Gradelink

Overview

Gradelink combines teaching and learning tools with school management, student records, and billing. Its scope suits schools looking to connect classroom activity with administrative workflows rather than handle each in a separate system. The trade-off is that the $106 / mo SIS subscription has a $275 one-time setup fee, and the quote depends on enrolled student count.

Administrators, admissions and business offices, teachers, parents and students, and dioceses or districts are all within its stated audience. Personalized phone and email support, staff training, access to a help website, and automatic software updates provide support across those roles. Gradelink says it imports school data and configures report cards, GPA, attendance, terms, gradebooks, and transcripts within 5–10 business days after receiving requested materials.

Key features

Academics and student records

Attendance, class scheduling, gradebooks, lesson plans, standards-based grading, report cards, and transcripts connect classroom work with academic records. Demographic and medical records, student photos, and IEP tracking extend the system into student administration. This is a strong fit for schools that need both instruction-related records and student information in the same system; a school seeking only a gradebook may not need such a broad package.

Billing and integrations

Accounts receivable, billing statements, automated lunch and incidental billing, and multiple tuition rates cover several school payment workflows. The included integrations span Apple School Manager, FACTS Tuition Management, Google Classroom, Microsoft School Data Sync, and NCEA reporting. Google Classroom grade syncing is available to all users at no additional charge, while ClassLink automatically syncs rosters.

Security and family access

Web and mobile connections use SSL encryption, backups run nightly to local and remotely encrypted storage, and each school has a separate database. Gradelink's terms say it will not sell School Personal Information or use or disclose it for commercial or marketing purposes. The Student/Parent app for iOS and Android shows schedules, grades, attendance, and upcoming homework, but requires Gradelink Standard Service.

Pricing

The SIS is a monthly subscription that can be canceled at any time without penalty. Gradelink Student Information System costs $106 / mo, with a $275 one-time setup fee; enrolled student count affects the quote. The quote calculator provides an example for 25 enrolled students. This is the core choice for schools needing the academic, records, and billing functions, but the setup charge raises the initial cost beyond the monthly rate.

• Gradelink Payments: $0/mo. Transaction fees may be covered by the school or passed on to families; this is not a substitute for the SIS when a school needs its academic and student-record functions.
• SmartSend Pro add-on: $16.67/mo for unlimited texts, emails, and voice messages. It requires Gradelink SIS, so it is an additional communication cost rather than a lower-cost standalone option.
• EnrollMe add-on: $20.83/mo plus $497 setup for online enrollment and custom forms. It also requires the SIS.

There is no free Gradelink plan. Schools should account for the per-student quote, setup charges, and Standard Service requirement for add-ons and the mobile app when comparing the total cost.

Platforms

Gradelink supports Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows. Its Student/Parent app is specifically available on iOS and Android.

Who it's for

Gradelink is best suited to schools that want one system to connect academic records, student administration, billing, and family access, and that can use its included support and setup assistance. It is less suited to schools that need only one narrow function or want a free core SIS.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Academic records, student records, and multiple billing workflows sit within one SIS, which can serve both classroom and office needs.
• Pros: Phone and email support, staff training, and setup assistance address the work involved in introducing a system across school roles.
• Pros: Google Classroom grade syncing is included at no additional charge, and ClassLink roster syncing is automatic.
• Cons: The SIS has a $275 one-time setup fee on top of its $106 / mo starting price.
• Cons: Enrolled student count affects the quote, so the starting monthly rate does not establish a school's final cost.
• Cons: The Student/Parent app and add-ons require Gradelink Standard Service, limiting their use as standalone options.

Alternatives

feKara is worth considering for schools seeking a freemium option, with a $39.50 monthly plan for 600 students and unlimited teachers. CircleUp may suit organizations focused on family management, event management, class registration, and cash or check payments, with a free plan for up to 10 families. OpenEMIS Admissions is a free, open-source option for schools that want admissions software without licensing fees.

Fedena is another freemium school-software option, with a free trial and Android, iOS, API, self-hosted, and web support. PowerSchool Behavior Support is an alternative for readers considering a paid behavior-support product. Edunext School ERP, Infinite Campus, and Skyward Qmlativ are other paid options with Android, iOS, and web support.

Browse more options in School Management Software or Student Information Systems.

Verdict

Choose Gradelink if your school wants academics, student records, and billing connected in one system, with school-focused setup and support. Look elsewhere if the setup charge, student-count-based quote, or Standard Service requirement outweighs the benefit of that breadth.