15 Years of Schoolgirl Style: The Story Behind the Brand

It's hard to believe, but 15 years ago Schoolgirl Style was just one teacher who loved to make her classroom beautiful (hi Melanie!), and one really big dream. Fast forward to today, and that dream has grown into something bigger than we ever could've imagined! All thanks to an incredible community of teachers who have been along for the ride.

As we celebrate this milestone, we can't help but look back with so much gratitude. Whether you've been with us since Melanie's blog days, remember some of our very first collections, or you're just discovering Schoolgirl Style for the first time, thank you for being here. Every classroom you've decorated, every story you've shared, and every way you've supported Schoolgirl Style has helped us grow a community built on creativity, encouragement, and celebrating teachers!

None of this would have been possible without you.

To celebrate 15 incredible years, we thought there was no better time to look back at the moments that shaped Schoolgirl Style, from the veryyy beginning to where we are today! Some of these stories you may already know, while others have never really been shared before.

The candles are lit, the confetti's flying, and you're officially invited! Grab your favorite sweet treat and let's celebrate 15 years of Schoolgirl Style with a little walk down memory lane!

A Walk Down Memory Lane

2010 | It All Started With a Teacher

Long before Schoolgirl Style became a brand teachers knew and loved, it was simply teacher Melanie Ralbusky creating classroom decor from her kitchen table. After spending long days teaching, she'd spend her evenings designing digital decor, sharing classroom inspiration on her blog, and connecting with teachers online.

It wasn't about building a business...it was about helping fellow teachers create classrooms they loved. Before long, teachers everywhere were discovering Schoolgirl Style through Melanie's blogs and Pinterest, and what started as one teacher's creative outlet quickly became something much bigger!

 

2015 | The Phone Call That Changed Everything

Then came the phone call that changed everything…

Al Greco, then CEO of Carson Dellosa Education, discovered Schoolgirl Style and reached out with an opportunity Melanie had only dreamed about: bringing her classroom decor into stores across the country.

She said yes! (Obviously!!)

Together, Melanie and Al created classroom decor collections that found their way into Carson Dellosa catalogs, classrooms, and eventually nearly 10,000 stores nationwide. Collections like Hello Sunshine and Just Teach quickly became teacher favorites (and if you've been around for a while, there's a pretty good chance you had one in your classroom)!

 

The Next Chapter | And He Said Yes Again

Years later, Melanie was ready to come back home and build an independent, teacher-led Schoolgirl Style.

There was one person she knew she wanted beside her. This time, Melanie made the phone call, and she called Al.

Just like years before...

He said yes.

Today, Melanie and Al are business partners, great friends, and still dreaming up what's next for teachers everywhere!

 

Growing Together | More Than Classroom Decor

Schoolgirl Style has always been about more than beautiful bulletin boards and colorful classrooms.

After spending 20 years in the classroom, Melanie knows firsthand how much teachers pour into their students every single day. That's why giving back has become one of the most meaningful parts of the Schoolgirl Style story.

From classroom makeovers and product donations to showing up for schools and communities when they need it most, every opportunity to give back reminds us why we started.

Your support truly allows us to support teachers, and that's something we'll never stop being grateful for!

Today | The Next Chapter Begins

Fifteen years later, we're still dreaming, creating, and finding new ways to bring joy into classrooms.

As we celebrate this milestone, we're opening the Schoolgirl Style archives, bringing back beloved classics, sharing stories we've never told before, and creating an entirely new generation of classroom decor inspired by the teachers who got us here.

Thank You for Being Part of Our Story

Seriously, we couldn't let this milestone pass without saying the biggest thank you!

Whether you've been decorating with Schoolgirl Style since Melanie's blog days, remember flipping through Carson Dellosa catalogs, or you just found us this year, we're so thankful you're here.

Because of this incredible community, we've been able to keep dreaming bigger, create products teachers love, surprise deserving educators, transform classrooms, and give back in ways we never imagined 15 years ago.

Looking back has been so much fun, but we're even more excited about what's next!

Here's to the memories we've made, the classrooms still to come, and the next 15 years of Schoolgirl Style. We can't wait to celebrate them with you!