Google Sheets is an option that some smaller schools use to manage their schools. But is it really an effective option?

How Effective is Google Sheets for School Management?

Google Sheets is an online spreadsheet tool that many schools use to manage their day-to-day operations. While it may seem like a simple and convenient option, some drawbacks make it challenging to manage your small school using Google Sheets effectively.

It is not effective for managing all that a school needs to manage. This can include organizing schedules, tracking student progress, managing finances, and more. There are no special features available, and nothing is customizable. All you get is a blank sheet with no way to set up the features you need to manage your school. School management using Google Sheets is overall difficult and not productive.

Downsides of Managing Your School on Google Sheets

Here are the five biggest downsides of using Google Sheets to manage your school:

#1: Limited Functionality

Google Sheets is limited in the types of tasks it can perform. It was designed as a basic spreadsheet tool and does not have the robust features necessary to manage a school effectively. For example, there is no way to track student progress or create comprehensive schedules.

#2: Lack of Data Security

Since Google Sheets is a cloud-based tool, it does not offer the same level of data security as a desktop application. This is a major concern for schools, as they often handle sensitive information about their students.

#3: Difficult to Collaborate

Google Sheets makes it difficult to collaborate with other users. For example, to edit a sheet, you need to share the document with them, and then they have to make changes to their own copy of it. This can be a time-consuming process, especially when multiple people are involved in school management.

#4: Slow Performance

Google Sheets is also known for being slow and buggy at times. This can cause issues when you’re trying to manage your school promptly. Slow performance causes many other issues like lost data, missed deadlines, and confusion around who is responsible for what.

#5: Not User-Friendly

Google Sheets can be confusing and difficult to use, especially for those who are not familiar with spreadsheet software. This can make it challenging to manage your school using Google Sheets effectively.

Overall, Google Sheets is not an effective option for managing your small school. While it may seem like a simple and convenient solution, there are several significant drawbacks that make it difficult to use.

Why Schools Should Use School Management Software Instead

A school management software is a much better option to manage your small school, and here are five reasons why:

#1: Comprehensive Feature Set

School management software is designed specifically for the needs of schools, and it comes with a wide range of features that are tailored to school operations. This includes features like scheduling, student progress tracking, attendance management, and much more.

#2: Robust Data Security

School management software also offers robust data security measures that ensure your sensitive information is protected from both internal and external threats. This helps keep your school data safe and ensures compliance with various privacy regulations.

#3: Easy Collaboration

With school management software, it’s easy to collaborate with other users in real time, making it easier to manage your small school as a team. You can share documents, discuss changes, and make decisions quickly and easily.

#4: Highly Organized

With school management software, your data is organized and accessible, making it much easier to manage your school efficiently. You can easily keep track of student information, staff schedules, and finances in a simple but effective manner. With school management software, everyone can access what they need at any time.

#5: User-Friendly Interface

Finally, school management software comes with a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for anyone to use. This means that you don’t need special technical skills or experience to manage your school effectively. For example, you can use the scheduling features to create your school’s daily, weekly, or monthly schedule with just a few clicks.

If you’re looking for a simple, efficient way to manage your small school, school management software is the better option. It offers all the features you need with none of the drawbacks of using Google Sheets.

While using Google Sheets for school may seem like a convenient solution for managing your small school, several significant drawbacks make it difficult to use. School management software is a much better option, as it offers a comprehensive feature set, easy collaboration, robust data security, and a user-friendly interface. If you’re looking for an effective way to manage your small school, school management software is the best choice.

SchoolCues is an all-in-one school management system for small schools with limited budgets and resources. Our solutions include admissions and enrollment, online payments, student information system, gradebook, communications, parent engagement, donations and fundraising, alumni management, and more. Schedule a demo with us today.