Pennsylvania District Embraces SIS Migration, Sees Early Success

Case Studies > Pennsylvania District Embraces SIS Migration, Sees Early Success

For over 10 years, Kathy Reynolds has been the backbone of her district’s administrative operations, using Skyward’s SMS 2.0 to manage everything from attendance to complex data reporting. In 2024, she faced a thrilling new challenge: migrating her district, Owen J. Roberts School District (OJR) in Pottstown, PA, from SMS 2.0 to Skyward’s cutting-edge Qmlativ Student Information System. It was a big decision — and one that was years in the making.

“We’d been talking about migrating for a while, even before COVID threw a wrench into our plans,” Reynolds recalled. Then, when the opportunity to make the switch finally arrived in late 2023, the excitement was palpable and Reynolds and her team were ready to embrace the future.
 

Why Qmlativ?

When OJR decided to migrate, it wasn’t just about getting the latest software; it was about rethinking how the district could operate more efficiently and enhance the experience for staff and students alike. Qmlativ promised the game-changing features district leaders were eagerly waiting for, starting with its reporting capabilities.

“We were so excited about the reporting features,” said Reynolds. But it wasn’t just about raw data — it was about real-time access to data, beautifully displayed on intuitive dashboards.

"Everyone loved the dashboards, from teachers, to nurses, to office staff. It’s a huge improvement over what we had."

Change can be daunting, but with a positive mindset, it becomes a powerful catalyst for transformation. This was the driving force behind one school district’s successful transition to a new student information system, proving that a positive approach can unlock the true potential of any change.

For over 10 years, Kathy Reynolds has been the backbone of her district’s administrative operations, using Skyward’s SMS 2.0 to manage everything from attendance to complex data reporting. In 2024, she faced a thrilling new challenge: migrating her district, Owen J. Roberts School District (OJR) in Pottstown, PA, from SMS 2.0 to Skyward’s cutting-edge Qmlativ Student Information System. It was a big decision — and one that was years in the making.
 

"We’d been talking about migrating for a while, even before COVID threw a wrench into our plans,” Reynolds recalled. Then, when the opportunity to make the switch finally arrived in late 2023, the excitement was palpable and Reynolds and her team were ready to embrace the future."

The Migration: Embracing Change, Navigating Hurdles

With the decision made and excitement running high, OJR’s migration to Qmlativ kicked off in October 2023. The district hit the ground running, setting up the new system, configuring the reports, and preparing their staff for the transition.

“We knew it wouldn’t be without its challenges, but we were ready,” said Reynolds.
The migration was scheduled to go live in the summer of 2024, but it wasn’t a straight line from planning to implementation. Reynolds, having worked through other SIS migrations before, knew this would take careful planning and some strategic juggling. The district needed a phased rollout, with the heaviest users — the office staff, administrators, and secretaries — trained first.
The biggest challenge? Getting everyone on board with the change.

“Let’s be real, change is hard,” admitted Reynolds. “Luckily we weren’t getting any pushback. It was more about easing everyone into it.”
 

Strategic Training and Preparing for Success

Reynolds knew that training would be a make-or-break factor in the success of the migration. Rather than settling for a few training sessions, Reynolds created a full-blown plan to ensure that OJR was ready for Qmlativ by communicating early and often.

Official training kicked off in early 2024, with the heaviest users getting access to Qmlativ by February. From there, Reynolds worked tirelessly to ensure everyone had the resources they needed, even creating custom documents to capture the specific reports staff needed.

“I wanted to make sure that as soon as we went live, our staff members had everything they needed,” said Reynolds. “We didn’t want anyone left in the dark.”
 

Real-Time Data, Better Efficiency

When OJR went live with Qmlativ in summer 2024, the results were transformational. They quickly saw the real-time data features shine, especially the live tiles that provide instant access to everything from attendance numbers to discipline referrals, all without the need to run complex reports.
“The live tiles are incredible,” said Reynolds. “They show you what you need to know immediately. It’s a total game changer for how we manage our data.”

Beyond the dashboards, Qmlativ allowed OJR to consolidate various platforms into one streamlined system. Whether it’s tracking discipline referrals, managing attendance, or viewing enrollment numbers, everything is now in one place.
 

"We had been using several different platforms before, but having everything under one roof is making our work so much more efficient"

Advice for Others

Reflecting on the migration journey, Reynolds shared some key insights that shaped the district’s success:

• Change can be daunting, but it’s worth it: “It’s not always easy, but the benefits of moving to Qmlativ have been clear from the start. The system is intuitive, powerful, and makes everything easier.”
• Focus on the positives: “Instead of just telling staff what’s changing, make a point to highlight all the exciting new features. It’s all about showing people the cool new stuff they can do. For example, ‘Did you know Qmlativ can do XYZ?’ That kind of excitement goes a long way.”
• Assess and improve: “Migrating wasn’t just about adopting new software; it was about evaluating how we were doing things and finding ways to make them better. Qmlativ helped us do just that.”

 

Looking Forward: What’s Next for OJR

OJR's journey with Qmlativ isn’t over. The district is focused on taking full advantage of Qmlativ’s advanced reporting tools and features. One of Reynolds’ main goals for the coming year is to get one more school on board with the discipline module, ensuring full adoption across the district.

“I want to continue gathering feedback from our end users to see where we can improve and what tools they need to do their jobs even better,” said Reynolds. “Getting everyone comfortable with the advanced reporting features is a big priority for the upcoming year.”

By embracing the migration to Qmlativ as an exciting opportunity rather than a hurdle, OJR not only overcame the typical challenges of a system transition, but also turned them into a chance to improve and grow. Today, OJR is more efficient, connected, and ready for whatever the future brings.