How Palm Global Academy simplified processes and strengthened its communications with Compass

Palm Global Academy is a faith-based online school with a clear focus on both academic excellence and character development. 

As a new online school, Palm Global Academy initially relied on a combination of shared documents, spreadsheets and separate software platforms to manage daily operations. As the school grew, so did the complexity of its systems.

In this case study, School Director Rezwan Khaliq shares Palm Global Academy’s story in his own words, explaining how moving to Compass brought simplicity, efficiency and clarity to its growing online community.

The Challenge We Faced

As a start-up, we initially relied on simple systems like shared documents and spreadsheets via OneDrive, alongside various other software platforms, for registers, student rewards and admissions.

As we began to grow, it became clear that we were duplicating tasks across multiple systems. We needed one platform that could complement the unique way we operate as an online school.

Our existing setup involved a lot of repetition and constant manual intervention. For example, student reward points had to be added up manually because the system wouldn’t automate this.

For our admin team, tasks like this were taking up far too much time and pulling them away from their core responsibilities. The duplication of files and tasks became increasingly frustrating, and it was obvious that the way we were working wasn’t sustainable as we continued to grow.

Finding the Right Solution

Like many school leaders, I began searching online for a solution. I explored several companies, but what stood out to me about Compass was its simplicity.

More importantly, from our very first interaction, I felt a genuine sense of care. Having spoken to and met with many providers, some conversations felt very robotic, more like sales pitches than partnerships. With Compass, it felt different. The initial conversation was centred on understanding our needs rather than selling a product.

Ultimately, we chose Compass because it covered all the bases for what we were looking for. We needed a system that could bring together all of our routines as an online school into one connected platform, and Compass did exactly that.

The onboarding process was very well supported. The team worked hard to understand our complex timetabling and class structures. There were many messages exchanged throughout the process, and the team was always available to answer questions and resolve any issues we faced. 

The Difference It’s Making

On a daily basis, we use Compass for attendance, student rewards and communication. As an online school, the assessment module has been particularly valuable. Having a central location where all results and grades feed into one system gives our senior leadership team a holistic view of student progress and academic attainment.

As School Director, the Pulse feature allows me to see a snapshot of everything happening across the school – attendance, behaviour and academic results – all in one place. That visibility is incredibly powerful.

The workflow for both admin staff and teachers has improved dramatically. We are no longer duplicating work, and simple tasks, such as logging absences, are completed quickly and efficiently.

The Chronicle points system has also had a very positive impact on student participation. Previously, there was no running tally for students, parents or teachers to see. Now, we’ve set clear milestones where students can earn gift vouchers and certificates. They’ve embraced this fully, and it’s created a healthy sense of competition and motivation.

Teachers have responded very positively to Compass. They particularly value the automated emails and messages triggered by specific actions. For example, if a student fails to complete work a certain number of times, a negative Chronicle entry automatically sends a notification to parents. That automation saves time and strengthens communication with families.

Overall, having a system that automates and streamlines processes has freed up valuable time for the leadership and admin teams. 

“Compass is one of the most user-friendly MIS platforms I’ve seen. It’s simple, effective and brings everything together in one place – automating our processes, reducing duplication and giving us the clarity we need to focus on leading and growing our online school.”

Rezwan Khaliq, School Director, Palm Global Academy

Looking Ahead

We are currently in the process of setting up the admissions portal for new students. I’m hopeful this will further streamline our processes and remove the need for constant manual emails to parents at each stage of the admissions journey.

For any school considering a new MIS, my advice would be to look for a system that is efficient and genuinely meets the needs of your setting. Many platforms come with numerous ‘bells and whistles’ that schools don’t use, or can’t access due to complexity. Compass is straightforward to use and backed by a fantastic support team that responds quickly when they are needed.

Having reviewed many systems on the market, I can confidently say Compass is one of the most user-friendly MIS platforms I’ve seen; even for staff who are less confident with IT, the system is easy to navigate.

Ready to simplify and automate your school systems?

Compass helps schools like Palm Global Academy bring attendance, assessment, communication and student engagement together in one powerful, yet simple to use, cloud-based MIS.

If you’re looking to streamline your school systems and processes, we’d love to talk.