust you, word of mouth will take over faster than you think.
Host Informational Nights or Open Houses
Once you have some interest, host an event where families can learn more. We started with small informational nights and later added tours and open houses once we had a location.
You don’t need to make it fancy — just pick a date, share it online, and invite people to come see your vision. This gives you a reason to reach out (“Join us for our next info night!”) and helps families put a face to your name.
As people sign up for your updates, keep in touch with them. Even if you’re still finding a building or hiring teachers, send occasional updates. That consistent communication builds trust and professionalism — it shows families you’re serious and making progress.
Spread the Word in Local Spaces
Don’t underestimate the power of local connections! Some of our best outreach came from simple, low-tech efforts:
Dropping brochures at Vacation Bible Schools or church preschools
Asking friends to share materials at libraries, fairs, and festivals
Reaching out to summer camps or local community events
Our first informational meeting only had about 15 people — but that small start was the foundation for a thriving program. The need was real, and as people experienced what we offered, they told their friends. Within a few years, word of mouth became our biggest marketing tool.
Keep It Simple and Keep Showing Up
Marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You don’t need a huge budget or fancy branding — you just need to be consistent, visible, and authentic.
Start conversations. Build connections. Keep your information up to date. And remember: every big school started with a few families who believed in the idea.
When you serve those first families well, your reputation becomes your best marketing strategy.
