The Disconnected Parent Problem
Scholars' Academy, a coaching institute in Jaipur with 290 students, had a parent engagement problem. Parents of coaching students often feel less connected than parents of school students.
What Changed
In January 2024, the institute turned on BatchBoard's WhatsApp integration. Parents received attendance alerts when their child was absent, fee reminders 7 days in advance, exam schedule notifications, and result notifications when marks were published.
The Metrics
Parent response rate to fee reminders went up from 23 percent to 61 percent in the first payment cycle. Students from families receiving absence alerts showed 12 percent better attendance than the semester before. Net Promoter Score in an informal parent survey went up 40 percent at the 3-month mark.
The Surprising Outcome
Four parents joined the Parent Advisory Committee who had never engaged with the institute before. Once parents feel like they are getting information rather than being kept in the dark, they want to participate.