# School setup checklist

> Academium Surepass Help › Setting up your school or centre
> For: School Owner, School Admin · Server Edition
> Web page: https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-surepass/article/sp-school-setup-checklist
> Last updated: 2026-10-06

Work through these in order. Each step needs the one before it.

## If your school uses Academium SMS

Most of the setup comes from SMS. Open **Academium Sync** in the menu and bring across, in this order:

1. **Session & Terms**, **Subjects** and **Exam Halls**.
2. **Classes & Sections**, using the import wizard.
3. **Students**, class by class.
4. **Staff**, so teachers can sign in with their Academium password.

See [Academium Sync](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-surepass/article/sp-academium-sync-overview.md). Then continue from step 5 below.

## If your school does not use SMS

1. **Session and terms.** Under **School Settings**, add your academic session and its terms, and set the current term as **Active**. Tests and exams cannot be created without an active term. See [Sessions](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-surepass/article/sp-sessions.md).
2. **Assessment types.** Add your mark distribution, for example 1st CA, 2nd CA and Exam. See [Assessment Types](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-surepass/article/sp-assessment-types.md).
3. **Classes and sections.** Add your sections (for example Science, Arts) and classes, or use **Auto-generate**. See [Classes & Sections](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-surepass/article/sp-classes.md).
4. **Staff and students.** Add or import your teachers under **School Staff** and your students under **Students**.

## For every school

5. **Subjects.** Check your subjects under **Question Bank → Subjects**. **Auto-populate** adds the standard Nigerian subject list.
6. **School settings.** Choose how teachers share tests and questions. See [School Profile and settings](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-surepass/article/sp-school-profile.md).
6. **Computer lab.** Create your lab rooms, lay out the seats and register the lab computers. See [Lab Rooms](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-surepass/article/sp-lab-rooms.md).
7. **Questions.** Let the question bank finish downloading, and add your school's own questions. See [Question Bank](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-surepass/article/sp-question-bank-overview.md).
8. **A first test.** Create a short test for one class, schedule it, and try it on a lab computer. See [Creating a test](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-surepass/article/sp-creating-a-test.md).
10. **Give students their sign-in details.** Use **Export Credentials** on the Students page. See [Student sign-in details](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-surepass/article/sp-student-sign-in-details.md).

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