InspirED Brilliance Awards

Celebrating Private School Marketing Worldwide Since 2016

Small Teams.
Brilliant Ideas.

At the InspirED Brilliance Awards, we know that small doesn’t mean limited. In fact, some of the most noteworthy private school marketing comes from one, two, or three-member teams.

Recognizing the Brilliance of Private School Marketing for a Decade

While 2026 is our 10th anniversary, and we’re proud of that, it’s not about us. It has never been about us. It’s always been about you.

The spotlight is on you and your work for enrollment, development, alumni/ae relations, branding, and so much more.

Large schools and small. In-house or outsourced. Big budgets or do-it-yourself.

You are brilliant. Let’s celebrate you.

A birthday cake with lit candles shaped as the number 10, with blurred figures in the background in a dark setting.
An image featuring a stylized light bulb above the letter 'a' with orange and gray colors.
A bar chart titled "Color Preferences" featuring five horizontal bars in different colors: blue, peach, yellow, gray, and orange. Each bar has a corresponding circle in the same color to the left.

How To Enter

1. Review Categories

Illustration of a calendar with three checked dates, set against a yellow circular background.

2. Check Timeline

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3. Read Terms & FAQs

Go To The Entry Website ➥

Get InspirED By Previous Winners

Close-up of a hockey player in a red helmet with a cage faceguard, with a lineup of other players and colorful Christmas lights in the background.
A young boy with light brown hair and blue eyes sticking out his tongue, wearing a checkered shirt, standing in front of a white background with the words "We know boys" in large blue letters. The Presbyterian Day School logo and the slogan "Building
Cover of the 2023-24 donor and giving report titled 'Raise the Bar' featuring girls in school uniforms sitting on a giant beam, reading and chatting, with a cityscape in the background.
A person walking under an arched walkway in a park-like setting during sunset, with trees and a grassy field in the background.
Cover of a guidebook titled "Executive Function: A Guidebook" showing a person conducting an orchestra with musical notes, clocks, notebooks, and papers around.
Two young girls in pink and white school uniforms smiling and standing in a school hallway with wooden paneling and framed pictures on the walls.
Poster with a young girl in a school uniform raising her hand, featuring the quote 'Has ideas, not afraid to use them.' The poster promotes open houses at Branksome Hall, emphasizing curiosity, critical thinking, and innovation in education.
Cover of Girlhood Spring 2025 magazine featuring a smiling young girl with light brown hair, wearing a white t-shirt and light blue jeans, standing against a decorated background with colorful stars and bursts, and text about teenage girl empowerment
A young boy in scout uniform holding a yellow lion cutout while standing outdoors in a wooded area. Other scouts are visible in the background.
Logo for Calvin Christian School featuring a church steeple with a cross, clock, and open door, with the school name below.
The cover of a Prospectus for St. Mary's School in Hampstead, featuring a sunset over a historic red brick school building, with the title "Space to Become" and the academic years 2024 and 2025.
Ballet dancer in a white tutu and pointe shoes balancing on one foot next to a vintage street lamp on a stone staircase against a stone wall.
Close-up of an elderly man wearing a dark plaid suit and white dress shirt, holding a striped yellow and navy blue bow tie to his neck, with text reading "Farewell, Mr. Quinn!" and a magazine cover header showing part of the title "Peddie" and inform
Book cover with large green number 16, titled "Words That Can Change the World: A Guide for Brave and Brilliant Girls, in 16 Words and 14 Lists," by Kent Place School.
A young hockey player in a yellow and black jersey kneeling on the ice rink with a hockey stick, inside an indoor hockey arena.
Graphic design celebrating 50 years from 1971 to 2021, featuring a large gold number 50, overlapping with a blue number 50, with a mountain and tree illustration inside the second 50.
Two young girls smiling and embracing outside in front of a building with an arched window.
Group of young football players huddled together on the field celebrating after a game.
A large promotional cube outdoors with sky and clouds design, displaying the text 'imagine... What's inside?' on one side and 'imagine tomorrow' on another. There is a sidewalk, a brick building, and trees in the background.
Thumbnail of McCallie School with an aerial view of the campus surrounded by autumn trees, featuring a prominent church steeple. Overlaid text states 'Big Blue Planet at McCallie' and includes a YouTube play button and link to watch the video.
Promotional graphic with a vintage airplane, celebrating Armstrong's upcoming flight on April 22, 2023, at the Armstrong Museum, featuring travel-themed postage stamps and a blue rocket logo.

What School Marketers Say About the Brilliance Awards

I use the BA materials as a source of inspiration on a regular basis. Our school is tiny, serving 86 students from preschool to fifth grade in rural Los Olivos, CA. Having a place to look at what other big-budget schools are doing and what is successful/ working in the independent school world is truly a gift. I really appreciate what you do, it's hugely impactful for our small school.

Erica Olesen, M.Ed
Assistant Head of School
SYV Family School

Judging the Brilliance Awards offered a front-row seat to the extraordinary creativity and innovation of the best minds in school marketing around the world. Truly inspiring!

Kyle Bueschlen
Head of Communications & Marketing
Nanjing International School

It felt great to have the work recognized. I was so proud. Marin Academy is full of extremely talented students, staff, and faculty, and as we highlight their accomplishments, we become increasingly motivated to increase the amount we spotlight the dedication, passion, and effort put into our programs.

Melissa Neal
Digital Media Manager
Marin Academy

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