SchoolCast is a flexible notification system that lets your key stakeholders – parents, faculty, staff, first responders, board members, business/community leaders, media, etc. – decide how they want you to communicate with them based on an emergency or non-emergency situation. Voice messages, text to speech, enhanced e-mail, and SMS text messages – in addition to social media connections – all can be delivered at rapid speed.
SchoolCast makes it easy for everyone to be able to receive alerts and notifications at home, at work, in their cars, on campus – anywhere!
TRUE Text Messaging!
SchoolCast uses true SMS text messaging, not "SMTP" or "email-based" text messaging as many companies do. This is important because only SMS text messages are truly supported by the cellular networks – SMTP messages merely "piggyback" on the cellular networks with the lowest delivery priority, no way to ensure the messages are in fact received, and have a low reliability and deliver ability rating.
Targeted Messaging
SchoolCast is able to send messages to your entire school community or just select groups of people. There are an unlimited number of groups available for the client to customize and place people into – school sites, campus "zones", vocational vs. traditional students, athletic teams, bands, clubs, etc.
SchoolCast delivers targeted messaging options to all of these groups and our flexible "user permissions" options ensure that only those members of the school staff (or others that the school designates) are able to send messages to those within their authorized groups (i.e. the football coach can't accidentally send a "practice is cancelled" message to the entire school population).
There are three main components to the SchoolCast rapid communication system:
First, there's the Web-based portion. This is where account administrators can launch (or schedule) voice, enhanced e-mail, and SMS text alerts/messages – as well as view results. Account details can be easily monitored. Social media (Facebook, Twitter, and RSS feeds) can be established in connection with SchoolCast. And a variety of reports and targeted groups can be created, modified, and shared. Best of all, SchoolCast is a fully-hosted, Web-based notification product so there's no additional hardware or software to buy!
Secondly, the SchoolCast Mobile Command Center is a FREE app developed specifically for K-12 educators to launch (or schedule) alerts and messages directly from a variety of cellular and wireless technologies, including Apple, Android, and Blackberry. The built-in translation feature makes it visually easy to preview any notices before being sent. Also, all sent alerts and messages can be monitored from within the app.
Lastly, there's the SchoolCast Interactive Voice Response (IVR) phone system. Voice alerts are launched from anywhere in the world by using any cellular or landline telephone and the SchoolCast toll-free phone number. Send audio alerts to everyone in your school's database or limit to targeted groups.
All three components of the SchoolCast system make it easy and effective for you to stay in touch with your targeted publics.
Plus, with the SchoolCast for Me™ mobile app, schools and districts can provide a complete customized parent communication tool. Deliver grade books, videos, alerts and much more!
Benefits
One of the main characteristics that separates SchoolCast from many competitors is that SchoolCast has established key relationships with many of the nation's leading Student Information Systems (SIS) and Child Nutrition Programs (CNP).
Having the ability to fully integrate with a variety of third party vendors, allows SchoolCast to make communication even easier. As a result, calls and e-mails to parent about their student's daily attendance and lunch balance can be configured and scheduled with ease and greater precision.
Additionally, K-12 schools and Districts may choose to allow parents to gain access to the SchoolCast Dashboard. Here, parents can update and add their individual contacts and contact information, which might not be available through the school's SIS. Doing so, also allows parents to share in the responsibility of data accuracy. The SchoolCast Dashboard also provides parents with the ability to view and retrieve any time/date stamped alert or message sent during the current school year.
Plus, with SchoolCast, there's no additional hardware or software to buy – and no hidden fees.
Key Features
Product flexibility
Ease-of-use
Parent Dashboard
Visual reports
Weather monitor
Voice surveys
Social media feeds
Full integration with Student Information Systems and Child Nutrition Programs
Full integration with Alertus electronic signs, desktop solution, and panic button
SchoolCast Mobile Command Center app
(Android, Apple, and BlackBerry)
NO additional hardware or software to buy
NO hidden fees
UNLIMITED messaging
(voice, enhanced e-mail, and SMS text)
UNLIMITED groups (grades, activities, etc.)
