A fresh look for a united future: we're all Northstars

This school year marks a historic first for the North Syracuse Central School District. For the first time in our history the Board of Education has formally approved a district brand and logo, a visual identity symbolizing the unity, pride and shared purpose connecting our entire school community.

The updated design is more than a fresh look. It reflects the outcome of a thoughtful years-long branding initiative, which began after a communications audit revealed inconsistencies in how the district was represented. Different unofficial logos and name variations were creating confusion and diluting NSCSD identity. A 2023 survey confirmed that while “CNS” was widely recognized, many used it to refer to the entire district, highlighting the need for a unified districtwide brand.

Rather than starting from scratch we built on the strength of the CNS Northstars identity which is already highly visible and well regarded in our community and expanded it across the district. A logo committee guided the process and we partnered with nationally recognized branding experts to ensure the final design honors our history while positioning us for the future.

A key part of this effort was creating a district brand guide which defines logo usage, colors, fonts and tone. With 11 schools and many departments this consistency will help us present a coordinated professional image in every communication from websites and signage to letterhead and athletic uniforms.

The theme UNITY is woven into every aspect of the redesign. It reminds us that from the first day of kindergarten to high school graduation, from classrooms to athletic fields, we are stronger together. As we begin the 2025–26 school year you will see the new logo and branding rolled out in a thoughtful phased approach to minimize waste, with updated materials appearing as existing supplies are replaced.