PURCHASE GRADELINK WITH PUBLIC FUNDS
A number of private schools have used public funds to purchase Gradelink through their local school district. While we would love to provide you with the exact steps to follow, the process will vary for each school based on location and other factors. Fortunately, most schools have been able to use the general pattern outlined below.
The Local School District
Independent schools that have received funding for Gradelink student information system through the public school district reported the following. Even though they operated as a private school, they were zoned with the local school district and were eligible to receive funding from the state. To receive funding they:
- Submit a plan to the school district detailing what products/services they need, how much they cost, how they will be used, and the name of the vendor providing them. Typically this is due by December of each year, but the dates vary. The district then submits the private school’s plan along with the plans of public and charter schools as part of an overall district plan.
- The district plan is submitted to the state. If approved, the state sends funding to the district, which then sends the money directly to the vendor described in the plan. Since funds are not given directly to the private school, it is important to ask for a quote for a 12-month period of time instead of a monthly quote.
At the State Level
Gradelink is an approved vendor on ClassWallet, the digital wallet platform used by several states to manage education funding. Schools using Gradelink can upload invoices to ClassWallet for reimbursement if the expense qualifies under their state’s approved categories. If your state doesn’t list us yet, just let us know and we’ll get Gradelink added.