A districtwide approach to unified, multilingual communication that increased family involvement, strengthened school-home connections, and supported student success

At a glance

Challenge
Reaching and engaging families across 31 languages with inconsistent communication tools, limited visibility into engagement, and declining effectiveness of traditional channels like email and print.

Solution
Expanded ClassDojo from a classroom-level tool to a districtwide communication platform, giving schools a single place to share real-time updates, communicate in multiple languages, and enable direct, two-way communication with families.

Results
Increased family involvement and event participation, with schools using real-time reminders and updates to help ensure families are aware of, and show up for, school activities. Educators also report stronger connections with multilingual families through built-in translation, reduced reliance on paper communication, and improved visibility into communication and student progress.

Craven County’s shift didn’t happen overnight. It began with a simple realization: the way families engage with communication has fundamentally changed. Jennifer Wagner, who has led communications for the district for more than a decade, has seen that shift firsthand. One thing has remained constant—communication only works if families actually engage with it. That was becoming harder to sustain.

To address this, Craven County began shifting toward a more unified, mobile-first approach to communication. With support from leaders across multiple departments and schools—including Technology, Digital Blended Learning, Accountability, and School Leadership—the district adopted ClassDojo for Districts to bring greater consistency to family communication while meeting families where they already are: on a platform designed for quick, accessible, two-way engagement.

Previously, like many districts, Craven County relied on a mix of tools. Some schools embraced classroom communication platforms, while others depended on email, newsletters, or printed materials. The result was an inconsistent experience for families, often shaped by which school their child attended.

At the same time, expectations were evolving. Families had less time for long emails, and important updates were often overlooked. Messages were competing with everything else in a parent’s day. As Wagner put it, “We’re in the times where less is more… people are just going to scroll and glance.”

Layered on top of this was a highly diverse community, with 31 languages spoken across the district. Craven County didn’t just need more communication—it needed a more unified, scalable approach that could reach families in the ways they actually engage.

With ClassDojo, schools can now share updates digitally instead of relying on paper communications, send real-time reminders about events, and communicate with families in their home languages—enabling true two-way conversations. In many schools, this has led to near-universal family connectivity and more consistent engagement across classrooms.

A signal from the schools

The turning point didn’t come from a top-down initiative. It came from the classrooms. Across the district, teachers were already using ClassDojo. Families were responding in ways Wagner couldn’t ignore. Parents valued seeing photos and videos of their children learning, receiving quick updates, and feeling more connected to the classroom.

“Our parents really enjoyed getting these videos and seeing their child in action… it gave them a window into the classroom,” Wagner said. “That organic adoption revealed something important: the district already had a model that worked. It just wasn’t consistent.”

From fragmentation to alignment

When the opportunity arose to expand districtwide, Craven County made a deliberate choice. Rather than introduce a new tool, they scaled ClassDojo for Districts—building on a platform teachers and families already trusted.

The rollout was measured and intentional. Wagner’s team used existing channels including staff newsletters, school communications, and family outreach to build awareness and momentum. The goal was alignment over time, not overnight adoption.

Elementary schools led the way, where familiarity was already strong. Middle and high schools followed more gradually. Budget considerations also played a role. As the district moved away from the paid version of tools like Remind due to budget constraints, leaders needed a cost-effective way to maintain—and improve—family communication. ClassDojo enabled them to consolidate multiple tools into one platform, reduce reliance on printed materials, and reach families more effectively through real-time, two-way communication. The result was not just a replacement, but a more unified and accessible communication strategy across the district.

Opening the door for every family

One of the most immediate impacts has been in multilingual communication. With 31 languages spoken across the district, reaching every family had long been a challenge. Translation required extra steps, and in some cases, messages didn’t reach families at all. That began to change with a more accessible, two-way approach.

At Trent Park Elementary, Principal Kim Scott sees this impact daily. Her school serves a large multilingual population, including many families from refugee backgrounds. For her, communication is foundational to building trust.

“It’s really hard to build relationships if you can’t communicate,” Scott said. “ClassDojo allows us to send messages families can translate and respond to so we can truly collaborate.”

Teachers and school leaders can now communicate directly with families in their preferred language, while families can respond in their own language. What was once a barrier has become an opportunity to strengthen relationships and build more inclusive school communities.

“It erases some of those barriers and makes families feel more comfortable and part of the school community,” Wagner said.

District data reflects that shift. In a single month, teachers sent more than 31,000 messages, while families responded with over 26,000 messages of their own, signaling strong two-way engagement.

From communication to participation

The shift isn’t just about sending messages—it’s about driving action. Schools are reducing reliance on printed newsletters and flyers, instead sharing updates, events, and reminders through a single platform. Built-in event notifications are helping close the gap between awareness and participation.

“Parents get that one-hour reminder and can actually make it,” Scott said, pointing to increased turnout at school events.

Across the district, more than 120 school events were created in a single month, giving families timely, accessible ways to stay involved.  For busy families, accessibility and timing matter. Meeting families where they already are—on their phones—has made it easier to turn communication into participation.

Telling the story of learning

At the same time, Craven County’s communication strategy is evolving beyond information sharing into storytelling. Photos and short videos from classrooms now give families a real-time view into student learning. This visibility helps families feel more connected while supporting the district’s broader goal of strengthening its identity.

“I want them to know why Craven County Schools is the best choice for their child,” Wagner said.

In the past, sharing these moments was difficult. Now, they can be captured and shared instantly, creating a more consistent and engaging experience for families. This shift is also benefiting district communications. By leveraging classroom content and engagement data, Wagner’s team can highlight high-performing schools and share best practices internally which is creating visibility into what strong engagement looks like.

Supporting School Culture and Student Ownership

Beyond communication, some schools are using ClassDojo to support behavior and school culture initiatives. At the school level, leaders have aligned ClassDojo points with PBIS frameworks, creating a shared understanding of expectations across classrooms. Students track their progress, while families gain real-time visibility into how those expectations are being met.

“There’s a clear expectation for what students should be earning,” Scott said. “Parents can log in, see the points, and know right away if they need to check in.” 

Districtwide, more than 80,000 points were awarded in a single month, reinforcing positive behavior and strengthening the connection between school and home.

Measuring what matters

For Wagner, communication isn’t just about sending messages, it’s about understanding what works.

Through regular reporting and internal newsletters, her team tracks which schools are driving engagement, which teachers are most active, and how frequently families interact with content. These insights are shaping how the district recognizes success and shares best practices. “High flyer” data has become a powerful way to spotlight engagement across schools and encourage adoption.

At the same time, school leaders have greater visibility into communication at the individual level. “I can download message history and show exactly what was communicated,” Scott said, adding accountability for both schools and families.

Consistency across the student journey

As the rollout has progressed, another benefit has emerged: consistency. Families who experienced strong communication in elementary school are beginning to see that same experience extend across grade levels. While adoption is still growing at the secondary level, familiarity is increasing and expectations are shifting.

Across the district, more than 7,900 families are actively connected on the platform, reflecting growing adoption and engagement.

Why simplicity matters

If there is one lesson Wagner emphasizes, it is simplicity. “If it’s going to be challenging… people just give up,” she said.

Teachers need tools that fit naturally into their day, and families need communication that is easy to access and understand. When those conditions are met, engagement follows.

Looking ahead

Craven County is now preparing for its next phase, including full rostering for the 2026–27 school year to further streamline access for families and staff.

At the same time, Wagner is focused on expanding storytelling, elevating student voice, and strengthening the district’s identity in an increasingly competitive landscape.

With these foundations in place, communication is no longer just about delivering information. It is about building connection, fostering trust, and helping families see what makes their schools special.