A new nationwide survey highlights persistent challenges in securing school entrances, even as more campuses ramp up surveillance and safety protocols. According to research commissioned by Singlewire Software and conducted by independent firm Researchscape, only 17% of K-12 school staff members feel their campus entrances are completely secure.
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Additionally, multiple challenges were cited for maintaining a secure school entrance, including guests not following check-in procedures (31%), lack of staff (30%), and no way to verify guest identities (24%).
The study surveyed more than 500 school staff members across the U.S. in January and February 2025.
The report reveals several key insights, including:
- A majority of schools are monitoring their entrances 24/7: 595 of staff members said their school entrances are always supervised and monitored, and 32% said entrances are monitored daily when school is in session.
- School staff are satisfied with the effectiveness of security protocols: 32% of respondents rated their current entrance security protocols as “Excellent,” while half (50%) rated them as “Good.”
- Schools heavily rely on video surveillance for entrance security: 89% of schools have video surveillance in place, and 43% are planning to purchase or upgrade video surveillance tools in the next two years.
- School staff overwhelmingly know what to do when issues arise: If there is a problem at the front entrance, 89% of school staff said they know how to respond.
- Communication tools play a crucial role in security: K-12 campuses are employing a wide range of technology to address security issues at the school entrance, and only 1% of respondents said their schools do not have an established communication system in place.
“While schools are prioritizing safety at their entrances, challenges and gaps remain,” said Joanna Haugland, chief product officer for Visitor Aware at Singlewire Software. “As schools look for ways to further enhance entrance safety, proactive tools that help identify potential threats and prevent them from accessing buildings will play a crucial role in keeping students and staff safe from harm.”
