ZOO Media Group designed and developed a fully custom WordPress website for Montessori Academy of London in 2016, built to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards and AODA compliance requirements. Nearly ten years later, in 2026, we renovated and refreshed the site to maintain accessibility and performance. The project included custom website design, WordPress development, accessibility implementation, ongoing website maintenance, and the design of key communication materials such as the parent handbook, calendar, and annual reports.
When Montessori Academy of London partnered with ZOO Media Group in 2016, they weren’t simply looking for a website refresh. They needed a modern, fully responsive, AODA-compliant website that would serve their school community for years to come.
Founded in 1968, Montessori Academy of London is one of Southwestern Ontario’s most respected private schools. Their mission is rooted in academic excellence, leadership development, and preparing students to become thoughtful, engaged global citizens. Their digital presence needed to reflect that same standard of excellence.
At the time, their existing website was built on outdated technology, was not mobile responsive, and lacked a content management system. Staff could not easily update content, and parents struggled to access information on phones and tablets. Most critically, the site did not meet accessibility standards required under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
They needed more than a redesign. They needed a strategic, custom WordPress website built with accessibility, scalability, and long-term performance in mind.
What services did ZOO Media Group provide for Montessori Academy of London?
ZOO Media Group designed and developed a fully custom WordPress website tailored to the needs of Montessori Academy of London. The project included user experience strategy, responsive website design, WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility implementation, and a scalable WordPress platform that allows school administrators to easily update content.
After in-depth discovery sessions with the Academy’s communications team, we developed a strategy focused on three core pillars:
We designed and developed a fully custom WordPress website tailored specifically to Montessori Academy of London’s needs. This was not a template solution. It was purpose-built from the ground up.
The new site delivered:
As a private school, clear communication is essential. Parents need quick access to calendars, policies, events, and academic information. We structured the website architecture to prioritize clarity and ease of use, ensuring families could find what they needed in just a few clicks.
Accessibility compliance was a non-negotiable component of this project.
As an Ontario educational institution, Montessori Academy of London must comply with AODA standards, which require websites to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines.
Rather than treating accessibility as an add-on, we built it directly into the website’s foundation. The site was developed using semantic HTML structure, proper heading hierarchy, accessible navigation systems, sufficient colour contrast, keyboard-friendly interaction, and clearly defined alternative text protocols.
By integrating accessibility at the development level, we ensured the Academy’s website could serve all users — including those using screen readers or assistive technologies — without sacrificing design quality.
This approach not only achieved compliance at launch but also created a stable framework capable of supporting future updates.
One of the strongest indicators of successful custom website development is longevity.
Since launching in 2016, Montessori Academy of London’s WordPress website has been actively updated on a weekly basis. Multiple administrators have managed content. Programs have evolved. New events and initiatives have been introduced. The school has grown — and the website has grown with it.
Nearly ten years later, the core architecture remains stable, secure, and fully functional.
Many organizations rebuild their websites every three to five years due to poor structure or inflexible platforms. In contrast, Montessori Academy of London continues to operate on the original custom WordPress framework we developed.
That durability is not accidental. It reflects strategic planning, proper coding standards, and thoughtful information architecture from the outset.
In January, we were invited back to conduct a comprehensive accessibility audit.
This is a common scenario for organizations with long-running websites. Even when a site launches fully AODA compliant, frequent content updates over time can introduce accessibility drift.
Over nearly a decade, numerous staff members contributed to the website. As a result:
Importantly, the issue was not the custom website itself. The foundation remained strong and accessible. The challenges were content-related.
Because the site was built properly from the beginning, we were able to conduct a thorough WCAG 2.1 Level AA audit, implement corrections, and restore full accessibility compliance — without rebuilding the website. Instead, we completed a targeted website renovation, improving accessibility, refining structure, and modernizing key elements while preserving the strong foundation of the original custom WordPress build.
We refined structural hierarchy, improved alternative text standards, corrected formatting inconsistencies, and reinforced accessibility best practices.
This demonstrates the long-term value of investing in professional WordPress development and accessibility-focused web design from the start.
Since 2016, Montessori Academy of London has trusted ZOO Media Group with ongoing website maintenance.
We provide:
Ongoing website maintenance is critical for performance, security, and accessibility compliance. By proactively managing updates and monitoring functionality, we help ensure the Academy’s website continues to meet modern standards.
Because we understand the history and structure of the site, we can implement updates efficiently without disrupting performance.
This long-term partnership allows the Academy to focus on education while we manage their digital ecosystem.
Our collaboration extends beyond web design and development.
We have designed the Academy’s annual parent handbook — an essential printed resource that supports families throughout the school year. The handbook redesign improved layout clarity, brand consistency, and overall usability.
We also redesigned the school’s annual printed calendar, transforming it into a cohesive calendar-handbook hybrid that integrates event planning with key institutional information.
Additionally, we have supported the Academy with professional annual report design, ensuring consistency across both digital and print communications.
This type of strategic print design is part of our broader graphic design portfolio, where we help organizations strengthen their brand across both digital and traditional platforms.
This integrated approach strengthens brand presence and reinforces professionalism across every touchpoint.
The custom WordPress website launched in 2016 and continues to operate on its original architecture nearly a decade later. The site remains scalable, secure, and accessible, allowing Montessori Academy of London to update content regularly while maintaining WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards and AODA compliance.
Montessori Academy of London’s website stands as a clear example of what strategic, accessibility-focused web development can achieve.
Built in 2016.
Actively used and updated for nearly ten years.
Successfully restored to full WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance without rebuilding.
Continuously supported through professional WordPress maintenance.
Instead of facing a costly redesign, the Academy benefited from a strategic website renovation that preserved their investment while restoring accessibility compliance and improving long-term performance.
For private schools and educational institutions in Ontario seeking custom WordPress website design, AODA compliance, and long-term digital stability, this Project Story demonstrates what is possible when strategy and execution align.
“ZOO did a fantastic job re-envisioning our website. The site is now responsive, AODA-compliant and easy-to-navigate; plus its clean design is beautiful and truly reflects our existing branding. ZOO had a strong understanding of our needs and objectives as a school, as well as what our school community and parents want in a website. ZOO Media Group also redesigned our printed school calendar, which is distributed to our families at the beginning of each school year. It was a drastic over-haul, and the team designed a gorgeous, useful calendar/handbook hybrid for our families to refer to throughout the year. Since all this work was done, they’ve been top-notch and attentive when we’ve required assistance with any of the projects they created for us. Highly recommended.”
A strong digital presence doesn’t happen by accident. It requires thoughtful strategy, precise execution, and a partner who understands both the technical details and the bigger picture.
Whether you’re a private school, healthcare provider, or growing organization, your website should reflect your credibility, meet accessibility standards, and support your long-term goals.
At ZOO Media Group, we work closely with organizations to design and develop custom WordPress websites that are accessible, scalable, and built to perform.
Contact us today to discuss how we can help your organization succeed online.
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