Behind the Screens
Trends in K-12 Back Office Software
By Scott Burns
CEO
Isle Data
The back office of America’s school districts has quietly become one of the most competitive and consequential arenas in K–12 education technology. From payroll and HR to student information and financial systems, districts increasingly rely on software platforms to manage the complex operational demands of running schools. Today, five providers—PowerSchool, Frontline, Skyward, LINQ and Tyler Technologies—dominate this market, shaping how resources are allocated, staff are supported and compliance is maintained. We will examine key trends from 2022 to 2024, analyzing each company’s reach in terms of total revenue, district adoption, average spend per district and market share. Beyond topline numbers, we dig deeper into the variance in district engagements, spotlight the largest districts working with each provider and explore how often these platforms are deployed side-by-side or in competition. Together, these insights reveal not only how the market is evolving, but also where districts and vendors may be heading next.