Jupiter

Jupiter is a combined learning-management and student-information system built for public K–12 schools, from small charter schools to very large districts. It suits schools that want teachers’ grading workflows connected to student and roster administration; its breadth is compelling, but custom pricing and optional modules make scope and cost important to settle up front.

Overview

Jupiter brings gradebook, communications, and administration together rather than asking schools to assemble separate tools. Teachers can manage homework, tests, and essays in one gradebook, while the broader system supports a parent and student portal, progress reports, and standards-based grading. That school-wide reach is its chief advantage over a standalone gradebook, though schools seeking only a simple classroom tracker may not need a system at this scale.

The product is designed to scale from small charter schools to districts with hundreds of thousands of students. Its homepage says it serves 4.5 million students and supports deployments beyond 100,000 students, an indication of its intended reach rather than a substitute for checking whether its setup fits a particular school.

Key features

Flexible grading and assignment workflows

Teachers can enter grades as points, percentages, or letter grades, and use rubrics, grid entry, assignment entry, student entry, or seating-chart entry. That range accommodates different grading habits without forcing every teacher into one workflow. Online file submission and grading, plus writing directly on PDFs and images, keep assignment review within the system.

Google Drive and Dropbox imports can reduce friction when collecting work from those services. Paste Blocker and Lockdown add controls aimed at limiting copying or restricting activity during work; schools should decide whether those controls fit their own academic policies and classroom needs.

Integrations and school records

The gradebook connects with Google Drive, Dropbox, Google Classroom LTI, Clever, hundreds of learning apps, and Single Sign-On. Automated SFTP imports and exports provide another route for moving data. Jupiter also integrates with third-party SIS platforms and synchronizes students, staff, courses, sections, and rosters nightly. This makes it a stronger candidate for schools that need the gradebook tied to existing records, though the nightly schedule is worth considering where same-day synchronization is important.

Security, support, and optional modules

Jupiter says it is FERPA compliant, encrypts data in transit and at rest, and does not share data with third parties. It logs and cross-references logins, supports two-factor authentication and role-based restrictions, and backs up servers nightly off-site; its status page says its security is SOC 2 and Google CASA verified. These safeguards address important school concerns, but districts should still review the service against their own security requirements.

Jupiter says it answers most support email within one hour. Phone support is for school accounts, while free video tutorials and a searchable help guide offer self-service options. Scheduler, Enrollment, Payments, and State Reporting are optional upgrades, so schools should confirm which functions are included in their intended configuration.

Pricing

Jupiter is paid software with custom pricing; there is no free plan, but a free trial is available. Its Jupiter plan includes Gradebook, Communications, and Administration, with Scheduler, Enrollment, Payments, and State Reporting offered as optional upgrades. Without a published price or seat terms, a school should request a quote that spells out the core plan, any modules it needs, and the terms of the trial before comparing total cost.

The paid, school-wide scope is best suited to institutions that will use its connected gradebook and administration functions. Schools that only need a small number of classroom grading tools may find a free or lower-cost alternative easier to evaluate and budget for.

Platforms

Jupiter supports Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows, and offers an API. Its mobile app works on Android, iPhone, and iPad; browser access is available on Chromebook, Mac, and Windows without plug-ins. That mix can serve staff and families using different devices, rather than tying access to one desktop platform.

Who it's for

Jupiter makes the most sense for public K–12 schools and districts that want grading and student-information functions in one system, need roster synchronization, or expect to use several integrations. Its grading modes also suit schools where teachers need varied ways to enter marks and assess assignments.

It is less clearly suited to an individual teacher who needs only a lightweight gradebook, or to a school unwilling to assess custom pricing and optional modules before committing. Those buyers may prefer a simpler tool with a defined free tier or per-teacher price.

Pros and cons

• Broad school workflow: Gradebook, Communications, and Administration come together, reducing the need to split core tasks across separate systems.
• Flexible grading: Multiple grade formats and entry methods, plus rubrics and standards-based grading, accommodate different classroom practices.
• Useful data connections: Third-party SIS synchronization and integrations with common classroom services can reduce duplicate roster work.
• Pricing needs clarification: Custom pricing and optional upgrades make it harder to gauge the full cost before requesting a quote.
• May exceed a teacher’s needs: Its district-scale scope is a drawback if all that is needed is a basic class gradebook.

Alternatives

For a classroom-focused option with a free tier, consider SimpleGradebook, which is freemium and supports Android, iOS, and web. Gradebox is another freemium web option: its free teacher plan covers one classroom and 120 single-page assignment submissions or grades per month, while Pro costs $11.99 a month.

Schools comparing paid gradebook options can consider TeacherEase, which has a published yearly price of 104.06 USD for the 500–999 teacher tier, based on active employees. Additio App may suit teachers seeking an individual plan: Teachers Standard costs €13.99 a year and includes unlimited students, groups, evaluations, and rubrics.

Other options include GradingPal, iVake Gradebook, Gradekeeper, and NavEd Free Gradebook. Browse Gradebook Software for more options.

Verdict

Jupiter is a strong fit for K–12 schools that want grading, communications, and administration connected, with a wide range of grading workflows and integrations. Its main reason to choose it is that school-wide breadth; its main reason to look elsewhere is the need to request custom pricing and determine the cost of optional modules. Schools should weigh the full configuration against their needs, while teachers seeking only a basic gradebook should start with a simpler alternative.