Allen High: How Digital Tools Efficiently Run the Largest High School in Texas
Discover how Allen High uses digital hall passes and robust check in and behavior management systems to skyrocket student accountability, deepen student-teacher relationships, and enhance campus safety.
About Allen High School
Students
6,000+
Grades
10-12
The Challenge
Managing Safety, Security & Student Movement at a School That’s 20% Bigger Than Buckingham Palace
Spanning over 1,000,000 square feet, Allen High is the largest high school in Texas and one of the biggest in the country. The sprawling campus is a beacon of opportunity for students, offering interesting and unique programming through its renowned STEAM Center. With specialized courses in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics, Allen High fosters a rich environment for innovative learning and growth.
It’s a BIG place that’s full of promise and potential. But a school of this size also faces some very unique challenges relating to safety and security, with so many nooks and crannies scattered throughout the building. It was difficult to manage hall passes, track student behavior, and ensure accountability. Methods of monitoring and intervention were labor-intensive and often ineffective, leading to high rates of students wandering the halls, causing trouble and missing class.
KEY PROBLEM AREAS:
“
Our big priority is keeping our children in an environment where we know they’re safe and we know who’s in the building. We have active security but because we’re so big, there’s a lot of nooks and crannies. Before Minga, without viable systems in place, it was harder to keep kids where they should be and hold them accountable.”
The Solution
A Better Way to Manage Hallways, Student Behavior, and Tardies — in an All-in-One Platform
Exhausted by continual hallway monitoring and a subpar behavior management app, Allen High searched for a better way to streamline operations. Minga emerged as an intriguing option as it offered a comprehensive approach to managing hall passes, recording tardies, and monitoring student behavior. The icing on the cake was that all of this could happen within a single software solution.
There are many moving parts at such a large campus, but Allen High found the tools they needed to tighten up operations and encourage better behavior. They could now stop kids from hanging out in hallways, easily record and discourage tardies, manage student behavior effectively, and have access to clear and concise data.
What Minga Offered:
“
Stories talk loud, but data talks louder. It has been so useful to have Minga data. We can access this body of knowledge that drives intervention efforts. We might have a kid with depression or suicidal ideation and we can see that he’s going to the bathroom 5 times a day for 40 minutes each — that’s a red flag. It’s been a really good way for us to see if a kid needs more support.”
The Outcomes
Less Admin Strain on Teachers and a Safer Environment for Students
Improved Safety, Security, and Hallway Monitoring
Allen High boosted its existing security measures with Minga’s check-ins and digital hall passes. The accurate and real-time monitoring of student whereabouts has made the school a safer and more peaceful place to learn.
Reduced Incidents of Students Skipping Class
With Minga, the school has effectively used specific check-in locations, tardy stations, and clear hall pass expectations, making it harder for students to skip class unnoticed. The system also ensures that students are held accountable for attending their scheduled interventions.
Enhanced Student Engagement
Unlike Allen’s old software, Minga’s behavior management system is reliable and accurate. The points system has incentivized good behavior and rewarded students for doing the right thing — greatly boosting student engagement.
Recording Tardiness and Hall Passes More Effectively
Teachers no longer have to sweep the hallways for students, significantly reducing their stress and workload. With clear expectations and a reliable system, there’s less pushback from students, empowering staff to enforce rules without confrontation.
Teachers No Longer Need to be “The Bad Guy”
Minga has empowered educators by taking on the “bad guy” role in enforcing rules, so they can focus on teaching. This has helped to hold students accountable while simultaneously improving student-teacher relationships and reducing classroom tensions.
Robust Automations & Clear Data for Impactful Interventions
Minga’s data has enabled targeted interventions, allowing the school to better support students struggling academically or behaviorally. This approach has facilitated meaningful conversations between staff and parents and provided tailored support for students.
“
Minga has really empowered teachers to feel a sense of relief. They aren’t having to go and drive kids out of the hallway all the time.”
Key Results:
19% average monthly decrease
in tardy check ins
150,000+ digital hall passes
created over 1 semester, saving hours of teacher time
9 “No Party Groups” created
preventing unwanted meetups before they can happen
292,580 points assigned to students
for things like checking into events, good attendance, and not receiving any office referrals
2,240 praises assigned
for good behavior eg. being “safe” and “respectful”
1,212 automated detentions
saving teachers a ton of admin time
Are You Ready to Make Your School a Safer Place?
Experience the benefits that Allen, the largest High School in Texas, achieved with Minga! Schedule a 30-minute demo to discover how our Campus Management Platform can enhance safety and accountability at your school.