What is an SIS integration?

Table of Contents

What is an SIS?

Learning institutions, like K-12 districts, universities, or charter schools, use Student Information Systems (SIS) to manage student data and operations.

An SIS can organize records like:

student names and IDs
academic progress and report cards
class schedules and attendance
communication logs

SIS vendors may also offer features like grade tracking, family portals, and compliance reporting. For institutions, SIS providers are the backbone of managing student records.

SIS Integrations and Interoperability

Interoperability means different software systems can sync data with each other.

In this case, we’re talking about edtech tools (like learning apps or assessment platforms) that connect to a school’s SIS. When an edtech product integrates with an SIS, it can:

automatically create and update accounts (aka “rostering”)
send grades back to the school’s gradebook
pull student data to personalize content
reduce manual data entry and human error

For learning institutions, interoperability improves the user experience and streamlines IT.

For edtech companies, it makes your product more valuable and more likely to get adopted.

A learning institution might ask an edtech company, "how interoperable is X product?" Meaning can X product integrate with Z system. Advanced conversations around interoperability within edtech include discussing security and user experience.

Interoperability allows educators to have a more complete view of a learning journey. This perspective then supports better-tailored instruction to meet individual needs. The goal of interoperability with SIS providers is to use data to deliver a more effective, personalized, and seamless learning experience.

Are there any SIS integration Benefits for Edtech Companies?

When edtech companies integrate their product to an SIS it enables them to perform new functions like:

provisioning accounts automatically and ahead of the school year (known as “rostering”)
automatically share learning outcomes to a learning institution’s gradebook
retrieve attendance data for analysis
… and more!

Given the number of applications that learning institutions use these days, learning institutions need edtech products that are (1) interoperable and (2) seamlessly share data. Being able to do these two things makes an edtech product more marketable and “sticky” (read: hard to let go of). This means happier customers and higher renewal rates.

Common SIS Vendors

There are dozens of SIS vendors, but here are a few of the most commonly used by K-12 and higher education institutions:

K-12 SIS Vendors:

Higher Ed SIS Vendors:

While most SIS vendors offer similar core data capabilities, rostering, grade tracking, and attendance, how they model data varies significantly. That makes it important to understand not just what a vendor offers, but how you can access and exchange data through their system.

How Do SIS Integrations Work?

Edtech developers can build SIS integrations through a few methods, such as:

Standards-based, like OneRoster
Custom-built, using the SIS’s API to form a direct connection
Aggregators, like Edlink, which handles multiple SIS providers

Each method has its tradeoffs, especially around access, effort, and data sync. For example, before a product can integrate with an SIS's API, the product needs the SIS's API key. This credential opens the "pathways/connections" to be able to start making requests. Or, before an edtech product begins an OAuth launch from an SIS instance, a token must be securely shared with the edtech product. This token comes from the learning institution and is tied to its specific SIS instance. Either way, an edtech company building an integration themselves has to think of the required relationships and secure transfers of relationships like these. Regardless, each method expands access to student information that wasn’t there before.

This new access to student PII introduces a new consideration – security. Processing PII securely to limit the risk of it being illegally accessed or shared is of the utmost importance. Leaking student PII (through a phishing attack or a bad actor) could be a company-ending event in the edtech space. Plus, the more PII you have, the more risk you encounter. Ingesting as little PII as possible can significantly reduce an edtech company’s security vulnerability risk.

What to Consider Before You Build an SIS Integration

Before starting development, developer teams should consider a few key questions:

What SIS platforms do our customers actually use?

There’s no “one-size-fits-all.” You’ll need to prioritize based on market demand.

What type of data do we need to exchange?

Just rostering? Or grades, attendance, and demographic data, too?

How will we keep data secure?

You’re dealing with PII. How will you manage the information you need with security?

Do we want to build and maintain SIS integrations ourselves?

Direct builds offer more control but require ongoing updates and support, something that might be taxing for developer teams. There are options that can help you scale faster without reinventing the wheel (aka: building integrations over and over again).

What will success look like for us?

Higher school renewals? Reduced support tickets? Map this out first.

Answering these questions upfront can save you months of rework and ensure your integration strategy actually supports your business goals.

TL;DR

A student information system (SIS) helps schools manage student records. Edtech companies integrate with SISs to become more interoperable — meaning their products can:

Automatically roster students
Share grades and attendance
Sync key data without manual entry

This interoperability helps schools deliver more personalized learning experiences and helps edtech products become more valuable and stickier.

Edtech teams can build integrations using standards like OneRoster, direct APIs, or aggregators like Edlink — each with tradeoffs.

But access to student data brings new responsibilities. Protecting student PII is critical. Smart teams ingest only what they need and build with security in mind.

FAQ

Why do SIS integrations matter for schools?

