Keeping students safe is the number-one priority for most school administrators. A safe environment promotes a learning environment. The Research Alliance for New York City Schools published a report linking perceptions of school safety to academic improvement. The tie between safety and improvement was stronger than the ties to teacher collaboration, professional development, or high academic expectations. The data is clear: safety is a prerequisite for student success.
Every school needs a thorough plan for keeping students, teachers, and staff safe in crisis situations and everyday emergencies. A school alert system is an essential part of a school’s safety plan. Choosing a school alert system can be daunting, from selecting an emergency notification system to deciding which wearable panic button to use.
Impacts of a Safe School Environment
It’s understandable why a school would implement a comprehensive school alert system when the benefits for student performance and teacher retention are clear and positive. However, maintaining a safe campus is more challenging in 2026 than before the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
Safety Is a Recruitment and Retention Issue
Teachers are increasingly concerned with their safety, and they’re right to be, with 14% reporting physical violence from their students. That perception of danger led nearly 50% of respondents in the same survey to report wanting to quit or switch schools—from the inevitable behavioral issues teachers deal with to fear of the unlikely active shooter scenario. A school that makes its staff feel safe retains more teachers. Conversely, schools perceived as unsafe have difficulty recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers, which can lead to an even worse perception of safety.
Dr. Jim McMullen, Assistant Superintendent of Olathe County Schools (Kansas) notes that adopting the CENTEGIXⓇ school alert system has benefited every staff member in their schools: “This is a product that’ll benefit all staff in our district. And not just our teachers, but our custodians, our bus drivers, secretaries, food service, you name it. There’s a lot of other entities within a school district. And it allows us to provide that security—and, frankly, the quick response—for all staff.”
Students Learn Better in Safe Schools
In a survey of more than 340,000 students in more than 700 middle schools, researchers found a “consistent negative relationship between feeling unsafe in the classroom and test scores.” And student safety affects more than test scores. Students who feel unsafe in school are more susceptible to self-harming behavior, suicidal ideation, and depressive symptoms.
Students who feel unsafe are also more likely to be absent. Absenteeism can reduce academic achievement and increase safety risks for students and their peers. Creating a culture of safety, in which everyone is expected and empowered to protect the campus, starts with making each individual feel safe. Implementing a comprehensive, multi-layer safety strategy, including a school alert system from CENTEGIX, can make a big difference. Dr. Tony Lake, Superintendent of Lindbergh County Schools in Missouri, said, “Together, we can create this amazing culture that kids will wake up in the morning, rip their covers off, and [say] like, ‘Man, I can’t wait to get to school because that place cares about me. They want me to be there. I feel safe. I feel like I have a voice.’ And this product does that. And when you have that kind of culture, your achievement will go up.”
What is a School Alert System?
School alert systems can be any platform that allows administrators to communicate with their campuses and first responders during an emergency. The platform keeps everyone on campus connected, so during an emergency, anyone in the school community can be notified, safety protocols can be implemented, and the response can be accelerated. For quite some time, schools have used systems like landline phones, intercoms, and radio communication for emergency communication.
In recent years, digital technology solutions have rapidly evolved, such as remote, cloud-based systems, Internet of Things (IoT), and AI-driven machine learning software. As with many other industries, this digital boom era has changed how schools approach the relationship between tech and school safety. Schools may employ many different types of school safety technology solutions, depending on the specific vulnerabilities and risk factors on their campuses, as well as budgetary concerns and other district priorities. These technologies include digital surveillance, alarms and sensors, weapons detection, mobile alert systems, safety software applications, digital access control, and vape detection.
