Software Provider or End User? At Skyward, We’re Both.

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It will come as no surprise that members of the Skyward team create, enhance, and promote Skyward solutions. But for many employees, the connection runs much deeper than a professional passion and a 9-5 workday.

For a large subset of team members, their relationship with our SIS and ERP software doesn’t come to a halt when they clock out. It continues when they log in to check their students’ grades or load funds to their children's lunch accounts. You see, for employees with children enrolled in K-12 school districts, they’re not only experiencing Skyward behind the scenes as employees... they’re also end users as parents!

This strong interconnectedness benefits everyone involved—including you! Our team holds the belief that no one knows Skyward solutions quite like the people who use it each day. When our team is strengthened by individuals who share this parental experience with customers across the country, taking a walk in their shoes isn’t only called for, it's candid!

Understanding users’ experiences, desires, and pain points becomes easier, and finding solutions to meet these needs is fueled by a deeper level of empathy. Identifying objectives and improving software comes from a solid comprehension of the user experience, and we’re confident our team does this just as well as any organization out there.

So what can we learn from those who hold both titles of “K-12 parent” and “Skyward employee”? We asked members of our team to share their favorite Skyward features and functions from a parent perspective.

Take it from the Skyward Team!   

For Jen L., administrative coordinator on our marketing team, viewing grades in Skyward’s Parent Portal is her favorite function. Skyward solutions ensure open lines of communication between parents, teachers, and students, allowing Jen to keep tabs on her children’s progress in real time. Doing so alleviates any questions or issues that might go unnoticed until late in the semester when report cards are issued. Plus, this transparency helps hold students accountable because they know parents can view their progress.

Customer success team manager Scott W. gives a similar answer. Although his children aren’t always keen on the fact that he can check assignment scores and class grades at any time, this function allows Scott to stay engaged with their academic experiences and know what is happening in the classroom. The Parent Portal also makes it easy for parents like Scott to use grades as motivators for their children, aiding in the decision-making process when his high schooler asks to spend time with friends on weeknights.

For Tom N., regional account manager, the Food Service features within Skyward solutions are his go-to tools. Tom appreciates that the system sends low-balance notifications and offers automatic payment options to reload lunch funds. He never needs to worry whether his growing kids are fed – Skyward does it for him!

Director of software engineering Laura B. would agree with all of the above. Her most-used feature is the Gradebook where she can see her child's grades, missing assignments, and progress reports throughout the school year. Her favorite feature, however, can be found within the Food Service screen. Laura regularly views her child’s lunch balance online in real time and can add funds quickly when she runs low.

Erin W., marketing content specialist, enjoys a handful of administrative functions within Skyward solutions. Her top features include online open enrollment, the use of custom forms, and summer school enrollment. Last summer, when her child wanted to take swim classes offered through school, Erin was happy to wake up bright and early on enrollment day and complete the summer school enrollment process from the comfort of her bed; all she needed was her smartphone! Erin also loves using Skyward to view who her child’s teacher is going to be each year.

As the director of sales operations, Chris C. is always on the go. His favorite aspect of Skyward from a parent perspective is the intuitive mobile app. Whether he’s in his office or boarding a plane, he enjoys the convenience of accessing all his most-used tools in the Parent Portal right from his smartphone. With connection and convenience at his fingertips, Chris’s engagement with his children’s academics never has to stray, no matter where he travels!

Don’t have the Skyward mobile app yet? Learn more right here, download it to your smart device, then begin using the handy features talked about by our team.


When connection is seamless and communication is streamlined, families are empowered to stay engaged in their child’s education. Less screen time, more family time!