Use this roadmap to set up Schoology before users begin accessing the platform. Complete the phases in order. Authentication, student information system (SIS) integration, and user ID decisions affect how accounts, courses, and enrollments are created and maintained.
Phase 1 - Set up your system framework
Complete these tasks before importing any data.
Define roles and permissions
Configure roles and permission levels for each user type.
Roles determine what users can access and do in Schoology. Define roles before creating accounts so imported users receive the correct permissions automatically.
Choose unique user IDs
Select the identifier that Schoology will use for each user.
Use a consistent unique ID across Schoology, your SIS, and authentication systems. Most districts use student or staff IDs from their SIS. Changing IDs after accounts are active can create duplicate accounts and data sync issues.
Claim your school's email domain
Claim your organization's email domain to manage accounts created outside your Enterprise instance.
If staff or students created free Schoology accounts using your school email domain, claiming the domain allows those accounts to be managed within your Schoology Enterprise environment.
Phase 2: Choose a data provisioning method
Select how users, courses, and enrollments will be created and updated in Schoology.
Import data with CSV or XLS files
Upload files manually to create and maintain users, courses, and enrollments.
Use this option if you prefer manual control of data imports or do not have a direct SIS integration.
Set up automated imports with SFTP
Schedule recurring imports using Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP).
Schoology retrieves data files automatically from a designated SFTP location. This option requires coordination with your IT team.
Configure an SIS integration
Connect Schoology to your student information system (SIS).
SIS integrations automatically synchronize users, courses, and enrollments. This is the recommended option for districts that require ongoing data synchronization.
Phase 3: Configure authentication and sign-in
Choose how users will sign in to Schoology.
Configure authentication before distributing accounts to users.
Set up LDAP or Active Directory authentication
Allow users to sign in with existing network credentials.
Set up Google Workspace sign-in
Allow users to sign in with Google Workspace credentials.
Set up remote authentication
Connect Schoology to a custom authentication provider.
Use this option when your organization has a custom identity management solution.
Phase 4: Prepare your network and support team
Complete these tasks before launching Schoology.
Configure firewall and allowlist settings
Allow required Schoology traffic through your network.
Confirm that required IP addresses, ports, and hostnames are accessible before rollout.
Configure email authentication
Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for your domain.
Email authentication helps ensure Schoology notifications are delivered successfully to students, teachers, and parents.
Designate support contacts
Assign authorized contacts who can work with Schoology Support.
Designated contacts can submit support cases and coordinate issue resolution during implementation and rollout.