How Solon School District Uses SchooLinks to Simplify Ohio’s Graduation Requirements

Solon School District, located in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, is known for its diverse, vibrant community and dedication to student success. In recent years, the district has embraced SchooLinks to support its efforts in simplifying the complex graduation requirements set by the state of Ohio.

District Overview
Solon serves both Solon City and Glenwillow Village, blending a traditional, family-oriented environment with a thriving industrial base. “We are very diversified, tradition-rich, and family-oriented,” says Ann Trocchio, Director of School Counseling at Solon Schools. “Inclusion and making sure everybody feels welcomed is a priority here.”

Challenges with Ohio's Grad Plan
Before implementing SchooLinks, the Solon School District faced significant challenges with tracking students' progress toward graduation. Ohio’s new Grad Plan requires students to meet a minimum of 21 credits, pass standardized tests, and earn two seals in various areas. “Tracking became very difficult. We were using spreadsheets, which were time-consuming and prone to errors,” shares Trocchio.

Why SchooLinks?
Solon turned to SchooLinks after struggling with other platforms. SchooLinks’ easy integration with PowerSchool offered a seamless transition, allowing counselors to track students’ credits, test scores, and seals without manual tracking. "SchooLinks has been a savior," says Trocchio. "It’s so much easier, and we were very worried about the transition, but it was seamless.”

The Results
Since implementing SchooLinks, the district has drastically reduced the time spent on administrative tasks. “We used to spend entire days tracking students manually, but now we do it in real time,” says Trocchio. The platform has also empowered students to take ownership of their academic journey. "Students are engaging with SchooLinks even during summer and winter breaks. It’s so user-friendly that they enjoy working on it."

Initial Reactions
While there was initial concern from parents and students about losing previous data, SchooLinks made the transition smooth. “Parents were worried that years of work would be lost, but all information transferred easily,” Trocchio explains. "The students love it—it's much more interactive."

Advice for Other Districts
Trocchio offers this advice to districts considering SchooLinks: "The hesitation is often about the price tag, but when you think about the time saved, it pays for itself. We’re saving hundreds of hours that we now spend with students instead of spreadsheets. Plus, customer service is exceptional—I’m on a first-name basis with our representative, and they respond almost immediately."

"SchooLinks has been a game-changer for us. It's user-friendly, incredibly efficient, and the time we’ve saved is invaluable. If you’re committed to helping students succeed, this is the tool you need."

- Ann Trocchio, Director of School Counseling at Solon Schools

Summary

By adopting SchooLinks, Solon School District has transformed its approach to tracking student progress, making graduation planning more efficient and empowering students to take ownership of their education. What once took entire days now happens in real time, freeing counselors to focus on students. As Ann Trocchio puts it, "SchooLinks has been a game-changer for us. It's user-friendly, incredibly efficient, and the time we’ve saved is invaluable. If you’re committed to helping students succeed, this is the tool you need."

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