The web site of the Uxbridge Public Schools is a colorful testament to its programs, staff and students. The clean white page design with black, gray and orange accents provides an eye-catching format that draws the eye to the many salient features offered on each page, utilizing a sparse, minimalist look and feel that showcases content and celebrates achievement. The format is consistent throughout the district site and the related school sites of the district. The image of two people lifting a puzzle piece above their heads completes the unity of design, suggesting that all members of the Uxbridge community work together to put the pieces in place in delivering a quality comprehensive school program. The UPS site models all that is best in current district web design.

The easy-to-use navigation system with cascading links has a comfortable feel that makes moving around the site a pleasure. The "Find Out More" section lists a host of documents in Acrobat format that nicely open in new windows as they are selected. The top-center column of the splash page can showcase any high-interest topic intended to catch visitors' attention, and the mission, beliefs and contact information for the district nicely fill out the rest of the page. Graphic images nicely complement the site theme, promoting a child-centered, learning-focused environment.

It is the overall vision of webmaster Donald Sawyer that makes this site a success. The conceptual organization of the site, the user-friendly interface and the thematic unity all interplay for success. Functionality is enhanced by a number of Web-based features, including an automated food service program that allows families to pay online and track their account balances, a teacher login to the district intranet including IT support and district maintenance, and online surveys that collect community input to inform and improve programs. Security and the protection of personally identifying information across the site is consistent and laudable.

The Uxbridge Public Schools district web site is a virtual treasure that all members of the Uxbridge community can point to with pride. As practical as it is appealing, it gives the visitor reasons to return again and again. We applaud not only the webmaster but the entire district staff and any associated school webmasters for the work that has been done in making the construction of such a comprehensive web site look so flawless and easy to achieve. In recognizing this district site, it is our hope that it will inspire other districts around the commonwealth to strive for its attributes.

Congrats for achieving web design excellence!