How to Start a School Newspaper

Schools are like their own societies, complete with political systems, budgets, sports victories, and artistic performances. To highlight all that activity, school newspapers provide a unique platform that brings students together, sparks conversation, drives change, and showcases the talents of your school community.

However, if your school doesn’t produce a publication, it’s not alone: in NYC, only around 25% of high schools do. But that’s changing thanks to new tools. If you’re wondering how to start a school newspaper, this inside scoop on publishing student journalism provides step-by-step instructions.

Why start a school newspaper?

But first, why start a school newspaper?

They benefit students who develop writing, teamwork, media literacy, critical thinking, and leadership skills while working toward publishing physical or digital copies. They also help enhance community and communication among the school, giving young voices a chance to be heard. Writing for a school newspaper can also be an excellent resume booster and help with college prep.

One study found that students participating in high school newspapers get better grades and score higher on college entrance exams. School newspapers often foster engaged audiences, with research showing that college newspapers are the “best-read medium on campus.”

Planning and preparation

When figuring out how to start a school newspaper, begin by setting goals. Why are you starting the publication in the first place? Do you want to inform the student community about upcoming events, provide a platform for creative expression, or highlight achievements?

Next, decide on your target audience, which will shape your content. Students might prefer to engage with news, opinion, and entertainment pieces, while parents may appreciate updates on events, school policies, or tips for supporting their children.

You can also create a school newspaper for teachers, who would likely value professional spotlights or features on specific classrooms. You’ll likely produce different content for each group in most issues.

Then, it’s time to form your team. Assemble a group of passionate individuals for roles like editors, writers, photographers, and designers. They should be dedicated, ready to collaborate, and bring diverse skills.

Choosing your newspaper’s content and structure

After establishing your team and goals, it’s time to determine what your newspaper will cover and how it will be organized.

Here are some school newspaper content ideas to consider:

• News: This includes school events, upcoming activities, policy changes, performances, and important announcements. You can also do feature stories on school clubs, new faculty, and achievements by students and staff.
• Sports: Stories on sports teams, match results, player highlights, upcoming events, and interviews with athletes/coaches act like ongoing pep rallies.
• Entertainment: Reviews of movies, books, or music popular among your school community will surely draw attention. You can also cover school performances, art shows, and student creations.
• Opinion: Students should be given a platform to express their views on important topics such as school policies, local events, and broader social issues.

Now that you have a sense of your content, decide on the structure and layout of the paper. Divide your newspaper into sections to make it easy for readers to navigate and find content that interests them. Some typical sections might include:

• Frontpage: This is where you’ll feature major stories, news, and photos that capture attention.
• News: News stories, announcements, club highlights, and school updates can often be grouped so readers can quickly scan them and stay informed.
• Arts and entertainment: Reviews of movies, shows, and music will help give the paper some more personality and color—especially if you also feature students’ art features.
• Opinion: This section will include editorials, letters to the editor, and student perspectives, where anyone can express themselves.
• Features: These in-depth stories or creative pieces, such as in-depth spotlights or interviews with staff, allow student journalists to really flex their skills.
• Sports: Coverage of athletic events, scores, profiles, and interviews might warrant its section separate from the general news, much like a professional publication.

Keeping student-made content fresh

As you create your newspaper, consider these tips for keeping things engaging and relevant:

• Stay current: Timely coverage is key. Keep stories as recent and up-to-date as possible to reflect what’s happening in your school and community.
• Add variety: Mix up your content to avoid predictability. Consider a balance of the different types of content and encourage different writing styles.
• Check in with your audience: How is your newspaper being received? Is your intended audience reading it? Regularly check in with readers to gauge their interest. Use surveys, feedback boxes, or simply ask for input.
• Incorporate visuals: Visuals like photos, illustrations, and infographics are excellent for complementing articles, breaking up long blocks of text, and encouraging continued readership. And if you publish the paper digitally as an interactive PDF, you can embed video or audio.

Tools and resources for creating a student paper

As you get started, you’ll quickly discover that many tools and resources are available to support the scholastic press. Be sure to try those we’ve listed here.

Free tools

One of our favorite school journalism tips is to use free online tools. Canva is a powerful graphic design tool (with a free version) that offers templates and fonts.

You can use it to create graphics or even the entire layout of your paper. You can also use Marq (formerly Lucidpress), a web-based design and publishing tool, and Google Docs to share and organize your content.

Software for layout and design

You might want to explore publishing software for a polished, professional look. Adobe InDesign is considered the industry standard for print publications, and it offers comprehensive layout, typography, and image features.

If you want to create a digital newspaper edition, FLIPpages lets you design interactive, flipbook-style PDFs that can be easily hosted online to expand reach and readership. With FLIPPages, you can easily turn your newspaper designs into digital interactive publications and share the final product among your school community and beyond!

Process optimization

The tools you choose are only part of the story for your school newspaper. A smooth workflow with organized tasks and processes will be key to meeting deadlines and ensuring your paper is consistently published on time. Use task management tools like Asana or Trello to assign stories, set deadlines, and track progress.

Also, consider creating templates that streamline the design and writing process. Consistent formats for articles, sections, and layouts make the process faster and more organized.

Publishing and promoting the newspaper

As you get closer to publishing your school newspaper, things get more exciting. But there’s still a big question: should you print your paper, issue digital editions, or both?

A printed school newspaper can be great for readership and might feel more “authentic.” However, this also comes with the overhead costs and logistics of printing.

Of course, print publications have fallen out of fashion in recent years. One study showed that only 3% of adults ages 18-29 prefer to get their news from print publications.

On the other hand, a digital newspaper is accessible from anywhere and easily distributed via email, social media, or the school website. This cost-effective option can also be easily updated. You can embed videos, hyperlinks, and clickable images.

After you choose the format, determine how you’ll distribute your newspaper. If you decide on a print edition, place physical copies in high-traffic areas where students and staff will likely pick them up.

This might include the cafeteria, library, front office, and main hallways. You can also distribute them in classrooms, the teachers’ lounge, and during school events.

For online distribution, upload your digital newspaper to the school’s website, or consider creating a dedicated website for your newspaper. You can also send the digital version out via email, but be sure to collect consent for email distribution. Building dedicated social media profiles for your school newspaper will further promote your editions, stories, and photos.

Real-life examples and tips from successful school newspapers

There are many examples of successful school newspapers. In their rankings of the best high school press in the US, the National Scholastic Press Association named The Sequoyah Scribe (John Sevier Middle School), The CS Press (Cactus Shadows High School), and Bear Witness (Branham High School) as some of the best in the country.

Meanwhile, Princeton Review and College Choice compiled a list of the 50 best college newspapers. In this ranking, staff writers said that the best school newspapers in the US don’t only cover campus events and school news “but also delve into world and philosophical issues that reflect the interest of students.” So, maintain the paper as a place for student expression.

Start your school newspaper like a pro

Starting a school newspaper is an exciting and rewarding journey. It’s not just about producing a publication; it’s also about giving students a voice, building a sense of community, and showcasing the unique stories that make your school special.

Any group of students can start by assembling a team and brainstorming school newspaper ideas that best reflect their chosen audience and structure. Identify key tools your team will use, and determine how you want to publish and promote the newspaper to make it a reality.

Aside from the immediate benefits of informing and entertaining readers, a school newspaper has the potential for long-term impact. It can foster a sense of connection by celebrating achievements, addressing important issues, and creating a shared space for dialogue.

And remember, a successful newspaper might not be perfect from the start—but learning, growing, and adapting to each new issue is part of the fun!