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Best School Communication Apps for Teachers and Parents

School communication apps

Every day at school is full of moments that could go so differently because of how that communication gets played out. Perhaps a parent forgets that the school event is tonight and scrambles for details at the last second. Wouldn’t it be nice if they received a timely reminder right on their phone? Or maybe a teacher sends an important homework update, but half the class never sees it because it’s buried in a group chat. Or think of the frustration that arises when a student misses a deadline simply because they did not know about a change in schedule. These are more than minor hiccups; these situations can involve confusion, missed opportunities, and/or frustration from every angle.

School communication tools solve these day-to-day challenges. They are not just about sending messages but about facilitating them in a smooth, efficient manner that is accessible to all. Whether it’s providing parents with real-time updates, facilitating teachers’ coordination for different subjects, or making sure that students never miss details, these tools can make a lot of difference.

This post is about school communication tools: what sets them apart and why they are increasingly finding a place in the schools of today. We will talk about features other than “basic messaging” that help schools function much better and increase engagement. With so many options out there, it’s hard to know what to look for.

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Continue reading to learn more about the tools revolutionizing school communications and see which features might be exactly what your school needs to round out its communications puzzle.

School communication apps: Quick overview

  • Chanty – Simple team chat with task management.
  • ClassDojo – Classroom management, communication, and behavior tracking.
  • Remind – Messaging platform for school-parent communication.
  • Schoology – Learning management system with communication features.
  • Google Classroom – Assignment management and student-teacher communication platform.
  • ParentSquare – School communication and engagement with parents.

Unique capabilities to look for in school communication apps

When communication tools in schools are working well, they make everything easier, from keeping parents informed to ensuring teachers and staff can collaborate without missing a beat. However,, not all tools are created equal.

Those making the most real difference have a set of specific features that answer the particular needs of schools: the need for clear, accessible communication, the ability to engage everyone in the process, and the flexibility to adapt to the fast-paced, ever-changing school environment.

Following are four of those standout capabilities that go beyond basic “messaging” functionality and are key to creating a truly connected and engaged school community.

1. AI-powered translation and accessibility

In today’s schools, the community is usually multilingual; the families have different languages. It might be hard for teachers to keep all parents abreast of any news and announcements. That’s where AI-powered translation steps in. Just imagine receiving a school newsletter or a reminder about some event in your preferred language, without the school having to manually translate everything.

AI-powered translation features in tools lighten the way and guarantee that no one is left behind because of a language barrier. This translates to better engagement of the families and ultimately more support for the students.

2. Real-time, two-way communication

It is so easy for information to get lost in one stream of updates after another. Schools need to have a method of allowing communication among teachers, parents, and students in real time. Such a tool offering two-way communication means if a parent has an issue or a teacher needs a quick response, they do not have to wait days for a response.

This creates an open, ongoing dialogue between school and home, helping cement the partnership that assists the student to succeed.

3. Learning management systems integration

Schools use a variety of tools for grading, lesson plans, and assignments. A communication tool integrated into the LMS removes the need to jump between platforms. Think about a teacher who updates an assignment in the LMS and automatically lets the student know through their app. No need to check multiple sources – it’s in one place.

This saves not only time but also keeps all parties on the same page with little extra effort required. That’s technology at work for everyone, allowing teachers to teach and students to remain organized.

4. Student and parent engagement tools

Communication tools should go beyond sending out updates and inspire engagement: make people enjoy taking part. Functions like polls, surveys, and quick feedback, involve students and parents alike in activities within the school. For instance, a teacher could send a poll on his students’ perceptions regarding a specific class or upcoming event in the school year. Parents weigh their views in surveys about extra activities that school personnel can present to them.

These features ensure that everyone is heard, and with the encouragement of participation, the connection within the school community becomes closer and tighter.

These four capabilities, all in all, are not nice-to-haves; rather, they are must-haves for any of today’s school communication tools. They break down walls, facilitate collaboration in real time, and engage all in the learning process. As schools continue to adapt and grow, these features will be what ensure a tool can actually connect and empower an entire school community beyond just being able to send messages.

Comparison table of school communication apps

FeatureClassDojoRemindSchoologyGoogle ClassroomParentSquareChanty
Real-Time Two-Way MessagingYesYesYesYesYesYes
AI-Powered TranslationYesNoNoNoYesNo
LMS IntegrationLimitedLimitedYesYesLimitedYes (via third-party apps)
Event Reminders & SchedulingYesYesYesYesYesYes
Parent Engagement ToolsYesYesYesLimitedYesYes
Mobile-FriendlyYesYesYesYesYesYes
Multi-Language SupportYesNoNoNoYesYes (via integrations)
Survey & Poll FeaturesNoNoYesNoYesYes (via integrations)
Best forTeacher-Parent CommunicationSimple, Instant MessagingIntegrated Learning and CommunicationClassroom & Assignment ManagementParent-Teacher CollaborationTeacher and Staff Collaboration

Top school communication apps: what you need to know

Chanty

Though primarily a business communication tool, Chanty is making its way into schools that want a simple yet powerful collaboration platform. It offers real-time messaging, file sharing, and task management, hence being perfect for administrative teams, staff, and even students working on group projects. Its clean interface and unlimited search history make sure conversations and information are always easy to access when needed.

Why it is a good choice for schools:

  • Real-time team collaboration: great for keeping faculty, administration, and staff on the same page across departments. 
  • Includes features for task management: Chanty’s Kanban-style board keeps assignments, projects, and deadlines organized. 
  • Voice and video calls allow seamless communication between staff or students working remotely.
  • Affordable and easy to set up: flexible pricing plans and quick implementation make it a great choice for schools of all sizes.

