CatapultCMS

CatapultCMS is a K–12 communications platform for school websites, family updates, and district-branded mobile apps. Its CMS provides a unified dashboard with drag-and-drop editing, responsive templates, role-based permissions, calendars, analytics, and staff directories. The company says accessibility tools support ADA/WCAG standards. Catapult Connect can send messages through voice, text, email, push notifications, web, and social media. It supports SIS-based contact lists, scheduled messages, two-way replies, and engagement reports. Listed SIS options include Aeries, ClassLink, PowerSchool, and CSV or secure SFTP uploads. The district-branded app is available for iOS and Android, with push alerts, calendars, personalized feeds, and CMS and Connect updates. Catapult also lists integrations with student information systems, Google Workspace, and Microsoft 365. The company says its platform is ADA and FERPA compliant. Support includes tickets, a knowledge base, tutorials, webinars, and live phone support Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST. Pricing is on request; the Connect agreement includes initial training, but additional training is charged separately.

CatapultCMS combines school-site management, family communications, and district mobile apps. Districts should consider its quoted pricing, contract term, and additional training costs.

CatapultCMS suits K–12 school districts managing websites and sending updates to families. It may fit districts that want a branded app and SIS-based audience lists.

CatapultCMS is a K–12 platform for managing school websites, family communications, and district-branded mobile apps. It suits districts that want those functions coordinated across schools. Its broad communications tools are compelling, but custom pricing and a 12-month default contract make it a considered district purchase.

Overview

Founded in 2000 by Jason Jeffery, Catapult CMS grew from building websites for local school districts. The platform brings its content management system, Catapult Connect messaging, and branded district app together, which can help districts keep school information and family updates aligned.

That combination will matter most to districts managing recurring updates across multiple schools. Buyers seeking a simple, price-transparent website tool may find the sales process and service terms less appealing.

Key features

Websites and content management

The CMS provides a shared dashboard, drag-and-drop editing, responsive templates, role-based permissions, calendars, analytics, staff directories, and district multisite support. Role controls can help districts coordinate publishing across schools while limiting editing access. The company says its accessibility tools support ADA/WCAG standards, a relevant capability for public-facing school sites.

Family communications

Catapult Connect sends voice, text, email, push, web, and social messages. SIS-based targeting, scheduled sends, two-way replies, and engagement reports give communications teams more control over whom they reach and a way to track response. Contact lists can sync with student information systems; documented options include Aeries, ClassLink, PowerSchool, CSV files, and secure SFTP uploads.

District mobile app

The branded app is available for iOS and Android, with push alerts, calendars, personalized feeds, and updates from the CMS and Connect. That gives families a district-specific place to receive information, while districts can carry website and messaging updates into the app.

Privacy and support

The company says its platform is ADA and FERPA compliant. Its Connect agreement says student records are password protected and access is limited by role, with notice due within one business day after discovery of a breach or unauthorized disclosure. The app privacy policy says the app stores device IDs and communication preferences rather than personal data, and may collect anonymous usage information. The CMS policy says collected personal information is not sold, rented, or exchanged for marketing, and 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. Initial training is included with Connect, but additional training costs the company’s standard rate; districts expecting ongoing onboarding should account for that expense.

Pricing

CatapultCMS is paid software with custom pricing. Prospective customers are directed to request a demo, and the Connect agreement sets the annual service fee in a signed quote. There are no published lower-cost tiers or free plan to compare, so districts should request a quote covering the CMS, communications, app, and any additional training they need.

Unless a signed quote sets another term, Connect begins with a 12-month commitment and renews for successive 12-month periods. Either party must give written termination notice at least 30 days before the current term ends. That renewal window makes advance contract review important for districts working through annual budgets or procurement cycles.

Platforms

CatapultCMS supports web, Android, and iOS. The district-branded app is described for both major mobile platforms, while the CMS and communications tools extend across the platform.

Who it's for

CatapultCMS is best suited to K–12 districts that want school websites, targeted family messaging, and a district app managed as connected parts of one service. Multisite support, role permissions, SIS sync, and several message channels address the needs of teams coordinating updates across schools. A district that only needs a basic website, or that requires upfront published pricing, should compare simpler options before committing.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Connect reaches families by voice, text, email, push, web, and social, with SIS targeting and two-way replies for more controlled outreach.
• District multisite support, shared tools, and role-based permissions help coordinate school content while managing who can edit it.
• The branded app carries calendars, personalized feeds, alerts, and platform updates to iOS and Android.
• Accessibility tools and stated ADA/FERPA compliance address important requirements for school communications and public-facing sites.

Cons

• Custom pricing requires a demo and quote, making costs harder to assess before sales discussions.
• The default Connect agreement runs for 12 months and renews annually unless written notice arrives at least 30 days before term end.
• Initial training is included, but additional training is charged separately at the company’s standard rate.

Alternatives

School Website Builders is a useful category to browse when comparing school-focused site tools.

Schoolzine SZapp is a better fit for families seeking a free-to-download parent app from participating schools; its stated platforms are Android and iOS.

ESV Software CMS is another paid option for buyers comparing school CMS products across web and mobile platforms.

Finalsite Websites may suit districts evaluating a website-focused service with custom pricing based on district size, budget, and communication goals.

Schoolz may be worth comparing for a multi-school network: its Network plan covers 5–14 schools with a full platform per school, district-wide alerts, and a shared calendar, while its Large plan is for 30 or more schools and offers phased rollout and custom terms.

CMS4Schools is another paid web and mobile option for districts comparing school website platforms.

eChalk offers school and district websites by custom quote, with basic support included in the website subscription.

eSchools may appeal to primary schools focused on parent event scheduling: its Parents’ Evening Booking System costs $295 a year and includes unlimited parents’ evening events throughout the academic year.

Schoolground is another paid web and mobile school website option.

Verdict

Districts that need coordinated school websites, targeted family communications, and a branded app should put CatapultCMS on their shortlist. Its standout case is the combination of multisite content management and multichannel messaging with SIS-based targeting. Districts that prioritize a clear upfront price, a shorter commitment, or included ongoing training should look elsewhere unless the quote and terms meet those needs.