Behind every well-run school is a system quietly doing the heavy lifting—keeping track of who’s enrolled, how students are doing, and how best to support them. That system? A student information system, or SIS.
Whether you’re managing grades, attendance, parent communications, or state compliance reports, a solid SIS keeps everything in one place. The right tool doesn’t just save time—it helps your school operate more smoothly, make data-informed decisions, and ultimately support better student outcomes.
Below, we’ve rounded up 10 powerful student information systems designed for K–12 and higher education settings. Each tool includes:
- Why it’s worth knowing
- What it’s best for
- A feature or tip to help you get the most out of it
Let’s take a closer look at a few options.
10 Student Information Systems That Help Schools Stay Organized and Focused on Learning
1. Aspen SIS by Follett
Why it’s worth knowing:
Aspen provides a highly customizable, all-in-one solution for managing student data, learning plans, and state compliance in one unified platform.
Best for:
Districts looking for a robust, adaptable SIS with strong integration options.
Notes:
Its built-in learning management features help connect student data directly to classroom instruction—streamlining both admin and teaching tasks.
2. Ellucian (Higher Education)
Why it’s worth knowing:
Tailored for colleges and universities, Ellucian’s SIS platforms support enrollment, financial aid, academic progress, and alumni relations.
Best for:
Higher ed institutions that need a comprehensive platform to manage the full student lifecycle.
Notes:
Their cloud-first model supports real-time access and integration with learning tools like Canvas and Blackboard.
3. eSchoolData
Why it’s worth knowing:
Focused on schools in New York and Pennsylvania, eSchoolData helps schools track everything from attendance to behavior in a centralized, user-friendly system.
Best for:
Districts in the Northeast seeking a regionally supported SIS with strong state reporting features.
Notes:
Offers a parent and student portal with real-time updates, improving home-school communication.
4. Frontline SIS
Why it’s worth knowing:
Part of the broader Frontline suite, this SIS simplifies enrollment, grading, special programs, and data reporting for schools in states like Ohio and Texas.
Best for:
Schools using Frontline for HR, payroll, or special education looking to streamline everything under one system.
Notes:
Integration with special education documentation helps schools support IEP compliance and service tracking.
5. Harris go.edustar
Why it’s worth knowing:
Designed for schools in Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska, go.edustar is known for its intuitive interface and low learning curve.
Best for:
Smaller or rural districts seeking a reliable, easy-to-use SIS without excessive complexity.
Notes:
Includes mobile-friendly dashboards for teachers and staff to update grades or take attendance on the go.
6. Illuminate Student Information
Why it’s worth knowing:
Illuminate Education’s SIS pairs seamlessly with their assessment and data tools to create a full picture of student progress.
Best for:
Data-driven districts focused on formative assessment, MTSS, and early intervention tracking.
Notes:
Real-time data visualization tools help educators respond quickly to student needs.
7. Infinite Campus
Why it’s worth knowing:
A household name in K–12 education, Infinite Campus serves millions of students and offers robust features for attendance, scheduling, grades, and messaging.
Best for:
Large districts needing a scalable and deeply integrated SIS with extensive support.
Notes:
Its Campus Parent and Campus Student mobile apps keep families connected to their child’s academic life 24/7.
8. PowerSchool
Why it’s worth knowing:
PowerSchool is one of the most widely used SIS platforms in the U.S., supporting everything from enrollment and grades to behavior and state compliance.
Best for:
Schools seeking a well-supported, full-featured SIS with a wide ecosystem of connected tools.
Notes:
Its modular structure lets you add tools like PowerTeacher Pro or analytics as your school’s needs evolve.
9. Ravenna (formerly BigSIS)
Why it’s worth knowing:
Designed with private and independent schools in mind, Ravenna offers tools for admissions, academics, and family engagement in one elegant platform.
Best for:
Private schools seeking a personalized, relationship-based approach to student data management.
Notes:
Its admissions tools are particularly strong—great for schools with ongoing or rolling enrollment processes.
10. Synergy SIS by Edupoint
Why it’s worth knowing:
Synergy’s SIS is known for its flexibility and its seamless integration with learning management, special education, and assessment tools.
Best for:
Districts seeking a customizable, end-to-end platform for student and instructional data.
Notes:
Their teacher portal is especially intuitive, making it easier for educators to manage classrooms digitally.
In Closing
Choosing the right student information system is more than a technical decision—it’s a strategic one. The right SIS helps your school run efficiently, meet accountability requirements, and most importantly, support every student’s path to success.
As you compare systems, think about the day-to-day needs of your school office, teachers, families, and administrators. Prioritize platforms that offer strong data reporting, real-time access, and ease of integration with your existing systems.
With the right tool in place, you’ll spend less time on paperwork—and more time empowering students.
Know a great SIS/SMS we missed? We’d love to hear what’s working in your school: Share your suggestion with us here.
Disclaimer: This list is for informational purposes only and does not imply endorsement of any specific software. We recommend conducting independent research to select the best student information/management solution for your school.
