Client: Thacker Avenue Elementary for International Studies
Location: Kissimmee, Florida
Project: Wildcat Mascot & Global Learning Identity
School Type: Elementary School (International Studies Magnet)
School District: Osceola County School District

Thacker Avenue Elementary for International Studies, located in Kissimmee, Florida, serves as a specialized magnet school offering programs focused on global learning and international studies. As part of the Osceola County School District, Thacker Avenue provides elementary students with a unique educational experience that emphasizes cultural awareness, global citizenship, and international perspectives within a supportive and engaging learning environment.

The school approached our agency to develop a distinctive brand identity centered around a Wildcat mascot that would appeal to elementary-aged children while communicating the school’s international focus. The identity needed to balance playful appeal with educational credibility while establishing a recognizable presence within the district’s magnet program offerings.

Through collaborative discussion with school administration, international studies faculty, parent representatives, and district magnet program coordinators, we established the following objectives for the Thacker Avenue Elementary brand identity:

  • Create a friendly, spirited wildcat mascot that resonates with elementary students
  • Develop a visual identity system that communicates both school spirit and international focus
  • Design a versatile brand that functions effectively across educational and community contexts
  • Establish a bold red, black, and white color palette that creates immediate recognition
  • Build a cohesive identity that distinguishes the school within the district’s magnet offerings
  • Create a system that balances playful character with academic credibility

Strategic Approach

Our research into elementary school branding, particularly for specialized magnet programs, revealed the importance of creating identities that engage young imaginations while communicating educational purpose to parents and the community. The visual system needed to appear friendly and approachable while signaling the school’s distinctive international curriculum.

The wildcat was selected as the ideal mascot for several strategic reasons:

  • The wildcat represents curiosity, adaptability, and energy – qualities that align with young learners
  • The feline character offers potential for friendly, approachable styling appropriate for elementary children
  • The “wild” nature connects metaphorically to exploring global cultures and international perspectives
  • The mascot provides rich visual territory for both playful and more formal applications
  • The distinctive character creates immediate recognition for the school

The color palette of red, black, and white was strategically chosen to:

  • Create a bold, energetic presence through the dominant red
  • Add sophistication through the contrasting black elements
  • Incorporate white for clarity and balance
  • Establish a distinctive presence that stands apart from other elementary schools
  • Provide colors with international recognition that work across cultural contexts

Design Development

Mascot Creation

The Wildcat mascot was crafted with careful attention to both elementary appeal and brand versatility:

  • The friendly wildcat face creates immediate engagement with young audiences
  • The stylized treatment balances playfulness with clean graphic forms
  • The distinctive features (whiskers, ears, eye markings) provide character recognition
  • The circular framing device provides a natural container for the mascot
  • The expressive design communicates energy and enthusiasm

The final design features an appealing wildcat centered in a circular badge with the “HOME OF THE WILDCATS” designation curving along the top. The “THACKER AVENUE” wordmark is boldly positioned below in a banner treatment, with “ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES” as a supporting descriptor, creating a balanced composition with clear visual hierarchy.

Read our Ultimate School Branding Guide.

Everything you need to know to create a kick-ass school brand that creates results.

Lean More