5 Easy Ways to Make an Affordable Video Highlighting Your School

In today’s digital landscape, an engaging video can be one of the most impactful ways to tell your school’s story and connect with your community. However, the process doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. With a bit of creativity and some budget-friendly tools, you can create a compelling video that highlights the unique strengths of your school. Here are five easy ways to make an affordable school highlight video.

1. Plan with Purpose and Focus

A great video starts with a clear goal and message. Define what you want to communicate: Are you showcasing your school’s faith life, academic achievements, community spirit, or all of the above? By narrowing your focus, you can streamline the production process and avoid unnecessary expenses.

Tips:

• • Create a simple storyboard or outline to guide your shots.
  • Identify key moments and events to capture, such as morning prayer, classroom discussions, or student presentations.
  • Keep the video short (2-3 minutes) to hold viewers’ attention.

2. Use a Smartphone and Free Editing Tools

You don’t need an expensive camera to create a professional-looking video. Modern smartphones have excellent video quality and built-in stabilization. Pair your phone with free or affordable editing apps to polish the final product.

Recommended Tools:

• • iMovie (iOS) or CapCut (Android/iOS) for intuitive editing. Adobe Premiere Rush and DaVinci Resolve also offer strong editing programs.
  • Add royalty-free music from platforms like Canva, YouTube Audio Library or Bensound to enhance emotional impact.
  • Avoid over-editing; simple transitions and clean cuts make for a more professional video.

3. Capture Authentic Moments

One of the easiest ways to make your video relatable and memorable is by filming real moments of joy, collaboration, and faith in action. Avoid staged scenes when possible and focus on candid interactions.

Tips:

• • Film short clips of daily routines such as morning greetings, service projects, or group prayer.
  • Interview students, teachers, or parents about what makes the school special.
  • Highlight cultural or liturgical events to showcase school traditions.

4. Involve Students as Creators

Empowering students to contribute can make your video more dynamic and save time. Students often bring a creative perspective and can assist with filming, editing, and narration.

Ideas:

• • Form a student media team to document school events.
  • Encourage students to record clips on their own devices for a "day in the life" montage.
  • Use student voiceovers or captions for a personal touch.

5. Leverage Existing Visuals and Platforms

You don’t need to start from scratch. Use existing photos and videos from past school events to fill in gaps and enrich your video. Additionally, sharing your video effectively can maximize its reach without additional costs.

Tips:

• • Incorporate event footage, award ceremonies, and past celebrations.
  • Use Canva to add school branding, simple titles, and animations.
  • Share your video on social media platforms, the school website, and newsletters to reach a broad audience.

Creating an affordable and engaging highlight video for your school is entirely within reach with the right approach. By focusing on authentic moments, using accessible tools, and involving your school community, you can produce a memorable video that showcases your school’s mission and spirit. Whether you’re welcoming new families or celebrating milestones, your video will serve as a powerful testament to your school’s story and values.