How 360° Virtual Tours Doubled High-Intent Inquiries for St. George’s School
Overview
Independent school admissions have become increasingly digital and competitive. St. George’s School implemented a 360° immersive virtual tour to overcome geographic barriers and enhance engagement. Since launch, virtual tours have become a cornerstone of the school’s recruitment strategy — generating higher-intent inquiries, increasing campus visits, and strengthening global reach.
The Admissions Challenge
Geographic barriers limited qualified prospects from visiting campus
Many qualified prospects were unable to travel for an in‑person visit.
Global applicants missed the school's unique culture in person
Without immersion, it was hard for international families to truly connect with the community.
Traditional tours consumed staff time with low-intent visitors
On-site visits were resource-intensive, diverting staff from high-potential families.
Competitive schools already led with immersive experiences
Competing schools increasingly offered polished digital experiences, raising expectations among families.
The Solution: Immersive 360° Virtual Tours
To address these issues, St. George’s School partnered on the creation of a high‑quality, immersive 360° virtual campus tour.
Implementation Overview
  • Scope: Full campus coverage, including academic buildings, residence halls, athletic facilities, and common spaces.
  • Production: Professionally captured 360° imagery designed to reflect an authentic on‑campus experience.
  • Integration: Embedded directly into the school’s website and admissions communications.
  • Timeline: From planning to launch, the project was completed within a single admissions cycle.
Virtual Tour of the brand new St. George Senior Campus, 2025
St. George's School:
Virtual Tours Driving Enrollment
Implementing a 360° immersive virtual tour allowed St. George's School to remove significant barriers, transforming prospective student discovery into successful enrollment by offering an unparalleled, globally accessible experience.
Achieved Global Accessibility: St. George's campus became accessible 24/7, enabling families worldwide to explore the school regardless of geographic limitations or time zones.
Improved Staff Efficiency: Staff time previously spent on preliminary tours was significantly reduced, allowing the admissions team to focus more effectively on high-potential applicants.
Captured High-Intent Leads: The virtual tour pre-qualified prospects, ensuring that St. George's received higher-intent inquiries and more meaningful engagement from interested families.
Demonstrated Modern Differentiation: St. George's successfully positioned itself as a modern and forward-thinking institution, standing out in a competitive educational landscape by offering an innovative discovery experience.
Results and Measurable Impact
The implementation of the 360° virtual tour delivered concrete, measurable results, significantly enhancing St. George's School's admissions efforts and overall digital presence.
64%
Net-New Prospects
A substantial portion of leads were entirely new to St. George's, indicating expanded reach.
3.9x
Higher Campus Visits
Families who engaged with the virtual tour were nearly four times more likely to visit campus.
+20%
Website Traffic
The virtual tour contributed to a significant boost in overall website visitors.
2x
Likely to Apply
Prospects were twice as likely to submit an application after experiencing the virtual tour.
Virtual Tour Use Cases
Google Street View - 360° Views
Facebook 360° posts
Website Integration
In Person Admission Events
Transforming Marketing with Virtual Tours
The virtual tour transformed our marketing. Families now explore campus anytime from anywhere, and our inquiry rates doubled without adding staff time. It’s our best admissions investment ever.
Deborah Carty 
Director of Marketing and Communications, St. George's School, Vancouver, BC
Results and Measurable Impact
Following the launch of the virtual tour, St. George's School admissions team observed significant performance improvements across key metrics, validating the investment in immersive digital experiences.
64%
New Prospect Engagement
A significant portion of virtual tour viewers were net-new prospects, indicating success in expanding reach to previously untapped audiences.
3.9x
Increased Campus Visits
Viewers of the virtual tour were nearly four times more likely to schedule a follow-up in-person campus visit, demonstrating strong pre-qualification.
10x
Higher Engagement Rates
Virtual tour visitors exhibited significantly higher click-through rates on admissions calls to action, confirming deep interest and intent.
Ultimately, these results translated into a demonstrably increased likelihood of prospects beginning and completing their application processes, optimizing the admissions funnel.
Enhancing Admissions with Virtual Tours
The virtual tour enhanced our admissions funnel, generating 64% net-new prospects and 3.9x higher campus visit rates. It has become our most powerful global recruitment tool.
Emily Moir
Co-Director of Admissions, St. George's School, Vancouver, BC
The Path Forward: A Strategic Imperative
St. George’s School’s successful adoption of immersive virtual tours clearly demonstrates how digital experiences can profoundly influence admissions outcomes. By effectively addressing geographical access barriers and significantly elevating early engagement within the admissions funnel, the school has achieved remarkable results.
For independent schools navigating an increasingly digital admissions landscape, virtual tours are no longer optional—they are a critical strategic asset for future success.
The International Student Opportunity
Virtual tours are ESSENTIAL for global recruitment, not optional. They bridge distances and provide critical insights for families considering your school from afar.
Global Reach
International families often cannot visit in person before applying, relying solely on virtual experiences to explore your campus.
Primary Decision Tool
For prospective boarding school families overseas, the virtual tour is the key factor in their enrollment decision.
Eliminate Geographic Barriers
Remove physical limitations to significantly expand your global enrollment, attracting a broader pool of international applicants.
Campus Life in Detail
Showcasing boarding halls and residential life through virtual tours is crucial for international families to feel connected and informed.
Prospective families expect immersive experiences
Leading independent schools are already leveraging professional virtual tours. By offering a rich, accessible campus view, they capture an early inquiry advantage and position themselves as innovative leaders in the competitive admissions landscape
St. George's School: The Result
Professional 360° immersive tour of Junior School, Senior School & Boarding Hall.
Features
Interactive exploration of all major campus facilities, allowing prospects to virtually navigate every key area.
Optional guided narrated audio tour for deeper engagement, providing rich context and personal insights.
Accessible 24/7 from anywhere globally, removing geographic and time zone barriers for international families.
Showcases the breadth and beauty of the school's experience, from academics to residential life, in stunning detail.
Schools we have worked with
About Us
We create crystal clear virtual tours, fully interactive 360° representations of your space. Allowing your customers to see and experience what it is you do best. Across all platforms, wherever they may be.
Ben Taft & 360° Immersion 
has been trusted for over a decade in creating premium virtual tours and marketing videos for many of the largest independent schools and brands in North America. 
Ready to Increase Enrollment?
To learn how immersive virtual tours can support your admissions strategy, improve inquiry quality, and extend global reach, contact us to explore a tailored virtual tour solution.
Vancouver, BC Canada