A school’s emergency notification system may consist of wearable badges, mobile panic buttons (such as a smartphone app for teachers and staff), a wall-mounted panic button, or a two-way radio communication system. For instance, after the Parkland shooting in 2018, new school safety legislation was passed, known as “Alyssa’s Law.” The law, named after shooting victim Alyssa Alhadeff, requires public elementary and secondary schools to be equipped with “silent panic alarms that are directly linked to law enforcement.” Yet many school alert systems have drawbacks and challenges that must be addressed. In a survey of more than 1,200 teachers, the majority said they experienced the following challenges when reporting an emergency before switching to CENTEGIX:
- Retrieving a phone from a desk, bag, or other location for those who don’t carry a phone on their person
- Weak cellular signal and Wi-Fi strength in the classroom/elsewhere on campus
- The time needed to power up, unlock, and access the right app in a crisis
- Delayed response when calling the office
- Relying on sending a text/email
- Having to yell for help
- Sending a student to find help
- Using an intercom or radio/walkie-talkie
- Using the wall button
- Relying on another teacher or staff member
- Leaving the scene of an emergency to get help
- Mobile security apps
Weighing the Options: Apps, Radios, and Buttons
Teachers and staff need a reliable way to request help or initiate an alert during an emergency. The method needs to be fast, reliable, and portable, with no gaps in coverage or accessibility. Some schools have adopted mobile apps as digital panic buttons, but the apps can create challenges in practice that lead to failure. (What if the teacher does not have access to a device during an emergency? Or what if the network signal fails?) Other options include wall-mounted panic buttons and two-way radios, but both fall short of complete coverage for all emergencies. Wall-mounted panic buttons are limited by their fixed location. (What if a crisis occurs in a location that does not have a panic button? And even if someone signals an alert from the nearest button, how will responders learn the precise location of the actual emergency?) Some schools use two-way radios as a key component of a broader school alert system, but radios are bulky and indiscreet. (And what should staff do in situations where requesting help over the radio might escalate the situation?)
The most effective solution is a wearable badge that every staff member keeps on their person at all times. For maximum efficacy, a wearable badge should have several key features:
- The badge should give users versatile options, such as requesting help for a behavior or medical crisis or initiating a campus-wide lockdown.
- The badge should have locating technology that summons responders to a precise location, thereby reducing emergency response time.
- The badge should not be dependent on WiFi or cell signals to send an alert, which can be inconsistent and unreliable.
The CENTEGIX Safety Platform: Complete Coverage, Zero Gaps
The CENTEGIX Safety Safety Platform® featuring CrisisAlertⓇ badge checks all these essential boxes: Users can activate different types of alerts, from getting help for a medical emergency to reporting a suspicious situation to immediately initiating a school lockdown. The badge’s pinpoint location gives responders the exact location of the emergency, down to the floor and room. And because the CENTEGIX Safety Platform operates on an independent network, staff can use the badge anywhere on campus, confident that there will be no blind spots or gaps in coverage.
Jeremy Gulley, Superintendent of Jay School Corp., notes that CrisisAlert has empowered staff in a range of scenarios, including the everyday incidents where they need support: “One of the reasons we got the product was the worst-case scenario. What we didn’t know in empowering our staff is how often they would use it for things that they have to deal with in their everyday. You may have a student take off and run out of a school. They call that elopement. We’ve seen that. You’ve got certain special needs students that you just need to deescalate with, and that’s awful scary to do if you’re alone. So, because it’s so simple and it’s consistently worked, your staff will have confidence in activating the protocol and the response. That’s what we’ve experienced.”
If Your State Doesn’t Mandate a School Emergency Alert System, They May Soon
A version of Alyssa’s Law has been introduced in the state legislature or enacted into law in 28 states and at the federal level, and many other states are expected to introduce similar legislation soon. Alyssa’s Law requires schools to install silent panic alarms directly linked to law enforcement agencies to reduce response times during life-threatening school emergencies.
The silent alarms allow teachers and staff to discreetly request help without further escalating a crisis. Many states have created funding programs to help schools upgrade their safety technology and achieve compliance following the passage of these laws.
