PyPowerSchool is a basic Python wrapper for synchronous communication with the PowerSchool API. The goal is to simplify the process of communicating with the PowerSchool Student Information System API by handling authentication and decoding, allowing you to focus on using the data, not retrieving it.
PyPowerSchool is not endorsed, sponsored, or affilitated with PowerSchool in any way.
Before using PyPowerSchool, you will need to create and install a data access plugin on your PowerSchool server. Information about creating the plugin file can be found on the PowerSchool Developer Support site. We have created an example plugin (PSDataAccessCorePlugin) that you can use as is, or modify as you see fit. Once you have installed the plugin, you will be provided a client ID and client secret that you will use for authenticating with the PowerSchool server.
Begin by installing the PyPowerSchool module, using pip.
pip install pypowerschoolIn your code, simply import the PyPowerSchool module and instantiate a new client object. The constructor requires three arguments:
- base_url - the base URL of your PowerSchool server
- client_id - client ID, found after installing the data access plugin
- client_secret - client secret, found after installing the data access plugin
from pypowerschool import powerschool
client = powerschool.Client('https://example.powerschool.com', 'client-id', 'client-secret')Once you have a client, you can start making synchronous calls to the API.
# returns list of all schools in the current district
all_schools = client.schools_in_district()
# returns list of all students for school with ID of 3
students = client.students_for_school(3)
# returns dictionary of student with DCID of 1234
student = client.student_for_dcid(1234)Refer to the endpoints.py file for other built-in methods. Additionally, you can use the fetch_item and fetch_items methods to access any PowerSchool endpoint. Basic support for POST has been included through the post_data method.
PowerQueries are a feature that allows for the creation of custom API endpoints. PyPowerSchool only includes core endpoints and PowerQueries provided directly by PowerSchool. To add additional PowerQueries to PyPowerSchool, you will need to modify the plugin file (PSDataAccessCorePlugin) with the proper <access-request> elements.
Using a PowerQuery endpoint works just like any other endpoint. The powerquery method requires the PowerQuery endpoint URL and, optionally, a dictionary of arguements for the PowerQuery.
# returns a list of grade levels for the school and district office
grade_levels = client.powerquery('/ws/schema/query/com.pearson.core.schools.grade_levels')
# returns school information for the school with an ID of 1
school_details = client.powerquery('/ws/schema/query/com.pearson.core.school.school_detail', {'school_number':[1]})If you have a feature or idea you would like to see added to PyPowerSchool, please create an issue explaining your idea.
Likewise, if you come across a bug, please create an issue explaining the bug with as much detail as possible.
The PowerSchool API provides access to a lot of information and, unfortunately, we don't have time to research and implement every endpoint. Please feel free to open a pull request with any additional endpoints you create. We would love to have as many of the core endpoints covered as possible.
PyPowerSchool is released under an MIT license. See LICENSE for more information.