Featuring the 2026 Golden Gribble Honorable Mentions
Every great school video starts with a purpose.
Sometimes that purpose is to celebrate students. Other times it’s to recruit families, explain an important update, highlight a unique learning opportunity, or simply bring people together.
The 2026 Golden Gribble Awards reminded us that there’s no single “right” way to use video in school communications. That’s why, instead of organizing these Honorable Mentions by award category, we’ve grouped the videos by the communication goals they accomplish!
As you browse each category, consider the communication goal behind each video and how you could adapt that idea for your own district.
And if you haven’t already, be sure to check out Part 1 of our Honorable Mentions series, where we featured 24 brilliant social media posts featuring great photography!
Now grab your notebook (or open a notes app), because these 38 video ideas are worth saving for later!
Goal #1: Create an Emotional Connection
Some stories stay with you long after the video ends. Instead of just sharing information, they make you feel something.
Authentic storytelling can remind your families why your school matters! Take a look at some stories that captured the hearts of these communities.
St. Edward School, LA
Police officers surprise students with an unforgettable recess
Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, KS
A military homecoming unites siblings at school
Fox C-6 Schools, MO
A community honors one extraordinary student’s legacy
Waukee Community School District, IA
A teacher and student discover a neat connection
Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8, CO
A military dad surprises his child during storytime from miles away
Glendale Union High School District, AZ
A touchdown celebration captures the power of inclusion
Sulpher Springs ISD, TX
The Class of 2025 leaves one final message before graduation
Harbor Day School, CA
A nostalgic look back at school life in the ‘90s
Key Takeaway: The videos people remember most aren’t always the most polished. They’re the ones that make people feel something.
Goal #2: Celebrate Students
The best student videos capture the excitement, pride, curiosity, and everyday moments that families don’t always get to see. A great video invites your community into those experiences and helps them celebrate right alongside your students!
Enjoy these creative ways that schools put students into the spotlight.
Hudsonville Public Schools, MI
A cheerleader and a little fan steal the show
Bremerton School District 100-C, WA
One remarkable student proves blindness isn’t a barrier
Lincoln International Academy of the Holy Family, Nicaragua
An exciting kickoff to soccer season
Glendale Elementary School District, AZ
Students celebrate Día de los Muertos through culture and creativity
North East ISD, TX
A childhood photo transforms into graduation day
Carolina Voyager Charter School, SC
A weekly spotlight celebrates students across the school
Key Takeaway: Don’t just tell people your students are amazing. Show them!
Goal #3: Celebrate Staff
Inside every great school are educators, support staff, and leaders whose work often happens outside the spotlight. Some videos recognize their dedication, while others simply let their personalities shine. Either way, they help families see the people who make your schools special.
Watch how these schools recognized the people who make a difference every day.
Everett Public Schools, MA
A high-energy welcome kicks off a new school year
New Kent County Public Schools, VA
A day in the life of a Pre-K teacher
Williamsburg James City County Public Schools, VA
A day in the life of a PE teacher
Meridian Technology Center, OK
Can a teacher recognize students by their voices alone?
Van ISD, TX
Celebrating a school counselor’s remarkable 65 years of service
Christ King Parish School, WI
A simple classroom lesson inspires kindness and belonging
Sulphur Springs ISD, TX
- Pizza Day with Cafeteria Staff–Celebrating the team behind every school lunch
- National School Counselor Week Recognition–Rolling out the red carpet for school counselors
Valdosta City Schools, GA
A school resource officer joins a trending classroom Reel
Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child, NJ
A former student returns to inspire the next generation
Marlboro Central School District, NY & Highland Central School District, NY
A friendly “Elf on the Shelf” rivalry spreads holiday cheer across two districts
Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District, CA
- Staff Flashback–Teachers revisit themselves at the same age as their students
- Superintendent Feature–A flashback trend celebrates a major accomplishment
Key Takeaway: When you celebrate school staff, you’re also strengthening school culture.
Goal #4: Showcase Learning Opportunities
Families don’t always get to see some of the most remarkable learning happening inside your schools. From specialized career pathways to immersive classroom experiences, these videos open the door to programs that help students discover new interests, build skills, and prepare for their next steps.
Discover how these videos give families a closer look at experiences they might otherwise miss.
Meridian Technology Center, OK
Future lineworkers put their equipment to the test
The Potomac School, VA
Students introduce the World Languages Department–in multiple languages
Cumberland Valley School District, PA
A superintendent experiences learning alongside students
- Polar Express–A favorite story comes to life
- Doctor Day–Students step into the role of medical professionals
- Wax Museum–Historical figures return through student performances
- STEM Summit–Innovation takes center stage
- Royal Tea Party–Kindergarten royalty celebrates the end of a unit
Key Takeaway: Show your community not just what students are learning, but why those experiences matter.
Goal #5: Make Important Dates Impossible to Miss
Who says announcements have to be boring?
Routine reminders don’t have to blend into the social media feed. These schools found creative ways to turn calendar updates and important dates into engaging videos that grab attention!
Rapoport Academy, TX
A student-led “This or That” trend builds excitement for Rock the Block
Meridian Technology Center, OK
Five seconds and fresh snow create the perfect Open House reminder
Lancaster County Public Schools, VA
Calendar reminders become scroll-stopping Reels.
- Open House Invitation–Meet new staff before the school year begins
- Thanksgiving Break–A trending Reel announces the holiday break
- Bell Change–A Post-it Note delivers an important schedule update
- No School Day–A student and teddy bear help spread the good news
- Spring Break–A magic trick turns an ordinary reminder into entertaining content
Key Takeaway: Even your most routine announcements can become content people actually want to watch.
Goal #6: Keep Your Community Informed
Transparency builds trust, and video is one of the best ways to keep your community informed as projects and initiatives unfold. From construction updates to spotlights on school life, these examples help families better understand what’s happening across the district.
See how these schools kept families informed without relying on just another email.
Burlington School District, VT
Construction updates show progress of major building projects
Petal School District, MS
A superintendent explores every corner of district life
Key Takeaway: The more your community understands your district, the more connected they’ll feel to it.
Goal #7: Recruit Families & Staff
The strongest recruitment videos feel like invitations, not ads. Through authentic moments and real voices, these examples help prospective families and staff picture what it would be like to learn, work, and belong in your district.
Watch how these districts turned recruitment into storytelling.
New Kent County Public Schools, VA
A playful twist delivers the perfect kindergarten enrollment message
Carolina Voyager Charter School, SC
Students share what makes their school special
Wynne Public Schools, AR
An inspiring invitation to become part of the school community
Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, PA
A first look inside Full-Day Kindergarten
Kingsway Regional School District, NJ
Recruitment videos spotlight essential school team members
- Bus Drivers–Get behind the wheel of something great
- Food Service–Join the team that feeds the future
Key Takeaway: The best recruitment strategy is showing people what it feels like to be part of your school community.
Ready… Set… Record!
Every great school video starts with a purpose.
But every great school video also starts with someone pressing record.
Whether you’re celebrating students, recognizing staff, showcasing learning, keeping families informed, or recruiting future Bluejays (or Cardinals, Bulldogs, Panthers, or Tigers!), don’t overthink it.
The examples in this collection weren’t successful because they were perfect. They were successful because they were real.
So keep your phone close, stay curious, and start pressing record. Your next standout story – and maybe even your next Golden Gribble submission – is just around the corner!
