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Sage Hill
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SAGE HILL SCHOOL

Sage Hill School is an independent, co-educational college preparatory high school located in Newport Coast, California, serving students in grades 9-12. The school sits on a sprawling 30-acre campus that features a variety of academic and extracurricular facilities, including state-of-the-art academic buildings, a library, a gymnasium, a 30,000-square-foot arts facility, and a cutting-edge science center. The school also boasts expansive athletic facilities to support its students’ physical development. Since its inception in September 2000 with an initial enrollment of 150 students, Sage Hill has grown to over 475 students. Committed to delivering a transformative educational experience, the school fosters a love of learning and strives to help each student reach their full potential.


To maintain its position as a premier educational institution, Sage Hill School recognized the need to refine and refresh its brand to remain relevant in 2015 and beyond. The primary challenges included attracting and persuading the most motivated and highly qualified students—and their parents—to apply for admission. Additionally, the school sought to develop a new theme line that effectively communicated its unique benefits while overhauling all marketing communications to better convey its brand and attract top-tier applicants.

To address these challenges, GearShift conducted extensive research through focus groups with prospective students and parents, as well as one-on-one interviews with current students and alumni. Additionally, the team analyzed all past research and existing marketing communications to develop a comprehensive brand assessment. Key stakeholders—including the head of school, president, teachers, advisors, and other core members of the Sage Hill community—were also interviewed to gain further insights into the school's strengths and differentiators. Using this knowledge, GearShift developed a new theme line and marketing communications strategy. The team also examined current student demographics to identify the most highly qualified target areas to optimize recruitment efforts.

The creative solutions implemented included the development of a new Sage Hill theme line: "Your Journey. Your School." This line encapsulated the school’s highly individualistic and holistic approach to education, emphasizing its commitment to helping students uncover and cultivate their passions and interests. Additionally, Sage Hill leveraged the voices of current students and recent alumni as “brand ambassadors” to authentically communicate the Sage Hill experience and appeal to prospective students. The marketing strategy also included a targeted media plan focused on the most promising recruitment regions, ensuring the school reached and engaged with the most qualified applicants.


The results of this strategic overhaul were impressive. Attendance at the school’s Open House increased by 38%, demonstrating heightened interest among prospective students and their families. The online media campaign generated over four million impressions, significantly increasing brand visibility. Website inquiries surged by over 100%, and online contact from core target areas rose by 26%, reflecting the success of the targeted outreach efforts. Additionally, new online videos created as part of the campaign were viewed over 3,300 times, further solidifying Sage Hill’s enhanced online presence and engagement. This successful rebranding and marketing initiative, developed by GearShift Advertising principals while at former agencies, positioned Sage Hill School as a highly desirable choice for motivated students seeking a transformative educational experience.

Sage Hill

Results

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  • Open House attendance up 38%

  • Online media campaign captured over 4,000,000 impressions

  • Website inquiries up over 100%

  • Online contact from core target areas up 26%

  • New online videos viewed over 3,300 times

  • Work created by GearShift Advertising principals while at former agencies.

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