Admissions management software, or AMS Software, is a great way for schools to turn their manual processes into efficient and data-driven ones. However, having the right school admissions software is completely dependent on the type of school it is. There are many different types of schools and each one has its own process and needs. Making sure you have the right AMS will save schools money, time, and effort. In this article, we’ll delve into the different types of schools and how they utilize admissions software to help increase efficiency.
How Admissions Processing Differs Between Private Schools, Montessori’s, Catholic Schools, and Public Schools
First, in order to choose the right software for your school, you need to look at how each type of school handles its admissions process.
#1: Private Schools
In a private school, students typically apply to the school before knowing whether or not they will be accepted. The admissions process begins once the student is accepted by sending the forms and other necessary documents. This means that private schools usually have a variety of different requirements depending on the specific applicant. In order for their AMS software to help with this process, the software must be able to help manage all of these different requirements. Admission software for private schools is especially important to keep everything organized.
#2: Montessori Schools
Montessori schools have a unique admissions process because students do not apply directly to them. Instead, parents or other people interested in enrolling their children approach a school and ask about openings they may have. If the child is accepted, the parents and school work out a schedule. If the parents cannot provide the proper documents, they must send them to the school as quickly as possible so that there is no interruption in education for other children who do have all of their requirements. In order to make this process more efficient, these schools need software that can help communicate different requirements and deadlines.
#3: Catholic Schools
Catholic schools also have a unique admissions process compared to that of other schools because students do not apply directly to them. Instead, a certain number of families in the area must fill out applications before parents who are interested in enrolling their children are able to. The applications are then sent off to the school and are read out loud by teachers. Teachers ask each family questions about why they want their child to attend the school, how religion plays a role in their lives, and other relevant information before an admissions committee meets with them for more conversation. After this, admissions officers contact families who are interested in enrolling their children. This process can be especially difficult because of the large numbers of applicants involved, but it is made much easier when using the right software for this purpose.
#4: Public Schools
The public school system works differently compared to other types of schools. Instead of applications, public schools have open enrollment. Anyone who lives in the district can apply to any of their local public schools, and if there is space available, they are admitted. If all spots are filled but only some students meet specific requirements (such as passing their reading test), they may be admitted based on the results of the tests taken. This means that public schools need their own independent admissions software that can help them with the data entry process.
What kind of school do you run? You will need to understand how your admissions process works before you can even begin looking into the right software for you.
Features To Look For When Choosing Admissions Software
There are many features to keep in mind when choosing the right admissions software. Let’s look at the top five features to keep in mind!
#1: Data Entry Process
The data entry process is one of the most important features to look for in admissions software because it has a direct impact on your efficiency. This feature allows you to make things much easier on yourself and your staff by speeding up this process with a simple click of a button.
#2: File Storage
Another important feature to look for in admissions software is file storage. For some schools, this will not be necessary because the files are submitted online rather than through email or other means. However, some schools still require students to submit their applications on paper, which means that they must have a secure way of storing all of their documents. With this feature, you can easily keep track of all the necessary files without worrying about them getting lost or misplaced.
#3: Scheduling
If your school has unique requirements for certain students (such as Montessori schools), admissions software that allows you to schedule appointments with parents is extremely important. You will need an easy way to keep track of all the students who need additional attention so that you can schedule well in advance.
#4: Communication
Another important feature for any software to have is communication. This should be fairly obvious because you will need a way to communicate with parents and other interested parties as well as the students who you are reviewing. The best software provides multiple ways of doing this so that everyone involved has an equal opportunity to interact with your school and access the information they need.
#5: Mobile Compatibility
Last but not least, a mobile compatibility feature will be a huge time saver if you often work away from your office. Many admissions software systems are completely compatible with smartphones and tablets so that you can access everything on the go as long as it is connected to an internet connection. If this feature is available, you will never have to worry about losing access or missing an important update.
These are just five of the many features to look for when you begin your search for admissions software!
Choosing the right admissions software can be a difficult process, but it is made much easier by understanding what your school’s needs are. If you understand these needs, then finding an admissions system that has all of the necessary features becomes significantly easier. Admissions CRM software is becoming more and more popular within all types of schools, so make sure your school is keeping up with the trends!
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.