A Seamless Transition to a More Efficient SIS
Growing Up Green Charter Schools (GUGCS) is redefining education in New York City by fostering conscious, contributing members of society through a mission rooted in sustainability, social justice, and equity. As part of their commitment to providing an inclusive and innovative learning environment, GUGCS made the decision to transition to Alma as their Student Information System (SIS). The journey, while requiring dedication and effort, proved to be a resounding success, which the charter school credits to Alma’s intuitive platform and exceptional support team.
Onboarding with Alma: A Positive Experience
From the start, the onboarding process with Alma was smooth and well-structured. The GUGCS team worked closely with Alma’s support staff, whose guidance was instrumental in ensuring a successful transition. “Alma’s responsive support team has been able to find a solution to just about every single one of our questions or issues, and we are very happy we made the switch,” said Janna Lunetta, Director of Enrollment & Data Operations at Growing Up Green Charter Schools.
Feedback from staff—both administrators and teachers—has been overwhelmingly positive. Alma’s user-friendly design and ease of navigation made adoption much easier than anticipated. While there were some initial learning curves, the school community quickly saw the benefits. Key highlights of Alma’s impact include improved reporting for rosters and attendance, seamless integration of Alma Start into the SIS, and enhanced customization options for report cards.
Empowered Setup with the Navigator Tool
Alma’s implementation tool, Navigator, played a crucial role in the onboarding process, especially for staff members who thrive on clear, structured to-do lists. Setting up a new system always demands time and patience, but Growing Up Green was reassured knowing that the transition would ultimately lead to a more efficient and organized operation.
The school’s leadership was also impressed with Alma’s continuous support, as their team was highly responsive and ready to assist at every stage of the setup.
Importing Student Data: A Game-Changer
One of the most challenging aspects of transitioning to Alma was extracting data from their previous SIS. However, once they successfully navigated the previous SIS’s hurdle, Alma’s import tool made the process seamless.
“The ease with which we can import and update student information now is like night and day compared to our old SIS. Everyone on our staff, from the security guard to the principal, can find the information they need quickly and easily,” said Lunetta.
Enhancing Educational Technology & Sustainability
GUGCS integrates technology into its curriculum to empower students with critical digital skills. By utilizing interactive academic programs like Amplify, Zearn, and Reading A-Z, students engage in personalized learning experiences that align seamlessly with the school’s mission. Alma complements this technological ecosystem by streamlining data management, enabling educators to focus on personalized instruction and fostering a collaborative learning environment.
Beyond academics, GUGCS places a strong emphasis on sustainability. Students actively participate in green initiatives, hands-on science projects, and environmental stewardship programs. The ability to track student engagement, attendance, and academic progress through Alma further supports the school’s commitment to shaping responsible, forward-thinking leaders.
Operational Improvements Across the Board
Since making the switch to Alma, Growing Up Green has seen significant improvements in key areas, including attendance tracking, student registration, and report card management. The efficiency and accuracy of these processes have exceeded expectations.
While compliance reporting is still a work in progress, the school remains optimistic. The team has been working closely with their Alma account representative to align the system with ever-changing New York State Education Department (NYSED) compliance reporting requirements. They are confident that Alma’s ongoing enhancements will continue to streamline this process.
Looking Forward to Continued Success
Growing Up Green Charter Schools remains excited about the future with Alma. The system’s continuous improvements, new feature releases, and dedicated support make it a valuable asset for their operations. They look forward to further optimizing Alma’s functionality to benefit their entire school community.
“Attendance, student registration, and report cards are running more smoothly than ever before! Alma is evolving alongside us, and we are confident that the system will continue to make our operations even more efficient in the years to come,” said Lunetta.
Learn more on their website or follow on Instagram.
#GlobalLeadership #EmpowerLearners #SustainableSolutions #WholeChildApproach #SustainabilityInSchools #EdTechTools #FutureReadyLeaders #GrowingUpGreen
