Mid Michigan Schools Hit by Major PowerSchool Data Breach

A massive PowerSchool data breach has compromised sensitive student data across the US and has struck at least two schools in Mid-Michigan.

PowerSchool is a cloud-based software program that helps students, school systems, and parents track grades, homework, attendance, and other education-related benchmarks.

Hackers Gain Access to Sensitive Student Data

Edtech, PowerSchool's parent company tells TechCrunch that hackers were able to gain access to highly sensitive information, including students' social security numbers, grades, addresses, and medical information.

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The California-based company says personal information about teachers, parents, and guardians, including names, email addresses, and phone numbers was also potentially compromised.

The data breach occurred when hackers gained access to the platform's support portal using stolen credentials. The data breach is believed to have occurred near the end of December 2024.

Roughly 16,000 customers use the software to track and support about 50 million K-12 students across North America. PowerSchool has not disclosed how many students' data may have been compromised.

Data Breach Reaches Mid-Michigan Schools

According to WILX-TV, the PowerSchool data breach has affected the school districts of Bath Township and Ingham County Intermediate School District.

Representatives from those school districts are still working to assess exactly what data has been leaked.

Since PowerSchool is widely used, it is possible that other Michigan schools and students could be affected.

Steps to Keep Your Personal Information Safe

In the event of any data breach event, tech experts offer the following advice in order to safeguard against compromised data.

• Change your password
• Enable Mult-factor (or multi-factor) verification when applicable
• Change passwords on any accounts where the same usernames, passwords, or security questions are used.