How to Pick a School Door Lock

How to pick a school door lock? Anyone asking this question doesn’t necessarily have bad intentions. It could be the school’s gatekeeper, its principle, or anyone associated with the educational institution who might wonder how they would be able to pick the main door lock when the need arises.

Students too might have this question. You’d have read stories on the internet about how little children got trapped in their own classroom for days before a worried parent rescued them. They wouldn’t have faced this predicament had they known how to pick a school door lock.

Before you pick a school door lock

You need to answer these questions for yourself:

Type of Lock

Although there are many types of door locks available on the market, the four most used are deadbolts, knob locks, padlocks, and levers. Two of them – deadbolts and padlocks – are mainly used to secure school doors. If you want to learn more door lock info, WCMA Window & Door is a great place.


These locks consist of a U-shaped cylinder that holds the handle of the door and hangs freely. They are available in two main types, including keyed and combination and are one of the most recognizable locks on the market.

Combination padlocks have a number that you have to enter for the lock to open. Keyed locks, meanwhile, allow one end of their U-shaped cylinder out of its opening when you insert the correct key into them and turn it.


Deadbolts are locks that are inserted into the door’s handle. They are available in three main varieties including single cylinder deadbolt, double cylinder deadbolt, and triple cylinder deadbolt.

These locks use a thumbturn (rosary) on the inside and a key cylinder on the outside for opening/closing the lock. You can count on them to resist forced entry, though these locks aren’t impenetrable.

Knob locks

Although they are sometimes the only source of security on doors, knob locks are used alongside deadbolts in most situations. The combination of the two enhances the security of the door.

However, experts recommending against installing knob locks on your exterior doors. That is because these locks could easily be broken off with a wrench, hammer, pliers, or any other heavy object.

Lever handle locks

Lever handle locks aren’t used as frequently as those mentioned above to protect school doors. The ease with which they open (with the mere twist of a push-down handle) is the reason why.

Provided you’ve decided to install them on your school doors, we recommend that you use lever handle locks on bathrooms or any other room that doesn’t require much security.

Picking a school door lock

Here’s how you can pick your school door lock:

Method 1: Picking a deadbolt

Follow the instructions given below to pick a deadbolt:

What you’ll need?

  • Tension wrench
  • Rake pick

Step-by-Step Guide

  • Step 1: Insert the tension wrench into the keyhole

Take the short end of the tension wrench and insert it into the keyhole’s lower section. Don’t apply too much force as it might damage the entry point, forcing the lock to become impenetrable.

  • Step 2: Twist the wrench in the clockwise direction

Use the palm of one hand to hold the deadbolt and keep it from swinging in the air. Use the fingers of the other hand to grasp the short end of the tension wrench in the clockwise direction.

  • Step 3: Slide the pick into the upper keyhole

After you have rotated the tension wrench, let it go and use the free hand to slide the pick into the upper keyhole. Rake the keyhole using up-and-down motion inside it. This will apply pressure onto the keyhole and force its upward pins to pop upward and set.

Final Step: Turn the cylinder clockwise

You’d hear a series of clicks as you are raking the keyhole using an up-and-down motion. Once the clicks have stopped, it’s a sign that all the pins have clicked into place. Then, turn the short end of the wrench (that is still inside the cylinder) in a clockwise direction to open the padlock.

Method 2: Picking a combination padlock

Follow the instructions given below to pick a combination padlock:

What you’ll need?

  • Pen or pencil
  • Notebook

Step-by-Step Guide

  • Step 1: Clear the lock

All you have to do to ‘clear’ the lock is rotate its dial three times (in a clockwise direction) past the zero mark. Then, stop on the zero.

  • Step 2: Find the first number in the combination

Apply upward force and turn the dial in the clockwise direction. Slowly release the pressure you’re applying on the shackle until the dial ‘sticks’ at one point. Note down that number, round it to its nearest whole number and add five. This is your first number in the combination.

  • Step 3: Find the second number in the combination

Apply upward force and turn the dial in a counterclockwise direction. Repeat the previous step until you notice that the dial is stopping at a specific point. Note down that number and round it to its nearest whole number. This is your second number in the combination.

  • Final Step: Find the third number in the combination

Clear the lock using the instructions given in step 1. Apply a large amount of tension at shackle, slowly turn it in a clockwise direction and keep on turning it until the dial holds between two numbers. Note down the number that falls in the middle of these two.

Tone down the pressure a little bit and repeat until you’ve set the dial at zero. Take off any fractional numbers and note that which of the remaining numbers ends in the same digit. There will be only one. It is your third number in the combo.


Picking a school door lock is easier than you think. Some of them can even be opened without requiring any tools whatsoever. The important thing then is to be aware of the instructions using which you can open the lock on your own.

That is precisely what this article aims to provide. We have listed down methods using which you can unlock two locks mostly found on school doors. The onus now is on you to use the information we have provided for positive purposes.