Searching for Students Checklist (Teachers)

Updated on Mar 24, 2026

Focus offers multiple ways for teachers to search for students, either individually or using specified criteria. The Student Search module, available on many screens, includes the Search Screen, Simple List, and Customized List. This guide covers key features like the search bar, More Search Options, Student Groups, and saved searches, as well as how to view results in the Simple or Customized Lists. See Searching for Students for detailed information about conducting a student search.

Searching for Active Students (Quick Search)

1. Click the Select Student pull-down.

2. Click the Students tab to search for active students.

3. Scroll through the listed students for the student you want, then click the student name to open the record in Student Info.

You can also start typing the first name, last name, or student ID in the Filter... text box, then click the student name to open the record in Student Info.

Searching for Inactive Students (Quick Search)

1. Click the Select Student pull-down.

2. Click Inactive Students to display inactive students from which to choose.

If Students and Inactive Students are both selected, active and inactive students will display.

3. Scroll through the listed students for the student you want, then click the student name to open the record in Student Info.

You can also start typing the first name, last name, or student ID in the Filter... text box, then click the student name to open the record in Student Info.

Using Search Results (Quick Search)

1. Click the Select Student pull-down.

2. The Search Results tab is selected by default (when a recent student search has been conducted).

3. Scroll through the listed students for the student you want, then click the student name to open the record in Student Info.

Start typing the first name, last name, or student ID in the Filter... text box, then click the student name to open the record in Student Info.

Conducting a Basic Student Search

1. From the Student Search, enter the student search criteria in the Student Search text box, such as the student's last name.

2. Select the applicable Student Group from the pull-down to pull students from a specific group.

3. Select the Search All Sections check box to include students from all sections in your search, not just the section selected in the header.

4. Select the Search the Entire School check box to search for students throughout the entire school, if you have permission to access all these students.

5. Select the Include Inactive check box to include students who do not have an active enrollment record in the selected section(s) or the entire school, depending on other filters selected.

6. Select the applicable grade level(s) from the Grade Level pull-down to pull students in specific grade levels.

7. Click Search.

Conducting an Advanced Search

1. From the Student Search, enter the student search criteria in the Student Search text box, such as the student's last name.

3. The More Search Options feature displays as a pull-down where all applicable menu and menu options are displayed and can be used to conduct a search. Once a specific menu option is selected, additional search options can be entered or selected to conduct the search.

In the example shown, Absences > Daily Attendance has been selected allowing you to choose Absent Codes, Present Codes, set a Timeframe Between to dates, and Days Absent Between two dates.

5. To remove a filter, click the black minus sign (delete button).

6. Some filters will allow you to duplicate the data. Click the black plus sign (add on) to duplicate the filter and filter by different data.

7. Apply all other search parameters, and click Search.

Saving a Student Search

1. From the Student Search, enter the student search criteria in the Student Search text box, such as the student's last name.

2. Apply all applicable search parameters, such as More Search Options, Search All Sections, Student Groups, etc.

3. Click the floppy disk save icon to save the search including all filters so you can easily run the search again.

Click the save icon before clicking Search to save your search criteria. If you click Search first, you will lose your search criteria.

4. In the pop-up window, enter the name of the search, then click OK to save.

If you have applied changes to the search, click the floppy disk save icon to either save a new search or override the existing search parameters.

If saving new parameters, update the name of the search, then click Save Copy to save the search as a new search. Click Save & Overwrite to overwrite the original search parameters and overwrite the saved search.

Applying Saved Searches to Conduct a Student Search

1. In the Student Search, click More Search Options.

2. Select Saved Searches, then select the applicable saved search, such as UN Absences + GPA 1.0-2.0.

3. Adjust or add any search parameters, as needed, then click Search.

Creating a Student Group From a Saved Search

1. From the Student Search, enter the student search criteria in the Student Search text box, such as the student's last name.

2. Apply all applicable search parameters, such as More Search Options, Search All Sections, Student Groups, etc.

3. Click the floppy disk save icon to save the search including all filters so you can easily run the search again.

Click the save icon before clicking Search to save your search criteria. If you click Search first, you will lose your search criteria.

4. In the pop-up window, enter the name of the search, then click OK to save.

5. Click Yes in the "Would you like to create a student group from this saved search" pop-up window.

Viewing Search Results in the Simple List

1. Conduct a student search.

2. Click the Simple List tab to display the resulting students along with the student name, Student ID, and Grade level.

4. Click the Student name to open the student's information as it pertains to the selected search, such as Student Info.

Viewing Search Results in the Customized List

1. Conduct a student search.

2. Click the Customized List to view the resulting students along with your customized information.

4. Click the Student name to open the student's information as it pertains to the selected search, such as Student Info.

Customizing the Columns in the Student Listing

1. Conduct your student search.

2. Click Customized List.

3. Click the Columns in Students List tab to edit the additional columns displayed in the student listing.

1. To display select columns in the student listing, select the check box in the Display in Student Lists column.

2. Click Save.

See Preferences > Columns in Student Lists for more details.

4. Go back to the previous screen and conduct a student search. Upon clicking Customized List, you will now see the additional columns.

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Documentation for Teachers

Searching for Students Checklist (Teachers)

SIS Teacher Checklists

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