Operating a school requires preparation and tons of paperwork. Thankfully, there are multiple software options out there to help you monitor your school, staff and students included. This article provides you with the top nine school network monitoring software, including their strengths and weaknesses to help you find the right one.

Top Nine School Network Monitoring Software

  1. MySchool- Best School Network Monitoring Software for Data Tracking
  2. PowerSchool SIS- Best School Network Monitoring Software for Customization
  3. PCR Educator School Management System- Best All-in-One School Network Monitoring Software
  4. ThinkWave- Best School Network Monitoring System for Gradebook Feature
  5. SchoolTime- Best Desktop School Network Monitoring Software
  6. Kiddom- Best School Network Monitoring Software for Data Assessment
  7. MySchoolTimeClock- Best Most Affordable School Network Monitoring Software
  8. Infinite Campus- Best Mobile School Network Monitoring Software
  9. Educate SIS- Best School Network Monitoring Software for Communication

1. MySchool – Best for Data Tracking

Pricing: $12 per student, per year to start; free trial option

MySchool is a software that provides the best in terms of data tracking, with extensive data and recording features. MySchool also offers online resources for easy data finding, as well as portals for both the parents and students. Staff can assign homework and track attendance with MySchool and the software is conveniently found because it is web-based.

Key Features:

  • Attendance tracker
  • Grade reports
  • Fundraising function
  • Resource management
  • Homework feature
  • Web-based

Reasons to Buy:

  • Parents and students have access to portals
  • Extensive number of features
  • Online resources available
  • Powerful data tracking and recording features
  • Special education capabilities

Reasons to Avoid:

  • System occasionally experiences glitches
  • No timetable integrations
  • Not mobile friendly

2. PowerSchool SIS – Best for Customization

Pricing: Quote-based

PowerSchool SIS is best known for its customization abilities, which is more uncommon among competing software options. PowerSchool SIS provides gradebook capabilities, along with portals for both parents and students. This software is also available in over 70 countries, making it one of the most accessible options on this list.

Key Features:

  • Gradebook, includes attendance and homework
  • Reporting
  • Mobile version for iOS and Android
  • Scheduler
  • Parent Portal
  • Student Portal

Reasons to Buy:

  • Used in more than 70 countries
  • Works for kindergarten up to 12th grade
  • Customizable to suit individual needs
  • Special education capabilities
  • Task automation

Reasons to Avoid:

  • No free trial
  • Can be difficult to navigate

3. PCR Education School Management System – Best All-in-One School Network Monitoring Software

Pricing: Starts at $500 per month

PCR Education School Management System is a great option for school staff looking for the best all-in-one option. This software includes attendance and admissions features, dashboards for students, and even cafeteria debit accounts. You can even design a website for your school with this software. Although, this many features and functions do come with a hefty price tag.

Key Features:

  • Admissions and registry
  • Application dashboard
  • Accounting
  • Fundraising
  • Student dashboards
  • Cafeteria capabilities

Reasons to Buy:

  • All-in-one option
  • Includes website design features

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Not all features and functions are included in every package
  • Expensive

4. ThinkWave – Best School Network Monitoring System for Gradebook Feature

Pricing: Starts at $14 per month; free version available with advertisements

ThinkWave offers a free version, which is uncommon among other software options, and is a simple option that is strictly a gradebook. If you are only considered with finding a free way to track grades, then ThinkWave is the best option for you. You can track attendance, grades, and assign and collect homework with ThinkWave.

Key Features:

  • Web-based with mobile compatibility
  • Report cards and gradebook
  • Attendance tracker
  • Assign, upload and collect homework
  • Grade management

Reasons to Buy:

  • Online portal capability
  • Becomes more affordable with more users with price discount
  • Free version
  • Web-based program that works with all devices

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Strictly a gradebook program with no additional features

5. SchoolTime – Best Desktop School Network Monitoring Software

Pricing: Starts at $19 per month

SchoolTime is a primarily web-based monitoring software that offers multiple management features, including registration and library management. SchoolTime also offers email integration, along with an SMS function, making for more convenient communication. There is a mobile version, yet it is only currently available for Android devices.

