ASL App Store

This is an optional software service that makes it easy for students in the High School Bring Your Own Device (HS BYOD) program to install relevant ASL-licensed and “tricky-to-install” software on their personal Apple Macbooks. The ASL App Store interacts with a software repository that is maintained by the ASL TILM (Technology, Information Literacy and Media) department. The goal is to make it easier for HS students to obtain this software and profile configurations without having to request it from the Helpdesk or having to go through long sets of installation instructions. Some required profile configurations such as PaperCut printing and the NWEA MAP Test Taker will be automatically installed as part of ASL App Store installation. Some paid-for, user-licensed software such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Office 365 will also be available.

The underlying technology is called “Munki”, an open-source system used to deploy Apple Mac software. The ASL App Store periodically checks in with ASL servers to see if there are any updates available to the ASL-provided software you have installed. When updates are available, you will be notified similar to the Apple Software Update on the Mac App Store. You can access ASL App Store both on and off school campus. 

All software applications are checked for viruses and compatibility (Note: This can lead to a delay between an application updated in the ASL App Store and directly from the developers). A data log of ASL App Store activities (i.e. details of what was installed, updated, removed, and when) is stored on your personal device only. This data log is not accessible to ASL’s technology staff and can never be accessed remotely. No personally identifiable data is ever collected or sent to ASL servers. 

ASL distributes publicly available software via ASL App Store “as-is from the developers.” ASL also installs two required profile configurations which are non-intrusive and required for printing to ASL devices (PaperCut).

We understand that some parents may wish to install parental controls (for example, Qustodio, Apple Screen Time, etc) on their child’s personal MacBook. You are welcome to do so. We do, however, ask you to please keep the following in mind:

1. Compatibility with Lockdown Browser – Throughout the academic year, students will be required to use secure testing or lockdown browsers, including NWEA Lockdown Browser for Grades 9 and 10 MAP Tests, Respondus Lockdown Browser, and Teamie Lockdown Browser. Parent control and device management tools can interfere with these applications on macOS. In the past, we’ve seen parental control tools can cause issues with these browsers on MacBooks, which may prevent them from working properly. 
2. IT Support Limitations – Our IT technicians are not able to troubleshoot issues caused by parent control tools, as we do not have (and will not request) administrative credentials for them. If a problem occurs, we may be able to provide a loaner laptop for your child to use in class. However, loaner laptops are limited, and availability cannot be guaranteed.
3. Parent Responsibility – We kindly ask that parents check and adjust the software’s settings to make sure it does not affect your child’s MacBook during the school day or at testing times. If a testing application fails to run, parents may need to temporarily disable restricted profiles or add explicit allow‑lists for the secure testing applications and related services.

By installing this software, parents acknowledge and accept these limitations, and we appreciate your understanding in helping to keep lessons running smoothly.

Yes, this is an optional service and the alternative is to manually to download the available apps and required configuration profiles manually. This webpage does not have the full ASL software repository as is available from the ASL App Store. You will have to source some software and applications directly from the developers. 

After you graduate or withdraw from ASL, your school accounts and email will be suspended and you will no longer have access to user-licensed software such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Office 365. It is recommended to uninstall applications via the ASL App Store prior to finally uninstalling ASL App Store.

When you leave ASL, you agree to uninstall ASL App Store by following the steps below:

• It is recommended that you remove any applications via the ASL App Store prior to finally uninstalling ASL App Store. You can do this by clicking on "My Items" and clicking "Remove" on each of the applications that have been installed. 
• Following that, you can uninstall ASL App Store by going to the “Uninstall and Remove ASL App Store” within the ASL App Store app right-hand menu. 
• Once ASL App Store has been uninstalled, there are 3 other items that should be removed manually: The BYOD printer configuration,  PaperCut printer software, and the NWEA MAP Test Taker. 
  • To Remove the printer; Open up “System Settings” and on the left scroll down to “Printers and Scanners”, Click on the ASL BYOD Printer and select “Remove”
  • To Remove PaperCut; Open up Applications and drag the PCClient.app to the Trash
  • To Remove NWEA Open up Applications and drag the NWEA Secure Testing Browser.app to the Trash

If you have any questions, please contact hs.tilm@asl.org for support.