When a school district grows, so do the challenges of keeping families engaged. For Moline-Coal Valley School District in Illinois, expansion meant welcoming a more diverse student population—families who spoke different languages, teachers who wanted to form stronger connections with students, and administrators looking to foster a unified school culture. But how do you bring everyone together in a way that feels seamless, inclusive, and engaging?

In their search for a solution, Moline-Coal Valley found ClassDojo, the premier school communication app designed to transform classrooms into thriving communities. What started as a simple communication tool quickly became an essential part of the district’s culture, doubling family engagement and strengthening relationships across every school. 

Breaking language barriers, building stronger bonds

For many families in Moline-Coal Valley, staying involved in their child’s education was a challenge—not because they weren’t interested, but because communication methods weren’t built for them. Emails and phone calls often didn’t translate well across languages, leaving some parents feeling disconnected from their child’s school experience.

When the district introduced ClassDojo, everything changed. With its instant translation feature, messages from teachers and administrators were automatically converted into families’ preferred languages, creating a direct and meaningful connection between home and school. Suddenly, parents who had once struggled to stay informed were engaging with teachers, participating in school events, and playing a more active role in their kids’ learning.

Creating a culture of recognition and connection

Communication wasn’t the only gap Moline-Coal Valley aimed to close—they also wanted to build a school culture where students felt seen, appreciated, and motivated. ClassDojo gave educators the tools to celebrate small wins in big ways, whether through personalized messages, Points for positive behavior, or classroom updates that showcased student achievements.

Administrators took it a step further. They used ClassDojo not only to send announcements, but also to foster deeper connections with students and teachers. Tracking engagement trends allowed them to recognize standout students and educators in meaningful ways, a digital shoutout or a personal moment of recognition in the hallway. This simple shift helped reinforce a culture where everyone felt valued and connected, strengthening relationships throughout the district.

Strengthening teacher-student relationships in every classroom

For teachers who worked across multiple schools, keeping up with students’ progress and maintaining meaningful connections was always a challenge. Some only saw certain students a few times a week, making it difficult to build rapport and provide consistent support.

With ClassDojo, those barriers disappeared. Teachers could check in on student progress in real-time, send encouragement when students hit milestones, and provide targeted support when needed. Even when face-to-face interactions were limited, students felt their teacher’s presence, reinforcing trust and engagement in ways that emails or traditional communication tools never could.

"It’s not just communication. It’s the behavioral piece, the skills piece, it’s 
all connected. It creates a sense of togetherness and community."  Brian Prybil, Deputy Superintendent

What started as a need for better communication evolved into something bigger: Moline-Coal Valley had built a more engaged, inclusive, and connected school community. By embracing ClassDojo, the district didn’t just improve family engagement; they transformed how students, teachers, and parents interacted, creating a foundation for long-term success. Explore MCVUSD’s customer story at [link].

With ClassDojo, 96% of schools see improved family engagement. Ready to build stronger school-home connections? Learn more about ClassDojo for Districts.