When you’re evaluating a new tool for school communications, the real question isn’t why or how they work—it’s how much value they bring to your school and families. Investing in a mobile app may seem like an added expense, but a mobile app's ROI (return on investment) can go far beyond convenience.

Think about how much time your staff spends sending reminders, answering the same questions, or managing content… Now imagine getting that time back to focus on building relationships, enhancing your students’ experiences, or maybe, just maybe, having a quiet moment to start planning that campaign you've been putting off.

The best mobile apps for schools save administrators time, improve family retention, and create more efficient communication, but the truth is, the benefits of a mobile app for your school don't stop there—and the return on investment might be surprising.

What's the ROI of a school's mobile app?

The Time Savings for Administrators

The ROI: Streamlined communications and “create once, publish everywhere” reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks.

Administrators can spend all day a large portion of their day fielding phone calls and emails from parents asking basic questions about the school schedule, upcoming events, or school policies, but a mobile app makes this easier by giving parents instant access to the information they need, all in one place.

A mobile app integrated with your school’s content management system (CMS) allows admins to post announcements, schedules, updates, and more in one place and then automatically distribute that content across the app. This "create once, publish everywhere" approach saves so much time because, instead of manually posting the same content to different channels again and again, it's entered into the CMS once and then pushed out to the mobile app in addition to everywhere else.

Similarly, tasks like sending reminders for meetings or requesting permission slips can be managed more efficiently. Instead of sending parents emails that go unread, admins can post an update or send a notification to the app through a mass notification system.

Time is the most valuable resource, and with fewer administrative burdens, you can focus on engaging with families more deeply and working on the programs that have much more impact.

Improved Parent Engagement and Satisfaction

The ROI: More connected, informed, and engaged families. Mobile apps provide real-time updates and personalized notifications, keeping parents more involved — and happy!

Reports show timely, direct communication builds trust and satisfaction between schools and families, and nowadays, parents increasingly expect more personalized convenience in how they receive information.

With an app, parents no longer need to search through emails, log into a website, or even wait for flyers to come home in a backpack (if ever).  Families receive real-time updates as soon as new information is available, whether it’s a change in schedule, the latest news post, or an announcement.

The app also allows for personalized content, too. For example, parents can receive updates specifically related to their child’s classes or activities, so they only get the information that matters to them.

"Families are becoming more receptive to the messaging and increasingly appreciative that this resource is now available to them," said Rapides Parish School Board's Community Engagement Coordinator, Mary Helen Downey. With more than 5,000 app downloads and counting, the district's mobile app and chat solution give parents easy access to the information they need and a direct line of communication with teachers.

Language Translation for Non-English Speakers

And speaking of expectations and personalization, a mobile app with built-in translation features helps non-English-speaking parents stay informed and connected with their child's school. That relatively small feature can have a huge impact on the level of involvement from families that would rather communicate in their preferred language.

Accessibility Anytime, Anywhere

The convenience of a mobile app increases engagement because parents are more likely to interact with your school's content when the information they need is easily accessible.

For mobile users, 88% spend their time within apps, checking their phones every 5.5 minutes. So whether it’s reviewing their child’s schedule, reading the latest news, or receiving updates about the fundraiser, users can stay engaged without needing to log in with a laptop or desktop and sift through emails. 

“The information hub is the best for me as a parent,” said Laura Schwartz of Blessed Trinity Catholic High School, which funded the development costs of its app with proceeds from the school's annual giving day. “If I need to purchase a ticket or look at the kids’ grades, I don’t have to look through the website because it’s all right there.”

Chat for Direct and Group Communication

When paired with a mobile app, a chat feature lets parents directly connect with administrators, teachers, coaches, and even other parents, all within one platform. Schools can communicate directly with parents through their phones, making it easy for them to stay up-to-date with what’s happening at school. 

Whether through direct messages or group chats, parents can quickly reach out to ask questions, share feedback, or stay updated on specific activities, like sports practices or classroom events. Plus, parents who are consistently informed about school activities and their child’s progress are more likely to stay committed to your school, which brings us to the next point…

Increased Enrollment and Retention

The ROI: With improved communication and engagement, schools can often see higher student retention rates and more inquiries from prospective families.

Parents expect convenient and quick access to important school information, and a mobile app delivers exactly that. From the ease of receiving push notifications about upcoming events to the ability to check a calendar or directory with a click or two, parents appreciate tools that make their lives easier.

Clear, frequent updates about school events, academic progress, and access to important resources give parents a sense of involvement and reassurance. More than 25% of parents said that “concerns about school safety or bullying” was a reason for considering a new school for their child, and as far as mobile apps are concerned, they can provide the additional reassurance parents want, knowing that they’ll receive critical information as soon as it becomes available.

Your school's branding plays a big role in that sense of reassurance, too. In southern Manhattan, Washington Market School is surrounded by many competing NYC schools. “We were at the point of deciding, ‘Should we add this mobile app?’” shared Genna Scarano, the school’s associate director of systems, designs, and marketing. “Now that we’re more than a year into its launch, it’s probably been the most impactful decision we’ve made for our parent community.”

“That branding consistency and professionalism that comes about by having our website and communications and our app all under the hub of Finalsite makes it easy to keep everything branded and have clear messaging that's spread across all platforms.”

Supporting Your School’s Marketing and Visibility

ROI: Mobile apps can create additional channels to communicate and market to your prospective families.

A mobile app is not only a tool for internal communication but also a powerful platform for showcasing your school to the wider community. Your school or district can use the app to share updates about its students’ achievements, upcoming events, and important announcements to prospective families or anyone in the community who downloads the app, like alumni, graduates, or families considering moving to the area.

Prospective families who download the app can learn more about your school and have a chance to stay informed about events and programs that may convince them to enroll their child. It’s the extended reach that makes an app an effective marketing tool.

Faster School Alerts and Communication

The ROI: Mobile apps offer a quick, reliable way to communicate during urgent announcements. Users have peace of mind knowing they’ll be informed about situations like weather closures, schedule changes, or last-minute updates.

In urgent situations, time is critical, and schools need to communicate with families as quickly and clearly as possible. Nowadays, families nearly always have their phones within reach: mobile device owners between 30-49 are more likely to have their devices with them frequently (95%) than any other age group, and most cell owners report turning their phones off either rarely (45%) or never (31%).

Whether it’s a weather closure, a sudden schedule change, or a “need-to-know” situation, an app, when paired with a mass notification system, allows real-time notifications that reach parents right away. With a mobile app, parents don’t have to wonder if they missed an important email or phone call. Instead, they know they’ll be kept in the loop right away, and that peace of mind is priceless. 

Key Takeaway

At first thought, a mobile app might seem like a one-time expense aimed at improving communication, but its return on investment goes much deeper. Beyond delivering timely updates and streamlining content, a mobile app enhances parent engagement, strengthens relationships within the school community, saves valuable time for staff, and even contributes to higher retention and enrollment. The impact of investing in a mobile app extends far beyond convenience, offering lasting value that benefits both your families and your school.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Connor has spent the last decade within the field of marketing and communications, working with independent schools and colleges throughout New England. At Finalsite, Connor plans and executes marketing strategies and digital content across the web. A former photojournalist, he has a passion for digital media, storytelling, coffee, and creating content that connects.