Best Practices for Implementing a School Alert System
Every school has different safety and security needs. Still, when it’s time to choose a school emergency alert system, almost all schools should seek a solution that can achieve the following:
Communicate Directly with Emergency Responders
This is a legal requirement in states where Alyssa’s Law is on the books. However, for all safety planning situations, direct communication with law enforcement and emergency responders is critical to reducing response times.
Include a Wearable Panic Button
A wearable panic button enables staff to signal for help anywhere and anytime they need it. Wearable panic button systems should reduce delays by offering responders a precise location; should not depend on Wi-Fi or cellular to initiate an alert; and should empower staff to request help appropriate to the specific emergency (i.e. a health emergency requiring medical attention vs. a security concern requiring a campus lockdown).
Integrate Seamlessly with Other Technologies
Most schools already have safety systems in place, such as camera systems, security alarm systems, and attendance management software. A safety platform should integrate with a school’s existing systems, reducing cost and minimizing the chance of error through information transfer. This also allows leaders to maximize their existing safety investments.
Provide Room-Level Accuracy and Visibility
Even the smallest school campuses have layout complexity. Campuses may have dozens of rooms, multiple buildings, and vast outdoor spaces. In an emergency, a rapid response time is essential. Look for a solution that offers accurate mapping and room-level visibility through interactive maps and live cameras, so responders know precisely where to respond and what kind of help is needed.
Eliminate Coverage Gaps
Analysis of alerts by CrisisAlert users shows that only about 43% of safety incidents happened in the classroom. A school’s alert system must protect students not only in the main building but also across campus: the parking lot, football stadium, mobile outbuildings, and all the spaces in between.
Be Simple to Learn, Use, and Maintain
Complicated systems don’t get adopted, and a simple system is the best way to accelerate emergency response during a crisis.
How the CENTEGIX Safety PlatformⓇ Keeps Schools Safe
The CENTEGIX Safety Platform is the center of a multi-layered school alert system. Each layer of the CENTEGIX process focuses on a different aspect of safety, all combining to offer comprehensive protection and accelerate emergency responses when seconds matter. The platform offers solutions for:
- Personal safety
- Visitor safety and management
- Campus and facility monitoring
- Crisis reunification
The Safety Platform equips schools with several crucial advantages in promoting campus safety.
Rapid Response
The CENTEGIX Safety Platform is designed to enable rapid response, because in an emergency, EVERY. SECOND. MATTERS.® The CrisisAlert mobile wearable panic button allows the wearer to activate two types of alerts: they can contact administrators and safety staff for help, or they can trigger a campus-wide lockdown and notify local emergency responders. The wireless panic button system doesn’t rely on cellular or Wi-Fi connections to send an alert, so teachers can use the badge anywhere on campus with pinpoint location accuracy.
Onsite response teams receive immediate notifications with a Safety Blueprint map showing who needs help and precisely where they are located, down to the floor and room. Notification steps are automated to reduce human error and delays.
Assistant Superintendent Richard Dean (Frenship ISD, Texas) says his schools’ teachers—who are also parents—feel much safer knowing they can push a button to request help: “The teachers love the response time that they get. Instead of trying to remember to call this person or that person, they push the button and people show up. And we have it tied to where all of our law enforcement— we have a police officer on every campus, plus some extras—and each one of them get any staff alert. Anytime a button is pushed, they get it in case they’re in the area and they can respond. And so it’s a powerful, powerful tool for notifications.”
Less Confusion, More Clarity
CENTEGIX Safety BlueprintⓇ is an intelligent response mapping solution that helps schools optimize incident response. Staff can access and update one digital map with current and precise location mapping of every building and asset, such as fire extinguishers, AEDs, and evacuation points. These critical details provide clarity and eliminate confusion so first responders can make the most of every second during an emergency
Dynamic mapping: Dynamic mapping is an integral part of the CENTEGIX Safety Platform. It doesn’t just provide clarity during a crisis; it also helps schools with safety planning and visitor management. Live, multi-layered digital maps are to scale and interactive, allowing schools to quickly disseminate accurate campus information. Maps show the exact locations of safety assets, including AEDs, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, utility access points, and evacuation points.