FREE setup
FREE auto data syncing/integration
FREE 24/7 customer support
FREE Web-based training throughout contract period (on-site training available)
Mobile Apps
SchoolCast works with…
"SchoolCast is an excellent school communication tool! Using SchoolCast provides an additional opportunity to build partnerships with parents, deliver important school information in a timely manner, and keep parents connected. The school-wide use of this programs builds capacity for parent involvement which helps support student achievement and school initiatives. The flexibility of the software offers parents the option of delivery by text, e-mail, or phone-call thus ensuring rapid release of school information. SchoolCast impacts the communication flow of all areas of school culture!"
Joe G., Ed.S.
Principal
Margaret Elementary School
St. Clair County Public Schools
School Cast is a valuable resource for Butler County Schools. It is a wonderful tool to quickly communicating with parents through email, texts, or phone messages. In addition, its customer service is impeccable. Whether I have called or emailed, my inquiry is addressed promptly. I highly recommend School Cast."
Dr. Tera S.
Curriculum Director
Butler County Schools
High Ground Solutions "Schoolcast" alert system just flat out WORKS! It ties in with our SIS [Student Information System] and makes us so efficient when it comes to adding news student into the SchoolCast database. It populates names, phone numbers each evening automatically! Can you say SWEET! Creating SchoolCast Alert calls is so easy. Schoolcast Alert calls can be sent in almost any form i.e., Voice, Text To Speech, email, text message, ALL methods, text message and email. Tech support is outstanding and right here in the U.S.A. Tiana Jacobs and Shaun Tillery should be the poster people for what great, competent tech support should be."
Dave G.
Tech Coordinator
Cascade Public Schools
If we have an announcement, reminder, or cancellation, I do not have to worry if everyone got the message because I can follow the calls from the online Website or the Mobile Command Center app. When we are traveling, I can make announcements about the next day's schedule to every student at once instead of going to all four buses or 40 hotel rooms. We are now using the SMS/text message feature to deliver a message that parents or students can keep and refer to for weekly schedules. What a time saver!"
Brad D.
Band Director
Rhea County High School
Our partnership with SchoolCast has allowed Girard City Schools to improve parent communication by sending out alerts for school closings, upcoming important events, and safety issues that parents need to know. These alerts are sent instantly or delayed if need be. Because of SchoolCast, our parents and staff know what they need to know, when they need to know it!"
David C.
Superintendent
Girard City Schools
Our school system had been searching for an affordable solution to increase communication with all stakeholders in our school community. After much research, our system selected SchoolCast. We have been more than pleased with our decision! SchoolCast has delivered on EVERY promise from no annual fee increases to unlimited support."
Joy T., Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent
Commerce City Schools
One of our goals as a system was to improve communication with our primary stakeholders – our parents. SchoolCast allowed us to greatly improve these efforts easily and efficiently."
Mike S.
Assistant Superintendent
Carrollton City Schools
Schoolcast is the most user friendly and dependable product that I have ever used in the area of mass communication. It will literally send out over 10,000 calls in less than a minute. The service department is always accessible to answer questions or to quickly remedy any problems that might exist. The mobile app makes it very convenient for use while out of the office or during an emergency when communication must take place quickly. I would without hesitation recommend this product to anyone who needs rapid mass communication right at their finger tips."
Keith L.
Director of Technology
Alexander City Schools
I love the fact that I can call from my cell and reach faculty/staff, and parents in a matter of minutes. I can choose whether the message to be sent is emergency or non-emergency. It is a no hassle way to get info out fast! The SchoolCast App for my iPhone is also a handy tool. My parents have expressed how helpful it is to receive reminders regarding important school events/information."
Anita W.
Ashville Elementary Counselor
St. Clair County Public Schools
Our school district LOVES SchoolCast! Our parents feel SO connected and informed! It's a great way to get a "personal" message to each parent and them receive it in a method they choose! Our parents love the attendance calls, too!!"
Devlynne B.
Elementary School Principal and
former District Information Technology Director
Monroe County Public Schools
SchoolCast has integrated with our student services program, DASL. With very little effort in setup, our student information is updated nightly to SchoolCast so that Girard City Schools has the most current information on both sites."
David C.
