IT Services for Independent Schools in California | Cal-ISBOA Sponsor

★★★★★5.0
Rated 5.0 on Google · Clutch · CloudTango
Ranked #36 Nationally on MSP 501 · #4 in California
🏫 Cal-ISBOA Sponsor · Meet Us at the Conference

IT Services Built for Independent Schools Across California

  • Dedicated local IT team that understands how schools operate day to day
  • Proactive cybersecurity and compliance aligned with FERPA, CIPA and evolving standards
  • Seamless support for SIS, LMS and all classroom technology platforms
  • Reliable campus infrastructure with fast onsite response when it matters most
  • Fixed monthly pricing with no surprises, built for school budgeting
SCHEDULE FREE IT ASSESSMENT → (213) 873-7620
FERPA Compliant EdTech Support Zero Ransomware Record NorCal & SoCal
📋 FREE IT ASSESSMENT

Free IT Assessment

No obligation. We evaluate your environment and deliver a clear action plan within 24 hours.

New Front Page Form
0hrs
Planned Downtime
On Our Watch
8min
Avg. Response Time
20+
Years Serving
California
99.9%
Network Uptime SLA
Our Engineers
Senior talent, every ticket
The Team
California-based, on-call 24/7
Your Account Manager
Executive-level guidance included
Cal-ISBOA Sponsor
Supporting CA independent schools
Client Story

What Our Schools Say

★★★★★
“Advanced Networks has been a true partner for St. James Episcopal School. From day one they understood independent school operations — compliance, EdTech, and budget. I highly recommend them to any independent school in California.”
Debbi Davis — Head of School
St. James School
FERPA Compliant Cal-ISBOA Member Zero Data Breaches
30+
Full-Time Technicians
24/7
SOC Monitoring
200+
Organizations Served
#36
Nationally • MSP 501
Some of the schools we’ve had the privilege of serving

Attending Cal-ISBOA? Let's connect while you're there.

OUR COMMITMENT

Why We Sponsor Cal-ISBOA

Simple. Independent schools in California deserve the same quality of IT support and cybersecurity that large institutions take for granted. We sponsor Cal-ISBOA because we want to be in the room with the people making technology decisions for these schools and we want to earn the right to support them.

Who We Serve

IT Support for Every Type of
Independent School in California

From small private academies to large independent K-12 campuses, we understand the unique IT demands of California’s independent school environment.

🏫

Independent K-12 Schools

Full-service IT for private and independent K-12 schools across Northern and Southern California, covering all grade levels and campus needs.

🏘️

Private Day & Boarding Schools

Reliable IT infrastructure for residential campuses, dormitory networks, 24/7 monitoring, and secure access management for students and staff.

⛪

Faith-Based & Parochial Schools

Scalable managed IT and cybersecurity for faith-based independent schools throughout California, with flexible models that fit school budgets.

🌱

Early Education & Montessori

COPPA-compliant IT support for preschool, early education, and Montessori schools, protecting the youngest learners’ data and privacy.

🌊

NorCal Independent Schools

Serving independent schools throughout the Bay Area, Sacramento, and Northern California with remote-first support and fast on-site response.

☀️

SoCal Independent Schools

Deep roots serving independent schools in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and the greater Southern California region since 2001.

Case Study

Inside a School IT Partnership

Notre Dame High School
Notre Dame High School
Independent high school · 1,200+ students · California
★★★★★
  • Independent high school supporting 1,200+ students and faculty
  • Worked alongside internal IT to strengthen reliability and security across critical campus systems
  • Segmented the network to separate traffic and improve performance and security
  • Identified and resolved network bottlenecks and device-level issues impacting daily performance
  • Optimized existing Meraki network and Darktrace security platform
  • Provided ongoing support with predictable monthly costs and no surprises
  • Set up 24/7 monitoring across all critical network, server, and cloud systems
Common Challenges

What Independent Schools Face
Without the Right IT Partner

Compliance Gaps
Most independent schools lack the documented FERPA, CIPA, and COPPA controls required to protect student data and satisfy regulatory and accreditation requirements.
Ransomware & Cyber Threats
Schools are prime ransomware targets due to lean IT staff and legacy systems. A single breach can expose thousands of student records and shut down operations.
Fragmented EdTech Environments
Google Workspace, Blackbaud, Veracross, ManageBac, FACTS: independent schools run dozens of platforms that rarely talk to each other without expert integration support.
Budget Constraints
Independent schools operate lean. Unpredictable IT costs, aging hardware, and surprise repair bills make it impossible to plan. Our flat-rate model eliminates all of that.
No Dedicated IT Staff
Most independent schools rely on understaffed IT support that wasn't built for today's evolving threats and compliance demands. We become your fully-staffed IT department at a fraction of the cost of hiring in-house.
Remote Learning Readiness
Inconsistent Wi-Fi, inadequate device management, and poor video conferencing infrastructure leave schools unprepared for hybrid or remote instruction when it matters most.
Our Services

Everything Your School Needs,
One Flat Monthly Rate

No surprise bills. No per-ticket fees. Just comprehensive IT support designed for California independent schools.

