Student Data Privacy
ClassRows is built so that student data stays with the teacher. This page explains, in plain language, where your class lists live, what we can and can't see, and how ClassRows fits with FERPA and COPPA.
The short version
- Your class lists stay on your device unless you turn on sync. Without sync, student names are stored only in your browser and are never sent to our servers.
- Sync is optional and off by default. It's part of ClassRows Pro, and you turn it on yourself. All other features work without it.
- We never sell student data, use it for advertising, or build profiles of students. This applies whether or not sync is on.
- You can delete everything at any time. Clear your browser data, or turn off sync and delete your synced data.
Where your data lives
| Data | Where it's stored | Who can see it |
|---|---|---|
| Class lists, rules, and seating charts | Your browser's storage, on your device | Only you, on that device |
| Backup files you download | Wherever you save the file | Only you |
| Printed charts, PDFs, and PNGs | Wherever you save or share them | Whoever you share them with |
| Anonymous usage events, such as "a chart was exported" | Google Analytics | ClassRows, without student names |
| Synced class lists (only if you turn on sync) | ClassRows servers, encrypted | Only you, on your signed-in computers |
ClassRows doesn't need student emails, ID numbers, grades, birthdates, photos, or any information beyond the names you choose to enter. We recommend entering first names and last initials only. That's all a seating chart needs.
Without sync: nothing leaves your browser
When you use ClassRows without sync, which is the default and how most teachers use it, your class lists are saved in your browser's local storage on your device. They aren't uploaded, backed up, or visible to us in any form.
That has two practical consequences:
- Clearing your browser data deletes your class lists. That's a feature, since nothing lingers, but it also means you should download a backup file if you want a copy.
- Another computer won't have your classes. To move them, download a backup file and import it on the other computer.
With sync: what changes
If you subscribe to ClassRows Pro and choose to turn on sync, your class lists are saved to our servers so you can open them on another computer. Before sync turns on, ClassRows shows what will be uploaded and asks you to confirm.
When sync is on:
- We store only what a seating chart needs: student names, seats, rules, and saved arrangements.
- Data is encrypted in transit and at rest.
- We use it only to provide sync to you. We don't read it, analyze it, or share it, except with the infrastructure providers listed below that host it.
- You can turn sync off at any time and choose to delete your synced data immediately.
- If your subscription ends, your synced data stays available for export for 90 days, then it's deleted. The copy in your browser isn't affected.
FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a U.S. law that protects the privacy of student education records and governs how schools share them.
Without sync, ClassRows never receives student information, so no education records are disclosed to us. Your class lists stay under your control, on your device.
With sync, ClassRows stores student names on your behalf to provide the service you asked for. In that role, we commit to:
- using student information only to provide ClassRows to you;
- never selling it, using it for advertising, or disclosing it to anyone other than the providers needed to run the service;
- deleting it when you ask, or after your subscription ends as described above;
- notifying affected users promptly once we confirm a data breach.
Questions from schools and districts about student data, including data privacy agreements, are welcome at [email protected].
COPPA
The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a U.S. law that protects personal information collected online from children under 13.
ClassRows is made for teachers, not students. Students don't create accounts, sign in, or use ClassRows directly, and we don't knowingly collect personal information from children. Student names are entered by a teacher and, unless the teacher turns on sync, are never collected by us at all.
Analytics and cookies
We use Google Analytics to understand how ClassRows is used, for example how many charts are created or which export formats are popular. Analytics events never include student names, class names, or anything you type into your roster.
Visitors in the EU, UK, and other regions where consent is required see a choice before analytics cookies are set. ClassRows works fully whether you accept or decline. For details, see our Privacy Policy.
Service providers
| Provider | What it does | Student data? |
|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare | Hosts the website, and synced data for Pro users who turn on sync | No — unless you turn on sync |
| Google Analytics | Anonymous usage statistics | No |
| Waffo | Processes Pro subscription payments | No |
| Resend | Sends sign-in and account emails to Pro users | No |
This list is updated whenever our providers change. See the date at the bottom of this page.
Questions
Email [email protected]. We answer every privacy question, including questions from school and district administrators.