In West Orange, Texas—a town described as “a quintessential small town” by Communications Director Dawn Martin—the local school district is making big strides in how it connects with families. At West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District (WOCCISD), improving parent communication isn’t just a goal—it’s a district-wide commitment.
WOCCISD serves approximately 2,500 students and their families, and Dawn and her colleagues are on a mission to reach every one of them.
About West Orange-Cove CISD
WOCCISD is a district that prioritizes college and career readiness, offering robust CTE programs and opportunities for students to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree. It’s a critical service for a district in which 90% of students come from economically disadvantaged households.
“Despite what people may think, this generation is very forward thinking,” says Dawn. “They’re in tune with the world around them. When given the right opportunity, they seize it—and they’re very geared toward success.”
Why a School Communication App for Parents Matters
To empower their students, WOCCISD understands the essential role of parent and guardian involvement. But reaching families in today’s world isn’t simple.
“One of the challenges that we find is people like to receive their information differently,” Dawn explains. “Some people may want a text, others an email, a post on social media, or an update on the website. Long gone are the days of paper flyers—everything is digital now.”
That’s why the district implemented a school communication app for parents—a mobile solution that supports real-time updates, centralized messaging, and multi-platform delivery.
Improving Parent Communication with a Unified Platform
WOCCISD partnered with Edlio to roll out a unified communication system that includes their website, mobile app, callout system, and social media tools—all managed from a single platform.
“Edlio for us is a one-stop shop,” says Dawn. “We can send out information quickly and consistently across all platforms. It saves time and ensures parents stay in the loop with weekly campus updates. That keeps them involved and connected to what’s happening in our schools.”
For school districts working to improve parent communication, a centralized, mobile-first approach like WOCCISD’s ensures no family is left out of the conversation.
Telling the Story of a Small Town with a Big Impact
When we visited WOCCISD this spring, it was immediately clear that their story represented something larger. Orange, Texas may be small, but the passion of its educators, parents, and students mirrors what’s happening in communities across the country.
We sent an Emmy-winning filmmaker to interview the district’s Communications Director, a high school principal, and a parent to get a full picture of how the Edlio mobile app is helping strengthen school-to-home communication and improve engagement at every level. We’re proud and excited to bring you their story.
🎥 Watch the Video: See How One District Is Reaching Every Family
If you're a superintendent, communications leader, technology director, or school principal looking for real-life strategies for improving parent communication in schools, this is the story for you.