Without integration, managing student data becomes repetitive, time-consuming, and easy to mess up. SIS integrations take the busywork out of managing information, so educators can spend less time on logistics and more time supporting students. When systems work together, student data is easier to access, share, and actually use. Key benefits include:

Fewer errors and delays: Real-time syncing keeps student information up to date everywhere. When rosters, enrollments, and student details update automatically, administrators avoid confusion, and teachers don’t waste time fixing attendance issues or grading the wrong students.
Easier scaling across schools and districts: Integrations make it possible to use multiple tools without creating extra work. Schools aren’t forced into one all-in-one system that doesn’t fully fit their needs, they can choose the best tools and trust that everything stays connected.
Better day-to-day workflows for staff: Hours that would otherwise be spent copying names, updating records, or troubleshooting mismatched data can be redirected toward lesson planning, personalized feedback, and meaningful student interactions.
Simpler compliance and reporting: Student data already being used in classrooms can automatically flow into required reports. This reduces last-minute scrambles at the end of a term and lowers the risk of missing or inconsistent information in district, state, or federal submissions.
Faster onboarding and smoother transitions: New students, transfers, and schedule changes are reflected across systems quickly, helping teachers and support staff respond right away instead of waiting for manual updates.
More trust in the data: When everyone is working from the same source of truth, teachers and administrators are more confident making decisions based on student information — because they know it’s accurate and current.

Why should my edtech app integrate with SIS platforms?

Integrating with Student Information Systems (SIS) makes your edtech app easier to adopt, easier to manage, and more valuable to schools. SIS platforms are the system of record for student data including enrollments, rosters, schedules, and demographics. When your app connects directly to the SIS, schools don’t have to manually move that data around, and your product fits naturally into how they already work.

Faster adoption and easier onboarding: Teachers and admins don’t need to set up classes or upload rosters by hand. Students appear automatically, so schools can start using your app right away instead of waiting weeks for setup.
Less manual work (and fewer mistakes): Manual data entry leads to errors, outdated rosters, and duplicated effort. SIS integration keeps student information accurate and in sync, so teachers aren’t grading the wrong students or chasing down data issues.
Better teacher experience: When classes, students, and roles are already in place, teachers can focus on instruction instead of troubleshooting logins, rosters, or missing students.
Stronger district trust and buy-in: Districts expect modern edtech tools to integrate with their SIS. Supporting SIS integration signals that your product is built for real school environments, not just individual classrooms.
Scales across schools and districts: Without SIS integration, your app may work for one teacher but struggle at district scale. Integration allows your product to roll out smoothly across many schools with consistent data and centralized management.
Supports compliance and reporting needs: Schools rely on SIS data for attendance, grading, and required reporting. Integration helps ensure your app uses the same accurate data schools already trust, reducing compliance risk.
Improves retention and long-term usage: Products that integrate well are harder to replace. When your app becomes part of a school’s core data flow, it’s more likely to be renewed year after year.

What can schools do with SIS integrations?

SIS integrations help schools connect their core systems so student information flows automatically instead of being copied and pasted between tools. When systems are integrated, schools spend less time managing data and more time supporting students. With SIS integrations, schools can:

Automatically keep rosters up to date: When students enroll, transfer, or change classes, those updates sync across connected tools. Teachers always see the right students in the right classes without manual fixes.
Reduce data errors and confusion: Everyone works from the same source of truth. This prevents issues like duplicate student records, outdated class lists, or mismatched grades.
Save time for teachers and staff: Staff no longer need to upload CSV files, re-enter student names, or troubleshoot access issues. That time can be spent on instruction, student support, and planning.
Roll out tools across a whole district: SIS integrations make it easier to deploy new edtech tools at scale. Schools can add or remove tools without rebuilding rosters or managing separate systems for each school.
Support smoother student transitions: When students move between classes, schools, or programs, their information follows them automatically, helping teachers respond quickly and avoid gaps in support.
Simplify reporting and compliance: The same student data used in classrooms can flow into required reports for districts and states, reducing end-of-term stress and lowering the risk of missing or inconsistent data.
Improve coordination across departments: Counselors, administrators, and teachers can rely on consistent data across systems, making it easier to collaborate and make informed decisions.
Build a more flexible tech ecosystem: Instead of relying on one all-in-one system, schools can choose the best tools for different needs and trust that everything stays connected.

Should I build an SIS integration?

Integrating with SIS platforms are crucial for many edtech apps to successfully serve school districts with the interoperability they need. Edlink offers the ability to build one integration to our API and automatically integrate with most popular LMS and SIS platforms used by K12 today.

What is a Student Information System in K12?

A Student Information System (SIS) in K12 is the central system schools use to store and manage student data. Think of it as the school or district’s single source of truth for who students are and how school runs day to day.

At its core, an SIS answers questions like:

Who are our students?
Which classes are they in?
Who teaches them?
How are they doing academically?

In plain terms, an SIS is where schools manage:

Student records: names, IDs, grade levels, enrollment status
Class schedules & rosters: which students are in which classes
Attendance: daily and period attendance tracking
Grades & transcripts: report cards, credits, academic history
Demographics & programs: language services, special education, meal eligibility (access-controlled)
Teacher & staff assignments

Why do schools use Student Information Systems?

Schools use Student Information Systems (SIS) because they give schools one reliable place to manage student data and run daily operations. Without an SIS, schools would be juggling spreadsheets, paper records, and disconnected tools, which quickly becomes unmanageable.

How to integrate with an SIS?

Every LMS, SIS, etc. is not created equal. They all have different features, different ways of doing things, and different ways of accessing their data. For every SIS you want your app to integrate with you will have to build a custom integration. Edlink offers a way to circumvent this tedious process. By building one integration to our API you can instantly connect your app to all of the most popular LMS and SIS platforms for K12.

Have more questions about SIS integrations or ready to learn more about how to work with Edlink?

Learn More about Integrations

If you’re interested to learn more about Integrations here’re other articles we’ve written:

Want to Get Started?

If you're looking for a partner to guide you through developing integrations, then let us introduce ourselves. We're Edlink!