Case Study

ArcStone redesigned Summit Academy OIC’s website during COVID with safe video production and technical improvements for career training visibility.

Summit Academy OIC website displayed on a desktop screen, featuring a smiling woman in a construction helmet promoting job training programs. Text reads 'Training for Good Jobs' with buttons for Apply Now, Get Financial Aid, and Student Login.

Summit Academy OIC is a Minneapolis-based trade school that provides career training programs in high-demand fields including information technology, healthcare, and skilled trades. Founded on the principle that everyone deserves access to quality career training regardless of background, Summit Academy has been serving primarily students from underrepresented communities for decades, helping them build technical skills that lead to meaningful employment and economic stability. Their comprehensive approach includes not just technical training, but also wraparound support services that address barriers to success in workforce development.

Located in North Minneapolis, Summit Academy plays a crucial role in the local workforce development ecosystem, partnering with employers across the Twin Cities to ensure that program graduates are prepared for immediate employment in growing industries. The organization needed a digital platform that could effectively showcase their programs, attract prospective students navigating career transitions, and support both individual student recruitment and employer partnership development while maintaining operations during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our Role

WordPress Redesign & Development
COVID-Safe Video Production
Career Program Visibility Enhancement
Content Strategy & Organization
Student Recruitment Support
Ongoing Technical Support
Leadership Transition Assistance

The Challenge:

Summit Academy OIC’s outdated website with outdated content didn’t effectively showcase their career training programs or serve prospective students seeking technical education and job training opportunities. The existing platform failed to communicate the value of their trades and IT programs, making it difficult for potential students to understand program benefits, career outcomes, and the support services available to help them succeed. This digital gap was particularly problematic given that many prospective students were already facing significant barriers to accessing career training opportunities.

The project timeline coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, creating unprecedented logistical challenges for content creation, particularly video production that was essential for showcasing hands-on career training programs. The organization simultaneously navigated significant leadership transitions that required additional support and flexibility throughout the project timeline. These combined challenges meant that the website redesign needed to be executed with exceptional adaptability while maintaining progress toward launch goals despite constantly changing circumstances and evolving organizational needs.

Screenshot of Summit Academy OIC’s previous website design displayed on a laptop, featuring a banner for Community Health Worker Training, navigation tabs across the top, and sections for news, upcoming events, alumni stories, and a prominent donate button. The background shows a cityscape with downtown Minneapolis buildings.

Our Approach

ArcStone executed a comprehensive WordPress redesign focused on career program visibility and student recruitment, prioritizing clear communication of program value and career outcomes. Despite unprecedented pandemic constraints, we successfully managed COVID-safe video shoots to create compelling content that authentically showcases Summit Academy’s trades and IT programs, capturing the hands-on learning environment that differentiates their approach from traditional education models. The video production required innovative safety protocols and creative filming techniques that maintained social distancing while still demonstrating the collaborative, supportive learning environment that Summit Academy provides.

The new website architecture strategically highlights career outcomes and program benefits while serving the diverse information needs of both prospective students researching career options and employers seeking skilled graduates for their workforce. We developed clear navigation pathways that guide different user types through relevant information, from program details and admission requirements to employer partnership opportunities and graduate success stories. The content strategy balances inspirational messaging about career transformation with practical information about program logistics, costs, and support services.

Throughout the project, we provided ongoing support to help the organization maintain digital momentum during significant leadership transitions, adapting our approach to work effectively with changing internal teams while ensuring project continuity. This included flexible project management that accommodated evolving priorities, additional training for new team members, and strategic advice that helped leadership understand how the website could support broader organizational goals during a period of change. The partnership approach ensured that Summit Academy emerged from the transition period with both a stronger digital presence and enhanced internal capacity for ongoing website management.

Summit Academy OIC financial aid webpage featuring a YouTube video titled 'Start Your FAFSA Form' on the left and informational text on the right explaining the required financial aid process, with emphasis on no tuition cost and no student loans. Navigation buttons below include Gift Aid, Tuition and Fee Information, Eligibility, and FAFSA Help.

Summit Academy OIC donation impact webpage showing how different gift amounts support students: $125 for GED exam, $275 for a construction toolkit, $3,700 for 15 IT certifications, and $7,410 for full career training. Stats include 3,332 students placed in careers since 2008 and 73% of the student body identifying as people of color.

Reviewing The Results

Summit Academy OIC successfully launched an improved website that better serves prospective students and effectively highlights the value of career training programs during one of the most challenging periods in workforce development history. The COVID-adapted video content authentically showcases program quality and student success stories, helping prospective students understand the real-world applications of their training and the supportive learning environment they can expect. The enhanced digital presence now supports both recruitment and career placement goals, creating clear pathways for students to discover programs and employers to connect with graduates.

Long-term Partnership Impact: The ongoing support partnership has provided crucial stability during organizational transitions while maintaining Summit Academy’s position as a leading workforce development institution in Minneapolis. This sustained relationship has enabled continuous website improvements, ongoing content development, and strategic digital guidance that helps the organization adapt to changing workforce development needs and student expectations.