All-in-One Program

There’s nothing I like more than a school program that does several things well, so that schools can consolidate several pieces of poorly connected software. Today, the typical school district uses at least a dozen major programs for what it does, but GKG Production’s Digital District puts it all in one place with a simple interface to get the job done. On top of the expected ability to record and monitor attendance records, pay bills and create transcripts, Digital District can help to track discipline problems,  oversee fund raising, create field trip forms and even make sure every teacher is using the same lesson plans. The comprehensive program costs $15 per teacher and a demo is available

Minding the Office

Drowning in paperwork and files, and what school isn’t these days? Hunter Systems’ School Minder can help digitize an entire school’s activities to streamline its operations. The software has modules for creating class schedules, tracking grades, attendance and even an extensive section on discipline.

School Data that Sings

Don’t you just hate having to renter data or import data from one section of a school administration program to another? Orbund Online School System is the one place to keep and analyze a school or district’s worth of data. The software can not only handle everything from teacher lesson plans and grade books to parental access and integrating with the institution’s Web site, but its data is available to every part of the program. Pricing starts at $2,000 for a small school, and it’s used at the Lincoln Academy for boys in Fayetteville, IL.
Specs: Modules for administration, grades, parental access, Web site integration.
Bottom line: Data from each section is available for other modules, eliminating repeated data entry. 

Freeing Student Data

Still using a clunky and expensive student information program that never quite does what you want it to? Miller Group’s Centre application uses open source software to help put student data exactly where you want it, and version 2.13 adds more detailed attendance records as well as the ability to personalize grade books. The best part is that it’s free.
Specs: Can handle student data, scheduling, attendance, report cards.
Bottom line: Centre can streamline a school’s operations for free.