Managed IT & Help Desk
Unlimited support tickets, 8-minute response SLA, remote and on-site assistance for all staff and faculty statewide.
Cybersecurity & Compliance
FERPA, CIPA and COPPA compliance documentation, EDR and MDR protection, threat monitoring, email security and annual security training for staff.
EdTech Platform Support
Google Workspace for Education, Blackbaud, Veracross, ManageBac, FACTS, Canvas, Zoom, we support every platform your school runs.
Network & Wi-Fi Infrastructure
Campus-wide wireless design, structured cabling, secure guest networks, and bandwidth management for classrooms and admin offices.
Hardware-as-a-Service
Chromebooks, MacBooks, iPads, and workstations bundled into your monthly rate. No capital purchases, no refresh planning headaches.
Cloud & Backup
Secure cloud storage, automated offsite backup, disaster recovery planning, ensuring critical school data is always protected and recoverable.
Student Data Protection
Data loss prevention, encryption, and access controls that keep student and family records secure across all systems and devices.
vCIO & Strategic Planning
A dedicated virtual CIO who attends board meetings, prepares technology roadmaps, and aligns your IT with the school’s long-term mission.
Why Independent Schools Choose Us
  • Full EdTech Stack Support
  • 20+ years serving California schools
  • FERPA & CIPA compliance expertise
  • Flat-rate, all-inclusive pricing
  • 8-minute average response time
  • NorCal & SoCal coverage
  • Dedicated school IT specialists
  • EDR + MDR Security Stack
  • 99.9% network uptime SLA
Compliance & Regulatory

Every Compliance Obligation
Your School Must Meet

We build and maintain the documentation, controls, and policies California independent schools require.

📚
FERPA
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act: protecting student education records with proper access controls and breach protocols.
💻
CIPA
Children's Internet Protection Act: content filtering, internet safety policies, and E-Rate compliance for school networks.
🧒
COPPA
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act: parental consent workflows, data minimization, and vendor compliance for under-13 students.
🔐
SOPIPA / CCPA
California student and consumer privacy laws: vendor contracts, data use agreements, access controls and policy management for SOPIPA, AB 1584 and CCPA.
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E-Rate
FCC E-Rate program compliance for discounted internet and networking services, including CIPA certification requirements.
🛡️
NIST CSF
NIST Cybersecurity Framework alignment: the baseline many cyber insurers require for independent schools seeking coverage.
✅
Cyber Insurance
Documentation and controls that satisfy cyber insurance underwriters, including MFA, endpoint protection, and backup requirements.
🤖
AI Governance
Acceptable use policies for AI tools, student data protection in AI platforms, and guidance on responsible AI use across your school community.
Strategic Partnership

More Than IT Support
A True School Technology Partner

California’s independent schools don’t need a break-fix vendor. They need a strategic technology partner who understands enrollment pressures, accreditation requirements, and the unique culture of independent school leadership.

This is our first year as a Cal-ISBOA sponsor. We signed up because independent schools kept coming to us with the same problem: IT vendors who treat them like small businesses rather than the complex, compliance-driven environments they are. We are here to do better.

  • Dedicated school IT account manager who knows your campus by name
  • Quarterly technology reviews aligned to school calendar and budget cycle
  • Board-ready reporting and technology roadmap presentations
  • Priority escalation during back-to-school, enrollment, and testing seasons
  • Staff onboarding/offboarding workflows built around your HR processes
  • 24/7 monitoring of all critical network, server, and cloud systems with immediate alerting and response
20+
Years in California
200+
Organizations Served
0
Ransomware Incidents
99.9%
Network Uptime SLA
TECHNOLOGY STACK

