The Frederick Gunn School
Coeducational boarding and day school for students in grades 9-12
Coeducational boarding and day school for students in grades 9-12
Frederick Gunn was no ordinary school founder. A pioneering educator, courageous abolitionist, leader in the Underground Railroad, and rugged outdoorsman, he embodied vision and conviction in equal measure. The Frederick Gunn School in Washington, CT, sought a rebrand that could honor this remarkable legacy while positioning the school for the future. The goal was to create a brand identity that captured Gunn’s enduring spirit of courage, curiosity, and character, and inspire every student, faculty member, and alumnus.
Jessica's Role
As lead design director, Jessica led the comprehensive rebrand, shaping everything from the logo and campus signage to uniforms, admissions materials, and campaigns. Every element—from typography and color palettes to messaging and spatial design—was intentionally developed to reflect Frederick Gunn’s boldness, integrity, and pioneering spirit, while also highlighting the school’s academic excellence and relevance in today’s educational landscape. Working closely with vendors and staff, she ensured the brand was consistently realized across all platforms, creating a cohesive, flexible system that communicates both heritage and scholarly distinction.
The results were transformative: within a year, the school saw a +10-point improvement in admissions yield after a decade of stagnation, +17% growth in domestic applications, +23% growth in full-pay students, and record-breaking overall enrollment — a testament to the strategic power of purposeful design.
Project Scope
Logos / School Collateral / Campus Signage / Team Uniforms / Interior Design: Admission Lobby and Gymnasium / Bus Wraps / Printed Correspondence / Email Design / Event Tents, Posters, & Banners / School Merchandise / Social Media / Website Design / Print & Digital Ads / Brand Guidelines / Yield and Capital Campaigns
Credits
Agency Team: AgencySacks, ASI Signage
