Pennsylvania School District

Case Studies > Pennsylvania School District

Pennsylvania School District Credits Collaboration, Communication, and Support in Decade-Long Partnership with SIS Provider

In all relationships, two sides share one common goal— finding the “right” fit. Edtech partnerships are no different.

But what vendor traits make a district want to commit for the long haul? Cornwall-Lebanon School District, located 80 miles west of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has a few ideas.

“For our district, like many others, the most important qualities of edtech are the ability to adapt, be flexible, and meet customers’ needs. Skyward has given us that and more over the years,” stated John Shaffer, the district’s assistant principal.

Since 2008, Cornwall-Lebanon has celebrated numerous successes with the help of Skyward, including a more efficient attendance process, restructured positive intervention, and improved communication. More than a decade later, both sides continue to work together, united in their goal of creating a better education experience.

"I highly recommend Skyward. It offers great versatility, a complete package, and strong user support."

Accessible Information

Over the years, Skyward’s Student Management Suite has helped Cornwall-Lebanon better identify students with attendance issues and has assisted in the creation of interventions to address absenteeism. “Skyward gives our attendance officer the ability to run attendance reports, letting us know who needs a Student Attendance Improvement Plan (SAIP) or who we need to get proper documentation from in a timely matter,” explained Shaffer. “Skyward has really helped us become more organized and keep everyone in tune with our students.”

Just as significant, the district implemented Skyward into its new positive behavior and support program, Wings of Praise. The program, aimed to praise positive conducts among students, allows those who have positive behavior, a strong attendance record, and good grades to enter into weekly, monthly and quarterly drawings. “By pairing Skyward with our Wings of Praise program, students gain an additional level of transparency regarding their education by understanding what they need to do to be successful,” said Shaffer. “They can log into their accounts and see where their grades and attendance records stand.”

However, CornwallLebanon didn’t always have this level of transparency. Shaffer recalls the school once had multiple vendors. Now, Skyward helps the district automate, connect, and streamline information to make processes more effective. “Every part of the school environment is linked and easy to mine data, from food service to special education,” boasted Shaffer. “Skyward has saved us countless hours.”

"Having an increased level of communication between all stakeholders has been key to CornwallLebanon’s success. Skyward has helped me ensure I have all the information I need when speaking to a parent."

School-to-Home Communication

Not only do staff and students have access to important data to ensure success, but parents also have immediate access to information. Families stay updated through Skyward’s mobile app and have the ability to message teachers and staff to stay connected to their child’s education, while saving time for Cornwall-Lebanon staff.

“Our families enjoy Skyward’s mobile app, especially the messaging and automated alerts features,” explained Shaffer. “Having an increased level of communication between all stakeholders has been key to CornwallLebanon’s success. Skyward has helped me ensure I have all the information I need when speaking to a parent.”

"For our district, like many others, the most important qualities of edtech are the ability to adapt, be flexible, and meet customers’ needs. Skyward has given us that and more over the years."

The Right Fit

After more than a decade of partnering with Skyward, Shaffer reflects on what has made the collaboration successful. “The upgrading process has dramatically improved over the last decade, along with the user-friendly interface,” Shaffer noted.

Beyond features and functionality, Shaffer credits Skyward’s overall communication and support for the long-term partnership between Cornwall-Lebanon and Skyward.

“Communication has been key for our district,” explained Shaffer. “The support from Skyward is unmatched from any other vendor. We can call tech support and talk to a real person, chat online, or submit an electronic request. Each time our questions are answered promptly.”

Long lasting partnerships between districts and technology providers don’t happen by chance. They are built on collaboration, growth, and support.

“There are so many impressive solutions within Skyward’s SIS. Our entire district uses it very thoroughly, and every feature has been important to what we’ve done over the years. Skyward really has evolved with our district’s needs,” noted Shaffer.

So, what’s next for Cornwall-Lebanon? “We plan to remain a loyal Skyward customer and migrate to Qmlativ,” stated Shaffer. And he hopes surrounding districts will join them. “I highly recommend Skyward. It offers great versatility, a complete package, and strong user support.”