Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Schoolz ("we," "our," or "us"). This Privacy Policy explains how Schoolz.me handles information when you use our mobile application and web platform (collectively, the "Service"). We are committed to protecting the privacy of all users, especially students and minors.

Schoolz provides a unified platform for K-12 schools and educational organizations to manage communications, track devices, and organize resources. Our Service is designed to empower schools while respecting the privacy of every individual.

2. Information We Do NOT Collect

Unlike many applications, Schoolz does not collect or store personal information from users. Specifically, we do NOT collect:

• Names, email addresses, or contact information from students or parents
• Student educational records or academic data
• Location data or device tracking information outside of your school's local system
• Behavioral data, browsing history, or usage analytics tied to individuals
• Photos, videos, or media files uploaded by users (these are stored locally by your school)
• Payment information or financial data

3. How Schoolz Works

Schoolz operates as a local-first platform. This means:

School-Controlled Data

All information entered into Schoolz—including announcements, student device logs, staff directories, calendars, and resources—is stored and managed by your school's administrators. We provide the tools, but your school retains complete ownership and control of all data.

Device Tracking ("Phone Bay")

Our QR-based device tracking system allows school staff to manage student phones securely. This system operates entirely within your school's local environment. Device check-in/check-out records are maintained by your school administration and are not transmitted to or accessible by Schoolz.

Push Notifications

When schools send announcements or alerts via push notifications, these messages are delivered through secure, industry-standard notification services (such as Apple Push Notification Service and Firebase Cloud Messaging). We do not collect or store the content of these messages.

4. Minimal Technical Data

To ensure the Service functions properly and securely, we may collect limited, non-personal technical data, including:

• Device type and operating system version (for compatibility)
• App version information (for updates and support)
• Crash reports and error logs (anonymized, to improve stability)

This technical data is anonymized and cannot be used to identify individual users. It is used solely to maintain and improve the Service.

5. Third-Party Services

Schoolz integrates with certain third-party services to provide core functionality:

• Push Notification Providers: Apple Push Notification Service (APNS) and Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) are used to deliver alerts and announcements. These services may collect device tokens for notification delivery but do not receive personal user data.
• Hosting & Infrastructure: Our platform is hosted on secure cloud infrastructure to ensure reliability. No personal data is stored on these servers.

We carefully select third-party partners who adhere to strict privacy and security standards. These partners are contractually prohibited from using any data for purposes beyond providing the Service.

6. Children's Privacy (COPPA & FERPA Compliance)

Schoolz is designed for use by K-12 schools and may be used by children under the age of 13. We take children's privacy very seriously and comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Key Protections:

• We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13
• Schools act as the authorized agents for any necessary data processing under COPPA
• Parents have the right to review, request deletion of, or refuse further collection of their child's information by contacting their school directly
• All student data is controlled exclusively by the school, not by Schoolz

7. Data Security

While we do not collect personal data, we implement industry-standard security measures to protect the integrity of our Service:

• End-to-end encryption for data transmission
• Secure authentication protocols for school administrator accounts
• Regular security audits and updates
• Restricted access to technical infrastructure

Schools are responsible for implementing their own internal security policies for data they manage through Schoolz, including access controls for staff and administrators.

8. Your Rights and Choices

Because Schoolz does not collect or store personal data, traditional data subject rights (such as access, correction, or deletion requests) are managed directly by your school. If you have questions or concerns about information related to your use of Schoolz:

• Parents/Guardians: Contact your school's administration to inquire about or request changes to any information
• School Staff: Work with your school's Schoolz administrator or IT department
• General Inquiries: Contact us at contact@schoolz.me

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or Service features. When we make changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Notify school administrators of significant changes via email
• Post the updated policy on our website and in the app

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your privacy.

10. International Users

Schoolz is designed for use by schools primarily in the United States. If you are accessing our Service from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States, where our servers and infrastructure are located.

By using Schoolz, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States. We ensure all data transfers comply with applicable international data protection laws.

11. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) provides you with specific rights regarding personal information. However, since Schoolz does not collect or sell personal information, most CCPA obligations do not apply to our Service.

California residents may still contact us at contact@schoolz.me with any privacy-related questions or concerns.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

We are committed to addressing your concerns promptly and transparently. For school-specific data inquiries, please contact your school's administration directly, as they control all information within the Schoolz platform.