CatapultCMS

CatapultCMS is a K–12 platform that brings school websites, family communications, and district-branded apps together. It suits districts coordinating updates across schools and channels; those seeking a simple, price-transparent website tool should look elsewhere.

Overview

Founded by Jason Jeffery in 2000, Catapult CMS grew from building websites for local school districts. Its CMS, Catapult Connect messaging, and mobile app form a connected system for publishing school information and reaching families. That breadth can simplify coordination, but districts should weigh it against custom pricing and Connect’s default annual contract.

Key features

School websites and content management

The CMS combines a unified dashboard, drag-and-drop editing, responsive templates, role-based permissions, calendars, analytics, staff directories, and district multisite support. Together, these tools suit districts maintaining multiple school sites while controlling who can edit content. The company says its accessibility tools support ADA/WCAG standards, relevant for public-facing school pages.

Family communications and apps

Catapult Connect sends voice, text, email, push, web, and social messages. SIS-based audience targeting, scheduled sends, two-way replies, and engagement reports support both routine notices and targeted outreach. Districts can sync contact lists with student information systems; documented options include Aeries, ClassLink, PowerSchool, CSV files, and secure SFTP uploads.

The district-branded app runs on iOS and Android and provides push alerts, calendars, personalized feeds, and updates from the CMS and Connect. This gives families another route to school information, while the web platform and app cover the listed web, Android, and iOS platforms.

Privacy, safeguards, and support

The company describes its platform as ADA and FERPA compliant. The Connect agreement says student records are password protected, access is limited by role, and Catapult will provide notice within one business day after discovering a breach or unauthorized disclosure. The CMS privacy policy says collected personal information is not sold, rented, or exchanged for marketing; the app policy says it stores device IDs and communication preferences, not personal data, and may collect anonymous usage information. The CMS policy also describes Google Drive and Calendar API use.

Support includes tickets, a knowledge base, tutorials, webinars, and live phone support Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST. That range gives school staff several ways to get help, with phone assistance limited to weekday business hours.

Pricing

CatapultCMS is paid, with custom pricing. Prospective customers are directed to request a demo, and the annual Connect service fee is set in a signed quote. This approach can accommodate district requirements, but buyers cannot compare a fixed published price before engaging with the company.

The Connect agreement includes initial training, but not unlimited training; additional training costs the company’s standard rate. Unless the signed quote sets different terms, the initial contract lasts 12 months and renews for successive 12-month periods. Either party must give written notice at least 30 days before the term ends to stop renewal. Districts should account for that notice window and potential training charges when budgeting and planning procurement.

Platforms

The platform is available on web, Android, and iOS. The district app is described for both mobile operating systems, with push alerts, calendars, personalized feeds, and CMS and Connect updates.

Who it's for

CatapultCMS is a stronger fit for K–12 districts that want website management, family messaging, and a branded app under one roof, especially those coordinating information across multiple schools or using SIS-based audience targeting. A school seeking only a basic site, or a buyer who needs a fixed price before requesting a demo, may prefer a more straightforward option.

Pros and cons

Pros

Connected publishing and outreach: The CMS, Connect, and district app bring school content and family updates into one platform.

Multiple ways to reach families: Voice, text, email, push, web, and social messaging are paired with SIS targeting, scheduling, replies, and engagement reports.

District-oriented site management: Multisite support, role-based permissions, calendars, and staff directories address common needs across school sites.

Documented student-data safeguards: The Connect agreement describes role-limited access and breach-notice timing.

Cons

Custom pricing requires a sales step: Buyers need a demo and signed quote to learn the annual Connect fee.

Renewal requires advance action: The default 12-month term renews unless written notice arrives at least 30 days before the term ends.

Training beyond the initial session costs extra: Unlimited training is not included, and additional sessions are charged at the company’s standard rate.

Alternatives

School Website Builders is a category overview for comparing school-site options.

Greenhouse School Websites is worth considering for schools that prefer pre-designed website packages and want a free trial; it offers pre-designed primary and trust plans.

Finalsite Websites may suit districts seeking a custom-quoted website subscription whose pricing depends on district size, budget, and communication goals.

CMS4Schools is another paid, web-and-mobile option for school website buyers.

ESV Software CMS is another paid CMS available on web, Android, and iOS.

Schoolz may fit networks seeking a full platform per school with district-wide alerts and a shared calendar.

Schoolzine SZapp is a free parent app for families at participating schools, a narrower choice if a district does not need CatapultCMS’s combined CMS and messaging scope.

Sentral is another paid option available on web, Android, iOS, and API.

eChalk offers custom-quoted school and district websites with basic support included in the website subscription.

Verdict

Choose CatapultCMS if your district wants school-site management, targeted family communications, and a branded mobile app connected in one system. Its strongest case is the combination of multisite publishing and multichannel outreach. Look elsewhere if you need a straightforward published price or want to avoid a default 12-month renewal and additional training charges.