Student and staff records
One place for student profiles, classes, guardians, staff details and history, with easy search. Records should be easy to correct and protected from loss.
Fees and payments
Fee structures by class, instalments, receipts, balances and reminders. The office should see who has paid and who has not without counting by hand.
Attendance
Quick daily attendance for students and, if needed, staff, with simple reports.
Results and report cards
Score entry by teachers, automatic totals and grades, positions and remarks, and report cards that match your school's format and grading scale.
Timetable and academics
Classes, subjects, teachers and timetables in one place, so nothing clashes.
Parent and student access
Parents should be able to see results, fees and notices without calling the office. Pay attention to how simple it is on a phone.
Communication
Notices and messages to parents, classes or the whole school.
Roles and security
Different logins for the proprietor, bursar, teachers and parents, with each seeing only what they need, and a record of who changed what. Ask where data is stored and how it is backed up.
Questions to ask before you choose
- Does it work on phones and slow connections?
- Can it match our grading and report card format?
- Who owns our data, and can we export it?
- How are staff trained and supported?
- Does it serve more than one school or campus?
- What happens if we outgrow it or want to leave?
Frequently asked questions
Do we need a school website to use a school management system?
Not necessarily. A multi-school platform such as Schoolics can serve a school whether or not it has its own website.
What should school software do first?
Most schools start with student records, fees and results, then add attendance, parent access and communication.
Is school software expensive to run?
Costs vary by provider and school size. Ask for a clear quote that lists what is included, training and support.
This guide is general advice. Every device and business is different, so if you are unsure, ask a technician before you act.