California-focused SIS · Strong CALPADS state reporting
Aeries built its nest in California.
Some things never took flight.
Aeries is California-focused – and in California, it’s often treated as the default. The default isn’t always the best. Reviews from California districts describe Aeries as rigid, dated, and harder to work with each year. Districts outside California get even less.
Alma delivers full CALPADS compliance with modern UX, nimble configuration, and national reach – so California districts finally get an alternative to the default, and growing charter networks aren’t locked into one state.
Where Aeries stops at the California border
“It’s as if the designers intentionally threw out every Lean Six Sigma practice and added steps to make it more difficult to use.”
– Verified Capterra reviewer · Education Management, 2+ years
“Their systems don’t speak to each other. The enrollment system has a completely different log portal than their admin system. So it’s like having a third-party app.”
– Verified Capterra reviewer · Non-incentivized review
“Aeries support and training is TERRIBLE. They have a support number but all they do is create a ticket for you. There is no such thing as immediate support in Aeries no matter how pressing your problem is.”
– Verified Capterra reviewer · Non-incentivized review
Alma vs. Aeries
Aeries is California’s default SIS. Alma is California’s better option.
Alma handles California reporting with modern UX Aeries doesn’t offer.
| Category | Alma | Aeries |
|---|---|---|
| Intuitive, educator-first interface | Adds complexity with every update | |
| Built-in AI analytics (BeaconAI) | ||
| Single system, single login | Separate portals for enrollment and admin | |
| Responsive, live customer support | Ticket-only, no immediate help | |
| Fast, predictable implementation | Steep learning curve reported | |
| Available outside California | Primarily CA-focused | |
| State reporting compliance | ||
| Configurable for any school or district | ||
| Standards-based grading | Limited | |
| Drag-and-drop report card design | Basic | |
| Family portal included | ||
| FERPA & student data privacy |
Why California districts choose Alma over Aeries.
Alma delivers full CALPADS compliance with a platform your staff actually wants to use – not one they’ve just gotten used to.
Compliance done. Now do more.
Aeries got you to CALPADS. Alma gets you further. A modern interface that puts the same data within easy reach, without the rigidity that makes Aeries feel like a chore.
What this means for your school
- Faster onboarding for new staff
- Fewer IT support tickets
- Higher adoption across roles
- Accessible on any device, any time
From compliance data to student insight
Alma’s BeaconAI turns the attendance, grade, and behavior data you already collect into early warnings and actionable signals. Aeries reports. Alma reveals.
Included capabilities
- At-risk student identification
- Attendance trend analysis
- Performance benchmarking
- Natural language data queries
Responsive support that doesn’t require a ticket
Alma’s support team responds fast, knows your full platform, and stays available when your school needs them.
How support works
- Dedicated onboarding specialist
- Live support throughout the school year
- Proactive outreach, not reactive fixes
- Ongoing training resources included
Switch without losing your California compliance
Alma is fully CALPADS-compliant. The transition from Aeries is structured and data-safe, so your reporting obligations stay intact while everything else gets better.
What smooth looks like
- Structured data migration support
- Role-specific training tracks
- Live before the bell rings
- No surprise costs mid-project
“Alma is a first-class learning management and student information platform. The user interface provides a user friendly and intuitive experience for teaching faculty and staff personnel.”
Verified Alma Customer · via Capterra
The bottom line
Aeries knows California compliance.
Alma knows that – and wherever your district goes next.
Compliance is the floor, not the ceiling
Alma meets every CALPADS requirement Aeries does. Then it keeps going: modern UX, AI analytics, and a platform that works for everyone, not just the compliance team.
From compliance data to student outcomes
Alma’s BeaconAI turns the data you already collect into early warnings and real insight. Aeries reports what happened. Alma helps you act before it does.
Support that doesn’t require a ticket
Alma’s support team is fast, knowledgeable, and available when your school day needs it. No call trees, no escalation chains.
A switch that keeps your compliance intact
Alma is fully CALPADS-compliant. Moving from Aeries is data-safe and structured, so your state reporting obligations stay met throughout the transition.
Ready for a SIS that can really take flight?
See how Alma’s modern, intuitive platform compares to Aeries in a demo built around your school or district.
