Small School Radios

Mrs. Thompson’s third graders are supposed to be at the library, but no one came to walk them over.

The front office is trying to locate the janitor to clean up a spill in the hallway outside Room 8, but he’s nowhere to be found.

A student just got sick on the playground, and the nurse has no idea because no one can reach her. Everyone is doing their job—but without instant connection, things slip through the cracks.

These are all common issues in a small school - and they can easily be solved with clear, quality two-way radios.

Let's walk through some important components when comparing radios.

Coverage Considerations

When choosing two-way radios for your school, it is important to match radio power and coverage of your building size and layout.

Selecting a radio that is too powerful for your needs can lead to overpaying, while choosing one with insufficient coverage may result in poor quality and dead zones.

For smaller schools, 1 to 2 watts of power will do the trick - you can get from 100k - 270k sqft of coverage.

For unlimited coverage, across multiple locations, consider radios that use LTE and Wi-Fi, like the Motorola WAVE PTX series.

Number of Channels Needed

Channels help segment team conversations, to simplify radio chatter.

Recommended groups for small schools:

• Admin & Front Office: For coordinating student pickups, attendance, announcements, and general school operations.
• Teachers & Aides: For classroom support, student transitions, recess coordination, and quick check-ins.
• Custodial & Maintenance: For responding to spills, repairs, and other facility needs without interrupting instructional communication.

Easy breezy. That’s concise and direct communication.

Channels can also be used to set up private conversations: “Sarah, call Tom on channel two.”

Sarah and Tom can then have an in-depth conversation over the radio without bothering the rest of the staff.

Quality Brands Make a Difference

You need a radio that is not going to fall apart within a year. You need one that will last so you’re not throwing away money.

Motorola and Kenwood two-way Radios are the most quality brands on the market because they are purpose-built for reliable communication with a durable build.

Designed to be easy to use and intuitive their radio series are affordable, cost-effective and eliminate monthly cell phone plans.

Tested for 5 years of field use, Motorola and Kenwood make sure you see a return on your investment. 

Not to mention the included manufacturer warranty (1-3 years depending on model).

What features make a great small school radio?

• Clear Audio Quality: So staff can hear and be heard, even in noisy hallways or on the playground.
• Long Battery Life: Enough to last a full school day without needing to recharge.
• Durability: Radios that can handle drops, bumps, and daily wear-and-tear.
• Private Channels: To protect sensitive conversations and prevent interference from nearby users.
• Compact and Lightweight Design: Easy to clip onto a belt or slip into a pocket for all-day comfort.
• Emergency Alert Button: Allows staff to send a distress signal instantly if there's a safety issue.
• Group and One-to-One Communication: So staff can talk to everyone at once or quietly reach just one person when needed.
• Easy-to-Use Interface: Simple controls so staff can operate them without needing tech skills or training.

Our Top Two-Way Radio Picks for Small Schools

To help you with your selection, we've highlighted several different models below that are perfect for schools of every size.

These recommendations come from our own experience working with thousands of these radios. Each one has a rock-solid history and great reputation.

Motorola CLS1410 User-friendly with reliable coverage and extended battery life. Channels: 4 Power: 1 watt; UHF Coverage: 200,000 sqft Display, easy to use, long battery life

Kenwood PKT300 Compact and powerful. Easy to use and great battery life. Channels: 6 Power: 2 watts; UHF Coverage: 275,000 sqft Display, VOX

Motorola Curve Advanced digital technology for clear audio and extended coverage. Channels: 10 Power: 1 watt digital (equal to 4 watt analog power) Coverage: 300,000 sqft Flexible call options (‘call-all available’, private reply), NO FCC LICENSE REQUIRED!

Best Unlimited Coverage (LTE & Wi-Fi Enabled)

Motorola WAVE PTX Series Ideal for operations across multiple locations, cities or states. Unlimited coverage through LTE and WiFi, eliminating traditional radio limitations. GPS Tracking to locate staff Emergency button for staff safety Talk to radios from your phone! Requires monthly subscription per device. ‘Lease-to-Own’ payment options available to help with upfront costs and get you started ASAP. As a failsafe, when wifi/cell service goes out, the radio works antenna to antenna and gets 350,000 sqft of coverage.

Request a Quote for Bulk Purchases

Need to equip your team? We want to help! 

Make sure to request a quote for our best possible pricing.

We are here for you!

If you have any questions on which radio is right for your school – do not hesitate to reach out to our support team. 

We have a very knowledgeable staff with over 25 years of experience in the two-way radio industry that can answer all your questions.

You can’t get rid of us that easily after purchase - we include lifetime tech support to be there for you every step of the way!