Most students and teachers are finishing their first semester of using Schoology as a learning management system in the classroom, and the reactions are mixed.

Initially approved by the school board in February 2023 at an initial investment of over $49 thousand dollars as a replacement for Google Classroom, Schoology was expected to be utilized in all high school classrooms beginning with the spring semester.

According to communications with teachers, access to Google Classroom will end for students in summer 2024 and for teachers in June 2025.

Seeking administrative reaction to the first semester of Schoology at WSSD, we reached out for comment to Assistant Superintendent Dr. James Conley, who led the Curriculum Council team that selected Schoology as a new learning management system for the school district. Conley, who will exit the district on June 30 to serve as Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education in the West Chester School District, did not provide comment prior to our publication deadline.

However, we received a statement from middle school assistant principal Mr. Stephen Krall, who believes that the transition to Schoology has been a success.

“Students in grades 3 to 12 across the district are experiencing this new Learning Management System in ways that are supporting their learning in a digital environment, and by allowing that learning to be extended into their homes,” Krall wrote.

Krall noted that Schoology allows easier parent access and communication due to its direct connection to PowerSchool, as well as easier syncing of student grades of assignments, classwork, or assessments.

“Big change is difficult for large organizations like schools and school districts, and this is always anticipated,” Krall wrote. “But even in this short period of time since the transition to Schoology began in January, many people are seeing the advantages of it, and that will continue to foster a better use of the system and a better experience in the end for our students.”