Key Features:

  • Web-based
  • Registration management
  • Library management
  • Email integration
  • Backup and data restore
  • SMS function
  • Accounting

Reasons to Buy:

  • Easy to use
  • Quick access to reports and other information
  • Can be used on any desktop

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Mobile version only works on Android devices
  • Only supported in English

6. Kiddom – Best for Data Assessment

Pricing: Free version and free trial available; request demo for more information

Kiddom is the best option for data assessment. Kiddom offers role-based access with extensive intelligence reports. There are two versions of Kiddom available; one for teachers and one for districts. There are several guides included to help staff learn how to use Kiddom, as well as how to build a strong curriculum.

Key Features:

  • Curriculum management
  • Role-based access
  • Intelligence reports
  • K through 12 library
  • Web-based

Reasons to Buy:

  • Two versions: one for teachers and one for school districts
  • Several guides for easy learning and curriculum building
  • Ability to share resources and assessments
  • Mobile compatibility available

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Communication methods are difficult to use
  • Lack of organization
  • Making adjustments to assignments can be frustrating

7. MySchoolTimeClock – Best Most Affordable School Network Monitoring Software

Pricing: Starts at $5 per year, per user; free trial available

MySchoolTimeClock is the most affordable, paid software on this list, and it also offers many features, including scheduling, time tracking, payroll, and portals. This software is more fitted for teachers and staff, but it a useful monitoring tool nonetheless as it helps create accurate timesheets and management processes.

Key Features:

  • Biometric recognition
  • Employee Scheduling
  • Payroll management
  • Time tracker
  • Vacation tracker
  • Timesheet management
  • Self-service portal

Reasons to Buy:

  • Works on all desktops, including Mac, Windows, Linux and Chromebook
  • Intuitive interface
  • Affordable pricing

Reasons to Avoid:

  • No free version
  • No mobile compatibility
  • Unable to enter mass changes at once

8. Infinite Campus – Best Mobile School Network Monitoring Software

Pricing: Request a demo

Infinite Campus is close second to the best “all-in-one” software, but what it tops other options in terms of mobile access. Infinite Campus offers many features that can be accessed from any phone, as well as computer as the software is web-based. This software also has two version of mobile apps to make information easily accessible to both parents and students.

Key Features:

  • Food service capabilities
  • Finances
  • HR function
  • Communication
  • Curriculum
  • Reports
  • Analytics

Reasons to Buy:

  • Great mobile reach with apps for both parents and children
  • Operates on both Android and iOS devices
  • Web-based
  • All student information is easily accessible and readable
  • Intuitive interface and easy to use app

Reasons to Avoid:

  • No free trial or version available
  • Not at easy to use for students
  • Information doesn’t always sync correctly

9. Educate SIS – Best School Network Monitoring Software for Communication

Pricing: Request a demo

Educate SIS offers the best in communication methods, as this software comes equipped with messaging and alert systems, as well as specification when sending communication. Another key advantage of Educate SIS is that the software integrates with social media, which is important in terms of modern audience reach.

Key Features:

  • Message and alert system
  • Customizable templates
  • Integration with social media
  • Admin tools
  • Communication specification
  • Web-based

Reasons to Buy:

  • Easy to learn how to use
  • Easy to navigate
  • Great for communication between schools and parents

Reasons to Avoid:

  • No on-premise or mobile versions available
  • No free trial or plan available

References

  • https://softwareconnect.com/school-management/
  • https://www.capterra.com/p/114989/MySchool/
  • https://comparecamp.com/powerschool-review-pricing-pros-cons-features/
  • https://www.softwaresuggest.com/us/school-time
  • https://www.capterra.com/p/174137/Academy/#about
  • https://www.capterra.com/p/170100/MySchoolTimeClock/
  • https://www.capterra.com/p/188836/Infinite-Campus/
  • https://www.capterra.com/p/209987/Educate-SIS/