Deleted. The app Wave goes off from students’ phones as they download Reach, school life management software specifically designed for boarding schools. Similarly to Wave, which was developed by former Hill students, Reach enables students to mark their locations throughout the day. Faculty can also monitor the location of a student from the app. Though Wave was efficient, its original developers announced that they would no longer support the program. Soon afterward, Hill reverted to its management software before Wave: Reach. Although unfamiliar to most students, Reach is proving to be convenient and functional, but not without controversy.
Some students, frustrated with Wave’s functionality, agree with the administration making the change to Reach. “I remember Wave being constantly shut down because the app had to be updated or the Wi-Fi wasn’t cooperating,” Emma Murray ’27 said. “I hope Reach will have less technical issues and will make it easier to use daily.
Some students also appreciate Reach’s easy to understand instructions. “It walks you through each step of making a leave request,” Taylor Timbrook ’26 mentioned.
Despite the promises of more user-friendly functionality, several students remain hesitant about the switch to Reach. Susanna Ponniah ’26 raised some concerns, recalling her experience submitting her summer leave request. “I thought it was just too much effort to put in a leave request,” Ponniah explained.
Additionally, Liam Mpofu ’26 suggested that some of the uncertainty surrounding Reach can be attributed to a lack of student knowledge of the app. “I haven’t been taught to use or set up the new software and as such, I believe that the older software is better,” Mpofu explained. Mpofu changed his view of Reach, however, after the school released a Reach instructional video on “Today on the Hill,” Hill’s daily school newsletter, which introduced students to the new user interface. “I definitely like Reach now,” Mpofu stated. “If nothing else, because the UI looks so smooth and cool.”
Along with Reach, Veracross, a new student information management system, has also been introduced, replacing MyBackPack and Senior Systems, the school’s antiquated database system. Veracross, like MyBackPack, allows students to view their schedules and disciplinary infractions, among other important student information.
Students got their first taste of Veracross when the academic office released student schedules on August 23. Though students noticed similarities between MyBackPack and Veracross, some including Ponniah found challenge accessing their new schedules.
“I felt like I was trying to navigate a maze to get to my classes,” Ponniah said.
While Veracross does offer a student directory just like MyBackPack, many students noticed that much of the comprehensive information previously available to them was no longer accessible. Students are left to wonder what dorm someone is in, who their dorm parent is, contact information for those in the community, and other details. Although some aspects of MyPackBack could have been considered intrusive to some, they enabled Hill students to learn more about their classmates, their friends, and their community.
Despite split responses, several expressed optimism aboutthis year’s new software. Director of Residential Life, Laura McConney, remained enthusiastic about the switch, explaining that Reach will make the daily duties of faculty more manageable. This extra efficiency will allow them to spend more time and focus on students. McConney surmised that there are no dramatic changes between Reach and Wave and that no significant rules would change. The only major change McConney noted is new terminology, which she believes will be an easy adjustment for students.
Her biggest piece of advice for students about the switch: “Be patient,” McConney stated.