Seattle, WASeattle Public Schools (SPS) has issued an urgent advisory to families and staff regarding an unauthorized iOS application, “The Source: SPS,” falsely representing itself as an official school resource. The district urges all users to immediately delete the app due to concerns over misleading branding, unauthorized use of SPS intellectual property, and potential data privacy confusion.
District Raises Red Flags Over Unauthorized Grade-Tracking App
In an official communication sent Monday evening, SPS warned that the mobile app closely mimics the appearance and functionality of the district’s legitimate online portal, The Source, used by students and parents to access grades, attendance, and academic records. However, the app in question is not affiliated with or approved by Seattle Public Schools.
“The developers of this app are inappropriately using the SPS name and logo without our permission,” the district wrote in its message to the community.
SPS emphasized that while the third-party developer does not have access to internal SPS systems such as login credentials, grades, or passwords, the use of the district’s branding could lead to confusion or misuse. All data in the unauthorized app is stored locally on individual devices, according to the district.
Additionally, SPS noted that the app carries a $7.99 download fee, compounding concerns about unauthorized monetization of student-related tools.
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The Developer’s Background: A Student-Led Innovation Turned Business
Following the district’s warning, GeekWire investigated and uncovered that the app was initially developed by Evan Mazor, a Roosevelt High School alumnus from the Class of 2023. Now a computer science student at Lehigh University, Mazor had independently created and maintained the app for over three years, initially offering it as a free and helpful tool for SPS students and families.
In a public statement on LinkedIn, Mazor explained:
“This is a huge accomplishment for me and the culmination of three years of constant work on the app—fixing bugs, implementing new features, and scaling for a growing user base. We recently surpassed 17,000 monthly active users and over 30,000 total downloads.”
Rated 4.5 stars on the Apple App Store and boasting over 550 five-star reviews, the app featured a modern, user-friendly design that simplified access to grades and attendance. It also introduced innovative tools not available in the official SPS system, including:
- Attendance summaries
- Real-time GPA calculations
- Interactive “what-if” grade sliders
These added features helped users better track academic performance and plan for improvement—benefits frequently cited in user reviews and feedback.
Mazor shared that the app had made a meaningful difference in the lives of local students:
“I loved creating and working on the app. Many students told me it helped them get organized and improve their grades.”
App Acquisition and the Shift to a Paid Platform
The situation changed significantly when the app was acquired in September 2024 by GradePro, a company under the Sparksuite umbrella based in the Houston area. Following the acquisition, GradePro began migrating users from Mazor’s original app to their own platform, offering additional features under a $7.99 annual subscription plan.
The original app was subsequently removed from the App Store on the morning of October 22, shortly after GeekWire contacted GradePro and its parent company for comment.
In an official email response, Wes Cossick, a representative from GradePro, confirmed that the removal of the original app was part of the company’s planned strategy:
“It was a popular app used for years by students and parents in Seattle Public Schools, and we’re excited to offer an even more robust experience through the GradePro platform. The migration of users was completed last week, and the app has now been removed from the App Store.”
GradePro positions itself as a provider of intuitive and secure grade-tracking tools for K–12 students and families across the United States. The company claims to adhere to industry-standard privacy protections and currently serves over 1 million users.
Seattle Public Schools Reaffirms Official Platforms and Data Security
In its message to the community, SPS reinforced that PowerSchool Mobile remains the district’s only authorized mobile application for accessing student data, including grades, attendance, and assignments. This official app is free to use and fully integrated with the SPS student information system, ensuring data integrity, compliance, and family trust.
“We are taking all appropriate actions to stop the misleading marketing of this unauthorized application,” SPS stated. “For the safety and privacy of our community, we strongly advise using only district-approved digital platforms.”
Seattle Public Schools also confirmed it is working internally and with legal advisors to prevent further unauthorized use of district branding and to protect families from potentially confusing third-party applications.
Implications for App Developers and Educational Tech Platforms
This incident highlights a growing challenge for public school districts nationwide: balancing innovation with regulation in the age of third-party education technology.
On one hand, tools like Mazor’s app reflect student-driven ingenuity and a demand for modernized access to academic data. On the other hand, districts must enforce clear boundaries around data access, licensing, and privacy, particularly when tools are monetized or presented as official resources.
