Grado 11.1.0: A Foundation Release for What’s Next

In software, not every important release is loud.

With Grado 11.1.0, we focused on strengthening the platform behind the scenes – preparing Grado for upcoming upgrades and deeper performance improvements already in testing.

As part of Grado’s scheduled rollout, this release has already been deployed. You may notice that day-to-day workflows feel familiar. That’s intentional.

Why a major version with minimal disruption?

Grado 11.1.0 is a foundation release.

This version prepares the system for future work such as:

• upcoming Ruby version upgrades
• expanded erformance and load testing
• long-term improvements in stability, scalability, and maintainability

Making these changes safely requires groundwork at the platform level, which is why this preparation is delivered as a major version—even without visible workflow changes today.

What is new in 11.1.0?

While most changes are under the hood, this release does include one user-facing improvement: the new Help Widget!

The Help Widget is now available inside Grado across admin and faculty modules.

With the Help Widget, users can:

• search knowledge base articles,
• send quick support emails,
• report issues without leaving the app.

The widget can be opened when needed and hidden at any time by clicking the “×”, keeping the interface uncluttered while ensuring help is always within reach.

This update reduces context switching and makes support more accessible—right where users are working.

What does this mean for schools?

Schools can upgrade with confidence, knowing that Grado 11.1.0 prioritizes stability while quietly improving usability and readiness.

Why this approach matters

Schools depend on Grado during critical periods such as enrollment, grading, assessments, reporting. Large platform upgrades without preparation increase risk.

By shipping Grado 11.1.0 first, we ensure that upcoming enhancements are:

• safer to roll out,
• easier to validate,
• and more resilient at scale.

What’s next

Several platform upgrades and performance-focused improvements are currently in testing and will build on this foundation in future 11.x releases.

Grado 11.1.0 is the step that makes those upgrades possible.

That’s Grado 11.1.0.