First, check Pinnacle for grades. Next, Virtual Counselor for graduation requirements. Then, Parent Link for bus information. A $1.5 million a year investment later and none of these platforms are needed. The Focus Student Information System, introduced by Broward County Public Schools in the 2024-2025 school year, serves to simplify student record management by eliminating the need for multiple platforms.
Having signed a 15-year contract, the district implemented Focus to consolidate attendance, grades, scheduling, report cards, transportation and communication into one platform, providing a centralized hub for parents and students to access essential information. Focus also allows families to view grades, track graduation requirements and monitor attendance.

The district announced the new decision in the spring of 2024. Teachers and other faculty members from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School had to attend a district-created training in person before school started, where they learned to navigate Focus. The district also offered seminars to the parents of Broward students, which showed them how to navigate Parent University, a branch of Focus. Staff at MSD have been adjusting to the new system with mixed reactions from teachers. Media Specialist Diana Haneski remains optimistic about Focus’ benefits, despite the challenges that accompany learning the new system.

“Right now, it’s like anything when you’re learning something brand new,” Haneski said. “There’s a learning curve, so it’s not as easy as something you’ve used for years, but I’m optimistic that it’s going to be good.”
Some MSD students find Focus convenient, as last year, they had to use multiple platforms such as Pinnacle and Virtual Counselor to locate student information. Still, the system is unfamiliar and going to take some getting used to.
“Although Focus is easier to navigate through for my grades for school, I’m still not a big fan of it because I got used to what I have been using for years with Pinnacle, and I don’t want to change it,” senior Michael Cacace said.

While the system offers many benefits, the real challenge lies in how teachers and students approach it, especially for those less familiar with technology.
“I think it’s a mindset issue,” Haneski said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old; it’s about having a growth mindset when learning something new. Many teachers are helping each other, which is wonderful to see.”
Haneski, who was involved in the initial district training for Focus alongside Testing Coordinator Matt Winans and Assistant Principal Anna Koltanova, acknowledged the difficulties of adapting to a new system, particularly over the summer break.
“We had district training in person during the spring, which wasn’t ideal timing because we were leading and learning, then off for the summer, and then back for pre-planning,” Haneski said. “But the support from the team has been great.”
All teachers were required to complete a course on the system before the start of the school year, ensuring that they were prepared to navigate the new platform and assist students.
While the full impact of Focus remains to be seen, MSD students and staff continue to adjust to the new system. With continued support from district and school resources, Focus is set to be a tool for grading and organization in BCPS for years to come.

This story was originally published in the October 2024 Eagle Eye print edition.