Parent Information

Frequently Asked Questions

To retrieve a forgotten District Issued guardian ID and/or initial password, go to the Columbia Public Schools (CPS) Families Portal Username and Guardian Email Check webpage.

Is there a CPS Families Portal app?

Yes, the ClassLink App for Families is available. It can be found in the Google Play and Apple App Store. The app is called ClassLink Launchpad. Once installed, guardians will be prompted to search for a school. Enter "Columbia" and choose Columbia Public School for Families. The app opens a full version (not a mobile version) of the websites -- Schoology, Parentlink, etc. Single-sign-on for the apps we currently have it turned on for should work, though.

The image displays the text "App Store" in large, bold letters against a plain white background.

How do I log in to the CPS Families Portal?

How do I setup Password Recovery?

After logging into the CPS Families Portal for the first time, it is recommended that you set up Password Recovery. This allows you to recover your password without contacting the Help Desk.

Click your avatar in the top right corner of the screen.
Select My Profile.
On the left side of the page, select Password Recovery Setup.
Confirm the recovery email address you want to use.
If the email address has not already been verified, follow the steps to verify it.
Select or create the security questions you want to use as challenge questions.

If you forget your password in the future, select Help, I forgot my password located under the sign-in area on the CPS Families login page.

The CPS Families Portal has asked me to install a ClassLink OneClick Extension. Do I need to do this?

It is recommended that you install the ClassLink OneClick Extension if your browser prompts you. This extension allows easier access to certain applications when they are accessed through the CPS Families Portal. You will only need to enter your username and password one time, and the extension will remember it for future use. The ClassLink OneClick Extension also enables single sign-on (SSO).

Download the ClassLink OneClick Extension from the ClassLink website (select your browser under LaunchPad).

Note: Some browsers, such as Safari Mobile, do not support the ClassLink OneClick Extension. If you are using an iPhone or iPad, we recommend using the ClassLink LaunchPad app to access the CPS Families Portal from a mobile device.

Important: Schoology is one of the applications that requires the ClassLink OneClick Extension. Without the extension, the CPS Families Portal cannot automatically sign you in.

Can multiple people in my household use the CPS Families Portal / CPS Portal from the same computer?

We recommend that if guardians, staff, or students share a computer, they use separate Windows / macOS profiles on that computer. This will prevent caching issues, which can cause problems with accessing apps from the Portal (Schoology, for instance). If guardians, staff, or students do not have separate Windows / Mac profiles, we recommend that each fully logs out of apps and Portal before another member of the household attempts to access the CPS Families Portal / CPS Portal. Another option is to have each member use a different browser type (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.).

Can I sort the icons in a way that makes sense to me?

To organize icons in the CPS Families Portal, right-click on a blank area of the screen after logging in and select Sort By. You can also select Edit Mode to customize the layout of your CPS Families Portal.

Note: If a folder shows a lock icon, it is centrally managed and cannot be modified.

To create a new folder while in Edit Mode:

Click and drag one item onto another.
Hold the item until New Folder appears.
Select New Folder to create the folder.

You can also choose the New Folder option directly while in Edit Mode.

I work for the district, and I’m also a guardian. Will I access CPS digital resources for my students through the CPS Portal?

Why do I use a district-issued Guardian ID instead of a username to log in?

Who should I contact if I have questions about what I see when I log in to the CPS Families Portal?

Children’s Online Privacy and Protection Act (COPPA)

Columbia Public Schools (CPS) utilizes a variety of software applications and web-based tools operated by third-party vendors to support student learning. These resources are vetted through the Technology and Curriculum Departments. Students’ use of these tools is governed by the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), enacted in 1998 and amended in 2012.

The intent of COPPA is to safeguard students’ personal information when accessing online services, including apps and websites directed primarily to audiences under age 13. This legislation also applies to general audience sites that acknowledge they collect personal information from users under age 13.

To allow student access to an application, site, or tool, certain identifiable information such as a student’s name, login, or email account may be required by the operator. COPPA grants schools the authority to act as the parent’s agent, consenting to the use of student information for educational purposes only. CPS uses several tools to verify privacy policies, including the Student Privacy Pledge and the Common Sense Media Privacy Program.

Additional Resources