Superintendent
Girard City Schools
The SchoolCast support staff is second to none. Whenever our system thinks of a new way to use SchoolCast, the technical support staff at SchoolCast makes it happen. Our system has found unlimited uses for SchoolCast."
Joy T., Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent
Commerce City Schools
We love school cast. Parents are receiving information about grade reports, school activities and announcements in a timely manner. I have had many parents tell me how much they appreciate receiving the phone calls and knowing what is actually happening at school without depending on their child to bring a note home."
Regina B.
Counselor
Ragland School
St. Clair County Public Schools
As a high school principal, I find it necessary to keep our parents informed about school business. I have a distribution list of parent emails, but unfortunately, only about half of the parents are on the list. School Cast is a fast, efficient way to reach all of the parents with important information. It is especially useful in times of emergencies such as school closings for bad weather. School Cast is reliable and easy to use. We love it!."
Cheryl K.
Principal
Moody High School
St. Clair County Public Schools
I love the SchoolCast system. Very user friendly for the administrator. Easily gets information to parents that would normally never reach them. Keep up the good work."
Phillip J.
Principal
Ashville Middle School
St. Clair County Public Schools
Schoolcast is the most user friendly and dependable product that I have ever used in the area of mass communication. It will literally send out over 10,000 calls in less than a minute. The service department is always accessible to answer questions or to quickly remedy any problems that might exist. The mobile app makes it very convenient for use while out of the office or during an emergency when communication must take place quickly. I would without hesitation recommend this product to anyone who needs rapid mass communication right at their finger tips."
Keith L.
Director of Technology
Alexander City Schools
Time and again, parents tell us they love getting SchoolCast messages, especially during times of inclement weather or major announcements. SchoolCast's automated integration with PowerSchool, our student information system, also allows us to keep our communications database up to date at all times with little effort. I highly recommend it."
Mike S.
Assistant Superintendent
Carrollton City Schools
By using SchoolCast to make our attendance calls, our secretaries spend less time on the phone, giving them more time to work on other projects. Most important, SchoolCast is a contributing factor to improved attendance. When a parent receives the call from Schoolcast, they often call their children and tell them to get to school!"
David C.
Superintendent
Girard City Schools
A few of our favorite uses of SchoolCast include: Parent notification of student absence and excessive lunch charges; reminder to check progress reports/report cards; notification of class picture day, PTO meetings, Title I meetings, hearing/vision screening, band practice, cancellation of athletic events, Saturday School, and severe weather alert for administrators/coaches."
Joy T., Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent
Commerce City Schools
We love SchoolCast. It allows me instant communication with parents, students, and staff. Our school system adopted SchoolCast several years ago and added our band too. We couldn't be happier with it. The High Ground Solutions staff works quickly to address concerns or to help get us set-up each term."
Brad D.
Band Director
Rhea County High School
The Schoolcast rapid notification system has been and is an
invaluable asset for our the Escambia County School System in providing
immediate dispersal of information and notification to all our employees,
students, parents, and stakeholders. From notifications to parents about
conferences and school events to school closings, etc., the system communicates
instantly using a variety of approaches. Also, the program is extremely
user-friendly and the Schoolcast staff are always there for immediate support.
Unequivocally, I highly recommend Schoolcast has the solution for rapid alert
and notification."
Randall L.
Superintendent
Escambia County School System
SchoolCast has become an essential part of the Rhea County School's communication system from the district office, individual schools, and extra-curricular organizations. High Grounds Solutions has continued to meet, and even exceed, our expectations each and every year since we began our partnership in 2006. We could not be happier with their product, service, and commitment and look forward to benefiting from their product for many years to come.."
Ray F.
Supervisor of Elementary Education
Rhea County Schools
Many grants and other opportunities now require that a school receive the most "votes" in order to win. Our system used SchoolCast on two occasions to notify parents of these opportunities. As a result, our middle school was awarded a mini-grant for computer equipment, and our high school football team won Game of the Week from Fox 5 Atlanta."
Joy T., Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent
Commerce City Schools
SchoolCast is easy to set up and easy to use. We can send alerts to the entire district or to a small group. The customer service at Schoolcast is excellent. Questions are answered quickly and concerns are treated with importance."