SharePoint Document Issues

Using Microsoft 365 SharePoint as a Google Sites Alternative for Schools

Partner Editor Sep 28, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is looking for a Microsoft 365 equivalent to Google Sites to build intranets, department portals, and resource hubs for a school.

Using Microsoft 365 SharePoint as a Google Sites Alternative for Schools

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up an internal website or intranet portal for school departments, class projects, and staff collaboration.
Observed behavior: The user needs to set up customizable pages, document libraries, and access permissions in the Microsoft ecosystem to replicate the experience of Google Sites.

Before you start

Ensure you have an active Microsoft 365 Education or Enterprise subscription with SharePoint enabled, and verify that your account has the necessary permissions to create new sites.

Solution 1Recommended

Create a SharePoint Team Site for School Departments

Set up a centralized SharePoint team site to act as your school's intranet hub for secure collaboration and document storage.

A SharePoint Team Site provides an excellent foundation for departments to share news, organize files, and manage lists. It serves as a direct, more robust Microsoft equivalent to a Google Site.

Access SharePoint

Log in to your Microsoft 365 account at office.com and click the App Launcher (waffle icon) in the top left corner, then select 'SharePoint'.

Create a new site

Click the '+ Create site' button located at the top of the SharePoint start page, then select 'Team site'.

Configure site details

Enter a clear name for your site (e.g., 'Science Department'), provide an optional description, configure your privacy settings (Public or Private), and click 'Next'.

Add school members

Type the names or email addresses of teachers, staff, or students to assign them as site owners or members, then click 'Finish' to generate your new intranet portal.

Create a SharePoint Team Site for School Departments

Seamless Integration: When you create a Team site, it automatically integrates with Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and OneDrive, providing a unified workspace for your department.

Solution 2

Create and Customize Modern Pages

Build out your school site by adding modern pages to display announcements, embedded files, and educational resources.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Create and Edit School Documents for Free with WPS Office

While SharePoint is an excellent platform for hosting your school's intranet, producing the educational materials and files hosted there shouldn't require expensive software. WPS Office is a free, robust alternative to Microsoft Office that is perfect for students and educators.

1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free version suited for your operating system.
2. Install the software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
3. Start creating materials: Launch WPS Office to easily create, edit, and save documents in Microsoft-compatible formats, ready to be uploaded to your SharePoint site.

Completely free and lightweight office suite ideal for educational useFully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Includes advanced PDF editing, merging, and conversion tools built directly into the appFamiliar tabbed interface ensures a seamless migration for staff and students

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can SharePoint integrate directly with Microsoft Teams for school classes?

Yes, SharePoint integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Teams. Every time you create a Team in Microsoft Teams, a corresponding SharePoint team site is automatically created in the background to store the files and resources shared within that Team.

How do I manage file permissions for students versus staff on a SharePoint site?

As a site owner, you can manage access by clicking the Settings gear icon and selecting 'Site Permissions'. From there, you can assign users to distinct groups such as Site Owners (full control), Site Members (edit access for staff), or Site Visitors (read-only access for students).

Is SharePoint included in standard Microsoft 365 Education plans?

Yes, SharePoint Online is included in all standard Microsoft 365 Education plans (such as A1, A3, and A5), allowing schools to build comprehensive intranet portals and document libraries without requiring additional licensing fees.

Can I share a SharePoint site externally with parents?

Yes, provided your organization's Microsoft 365 administrators have enabled external sharing. You can share specific files, folders, or entire sites with external guest users by entering their email addresses in the sharing dialogue.

Document & File Issues