How Integrated Edtech Drives Smooth Operations at NorthPointe Christian Schools

Benefits of bringing student information and classroom software products together

In smaller school systems, staff often fill multiple roles to ensure operations run smoothly. With limited budgets and smaller departments, teachers and administrators have to multi-task and be adaptable.  

Integrated software tools can help make their jobs more efficient and effective. In the 2023 Education Focus Report, 83% of school educators agree that when technology systems work together well, they get essential time back in their day to get things done. Conversely, a top edtech challenge for educators is juggling multiple digital tools for teaching and learning. 

Technology that’s integrated gives staff one consistent user experience, connects data for simpler insights, provides an easier learning curve, and expands functionality.  

NorthPointe Christian Schools, a small but growing Michigan school system, has integrated three core technology systems: PowerSchool SIS and PowerSchool Enrollment, part of the Student Information Cloud, and PowerSchool Schoology Learning. 

Integrated Systems Give NorthPointe Clean, Accurate Data

With an integrated educational ecosystem, staff at NorthPointe Christian Schools appreciate not having to re-enter data for the same student. Information entered online into PowerSchool Enrollment flows securely throughout their education ecosystem. Staff saves time, and the school has improved data accuracy.  

“Now, parents enter their student’s information, and you’re able to get that directly into PowerSchool SIS, so it keeps data clean and accurate, and then it populates in Schoology as well as in the classroom,” says Nicole Crawford, Technology Director at NorthPointe Christian Schools. “That’s working seamlessly. We know we’re not missing anything and know that we can trust the data all the way through the system. That’s huge.” 

An additional benefit of integrated systems is working within products that flow well together with a consistent user interface. When you move from the SIS to the LMS, it’s not like you’re switching between unconnected systems. Instead, it’s like you’re working within one seamless product.  

“You know where to go for what you need or what you need to look up. It’s streamlined the process so people know they can go to one or two spots between the systems to get what they need,” says Crawford.  

Crawford says that an integrated system eliminates the bad habits of creating different spreadsheets or other documents to store information. When doing that, you run the risk of forgetting to share vital information with key stakeholders, as well as creating redundant and often outdated data silos.  

“Now,” she says, “we’re streamlining processes and putting information in one spot for efficiency. It makes it better for people as jobs turn over, positions change, and people move around. It’s in one spot, and it’s secure.” 

Working More Efficiently, Saving Time and Stress

By implementing PowerSchool’s award-winning edtech products, NorthPointe Christian Schools has reaped the benefits of integrated systems, which include simplified processes, time saved, and accurate, secure data.  

“In the past, we had solutions that were limited, and we had to fit into their mold. PowerSchool’s integration allows us to work more efficiently and to maintain better data, which helps our students and parents have a better overall experience,” says Crawford. 

An integrated platform ensures that NorthPointe Christian Schools always has accurate, secure data, which is critical for seeing insights into the whole child. “We’ve got Google Drive and Google Docs, and that’s fine,” explains Crawford, “but it’s not that same level of security, accuracy, and knowing who has access to information we get with PowerSchool. We know that our data is accurate because we haven’t been importing, exporting, typing, and changing information. PowerSchool is making things more efficient and secure for us. And it ultimately saves time and stress.” 

Benefits of Student Information Cloud

With PowerSchool SIS and PowerSchool Enrollment, NorthPointe is bringing together the most critical student information software products and features to support operational priorities and increase ROI now and into the future. The interoperable products are helping streamline operations and set this small but growing school system up for long-term success. Interoperability drives efficiency and engagement with connected solutions that share data easily and are simple to navigate for all users. 

And with a student information system hosted by PowerSchool, NorthPointe staff can rest easy knowing their student data is secure and backed by world-class cloud hosting and a dedicated security team. 

“I would always choose hosted because I know the product and data are there, it’s backed up, secure, always running, and always updated. I don’t have to worry about any of that. It’s a no-brainer,” says Crawford.