Creating your first class

Classes are the foundation for everything in ClassSeats. A class holds your student list, seating arrangements, attendance, notes, and reports. The first time you open ClassSeats, you’ll choose how your class is saved before you continue.

The first screen you’ll see (important)

The first time you open ClassSeats, you’ll be asked how you want your data saved.

This step exists to prevent accidental data loss. ClassSeats does not store anything on its own servers, so you always stay in control of where your data lives.

You’ll be given two options. Neither one is permanent.

First-run welcome screen with the save options.

Your two save options

Save on this device

This option stores your class locally on your computer.

Recommended if you’re just trying ClassSeats
No Google account required
Your class is saved automatically as you work

You’ll be asked to give your class a name. This name is only used to identify the local class setup on your device.

Save on this device form — Class name field with the Save on this device button.

Save to Google Drive

This option connects ClassSeats to your Google Drive.

Your class is backed up automatically
You can access the same class on multiple devices
Required if you plan to use mobile access

ClassSeats creates and manages its own folder in your Drive. It does not access or modify anything else.

Connect Google Drive confirmation — Connect Google Drive button and confirmation state.

Can I change this later?

Yes.

You can start with local saving and connect Google Drive later, or switch to a different Drive file at any time. Your existing classes will sync automatically when you connect.

Nothing is deleted or overwritten without you choosing to do so.

What happens after you choose

Once you select a save option, you’ll enter the ClassSeats app and begin on the Room Setup tab.

This is where you can create:

Classes
Seating arrangements
Tags
Behavior points

Only classes are required. Everything else is optional and can be set up later.

Room Setup tab with Class Periods — Room Setup tab with the Class Periods section visible.

What a “class” means in ClassSeats

In ClassSeats, a class represents a group of students you work with regularly.

For most teachers, this matches a single class period or section. If you teach the same students all day (elementary, advisory, special programs), you may only need one class.

You can create as many classes as you need, and you can edit or delete them later.

Class list with example classes — Class list showing a few example classes.

Creating a class

To create your first class:

Open ClassSeats on your computer
Navigate to the Room Setup tab
Find the Class Periods section at the top of the page
Enter a class name (for example, “Bell 2 - Language Arts”)
Click the + Period button

That’s it. Your class will appear in the class list and is ready for students.

Need more classes? Just repeat these steps as many times as you need.

Entering a class name, clicking + Period, and returning to the updated list.

What happens next

Once a class exists, you can start using ClassSeats at your own pace. Most teachers do one of the following next:

Add students to the class
Create a seating arrangement
Take attendance
Start adding quick notes

You don’t need to do everything at once.

Tip You can rename a class at any time. Don’t overthink the name—something simple is usually best.

Next: Creating seating arrangements