10 best school management software tools

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way school systems approach teaching as more students are learning from home. More educators are turning to school management software to simplify the process.

With so many options available, choosing the right software for your school or district can be overwhelming. In this post, we’ll share 10 of the top school management software platforms to help you narrow down your options. We’ll cover some of their top features as well as the pricing structure for each.

1. Jotform

From online class registration and consent forms to quizzes and homework forms, you can use Jotform’s easy-to-use drag-and-drop Form Builder to help with all of your virtual learning needs.

It’s free to create a form that includes an e-signature widget. Paid plans start at $34 per month when billed annually. Plus, educators and school administrators can get a 50-percent discount.

2. Schoology Learning

Schoology Learning is the link between learning management and assessments. The software seamlessly connects the two to help educators improve student performance, foster collaboration, and personalize the learning experience for individual students.

The software focuses on K–12 schools and is designed to successfully bring learning communities together. And the software comes pre-integrated with more than 200+ tools like McGraw-Hill Education, OneDrive, and Khan Academy.

Schoology was founded in 2009. The company has spent over a decade in business, learning from its more than 20 million users to find out what customers need to be successful. Like many school management software options, Schoology requires educators to contact the company for a demo before giving out pricing details.

3. Gradelink SIS

Started in 2002, Gradelink SIS was created to help save administrators time while improving enrollment. The software includes communication tools, reporting, lesson plans, and a Google Classroom integration.

The integrated management and learning tool claims to be the easiest to use in the industry. The software has an intuitive interface that seamlessly integrates lesson planning, grade books, standards, and report cards. Even busy parents can stay tuned in with robust calendars, teacher web pages, mobile apps, group emails, and texts.

4. Canvas by Instructure

Canvas by Instructure focuses on growth with platforms that simplify teaching, learning, and career development. Canvas is designed for both K–12 and higher education customers. The platform lets administrators customize the experience for their students.

The website offers a variety of resources to help educators get the most from the software. Canvas integrates with Google Assignments to help teachers distribute, analyze, and grade student work.

Founded in 2008, Canvas is now the world’s fastest-growing learning management platform. Students can sign up for a free account, while educators need to schedule a live demo for pricing.

5. Beehively

Beehively is a flexible platform that brings at-home and in-person school communities together. Features for teachers include reporting, messaging, and a grading system that auto-saves to prevent lost data. Administrator features include people search, urgent alerts, training and support, and forms. A Google integration lets Beehively users access Team Drive, Google Classroom, and Calendar.

This company gots its start in 2007. Today it offers three software plans: a free basic plan, a paid Pro plan, and a paid Enterprise plan. However, pricing isn’t available on the website.

6. MySchoolWorx

MySchoolWorx got started in 2011. Nearly a decade later, it still focuses on providing a simple solution to help schools thrive.

MySchoolWorx was created with the simple mission of making school life easier. The software is affordable, with easy setup, live technical assistance, and unlimited free training. Features include online enrollment, lesson plans, grades, assignments, customer reporting, parent communication, and online tuition payments.

7. Alma

Alma is a student information system that improves school operations and fosters better student outcomes. The platform is made for both individual schools and districts. The tool provides beneficial features like analytics, standards-based grade books, differentiated assignments, blended learning, communication tools, personalized learning schedules, and a Google Classroom Integration.

Founded in 2012, Alma was made to empower educators. It offers three different solution bundles: Basic, Lower School, and Upper School. Contact the company for pricing information.

8. ThinkWave Educator

ThinkWave Educator is cloud-based school management software for educators. Of the software options, this one has been around the longest. Today, its administration system, which includes online learning grade books, is making COVID-19 distance learning simple. With the software solution comes messaging and email systems, custom report cards, transcripts, and assignment collection capabilities, as well as support and security.

As a company, ThinkWave began in 1997. It was the first to launch online access to attendance and grades for parents. Today, it offers a customizable solution that you can try out with a free trial. Pricing tiers are determined by the number of students and begin at just $17 per month for 1 to 15 students.

9. Edsby

Edsby is the most comprehensive digital learning and data system for grades K–12. Edsby users include regional governments, school districts, and private schools. The software lets parents use one app to manage their child’s learning. Additional features include assessment and reporting, group collaboration, secure classroom management, analytics, registrations, and workflows.

The platform was created in 2010 and won the 2016 Classroom Management CODiE, the equivalent of an Academy Award for software. Edsby requires upfront charges for initial integration and annual costs that vary by the number of students.

10. Sawyer Tools

Sawyer Tools is an online booking platform for schools. The software can also serve camps and other children’s activities. With Sawyer Tools, parents can enroll and pay for programs with one solution. Administrators can automate tasks like sibling discounts, proration, and enrollment.

Sawyer was built in 2015 by parents in partnership with educators. The software offers a seamless online booking experience with instant communication between parents, staff, and the Sawyer support team.

When selecting the right software for your students, it’s important to do your due diligence up front and make sure it has the features you need. Most of these tools have excellent customer support and staff who can walk you through a demo before you sign on. Take the time to shop around and find the right school management software to suit your needs.