Accessing Skyward from Home (E-Learning Days)
The purpose of this article is to review the process for accessing Skyward from your district laptop while working from home on E-Learning Days.
NOTE: you may only access Skyward using a district-issued laptop. A district Chromebook will not work.
FIRST: Cisco Duo app
East St. Louis District 189 implemented Cisco Duo, a cloud-based multi-factor authentication (MFA) solution, in September 2025. This app strengthens account security for all staff for a variety of software access. You must have this app installed on your cell phone to access Skyward on your laptop.
NOTE: even with the Cisco Duo app, you will not be able to use a district Chromebook to access Skyward.
TWO: Establish Connection to VPN
Your laptop will need to be connected to the district's VPN (virtual private network) in order to access Skyward. You will log into your district laptop using your credentials, ensuring that the device is connected to your home's WiFi connection. Your screen will be blank and you will get an error message; the screen will show only the RECYCLE BIN.
Navigate to the lower right-hand corner to access the WiFi settings on your laptop. Click on the WiFi option and locate the VPN option in the upper right-hand corner of the WiFi settings pop-up. When you get to this point, you will want to click CONNECT.
THREE: Confirm Connection through Cisco Duo app
While you are completing the steps to access the VPN, you will need to have your phone nearby with the Cisco Duo app open. After a few moments of selecting CONNECT from the VPN area, your Cisco Duo app will ask you if you want to approve the connection. The picture shows what you will see; you must select APPROVE to connect to the VPN.
Once you select the APPROVE option, the VPN setting will change to CONNECTED.
FOUR: Accessing Desktop Icons
If you have icons on your desktop that you use to access various platforms, you will need to wait up to 5 minutes for your desktop to load. From there, you can see the SKYWARD icon to access the system.
If you are having issues with your desktop icons loading, you also have the option to use MicroSoft Edge. If you click on the 4 blue squares to the left of your SEARCH bar on the bottom of your laptop, you will see the web browser MicroSoft Edge is pinned. You can open MicroSoft Edge, navigate to estl189.com, and then select the SKYWARD ACCESS icon.
From there, use your district credentials to log into Skyward to take attendance, utilize your electronic gradebooks, or run any needed reports.
