Anaheim high school uses school software to improve speed and efficiency of student services

Background:

Loara High School provides a safe environment and a high quality educational program to assist each of its students in becoming a responsible and productive member of society. For nearly ten years, Loara has been using Active Network’s school administration software to manage its accounting and student activities. The School has experienced significant benefits including increased efficiency, saved time and improved services to parents and students.

Keys to Success from Toni Stroud, ASB Accounting Technician, Loara Union High School

When did Loara High School begin using Active Network’s school software?

When I was hired in 2002, Active’s system was already in place. Luckily my predecessor had the forethought to get us started on the program, so I got to jump in with it already set up.

Why did you choose Active?

The other technology providers were trying to put a round peg in a square hole. None of the solutions were specific for schools and school accounting is so different than any other type of accounting. When we found Active’s Blue Bear software, it hit the nail on the head for us. It’s unique.

Tell us about SchoolBooks, the school accounting software—what do you use it for?

We use SchoolBooks for everything related to money in our school. We use it for updated encumbrance reports, purchase order approvals, invoice payments, and essentially any approval reports. It’s comprehensive and has made our accounting processes so much better.

What do you use Tracks, the school administration software, for?

Tracks is my lifesaver. Tracks helps me multi-task as we sell everything from prom tickets and PE clothes to AP tests and lockers. It has everything you could ever want and I can pull up a report in a heartbeat. I can instantly give different advisors any information they need and tell them whether their event is sold out, if a vehicle has a parking permit, and things like that. It’s the best!

How do you use Active’s online school store, the WebStore?

I love the WebStore and I haven’t even utilized it to its fullest. The online school store processes credit cards and has taken away the worry about processing credit cards and the fees that come along with them. At Christmas time, we post our sweatshirts, yearbooks and more in the store and someone from a different state can buy it as a gift. It’s been wonderful and has allowed us to offer students and parents another, more convenient option.

What are the top benefits of using Active’s school software?

The biggest benefit is that parents and students don’t have to wait in line— registration is so much faster. We’re just down the street from Disneyland, so we call this our “Fast Pass”. You go straight to the front of the line, pay, take a picture, and you’re done! It’s easy and fast, which is a priority because we have 2600 students and I am one person. With Active’s system, I can handle the job efficiently and get to people in a timely manner.

How has Active’s school software helped you with reconciling your funds?

Anyone who has my position always wants to have checks and balances. Active’s school accounting software has made it easy to double check from one end to the other. We balance to the penny and the auditors in the District have nothing to worry about.

What has the feedback been like from your parents and students?

Any incoming freshmen or transfer students are amazed at how quickly we can sell them something, issue a receipt and move them right along. They are always surprised at how quick and efficient we are. It gives us modern edge!

What has your experience been like with Active’s customer support?

The customer support portal is really useful. I can throw up a question online and it will give me some options or someone will get back to me right away. It also helps me out because I can see when other people have the same issue and learn from that.

What are you excited about that’s coming up from Active?

Something new that I’m looking forward to is the Student Activity Management (SAM) system. It’s web-based and I would love to offer our advisors the ability to log in online and check their accounts. SchoolBooks, Tracks and the WebStore offer you everything you need and with SAM, we’ll now be mobile and can access information from any computer.