ClassDojo

ClassDojo works in K-8 schools and thus is perfect for teachers looking to engage parents and students in real time. It allows teachers to post photos and videos of the activities that their children are undertaking so that parents can keep themselves updated about the activities of their child. And through its in-built translation feature, ClassDojo ensures language barriers don’t hinder communication.

Why it’s a good choice for schools:

  • Great for younger students: perfect for elementary and middle school.
  • In an instant, parent engagement: teachers can instantly message, update, and take photos to parents. 
  • Multilingual support: great fit for multilingual communities with translation support in over 35 languages. 
  • Free: ClassDojo is free for all teachers and parents; schools can upgrade to premium features.

Remind

Remind is designed to make messaging among teachers, parents, and students easy and instantaneous. It’s highly effective in doing what it does: getting quick messages across with simplicity and ease, hence ideal for reminders and updates. Though it might be lacking compared to other choices in terms of classroom management, it excels in its simplicity and speed for clear communication.

Why it’s a good choice for schools:

  • Quick and straightforward: it is fit for schools that need only a simple app to send updates or reminders.
  • Google Classroom integration: it also easily integrates with Google Classroom, making it very easy for those teachers using the Google ecosystem.
  • No distractions: it keeps the focus on messaging, without extra features or tools that could overwhelm some teachers.

Schoology

Schoology is more than just a means of communication; it’s a full Learning Management System that allows teachers to track student work, monitor student progress, and connect with students in one location. This makes it ideal for schools that require both communication and deep learning management capabilities. Schoology is popularly used in high schools and higher education but is versatile enough for younger grades as well.

Why it is a good fit for schools:

  • Comprehensive LMS features: combines communication with grade tracking, assignments, and even quizzes.
  • Parent access to student progress: allows parents to view student reports and even monitor the progression of students. This can help in creating increased engagement.
  • Integrates well with various tools: it blends pretty well with Google Drive, Microsoft Office 365, and many other educational tools.
  • Helps with advanced reporting: offers specific, detailed analytics and insights to help with tracking engagement and performance.

Google Classroom

Google Classroom is one of the most used and trusted systems, especially by schools with an integration system for Google Workspace. This can easily allow one to distribute assignments, share feedback, and carry out discussions. It has weaknesses when communicating in a two-way stream with parents but works perfectly with teachers communicating internally to the students.

Why it’s good for schools

  • Google integration: for schools on Google, Classroom interacts well with Gmail, Google Drive, Calendar, and others.
  • Streamlining of assignments: ideal for creating, distributing, and grading assignments in a paperless classroom.
  • Free and simple: it is free for schools, and the interface is clean and easy to use, making it perfect for teachers who want to keep things simple.

ParentSquare

ParentSquare is strictly made for school-to-parent communication: a messaging program for events reminders, announcements, among other things that happen in schools. It makes sense for schools that aspire to increase parents’ engagement within school activities for it provides opportunities where parents can talk one-on-one to teachers of their children. Thus, ParentSquare becomes a multiple-language support very handy for use by schools especially serving diverse communities.

Why it would work well in school:

  • Parent-centered: improving the relationship of parents with their teachers through user-friendly communication.
  • Multiple-language support: one can receive a message in one’s preferred language, which means it is really apt for schools dealing with non-English-speaking families.
  • Event management tools: assist schools in managing and reminding parents of events, meetings, and volunteer opportunities.
  • App and web access: accessible from mobiles and web. Hence parents and staff could connect on the go.

 Choosing the right school communication app for your needs

Now that you’ve seen some of the most popular tools for school communications, it is time to narrow down which would be best for your school. After all, there is a lot available, and a few key items can help point you in a direction. For better parent engagement, streamlined communications among staff members, or enhancements in student collaboration, use these tips on how to select the app that will make the difference:

1. Consider Your School Size and Needs

A small school based in the community does not need functionality like a huge district will where hundreds of teachers and thousands of students require support. Assess if the number of users determines the type and whether functionalities to be supported best fit the type of your school size and its needs.

2. Ensure Integration with Currently Used Tools

If your school already uses some software, for example, Google Workspace or Microsoft Office, you will save time and avoid a steeper learning curve if you find a communication tool that integrates well with those platforms.

3. Ease of Use

Teachers and staff are busy, and the last thing you want is a app that takes hours to learn. Make sure the app is intuitive and easy for everyone, from teachers to parents, to use.

4. Check Scalability

Your needs may evolve as your school expands. Ensure the tool you select can grow with your school and produce the agility to adapt to new needs.

5. Evaluate Costs and ROI

Always consider the cost. Leverage free trials, look at the pricing model of the tool, and see if it is delivering value for what you are paying.

Wrapping up

The selection of tools for school communications goes beyond an IT decision to considerations for creating enabling environments where the connection, collaboration, and eventual success of the student, teacher, parent, and all staff are ensured.

Whatever your goals-be it better student and teacher engagement, smoother internal communication, or a platform that scales alongside the growth of your institution-the right set can make quite a difference in outcomes.

Remember, effective communication is not just about messaging, but it should be timely, clear, and easily manageable. It is tools like Chanty that make these features simple to implement, help with collaboration, and are scalable-so your school would be better poised to improve this area.

So, before finally making a choice, consider what unique needs your school has and then evaluate your apps against their key capabilities, and then choose that solution that grows with you. Ready to change the way your school communicates? Try Chanty for free and see how it can streamline your communication processes today!

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Anastasia Matveyeva

Anastasia is a Marketing Manager at Chanty - easy-to-use team collaboration tool with a mission to help companies boost their team’s productivity.
Anastasia is responsible for Chanty's content marketing strategy. Feel free to connect with her on LinkedIn.

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