Research and Insights For Schools

EVIDENCE-BASED INSIGHTS FOR EDUCATORS

See How Branded Spaces Can Strengthen Culture, Safety, and Engagement

Strong visual branding can do more than beautify your campus—it can shape culture, boost enrollment, improve navigation, and help every student feel like they belong. This resource hub brings together research, case studies, and real-world examples to help school leaders make informed decisions about environmental graphics and branded spaces. Whether you're planning a future project or exploring what's possible, we hope these insights support your goals and spark new ideas for your learning environment.

CASE STUDIES

Success Stories in School Design

The Power of a Brand Promise for Schools: Attracting Enrollment and Improving Achievement (EF International Advisors, 2024)

Outlines how a clear, compelling brand promise helps schools attract families, boost enrollment, and improve academic outcomes. Emphasizes the role of shared values and vision in building trust, engagement, and unified culture. Backed by research on school choice, family involvement, and community alignment.

Building a School's Brand: How smart K-12 schools revitalize their buildings and identity (The Superintendents Association, 2017)

Showcases how two schools integrated branding into building renovations to reflect culture, boost engagement, and foster pride—proving that impactful environmental design can be both meaningful and cost-effective.

The Power of School Spirit: Elevating Student Wellbeing and Academic Services (Varsity Brands & Teneo Research, 2024)

This 2024 national study from Varsity Brands and Teneo Research reveals that students with higher school spirit perform better academically, are more resilient, and feel more connected and supported. It highlights how school branding, extracurricular engagement, and visible spirit elements like mascots and colors can foster student success and inclusion.

School branding: The impact on identity and engagement (BDC Network, 2017)

Demonstrates how strategic branding—logos, colors, mascots, and consistent identity guidelines—can drive community pride, academic focus, and student engagement. Through three case studies (Los Angeles Unified’s SLCs, Irvine’s Portola High, and San Marcos’ Double Peak School), it demonstrates how campus identity can support enrollment, unify school communities, and give students a stronger emotional connection to their environment.

Enhancing Learning Spaces with Environmental Graphics (CoDesign Collaborative, 2019)

Highlights how environmental graphics can transform schools and libraries into vibrant, educational, and emotionally resonant spaces. Features case studies on graphics that reflect local culture, reinforce values, and inspire learning, all at a low percentage of overall construction cost.

Academic & Environmental Research

Evidence-driven frameworks

Public high school branding initiatives and their association to a student’s sense of belonging (Cirrincione, 2024)

Master's thesis exploring how school branding impacts students' sense of belonging. Finds stronger brand awareness correlates with higher belonging, especially among non-white and non-extracurricular students. Offers data-backed insights for public school administrators exploring branding as a tool for inclusion and engagement

Impact of School Facilities on Student Engagement and Learning (NetZED Laboratory / University of Oregon, 2021)
Identifies elements of the built environment of K-12 schools that result in higher levels of student engagement and learning. Summarizes existing literature regarding the effects that the built environments and furnishings within classrooms, maker-spaces, laboratories and interior ancillary facilities contribute to, or impede student engagement and learning.

Outcomes of Biophilic Design for Schools (Browning & Determan, 2024)

Highlights how biophilic design in schools improves mood, reduces stress, and boosts learning outcomes. Shows measurable benefits including better test scores, fewer behavior issues, and higher teacher retention.

STRATEGY

District Planning & Innovation

2025 Trends in K-12 Education (Hanover Research, 2025)

Identifies six key trends shaping K–12 education in 2025, including instructional quality, enrollment shifts, resource strategy, student well-being, literacy, and leadership development. Highlights how educators are adapting to political shifts, funding uncertainty, and academic recovery pressures. Offers actionable insights for navigating governance changes, school choice expansion, and curricular debates.

K-12 Marketing Strategies to Increase District Enrollment (Hanover Research, 2024)

Outlines marketing, communications, and advocacy strategies to help K–12 districts counter declining enrollment. Emphasizes using district data to build trust, strengthen community engagement, and communicate value effectively. Encourages districts to develop a formal plan to tell compelling stories, boost visibility, and advocate for public education.

Why Schools Choose Cushing

“After months searching for a custom wall graphics company that could offer an affordable price with quality work, we found it at Cushing. From their sales rep, Mike Sherkey to their installer Fernando, they were very professional and made customer satisfaction their number one goal.”

-Kevin McKeown, Athletic Director, Oak Lawn Community High School

“CUSHING’S CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS EXCELLENT. I RECEIVED VERY PROMPT RESPONSES FROM EVERYONE THAT I WORKED WITH, AND I COULDN’T BE HAPPIER. WE HAVE A PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT IN PLACE, SO ALL OF OUR LABOR HAS TO BE UNION. THAT WASN’T AN ISSUE FOR CUSHING. THEY CAME IN WITH UNION LABOR AND THE INSTALLERS DID A GREAT JOB.”

-Rick Lyman, Joliet Junior College, Mgr. Construction/Facility Planning

“I chose Cushing because it’s a Chicago company. I felt like the people who came out for a site survey, Val and Matt, were very thorough and took their time. You can really see it – it just looks beautiful.”

-Jon Rowley, Athletic Director, Highland Park High School

Cushing Education Project Examples

From the moment a family or potential hire steps on campus, signage sets the tone. Branded entry graphics, welcome walls, and clear directional signs communicate professionalism, pride, and safety-building trust before the first handshake.

“OUR WORK WITH PATRICK WAS TOP-NOTCH—HE PUSHED US TO THINK BIG AND WE ARE BEYOND PLEASED WITH HIS SUGGESTION. PATRICK WAS HIGHLY RESPONSIVE AND WAS PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN THE ENTIRE WINDOW GRAPHICS PROJECT FROM CONCEPT TO INSTALL.”

-Scott Ross, Principal, Frost Junior High School

PRINCIPALS & EDUCATORS

Have a recognizable mascot the community and students rally around? Consider large format window graphics to add a unique exterior element.
Watch your students beam with pride and strike fear into opposing teams!

Other services to consider:

Custom cut signage available on a variety of substrates

Direction signage or wayfinding graphics

Banner printing and additional graphic solutions

Brochure printing for recruitment

“Working with Cushing has been a great experience and the personal touch really stuck with me – Mike personally took measurements at the school and was very responsive. Michelle was easy to work and came up with a great design our boosters loved.”

-KENDALL GRIFFIN, NILES WEST HIGH SCHOOL, FORMER DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

“CHICAGO HOPE ACADEMY'S CEO CLASS VISITED CUSHING LAST WEEK. PERSONALLY, I AM PLEASED TO SAY THAT WE ALL HAD A BLAST ON OUR TOUR. WE SAW ORDERS FROM REAL CUSTOMERS BEING MADE RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR EYES. IT WAS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE. I WILL DEFINITELY KEEP IN TOUCH WITH CUSHING.”