Singlewire Software Report Reveals Gaps in K–12 School Entrance Security

Single Software recently released its first-ever School Entrance Security Report based on more than 500 responses from U.S. school staff members. According to a news release, the findings highlight a gap between K–12 leaders’ wishes for school safety and how safe the schools actually are, as well as the challenges facing students and staff in that goal. Only 17 percent of respondents called their schools’ entrances “completely secure”; the most commonly cited challenges included “guests not following check-in procedures (31 percent)” and “lack of staff” (30 percent).

“While schools are prioritizing safety at their entrances, challenges and gaps remain,” said Joanna Haugland, chief product officer for Visitor Aware at Singlewire Software. “As schools look for ways to further enhance entrance safety, proactive tools that help identify potential threats and prevent them from accessing buildings will play a crucial role in keeping students and staff safe from harm.”

According to the news release, key insights from the report include:

  • Fifty-nine percent of schools reported that entrances are monitored 24/7, while 32 percent said entrances are monitored during the school day.
  • Half of respondents rated their schools’ security protocols as “Good,” and another 32 percent called them “Excellent.”
  • About 89 percent of schools currently have video surveillance in place.
  • Only 1 percent of respondents said that their schools do not use an established communication system.

“School safety starts at the front door,” said Terry Swanson, Singlewire Software president and CEO. “With a secure entrance, schools have the opportunity to stop threats before they gain access to the building.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Round Rock ISD Completes New Early College High School

    Round Rock ISD near Austin, Texas, recently announced that construction is complete on a new, 46,500-square-foot campus for Early College High School, according to a news release. The new facility will allow the school’s students and staff to move from portables into a permanent building and increase its enrollment to 500.

  • Zurn Elkay Releases 2025 Sustainability Report

    Zurn Elkay Water Solutions recently announced the release of its annual sustainability report, according to a news release. The 2025 report discusses the organization’s efforts to maintain good environmental stewardship and the solutions provided in helping customers meet sustainability goals.

  • Illinois State University Breaks Ground on College of Fine Arts Transformation

    Illinois State University in Normal, Ill., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts transformation project, according to university news. The series of new constructions and renovations will upgrade spaces in Centennial East, the Center for the Visual Arts, and the Center for the Performing Arts, as well as replace the existing Centennial West facility with a new Commons Building.

  • Chartwells Launches Campus Dining Evaluation Framework

    Contract food-service management provider Chartwells Higher Education recently announced the launch of BLUEPRINT, according to a news release. The evaluation framework was designed to provide a data-driven and customizable roadmap towards optimizing campus dining services and, by extension, the student experience.