In 2025, schools continue to face long-standing challenges while constantly adapting to new ones. From teacher turnover rates to violence and emerging technological changes, the need for school safety protocols and solutions is now more important than ever. Take a look at some of the top challenges facing schools in 2025 and how to approach them effectively.
Swatting & Hoaxing
According to research, there were at least 723 swatting hoaxes at K-12 schools in 2023 alone. Swatting is the act of making a prank call to emergency services, causing real fear for all involved while also taking up emergency response personnel and resources away from actual emergencies. One research shows that each swatting instance “costs at least $100,000 for each emergency response, including SWAT call out, off-duty call in, and outside agencies searching the schools in the hours following a threat.” (Source) These hoaxes are detrimental to students’ safety, productivity, and mental health while taking away needed emergency response personnel and resources when they could be needed elsewhere. Whether the emergency is a hoax or not, having proper critical communication and collaboration tools in place to effectively respond to these situations is critical.
Rise of AI
From teachers to students, AI is becoming more and more prominent in schools throughout the nation. The use of AI in schools can be a positive tool for educating students and helping teachers with administrative tasks and efficiency. However, artificial intelligence can be seen as harmful and disruptive to how students’ brains develop and learn naturally in a school environment. The use of AI in k-12 schools will likely be an ongoing discussion in 2025 and we can expect changes in how it is used in educational settings.
Cybersecurity threats
According to the U.S. Department of Education, School districts across the country are experiencing an average of five cyber incidents per week. As schools become increasingly dependent on technology, protecting their information is critical. Ransomware attacks in particular are on the rise in K-12 schools. Ransomware attacks entail threat actors using malware to block access to network systems and then demand payment to unlock it. As cybersecurity attacks increase, schools must include these risks in their emergency response plans.
Violence
In addition to hoaxes, there are real instances of violence occurring in schools often. In 2024, there were 330 school shooting incidents alone, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database. These instances of violence in schools cause physical harm and increase anxiety and panic throughout the school. Ensuring that the schools are equipped with critical communication and collaboration tools to empower students and staff alike to feel safe and secure is vital. Along with a safety plan, allowing schools to report suspicious behavior anonymously can help prevent violence from the start.
Accidents and Injuries
While violence at school can lead to physical harm, accidents still occur on the regular. Some of the most common challenges at schools are day-to-day injuries like broken bones, allergic reactions, and traffic accidents. Responding to accidents is just as important as responding to violence and threats. A panic button provides school staff and administration a way to quickly notify all needed personnel to respond to these accidents.
Natural Disasters
While not applicable to just schools, natural disasters continue to impact our nation. From Hurricane Helene in 2024 to the Los Angeles fires in January 2025, there have been countless natural disasters in recent years. 2024 saw 403 weather and climate disasters in the US alone. When these occurrences affect towns and districts, schools are often under a delay or a full shutdown before they can be fully operational again. Whether it is a flooded street near campus or a complete shutdown, all involved need to be aware when a natural disaster strikes. Having a mass notification system that can alert all of those affected and provide timely updates as fast as possible is critical.
Keeping your students and staff safe on and off school grounds is imperative. Technology such as a custom-branded community app where anonymous tips can be reported, or a panic button, can empower students, teachers, and administration to feel safe and secure where they work and learn. It takes a village to keep schools safe and the Rave Mobile Safety suite is here to help keep all needed stakeholders informed and connected when it matters most.
For more information about our Rave Mobile Safety Suite and how it can work for your school, contact us below.
