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3 Tips on Choosing a School Management System

Elwyn Loh

When it comes to selecting a school management system, there is a lot to consider. 

  • What characteristics are you looking for?
  • What features are required? 
  • What limitations do you have with your current school management system? 

These are just a few of the many concerns that arise when shopping for a new system.

Having served over 1500 schools in 10 countries, we understand that this can be a stressful and exhausting process. This is why we've created a buyer's guide to help you evaluate your options and select the school management system that best fits your school.

Here are 3 tips on choosing a smart school management system!

Tip 1: Knowing the users of the school management system

Because a school management system (SMS) is used by everyone associated with the school, it is important to ensure that each user base is represented. Administration, teachers, parents, and students are all included.

While some user bases will undoubtedly interact with the product more than others, it is critical to gain perspective and feedback on what each user base seeks in a quality SMS.

Choosing a school management system is rarely made by a single person. Open a communication dialogue with all potential users of the new system, and document that dialogue throughout the process. 

Introducing change is never easy, but if everyone on your team is on the same page and has an opportunity to express their thoughts and concerns, the decision will be much easier.

Tip 2: Your overall budget for a school management system 

With almost every school operating on some sort of budget, money will always be a strong consideration factor. When attempting to plan for a school management system in your school's budget, there are several questions to consider.

  • Can you pay yearly, biannually, or monthly? 
  • Is there a contract period? 
  • Are there upfront costs? 
  • Are they module-based, meaning do they add on costs as you use different features within their system, or are they all-inclusive? 
  • How much are customized reports, if applicable?

Each school management system is unique in terms of structure and pricing, so it's critical to do your homework and ask the right questions to avoid surprises after you sign the contract.

Another thing to think about is about the pre-sales experience. Demos are provided by school management systems for a reason: they want to introduce you to the product without pressuring you to make a hasty decision.

Take your time going over the product, asking tough questions, and determining what works well for your school and what doesn't. A demo or trial period can help you determine your school's needs and how the school management system can help you address those needs.

Tip 3: Assess the level of service commitment from the vendor

Ensure you have open lines of communication with the vendor of the school management system. While no two schools have the same day-to-day operations, chances are the vendor has worked with enough schools that are structured similarly to your school in the past to help make the potential transitioning process much smoother.

The more information you can provide about how your school operates and what features are required for success, the more assistance the school management system can provide in assisting your school in meeting its objectives.

LittleLives is a powerful school management system for schools looking to improve their day-to-day operations. 

If you are still looking for a system that will work well for your school's operations, you can contact LittleLives to see how we can help!