The Platforms We Support

SIS
🏫
PowerSchool / Skyward / Veracross / Aeries
All major student information systems
LMS
🖥
Canvas / Schoology / Finalsite
LMS platforms, course delivery & school web portals
Finance & Fundraising
💰
Blackbaud / FACTS Management
Donor management, fundraising, tuition & financial aid
Cybersecurity
🛡
EDR / MDR & Staff Training
Endpoint protection, 24/7 threat monitoring & annual staff cybersecurity training
Cloud & Productivity
☁
Google Workspace / Microsoft 365
Email, Drive, Teams, SharePoint & collaboration
MDM
🔧
Jamf / Intune / MDM
Apple, Windows & Chromebook device management & enrollment
Student Devices
💻
MacBooks, Chromebooks & iPads
Provisioning, repair & device lifecycle management
Staff & Servers
🖥
Staff Computers & On-Prem Servers
Windows/Mac workstations, server maintenance & backups
Network
📶
Cisco Meraki / Ubiquiti
Campus wireless & network infrastructure
Content Filtering
🛡
Lightspeed Systems
Internet safety & CIPA compliance for school networks
Classroom Tech
📺
Smart Boards & AV Systems
Interactive displays, projectors & classroom AV
AI Tools
🤖
AI Tools & Governance
ChatGPT, Copilot & Gemini management with FERPA-compliant data protection
What Schools Say

Trusted by California Independent Schools

Advanced Networks Team with School Client
REAL CLIENTS. REAL RESULTS.
From private academies to large K-12 campuses, we’ve earned the trust of California’s best independent schools.
★★★★★

“As a CFO who has worked in independent schools for over 20 years. Advanced Networks is my go-to for technology and network support. They provide end-to-end IT, learn your culture, and create efficiencies. There is no issue they cannot solve and they hire bright, curious professionals who truly care about your mission and the faculty and students they support. I would absolutely recommend them to business, and more specifically independent schools.”

Najah Lowe
Najah Lowe, CFO
Saint Andrew's Episcopal School · Saratoga, CA · Cal-ISBOA Member

We have had the privilege of working with independent schools across California, from elementary schools such as St. James School all the way to high schools like Notre Dame High School, and everything in between.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

We already have an IT person on campus. How does that work with you?
It works however makes sense for your school. Some schools we manage everything end to end. Others have an IT director who just wants us handling Tier 1 tasks like device setup and staff support so they can focus on higher-level work. Others have a help desk on site and need us to provide 24/7 network monitoring, cybersecurity, and compliance. We are comfortable in any capacity, from filling a single gap to running your entire IT operation, and ready to provide whatever services your school needs.
Can you support our teachers, staff and students directly?
Yes. We support everyone on campus: administrators, faculty, and students. Our team understands the difference between supporting a CFO troubleshooting financial software and a student who cannot connect to classroom Wi-Fi. We bring the patience and responsiveness that school communities require, without the learning curve of a vendor who has never worked inside a school before.
Can you support schools in Northern California?
Yes, and we already do. We have active clients in Northern California today across multiple industries, with local technicians already on the ground. While we are headquartered in Southern California, we are well established in the Bay Area and Sacramento. Independent schools in those regions get the same 1-hour onsite SLA and response times as every other client we serve.
Can you help with E-Rate?
We do not file E-Rate applications directly, but we manage the entire process from start to finish. We work with trusted E-Rate partners who handle the filing and compliance side, and we coordinate everything around it including scoping, vendor selection, documentation, and implementation. Schools we work with have successfully received E-Rate funding and we make sure nothing falls through the cracks on the IT side.
We already have an IT provider. How difficult is it to switch?
Easier than most schools expect. We handle the entire transition including documentation, system access, vendor contacts and staff onboarding. Most schools are fully switched over within two to three weeks with no disruption to daily operations.
How should our school be thinking about AI?
AI tools are already in your classrooms whether you have a policy or not. We help schools build acceptable use policies, ensure student data is protected when staff and students use AI platforms, and make sure your infrastructure can support these tools without creating compliance or security gaps.
Can you help us achieve FERPA and CIPA compliance?
Absolutely. We handle the full compliance lifecycle, from initial gap assessment and policy documentation to ongoing monitoring and annual staff training. We maintain the controls and paperwork so your school is always audit-ready.
Do you only work with schools?
No, and that is actually an advantage. We work across financial services, healthcare, legal, and manufacturing. That breadth means we bring security standards and compliance practices from industries with far stricter requirements than most schools face. Your school benefits from that depth without paying enterprise prices.
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Proud Sponsor of Cal-ISBOA

Advanced Networks is a proud sponsor of the California Independent School Business Officers Association (Cal-ISBOA), serving over 280 independent schools statewide. We are deeply committed to supporting the operational excellence and data security of California’s independent school community, from San Diego to San Francisco.

Ready to Modernize IT at Your Independent School?

Attending Cal-ISBOA? Schedule time with our team during the conference.

We'll be onsite and available to meet with school leaders throughout the event.

SCHEDULE FREE IT ASSESSMENT → (213) 873-7620
Cal-ISBOA Sponsor · FERPA & CIPA Compliant · NorCal & SoCal Coverage · Zero Ransomware Record

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