Aspen is a secure online information resource for Cambridge Public Schools.
It contains family contact information, an online grade book, copies of progress reports and a variety of documents that teachers, students and parents may need. All grade 6-12 students and their parents have access to Aspen.
Things You Can Do with Aspen
- View your child’s schedule, list of his/her teachers, and class pages that may have resources for the class. View a video on how to see your child's schedule >>
- Monitor your child’s assignment grades and see if they have missed any assignments
- Review attendance information
- Receive grading and scheduling reports
Questions: Contact your child's school. They can provide account help, answer basic questions, and escalate your problem if they cannot resolve it.
I am brand new to CPS. How do I create an account?
Parent accounts only require an email address. If you have provided one during registration or when you updated your contact information, an account will be created automatically. Account letters are mailed home at the start of the school year, and every week for new families. You will have the same account as long as your child is a student, even if they change schools.
I already have an Aspen Account but I’m not sure how to use it.
If you're unfamiliar with Aspen, there's a link to a video that will help you get started. Log into Aspen and click on the Aspen Family Account Video link. If you still need assistance after viewing the videos, please contact the clerk or guidance counselor at your child’s school. If your child is enrolled at CRLS please contact their Learning Community office.
What should I do if my student or I forget my password?
Parent account letters include a temporary password that you will be prompted to change once you log in. If you forget the password that you created, enter your username (which is your email address) in lowercase letters and click ‘I forgot my password’.
Students use their network passwords for Aspen. Students may see the Instructional Technology Specialist or Library/Media Specialist in their school for help.
What should I do if my student or I forget the username?
Parents use their email address for Aspen usernames, entered in lowercase. If you have recently changed your email address, please inform the school, so that they can update your email address and your Aspen username.
Student usernames are their ID number. Your child's Student ID is printed on some school district correspondence including bills from the Food Services department. You may also contact the school office to request your child's student ID.
Will I be able to see all of my children in one account?
All your children in grades 6-12 will be under the same family account, even if they are in different schools. Students younger than Grade 6 will not appear in Aspen at this time.
Why are there values missing in the gradebook?
Some teachers make only the assignment viewable, and do not make the grades for the assignment public until they have graded all students. Some teachers keep everything public so that assignment grades can be viewed as soon as they are entered. Each teacher should make their assignment grading policy available so that you will know when to check for assignment grades.
How often should my child be checking Aspen?
Aspen should be used as a tool to find assignment information and resources. Students can also check their progress in class by reviewing assignment scores. If your child is frequently checking for new scores, you or your child may want to ask their teachers about how often scores will be posted, which may help to limit how often they log in.
Will the grade values I see in Aspen correlate to my child’s progress report or report card grades?
For the most part, yes, however, teachers will be including new grades until the last moment, so it is possible that changes may occur that result in a different overall or term grade.
When do teachers enter grades?
Teachers update grades on an ongoing basis, as they receive and evaluate assignments and in-class work. It may take up to two weeks for a specific grade to be entered after the student has completed a particular assignment.
Will all teachers submit progress report and report card grades?
It is the school's expectation that all teachers submit grades for their classes. Families and students will be able to view the progress report grades and comments online as soon as they have been posted by each teacher.
The site doesn't seem to be working correctly?
How can I view my child's course requests?
(For Rising Freshman and current 9 - 11 graders)
View the Instructions >> (pdf)
How to view a child's schedule in Aspen?
Watch the video >>