Glossary
SIS, ERP, parent portal, academic calendar - plain definitions for principals and IT leads tired of brochure speak.
Why this glossary exists
Vendor RFPs overload acronyms. Each entry explains what the term means in day-to-day school operations and links to related modules and guides.
Start with SIS, ERP, or parent portal if you are building a shortlist. Use the software comparison guide for a structured evaluation path.
Start here
Two concepts that shape almost every school software evaluation.
A student information system (SIS) holds roster and academic records. School management software (SMS) adds fees, admissions, and operations. ERP extends finance, HR, and inventory. Schoolyi connects all three on one calendar.
Families expect fees, attendance, and published grades in one login. The academic calendar drives working days for attendance, exams, and leave. Definitions here link to modules that use those concepts daily.
Each entry links to related guides and platform modules.
School management software
A connected platform that runs admissions, student records, academics, fees, exams, and family portals on one academic calendar.
Read definitionSchool management system (SMS)
A cloud platform where admissions, academics, fees, exams, transport, and family portals share one student roster and academic calendar.
Read definitionSchool ERP
Enterprise resource planning tailored to schools - finance, HR, admissions, academics, and reporting on shared student and calendar data inside a cloud SMS.
Read definitionStudent information system (SIS)
The authoritative register of students, classes, guardians, and enrollments that other school modules depend on.
Read definitionAcademic calendar
The master schedule of terms, working days, holidays, and events that attendance, exams, fees, and leave modules share.
Read definitionParent portal
A guardian-facing login for fees, receipts, attendance summaries, and published grades across all linked children.
Read definitionFee management
Defining fee structures, installments, online payments, receipts, and defaulter follow-up tied to each student record.
Read definitionAdmissions software
Online apply and track flows, document checks, committee review, offers, and enrollment into live student records.
Read definitionExam management
Exam schedules, hall tickets, mark entry, moderation, and gated report card publication to families.
Read definitionGradebook
Teacher workflows to record marks, comments, and continuous assessment tied to class and subject assignments.
Read definitionSchool timetable
Period grids, teacher assignments, substitute coverage, and published schedules aligned to the academic calendar.
Read definitionStudent roster
The live register of enrolled students with class placement, photos, guardians, and promotion history.
Read definitionRole-based access (RBAC)
Permissions that limit each user to the pages and student data their job requires, with audit trails for sensitive changes.
Read definitionDay school
A K-12 school where students attend classes during the day and return home - distinct from boarding or residential models.
Read definitionInternational Baccalaureate (IB)
A global curriculum framework with PYP, MYP, and Diploma Programme pathways - often using 1-7 grading and May/November exam sessions.
Read definitionIGCSE
International General Certificate of Secondary Education - a Cambridge-pathway qualification often taught in international and British-curriculum schools.
Read definitionGrade point average (GPA)
A numeric summary of a student's academic performance - common in American K-12 and higher-education transcripts.
Read definitionReport card
A term or semester academic report for families - often a PDF with marks, comments, and attendance - distinct from a multi-year transcript.
Read definitionTranscript
A cumulative academic record - often with GPA and credits - distinct from a single-term report card.
Read definitionHow definitions here relate to demos, docs, and module selection.
School software vendors overload terms like SIS, ERP, and parent portal.
Plain definitions help principals and IT leads compare options without brochure jargon.
Each entry links to related platform modules and guides so you can move from definition to capability quickly.
Use those links when a term describes a workflow you want to evaluate in Schoolyi.
No. Docs are step-by-step staff guides inside the product.
The glossary explains concepts for buyers and leadership evaluating school SMS.
Use Ask Schoolyi to search public guides, or the module finder for a phased rollout recommendation tailored to your priorities.
Both routes are intended for public product and planning questions before a demo.
Use the module finder for a phased rollout recommendation tailored to your priorities.
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