Skyward celebrates 45 years, from Stevens Point garage to national footprint

By Patrick Lynn

STEVENS POINT — What began in a Stevens Point garage in 1980 is now Skyward Inc., a company serving more than 7.8 million students nationwide as it marks its 45th anniversary.

Skyward provides school administration software to more than 2,700 school districts in 23 states. Despite its national reach, the company has kept its headquarters in Central Wisconsin, where it employs more than 700 people across 17 departments.

Skyward Chief Executive Officer Scott Glinski credited the company’s employees for its growth and stability.

“We are extremely proud of our team, and proud to maintain an impressive 98% employee retention rate,” Glinski said. “By taking care of our employees first, we are able to develop our teams and our products in-house.”

The company also runs a longstanding internship program and partners with local colleges to attract emerging talent. Many interns transition into long-term roles, and some former employees have returned after careers elsewhere.

In 2024, Skyward received the Wisconsin Innovation Award, recognition of its role as a leader in educational technology. The award highlighted the company’s focus on user-centered solutions and long-term investment in schools.

For more information about Skyward’s anniversary and initiatives, visit www.skyward.com.