The SPS incident underscores the importance of:
- Transparent branding: Apps that use district names, logo, or color schemes must have formal permission.
- Contractual compliance: Districts are often bound by data-handling agreements with vendors like PowerSchool, limiting third-party integrations.
- User data protection: Even if no internal data is breached, districts are obligated to protect users from misrepresentation or unauthorized services.
What Families and Students Should Do Next
If you or your child downloaded “The Source: SPS” app, Seattle Public Schools advises the following actions:
- Uninstall the app immediately to prevent confusion with the district’s official platform.
- Avoid entering login credentials into any third-party applications not endorsed by SPS.
- Switch to PowerSchool Mobile, the district-approved solution for grade and attendance tracking.
- Monitor official district communications for updates or further instructions.
For families who paid for the app or migrated to the GradePro subscription model, no refund policy was disclosed by the app developer or the acquiring company as of this writing.
Final Thoughts: A Teachable Moment in Tech Ethics and Student Innovation
The story of “The Source: SPS” app began as a student-led passion project, aiming to solve real problems in how academic information is accessed and understood. Its popularity among students and parents underscores a genuine demand for improved digital tools in K–12 education.
However, the events that followed—its acquisition, rebranding, and monetization—highlight the fine line between personal innovation and institutional overreach. As school districts continue to digitize their services, the need for strict governance, secure platforms, and clear communication has never been more essential.
Seattle Public Schools’ swift and public response sets a precedent for how school districts may handle similar situations going forward—prioritizing student safety, brand integrity, and data protection above all.
FAQ’S
Is “The Source: SPS” app officially endorsed by Seattle Public Schools?
YES: Seattle Public Schools has explicitly stated that it did not authorize the “The Source: SPS” app, nor does it have any affiliation with its developers or the acquiring company, GradePro.
Should I delete the “The Source: SPS” app from my device?
YES: SPS has advised all users to immediately uninstall the app due to unauthorized use of district branding and the potential for confusion or data misuse.
💸Why did the app charge a $7.99 fee?
YES: The original app, developed by a former SPS student, was free. After being acquired by GradePro, the app introduced a $7.99 annual subscription model, which was not authorized by the school district.
Was any student data or login information compromised?
YES. According to SPS, the app did not access or store district-managed data such as grades, passwords, or login credentials. All information was stored locally on user devices.
What is the official app recommended by Seattle Public Schools for checking grades?
YES: SPS recommends using the official PowerSchool Mobile app. It is free, secure, and fully compliant with SPS data systems and privacy standards.
Who created “The Source: SPS,” and why?
YES: The app was originally created by Evan Mazor, a 2023 Roosevelt High School graduate, as a tool to help fellow students better manage their academic data. It included features like GPA calculators and grade simulators not available in the district’s official system.
Why was the app removed from the App Store?
YES: The app was removed after GeekWire shared SPS’s warning with the acquiring company, GradePro. GradePro stated that the removal was part of their planned user migration to their own app platform.
Will Seattle Public Schools take legal action?
YES: SPS has not publicly disclosed any legal proceedings but has stated that it is “taking all appropriate steps” to prevent the unauthorized use of its name, logo, and branding.
How can I stay informed about SPS-approved digital tools?
YES: Parents and guardians should follow updates via the SPS website, official district emails, and communication through schools to ensure they’re using authorized, secure platforms only.
Conclusion
The case of the unauthorized “The Source: SPS” grade-viewing app serves as a crucial reminder of the evolving challenges faced by public school districts in a digitally connected world. While student-created tools like this one often emerge from genuine intent to improve educational access, the unauthorized use of district branding, combined with commercial monetization and third-party migration, introduces serious concerns around data privacy, user trust, and institutional compliance.
Seattle Public Schools acted swiftly and responsibly by alerting families, clarifying that no district data was compromised, and reiterating its commitment to approved platforms like PowerSchool Mobile. As education continues to intersect with student-led tech initiatives and third-party solutions, clear communication and strong digital governance remain key.
For families and educators alike, the lesson is clear: Always verify the authenticity of apps handling student data, and rely solely on official district tools for secure access to academic records.
