Terms of Service

This is a plain-language starting point that Simply Shepherd will finalize with counsel before general availability. It reflects how we intend to operate.

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) are an agreement between Simply Shepherd (“Simply Shepherd,” “we,” “us”) and the school or organization (“you,” “your school”) that creates an account for the Shepherd platform (the “Service”). By creating an account or using the Service, you agree to these Terms.

1. The Service

Shepherd is hosted software for managing admissions, classes, attendance, student records, and finances for a single school. Each school is a separate tenant with its own isolated data. We may add, change, or remove features over time; if we make a materially adverse change, we'll give reasonable notice.

2. Your account

You are responsible for your account, for the staff you invite, and for keeping login credentials secure. You must provide accurate information and use the Service only for a legitimate school you are authorized to represent. You must be able to form a binding contract to accept these Terms.

3. Your data

• Your school's data is yours. We process it only to provide and support the Service, and as described in our Privacy Policy.
• You can export your data as CSV at any time, and request deletion of your tenant. After account closure we delete or anonymize school data within 90 days, except where law requires longer retention.
• You are responsible for the lawfulness of the data you put into Shepherd, including any consents you need from applicants, students, and families.
• Financial records in Shepherd are append-only. Corrections are made through new offsetting entries so the full history is preserved.

4. Acceptable use

You agree not to:

• upload unlawful content or use the Service to violate anyone's rights;
• attempt to access another tenant's data, probe our security, or disrupt the Service;
• resell or provide the Service to a third party as your own; or
• use the Service to send bulk unsolicited messaging unrelated to your school.

Messages Shepherd helps you send — decision letters, family emails, announcements — are written and sent by your staff. We do not generate outbound copy on your behalf.

5. Fees

Setting up a school and configuring your programs is free. Billing begins when you enroll your first student and is based on the number of enrolled students in each billing period, at the rates shown at signup or in your account. Fees are billed in advance, are non-refundable except where required by law, and exclude taxes. Payments are processed by Stripe. We'll give at least 30 days' notice before a price increase takes effect for your school.

6. Payments you collect

Application fees, tuition, and giving that your school collects through Shepherd are processed by Stripe under Stripe's Connected Account Agreement. Those funds belong to your school; Simply Shepherd is not a party to the payments between your school and its applicants, students, or donors.

7. Intellectual property

We own the Service and everything in it except your data. You may use the Service only as permitted by these Terms. Feedback you send us may be used to improve the Service without obligation to you.

8. Confidentiality & security

We maintain administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect your data, including tenant isolation enforced at the database. See Securityfor detail. No system is perfectly secure, and you use the Service understanding that.

9. Suspension & termination

You may stop using the Service and close your account at any time. We may suspend or terminate access if you materially breach these Terms, fail to pay, or use the Service in a way that risks harm to others or to the Service — with notice and a chance to cure where practical. On termination you can export your data during a 30-day window.

10. Disclaimers

The Service is provided “as is.” We do not warrant that it will be uninterrupted or error-free, and Shepherd is not a substitute for your own legal, accounting, or accreditation obligations.

11. Limitation of liability

To the extent permitted by law, neither party is liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, and our total liability for any claim relating to the Service is limited to the fees your school paid us in the 12 months before the claim.

12. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms. If a change is material, we'll notify account admins by email or in-app before it takes effect. Continuing to use the Service after that means you accept the updated Terms.

13. Contact

Questions about these Terms: hello@simplyshepherd.com.