When an alert is triggered, the map displays the alert’s precise location. Dynamic mapping empowers responders to assess situations, make informed decisions, and respond rapidly during an emergency. When responders know the precise location of an incident and where to find the closest life-saving devices and emergency assets, they reduce incident response time.
Live video: For schools implementing CENTEGIX’s location-aware video feature, the moment a CrisisAlert badge is activated, live video feeds from the nearest cameras are displayed for onsite responders, providing them with a real-time view of the emergency. Having eyes on the event allows responders to assess the severity and nature of an event and deliver an appropriate response.
Enhanced Visitor Management: When campus visitors are issued CENTEGIX Visitor badges with locating capabilities, they will appear on the live facility map. These empower administrators to locate volunteers, contractors, parents, and guests in real time.
The Visitor Management component of the CENTEGIX Safety Platform makes sure that everyone who comes to campus is cleared to be there. You can authenticate, manage, and locate campus visitors. Every visitor’s government ID is scanned and compared to state and proprietary databases to prevent sex offenders and parents embroiled in custody issues from entering the school when they shouldn’t. Versatile check-in options save time without sacrificing security: Campus visitors can scan a QR code with their smartphone for quick, convenient check-in. Self-service kiosks can also enable guests to check in at any school entry point—from the cafeteria to the athletic field—anywhere you want to provide entry.
Reliable, Gap-Free Coverage
Every person, every time: That’s our goal. The CENTEGIX Safety Platform aims to give schools complete coverage, so every person on campus is notified every time an emergency occurs, no matter where they are on the property.
When an emergency is signaled, the Safety Platform employs multi-sensory notifications. Alerts, strobes, and notifications activate immediately through dedicated networks, providing full coverage even if phones or Wi-Fi fail. With desktop takeovers, a message displays across all screens to signal an emergency and the actions to take to get to safety.
Wireless strobes (flashing colored lights) provide an immediate, visual cue across campus. Strobes are essential for alerting areas not reached by audio announcements or screens, for drawing attention when the environment is loud and intercoms may be drowned out, and they also notify hearing-impaired individuals of an emergency. Without strobes, there’s a risk someone could be left unaware and exposed to danger. Brent Kiger, Executive Director of Safety and Security of Olathe County Schools (KS), says, “One of the many benefits of Crisis Alert is that we’re going to be able to notify everybody extremely quickly. And if we don’t have a strobe, I can’t guarantee that everyone’s going to be notified. And that really is a key part of the program for us.”
Intelligent Systems, Improving Future Responses
The CENTEGIX platform aims to help schools learn and improve from every event using data-driven insights. Using the CENTEGIX Safety Platform Dashboard, leaders can compile custom data-driven reports to empower better planning, training, and readiness. Data reporting provides comprehensive data to help schools assess needs and plan for future emergencies, supporting key elements of safety planning such as in-house safety assessments and site-specific protocols.
Beyond immediate crisis response, these insights are invaluable for strategic resource allocation. By identifying patterns in where and when alerts occur, administrators can make informed improvements to:
- Classroom Management: Identify specific areas or times of day that may require additional behavioral support or environmental adjustments.
- Staffing & Supervision: Optimize the placement of SROs, counselors, or floating staff to high-traffic or high-incident zones, ensuring help is always within reach.
- Proactive Student Support: Data reporting keeps staff up to date on student trends. For example, by flagging a student’s pattern of frequent early check-ins and check-outs, staff can identify potential issues at home and offer proactive support before they escalate.
By turning every alert into a data point for growth, the platform helps schools transition from a reactive safety posture to a proactive culture of total campus wellness.
Can the CENTEGIX Safety Platform Help You Protect Your School?
The CENTEGIX Safety Platform delivered 265,000+ alerts in the 2024-2025 school year and over 950,000 alerts since inception. Find out how the Safety Platform can protect your students, teachers, staff, and community members.
