In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, K-12 schools are increasingly turning to technology to improve student outcomes, streamline operations, and enhance communication. PowerSchool is a popular student information system (SIS) used by many K-12 schools, but it may not address all their needs. This is where Salesforce Education Cloud comes in. By integrating PowerSchool with Salesforce Education Cloud, schools can create a comprehensive technology ecosystem that supports students throughout their academic journey and beyond.
Addressing Gaps in PowerSchool with Salesforce Education Cloud
PowerSchool is an invaluable tool for managing essential student data, serving as a core system of record for many schools. However, while it excels in student information management, it was not designed to meet the full range of needs that K-12 schools face today. As educational institutions evolve to address complex challenges—such as increasing family engagement, improving student success, and optimizing operations—PowerSchool alone may fall short.
Here are some of the key limitations schools encounter with PowerSchool, and how Salesforce Education Cloud steps in to address them:
Limited Communication and Engagement Features
PowerSchool’s primary function is to house and manage student data. It offers minimal tools for fostering meaningful communication and engagement between schools, families, and students. In today’s education landscape, effective communication is essential—not just for academic success but for creating a sense of community and trust among stakeholders.
How Salesforce Helps: Salesforce Education Cloud acts as a centralized communication hub, enabling real-time collaboration between students, parents, teachers, and staff. From personalized messages to parent-teacher interaction portals, it ensures that everyone stays connected, informed, and engaged.
Restricted Analytics and Reporting Capabilities
While PowerSchool provides basic reporting tools, they are often limited in scope, making it challenging to gain deep insights into student performance, behavior, and institutional progress. For schools aiming to make data-driven decisions, this lack of robust analytics can hinder their ability to identify trends, predict challenges, and intervene early.
How Salesforce Helps: With Salesforce Education Cloud, schools gain access to advanced analytics and customizable dashboards. These tools enable institutions to dive deeper into data, monitor student progress in real time, and identify at-risk students before problems escalate.
No Built-in Fundraising Capabilities
Fundraising is critical for many schools, especially for extracurricular programs, technology upgrades, and scholarships. Unfortunately, PowerSchool does not include features to support fundraising initiatives, leaving schools to rely on external systems that may not integrate seamlessly.
How Salesforce Helps: Salesforce Education Cloud offers a complete suite of tools for managing fundraising campaigns. Schools can track donations, build relationships with donors, and even engage alumni in ongoing giving efforts—all within the same platform. This integration streamlines fundraising efforts and helps schools maximize their development potential.
Disconnected Data Ecosystem
One of the biggest challenges schools face with PowerSchool is the lack of integration with other systems. Critical data—such as financial aid records, extracurricular involvement, and support services—often exists in silos, making it difficult to create a holistic view of each student.
How Salesforce Helps: With the addition of Salesforce Data Cloud, schools can integrate data from multiple applications, including PowerSchool, to create a unified, 360-degree view of every student. This interconnected approach enables schools to better understand their students’ needs, personalize support, and make decisions that truly impact student success.
7 Tips for Getting Started with Salesforce Education Cloud in K-12 Schools
You’re convinced. Your school needs to address the gaps in PowerSchool with Salesforce Education Cloud so you can unlock new opportunities for growth, engagement, and student success.
How do you get started?
As your school considers making this transformative shift, it’s essential to approach the process with a well-thought-out plan. Transitioning to Salesforce Education Cloud doesn’t just mean adopting a new platform—it means reshaping how your school connects, operates, and supports its students.
The following tips can help guide your school toward a successful implementation.
- Define your goals and objectives: What do you hope to achieve by implementing Salesforce Education Cloud? Whether it’s improving communication to enhancing student success, clear goals will guide your implementation.
- Evaluate infrastructure: Assess how Salesforce will fit into your existing technology stack, particularly how it will integrate with PowerSchool.
- Migrate Data Thoughtfully: Create a migration strategy to ensure that data from PowerSchool and other platforms is transitioned smoothly.
- Customize Salesforce Education Cloud to meet your needs: Configure the platform to match your school’s specific requirements, including workflows, reporting, and communication processes.
- Train your staff: Invest in training to ensure staff feel confident using the new system. Knowledgeable users are key to maximizing its value.
- Engage with the Salesforce community: Join the Salesforce education community to learn from other schools, discover best practices, and gain valuable support.
- Continuously evaluate and improve: Regularly assess how Salesforce is performing and adapt your processes to ensure continuous improvement.
Driving the Future of K-12 Education
By integrating PowerSchool with Salesforce Education Cloud, schools can move beyond traditional data management to create an ecosystem that supports every aspect of education—from student success to fundraising and beyond. With the added power of Data Cloud and AI, schools can make smarter decisions, improve outcomes, and deliver personalized support to every student.
The journey starts with a single step. As schools navigate their digital transformation, Salesforce Education Cloud offers the tools they need to keep students at the heart of their mission while equipping educators and staff with the technology to succeed.
Ready to take your school to the next level? Contact iMission to get started with Salesforce Education Cloud today!
