Student Management Suite Software

Pros

This software was one of the systems that our school explored for an SIS. It was very in depth and thorough and offered quite a few options for administrators and teachers alike to manage and disburse information quickly.

Cons

It was way too expensive for us! We were even looking to be covered under our local public school system to recieve a discount, but that wasn't possible. That was the deciding factor in not choosing Skyward as our SIS.

Pros

The software is intuitive and functional. Various folders can be set up for different subject areas. Users can also communicate via the its portal.

Cons

Once log in, it opens a new popup window. So users must set their popup window function to allow the new popup. Often times the pop-up windows becomes hidden when user switches from site to site. The software should improve to put things in the same window instead of opening popup windows.

Pros

It is possible choose how I want my screen to look and can choose the information presented. Additionally, It can access pertinent school information.

Cons

This software is possible to use as a student information system and also be used for finances and food service.

Up-to-date information about my child's progress in school, missing assignments, grades on tests and projects. Especially my for high school student, this info can be hard to get from them and so many times you do not know about issues until it is too late. I open Skyward every night at the dinner table and we talk about grades, upcoming exams and papers. She knows I am looking and it helps her to stay on task.

Pros

There are so many functions in one place. Check grades, missing assignments, email teachers, lunch calendar, etc. Multiple children in a family can be easily accessed together.

Cons

When emailing a parent/teacher, they cannot respond back directly. I wish they could. It would make the line of communication more direct. But, at least they can read the message and respond back by another means.

Pros

I like that I can choose how I want my screen to look and can choose the information presented. I am able to toggle between all of the different pages easily and efficiently. I can access my child's information st the click of a finger. Additionally, I can access pertinent school and district information. I prefer this program to PowerSchool, as a parent user. I have access to more information faster and easier.

Cons

I have had no real problems with this program so far. It has served my needs as a parent. I only struggled with the initial login, due to a bit of s glitch in the system, but that was all worked out.

Pros

The multiple different features is what's best about Skyward. The ability to not only be used as a student information system but also be used for finances and food service is great.

Cons

Some of the programs that Skyward provides have compatibility issues with certain operating systems/internet browsers. There was a few times when we had to use legacy products just to keep Skyward functional.

Pros

I love the various reports and data that I can get from the Skyward system. A little fiddling will reveal massive possibilities.

Cons

I wish that the software was more customizable for non-administrators. It can be finicky when entering data and not save information.

Pros

It has a comprehensive set of features that allow student management. From the teacher side the data is fairly easy to view and input of the gradebook and attendance is relatively easy.

Cons

It is somewhat difficult to learn. There are many variables that can confuse teachers in creating gradebooks and in accessing information. The reports are not particularly intuitive to use.

Pros

This program is great for both teachers and parents. It allows parents to easily see their student's data.

Keeping up with my children school progress.

Pros

I love being able to log in and see how my child is doing in high school by each class. You can see missing assignments, test scores and quizzes. The teachers and the school can also contact me through skyward.

Cons

It can be confusing to use when you first start using it, but it gets easier and easier the more you use it.

Outstanding Student Information System.

Pros

They are always improving and keeping up with current trends. Skyward has absolutely OUTSTANDING customer service!

Cons

That it can be intimidating or overwhelming for those that aren't familiar with it or chose not to utilize it.

Pros

I like that I can see my students attendance and grades and I can change my information on there. I also like that there are links to district sites and information that I need.

Cons

It isn't designed for ease of use. I also don't like that I cannot add funds onto my student's account through the app alone, I need to go to a third party website to add funds. I also don't like that I cannot pay fees on the app, and then when I go to the website I still have to use a third party site to pay my fees.

Great service, glad our school district switched!

Pros

The school I work at switched to this 3 years ago and it allows me to go on-line to check my sick days, personal days, and check stubs. It is very user friendly.

Cons

The only real negative I can think of is, some times I forget my password, otherwise it is a very nice system to have that I can monitor my information instead of calling HR.

It took an old outdated system that was previously used and brought the school district back into the modern age.

Pros

There is a lot that can be accomplished through Skyward. You can track students, finance, and human resource functions. Each module is very easy to use and they are willing to work with you to assist in making changes and upgrades to their products.

Cons

Sometimes the functionality is a little rough, but the programmers have been making constant upgrades to the system and new updates come out all the time.

When my district converted to Skyward, some of the training sessions were not as informative as we would have liked. Now that we are a few years into using the software, most of us have come to appreciate all that can be done. It continues to be a learning process. Many of the "features & functions" are real time savers.

Pros

Reports that are time savers.

Cons

Some settings are at deep levels that are difficult to find and use.

Advice to Others

Keep lots of notes and screen shots. Eventually you will be able to use the software without the notes.

I could not do my job without this software. Customer Service always comes through for us and answer us in a very timely manner when we need help.

Pros

Easy to use

Cons

My only complaint is the need to change calendar days in multiple spots, like changing our end of term this week after a snow day.

This is my district's 7th year using Skyward. I am the counseling secretary in our high school and work in Student Management. I am also a security manager for our district. Honestly, when we made the transition to Skyward I was very unhappy. I didn't find Skyward to be very user friendly and I wasn't pleased with the customer support response time. Oftentimes I was unable to find a way to make Skyward do what I needed. However, as the years have passed, Skyward has made improvements to the program, I have learned the system better and the customer support live chat option is a huge timesaver. Now, I really enjoy using Skyward. I have the dubious distinction of being our district's "Skyward guru" and I believe I've learned a lot through exploration in my efforts to assist others. When I can't find answers, I know that help is only a live chat away! I would definitely recommend Skyward to other districts.

Pros

Possibly my favorite aspect of Skyward is the ability to dump data directly into Excel. This is a huge timesaver and allows me to manipulate, sort, share and utilize data as needed. I also like the ability to create reports based on my needs using Data Mining.

Cons

There are still a few things that I wish I could do in Skyward, that I can't, such as use activity groups to run certain reports/schedules. Occasionally, we experience what I call "Skyward quirks" when something doesn't work right one day, but it works the next. Recently, our library parapro ran a report and new that the info displayed wasn't wholly accurate. I checked her format and everything was good. I printed it with the same results. I cloned the report, changing nothing, and ran that and it was accurate. The next day her report worked properly again.

Advice to Others

Take the time to explore and learn and you will find that Skyward is a very versatile product. You can do a lot with Skyward if you take the time to learn what it can do for you.

The customer service at skyward is quick and efficient. They get back to you pretty quick and will follow up if they haven't heard from you in a few days.

I've not had a chance to use much of it, but I'm sure its great! I'm not usually in the student side of skyward, but everything you all do is top notch. I tried to leave my review as neutral as possible.

Pros

N/A

Cons

N/A

Advice to Others

N/A

Skyward has been our SIS for 10 years now and while many districts have switched SIS systems every few years, we have remained happy customers. The main reason for this happiness? The company is very responsive to the input from their customers. Because of being responsive to that input, Skyward has been able to create an extremely flexible system that allows for many different scenarios for how schools operate. The future is bright, and we know even more great things are coming from the company.

Pros

Flexibility and the frequency of updates to the software

Cons

Navigation can be burdensome for those who have system-wide security access. This is just due to the amount of features that are available, but not much of a problem for end users as they only have access to what they actually need.

Advice to Others

Keep listening to your customers and moving forward. Never be satisfied with mediocrity.