Can schools text parents?

Yes. In a 2016 ruling about K-12 schools and districts, the FCC said schools can send automated emergency texts to the numbers families gave them, and that families who give a school their number have consented to texts closely related to the school's mission, such as notices of teacher conferences and school events. Messages beyond that need consent the family gave for them.

Do schools need 10DLC registration?

Yes, to text from ordinary local numbers. Schools and colleges register a brand and a campaign, and carriers have campaign types for K-12 and higher education. Signilio registers your brand and campaign during onboarding.

Can colleges text prospective students?

Yes, with consent. Admissions and enrollment texts encourage a purchase of a program, so treat them as marketing: get prior express written consent on your inquiry or application form, and include how to opt out.

How do schools text everyone at once in an emergency?

With a list built at enrollment and a message ready to send. Keep emergency texts short, name the school, and point to one place for updates. Plan for the volume: a closure goes to every family at once.

Industry

Texting for Schools and Colleges: Alerts, Families and Admissions

How schools, colleges and education programs text families and students: emergency alerts, reminders, admissions follow-up, consent, privacy and 10DLC.

A text reaches a parent in the car line and a student between classes faster than any email or app notification. Schools text closures and emergencies, reminders about events and deadlines, and attendance notes; colleges and training programs also text prospective students about applications and enrollment. Each of those follows slightly different rules.

Emergency and informational texts from schools

In a 2016 declaratory ruling about K-12 schools and school districts, the FCC said schools may send automated calls and texts about emergencies (weather closures, lockdowns, unexpected changes) to the numbers families gave them, and that a parent or student who gives a school their number has consented to automated calls and texts closely related to the school's mission, such as notices of teacher conferences and school events. Messages beyond that need consent the family actually gave for them.

Collect numbers and text consent at enrollment, as its own line on the form.
Keep the families' consent records yourself; Signilio doesn't keep that proof for you.
STOP-keyword opt-outs are honored automatically. For non-emergency messages, treat any reply asking you to stop as an opt-out too.

Keep student records out of texts

At schools that receive federal education funding, FERPA protects student education records. Keep grades, discipline, health and special-education details out of texts, and use your student information system or a call for anything specific to a student's record. A text should say there's something to look at, not what it is.

Admissions and enrollment texts

Texts that encourage a prospective student to apply, enroll or pay for a program are marketing. Sent with automated systems, they need the student's prior express written consent: an unchecked box on your inquiry or application form that names your institution, says they agree to receive texts, and says agreeing isn't a condition of enrolling. Keep them between 8am and 9pm in the student's local time. See how to word SMS consent.

10DLC registration for schools and colleges

Schools and colleges texting from local numbers register a brand and a campaign like any other sender; carriers have campaign types for K-12 and higher education. Describe your actual messages, from closures to admissions, and how families and students opt in. Since February 2025, US carriers block unregistered business traffic from local numbers. See 10DLC registration.

What texting costs a school

Closure and emergency texts go to everyone at once, so plan for spikes. On Signilio, Pro is $189.99 a month for 12,000 texts, 15 seats and 10 numbers, then 3¢ a text, with carrier fees included and replies free. See pricing.

None of this is legal advice; have counsel review your program before you send.

Sample texts for schools and education

Starting points to adapt. Bracketed fields are merge fields or your own details; every marketing text names your business and says how to opt out.

Closure alert

[School name]: school is closed today, Thu, due to weather. Updates at [link].

Event reminder

[School name]: parent-teacher conferences are Thursday 4 to 7pm. Sign up for a time: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out.

Admissions follow-up (opted-in prospect)

Hi [First name], it's [Name] from admissions at [College name]. Your application is almost done; anything I can help with? Reply STOP to opt out.

Deadline reminder

[College name]: the deposit deadline is May 1. Questions? Reply here. Reply STOP to opt out.

Common questions

Can schools text parents?: Yes. In a 2016 ruling about K-12 schools and districts, the FCC said schools can send automated emergency texts to the numbers families gave them, and that families who give a school their number have consented to texts closely related to the school's mission, such as notices of teacher conferences and school events. Messages beyond that need consent the family gave for them.
Do schools need 10DLC registration?: Yes, to text from ordinary local numbers. Schools and colleges register a brand and a campaign, and carriers have campaign types for K-12 and higher education. Signilio registers your brand and campaign during onboarding.
Can colleges text prospective students?: Yes, with consent. Admissions and enrollment texts encourage a purchase of a program, so treat them as marketing: get prior express written consent on your inquiry or application form, and include how to opt out.
What shouldn't schools put in a text?: Anything from a student's education record: grades, discipline, health or special-education details. At schools that receive federal education funding, FERPA protects those records. Say there's something to review and point families to your student information system or a call.
How do schools text everyone at once in an emergency?: With a list built at enrollment and a message ready to send. Keep emergency texts short, name the school, and point to one place for updates. Plan for the volume: a closure goes to every family at once.