Onboarding With Avela
A smooth start for a lasting partnership.
More Than Setup — A True Partnership
Getting started with Avela isn’t just about turning on software. It’s about making sure your team is ready to succeed from day one. Our Customer Success team has been in your shoes as enrollment leaders, so we know what matters most: clear steps, hands-on support, and a partner you can trust.
How We Help
All of our engagements start with an initial project planning. These are designed bespoke to your organization and needs, and will be staffed with Avela’s team of experts.
Make key decisions around family experience and administrator workflows
Configure your test (sandbox) and live (production) sites
Train your administrators with Avela’s support
Know how and where to get additional help
Feel confident using Avela every day
Our goal during implementation is to launch an enrollment system that works for administrators, families, and communities. By the end of onboarding, you will be confident in using the system.
Your Dedicated Team
When you partner with Avela, you’re paired with a dedicated account manager and supported by our full Customer Success team made up of former enrollment leaders who have run lotteries, managed applications, and worked directly with families. Think of them as an extension of your team: approachable, responsive, and committed to helping you and your community succeed.
Sonali Murarka Soi
A national expert in school enrollment systems with leadership experience across New York City and Oakland.
Carla Pugliese
An educator and consultant with experience spanning classroom teaching, school administration, and advising education organizations.
Rachel Abramowitz
A seasoned enrollment policy and operations leader who shaped policies and processes for New York City schools.
How We Get You Set Up
Every onboarding journey follows a proven path, tailored to the products and services you’ve chosen.
We align on your goals, programs, and success metrics while configuring your core settings — including your URL path, logo, and school list.
1. Kickoff & Branding
Your Avela rep creates your first forms in both sandbox and production environments. You’ll also get templates and guidance for customizing them to your needs.
2. Form Building
Using your sandbox environment, we’ll help you configure and test workflows, so your team feels confident before going live.
3. Workflow Setup
If your package includes data imports, we’ll provide templates and support for bringing in existing students, parents, or forms.
4. Data Imports
Before launch, we guide you through a detailed checklist to ensure everything is tested and ready, from form flows and permissions to communication templates.
5. Launch Checklist & Go-Live
Training & Knowledge Transfer
We don’t just set up your system; we make sure your team knows how to use it with confidence.
Training topics include:
Product overview/demo for new administrators
Site and application form configuration
Form questions and custom settings (e.g., triggered messages, next steps)
Family experience and administrator workflows
Navigating the admin portal (lists, filters, saved views, exports)
Taking action on applications (tagging, messaging, status changes)
Managing offers and waitlists
Lottery configuration and execution
Want a Sneak Peek?
Check out our Knowledge Base at help.avela.org