> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.samstudio.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Rostering Students in SAM Studio: CSV, Clever, ClassLink

> Add students to SAM Studio by uploading a CSV roster, syncing with Clever, or connecting via ClassLink. Learn each method and when to use it.

Before students can access lessons and projects in SAM Studio, you need to add them to your account. SAM Studio gives you three rostering options — choose the one that best fits your school's setup and the tools you already have in place.

## Rostering options at a glance

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Manual CSV Upload" icon="file-csv">
    Best for individual teachers or schools without a district-wide SIS integration. Prepare a spreadsheet and upload it in minutes.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Clever Sync" icon="bolt">
    Best for districts already using Clever. Rosters sync automatically from your SIS — no manual uploads needed.
  </Card>

  <Card title="ClassLink Sync" icon="link">
    Best for districts already using ClassLink. Rosters sync automatically from your SIS — no manual uploads needed.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Option 1: Manual CSV upload

The CSV upload is the quickest way to get started if you don't have a district-wide integration in place. You'll prepare a simple spreadsheet with your students' information and import it directly into your dashboard.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Prepare your CSV file">
    Create a spreadsheet with the following columns:

    | Column       | Required | Notes                          |
    | ------------ | -------- | ------------------------------ |
    | `first_name` | Yes      | Student's first name           |
    | `last_name`  | Yes      | Student's last name            |
    | `email`      | Yes      | Student's school email address |

    Save the file in `.csv` format. Most spreadsheet apps (Google Sheets, Excel, Numbers) can export to CSV from **File → Download** or **File → Save As**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Roster import screen">
    In your teacher dashboard, click **Roster** in the left-hand navigation, then click **Import** in the top-right corner of the Roster page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload your CSV file">
    Click **Choose File**, select your `.csv` file, and click **Upload**. SAM Studio validates the file and shows you a preview of the students it will add.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the import">
    Review the preview list to make sure everything looks correct, then click **Confirm Import**. SAM Studio adds the students to your roster.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Students receive an invitation email">
    Each student receives an email at the address you provided, inviting them to activate their SAM Studio account. Students who use Google or Microsoft SSO can sign in directly — they don't need to set a separate password.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  If you're adding students from multiple class sections, you can upload one CSV file per class or combine all students in a single file and organize them into classrooms afterward from the Roster view.
</Tip>

<Warning>
  Make sure each student's email address in the CSV matches the email they use to sign in (Google or Microsoft SSO, or their school email for password-based login). A mismatch will create duplicate accounts.
</Warning>

## Option 2: Clever sync

If your district uses Clever, SAM Studio can pull your rosters directly from your Student Information System (SIS) through Clever's automatic sync. Once the integration is active, any changes you make in your SIS — new students, updated class lists, removed students — are reflected in SAM Studio automatically.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Contact your Customer Success representative">
    Email [customersuccess@samlabs.com](mailto:customersuccess@samlabs.com) to request a Clever integration. Include your district name and the name of your Clever administrator.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete the one-time setup">
    Your SAM Labs Customer Success rep coordinates with your district's Clever administrator to authorise the SAM Studio app in Clever. This is typically a one-time process that takes one to three business days.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Rosters sync automatically">
    Once the integration is live, SAM Studio imports your rosters from Clever automatically. You'll see your classrooms and students populate in the Roster view within 24 hours of any SIS change.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  With Clever sync enabled, you manage your rosters in your SIS — not directly in SAM Studio. Avoid editing rosters manually in SAM Studio when Clever sync is active, as those changes may be overwritten on the next sync.
</Note>

## Option 3: ClassLink sync

ClassLink rostering works the same way as Clever sync — your SIS drives the roster, and SAM Studio stays in sync automatically.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Contact your Customer Success representative">
    Email [customersuccess@samlabs.com](mailto:customersuccess@samlabs.com) to request a ClassLink integration. Include your district name and your ClassLink administrator's contact information.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete the one-time setup">
    Your SAM Labs Customer Success rep works with your ClassLink administrator to connect SAM Studio to your district's ClassLink account. Setup typically takes one to three business days.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Rosters sync automatically">
    Once connected, SAM Studio imports and maintains your rosters from ClassLink automatically.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Grouping students into classrooms

Regardless of which rostering method you use, you can organise students into classrooms and project groups from the Roster view. Classrooms make it easy to assign lessons to a whole group at once and monitor progress by class.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to the Roster view">
    In your teacher dashboard, click **Roster** in the left-hand navigation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a new classroom">
    Click **New Classroom**, give it a name (for example, "Period 3 Science"), and click **Create**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add students to the classroom">
    Select students from your roster and click **Add to Classroom**. You can add the same student to more than one classroom if needed.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  You can also create smaller **project groups** within a classroom for collaborative assignments. Select the students you want to group, then click **Create Group**.
</Tip>