Abide Christian Academy started the fall 2022 school year as a new Salt Lake Valley Utah campus of a larger hybrid homeschool organization. However, what began with excitement and anticipation turned to nervousness and uncertainty. Marketing efforts were mostly word of mouth. Online presence was focused on the California based parent organization. As a result, enrollment was low and growth was non-existent. In January 2023, the parent organization decided to terminate the campus in the middle of the spring semester.
A group of parents decided they wanted to form a new organization which would continue to build on this framework, but would also be more focused on them and the needs of the Salt Lake Valley. Next Step Sites offered to build the website, provide email services, to establish a social media presence with the help of a parent volunteer, and to literally place the school on the map. Abidechristianacademy.org launched in early February, and the new organization began its first official day of school on March 1.
These marketing initiatives yielded impressive results. Abide quickly began to gain interest, and even began to onboard a new family every week, even though the school year was nearly finished! The school year ended well and with renewed hope, but there was a huge need for more enrolled students. As this article is being written, Abide’s new marketing has doubled enrollment, exceeding the required numbers, and even more families are continuing to join.
Founder/Executive Director Lacy Abouo has this to say about our work:
I am incredibly grateful to have James Zapico as both my website creator and support person. From the inception of my website to its ongoing maintenance, James has consistently demonstrated professionalism, expertise, and dedication to excellence. His attention to detail, technical proficiency, and creative ideas have truly elevated my online presence.
Working with James has been an absolute pleasure. He is not only skilled in his craft but also extremely responsive, reliable, and a joy to collaborate with. Whether it’s designing the initial layout, implementing new features, resolving technical issues, or providing valuable insights for improvement, James always goes above and beyond to ensure my website meets my needs and exceeds my expectations.
I highly recommend James Zapico to anyone seeking a talented and reliable website creator and support person. His commitment to customer satisfaction and his exceptional work ethic make him an invaluable asset to any team.
Next Step Sites is proud to be a part of this non-profit organization’s launch. To our friends in Utah, be sure to take a look at this unique approach to schooling.
