Case Study: Palo Alto Unified School District achieves scalable, easy-to-use LMS adoption and improved communication with Schoology

In Search of an Easy-to-Implement, Scalable Learning Management System

Palo Alto Unified School District, serving about 11,000 students with 641 teachers across 12 elementary, 3 middle and 2 high schools, faced declining use of its legacy learning management system after a server crash erased data and a later upgrade reduced functionality. Teachers were frustrated and many turned to Facebook for collaboration—unsuitable for younger grades—so the district sought a cloud‑based, user‑friendly LMS that supported online discussion, resource sharing and a private social networking tool.

After piloting Schoology for its intuitive, flexible cloud platform, Palo Alto completed a district‑wide rollout with smooth implementation (including SIS data import). Teachers and students adopted it quickly without extensive training; communication improved (text alerts for assignments/tests), collaboration expanded (e.g., cross‑grade mentoring), elementary schools gained access, and the district achieved more users and functionality at the same cost as the old system.

Palo Alto Unified School District

Ann Dunkin

Chief Technology Officer