How VLACS Scaled with a Salesforce Student Information System
April 6, 2026 | Elise Hastings
Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (VLACS), a leading online K–12 school in New Hampshire, has been at the forefront of competency-based education for years. But as enrollment rapidly expanded—from 450 students in 2008 to more than 25,000—its legacy systems struggled to keep up.
To support continued growth and deliver a better student experience, VLACS partnered with Elevation Solutions to build a modern, scalable Student Information System (SIS) on Salesforce.
Watch the Webinar: How VLACS Modernized Its Student Information System
To view our webinar with VLACS’s testimonial, demo of functionality, and SIS roadmap by clicking the link here: SIS Webinar Recording “How VLACS Supports Learners at Scale”.
The Challenge: Scaling a K–12 Student Information System for Online Learning
Traditional Student Information Systems are designed for seat-time learning models—not the flexibility required for competency-based education.
For VLACS, this created several challenges:
- Heavy reliance on spreadsheets and manual processes
- Custom-built tools that were difficult to maintain
- Limited visibility into real-time student progress
- Inefficient course registration and enrollment workflows
- Time-consuming state reporting
As enrollment surged, these limitations impacted both operational efficiency and the digital experience for students and families.
The Solution: A Scalable Salesforce Powered Student Information System
To address these challenges, VLACS implemented a Salesforce-based Student Information System designed specifically for online, competency-based learning.
Key Features of the Salesforce SIS Platform
This modern SIS provides:
- Streamlined admissions and enrollment management
- A self-service student and family portal
- A dynamic course catalog and registration system
- Master scheduling management and course assignments
- Competency-based progress tracking and credit management
- Automated transcript generation
- Attendance and Faculty Management
- Integrated academic advising tools
- Seamless LMS (Learning Management System) integration
Modern Course Catalog and Student Enrollment Experience
One of the most impactful improvements was the transformation of the course registration experience. Students can browse a dynamic, searchable course catalog tailored to their needs.
An intuitive, e-commerce-style checkout makes course enrollment simple and familiar.
By modeling registration after modern online shopping experiences, VLACS significantly improved usability for both students and families.
The Results: Real-Time Student Data and Operational Efficiency
With Salesforce as their single source of truth for student data, VLACS has transformed how they manage and report on student information.
Key Outcomes of the Salesforce Student Information System
- 34,000+ spreadsheets eliminated, replaced with centralized data in Salesforce
- 16 systems unified, reducing data silos and improving consistency
- <1 minute data access for instructors making student support decisions
- 23,000+ course enrollments processed in the last six months
- 200 instructors actively managing students within the system
Real-time dashboards provide accurate insights into student performance and progress.
Instructors now spend less than a minute finding the information they need—dramatically improving their ability to support students in real time. State reporting that once took hours can now be completed in minutes, and student transcripts more accurately reflect up-to-date progress.
Why use Salesforce for a Student Information System?
For schools like VLACS, Salesforce offers the flexibility needed to support:
- Scalable online learning environments
- Customizable student data management workflows
- Integrated education technology ecosystems
- Unique education models and structures
Unlike traditional SIS platforms, Salesforce enables institutions to adapt quickly as their programs evolve.
Supporting the Future of Scalable Online Education
With a modern Student Information System built on Salesforce, VLACS is now equipped to scale its innovative approach to learning while delivering a seamless digital experience.
By replacing fragmented systems with a unified platform, they’ve created a foundation for continued growth in online K–12 education.