How Bush Stays Connected While Adhering to the No Cell Phone Policy

Since the start of the 2024-2025 academic school year, Bush has implemented a K-12 cell phone-free policy, which doesn’t allow students to use their cell phones for personal use during the academic day, except to manage medical needs as approved by the school. Prior to the school-wide K-12 “Cell-Phone Free” policy, students in Kindergarten through Eighth Grade were not allowed to use their cell phones for personal use during the academic day and during classes.

Prior to this policy, Upper School students experimented with cell-phone free weeks and received highly positive feedback from students about boosts in their productivity, mental health, and feeling a deeper sense of belonging. Without the temptation of cell phone use this fall, students have made new connections and now rely more on their communication skills to navigate their school relationships.
 

“One of the highlights of school is making connections with your peers, especially between class periods,” said Sophie K. ’25. “During breaks, everyone used to immediately go for their phones. Now, it’s normalized that nobody has their phone, so there’s more opportunities to make connections.”

Sophie shared that because she’s attended Bush since Kindergarten, she knows most of her peers. However, for younger or new Bush students, the presence of cell phones in the past made it difficult for them to transition into new social circles. Bush understands the price of disconnection, which is why faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to lead with empathy to develop new connections between ideas and people. 

Thanks to the no-cell phone policy, Sophie has made new connections of her own with students throughout all grades.
 

“I was in a study spot in the newly renovated Gracemont building,” Sophie said. “While I was doing my homework, this freshman came in, and instead of being on his phone, he started having lunch and we started a random conversation. I thought: ‘Why not, talking to somebody is more fun than doing homework.’”

According to Sophie, she finds these moments of spontaneity to be much more valuable than escaping into social media or talking with others through text. She has adopted more of a ‘getting things done’ mindset since the cell phone ban and challenges herself and others to not rely on her cell phone during less active periods.
 

Upper School Dean of Students Sara Fischer asked several students about their thoughts on the new cell phone policy and received generally positive feedback.

“I was excited about the new policy when it was announced, and it’s been great so far,” said Upper School student Cam G. ’25. “My screen time has gone down to two hours a day, and I feel more present.”

Added Upper School Student Lily A. ’27: “I’ve made new connections not just with other students, but with teachers as well.”

In the last few months, there has been huge growth in acceptance from students about the new policy. Many have begun to recognize the positive effects of not utilizing their cell phones as much. Now, they’re more aware of their habits and refrain from reaching for their phones and sharing photos, or other information during school hours.
    

“The first month this policy was introduced, the change in student's phone use was challenging.  They were having a hard time keeping phones in their backpacks and teachers needed to collect them,” said Sara. “However, in the past two weeks, I’ve seen a dramatic change. A student shared a story about a bird that had flown into his home, and he wanted to show pictures of the bird house he’d made for it. One of his friends actually stopped him and advised him not to take out his phone. It’s amazing how they’re finally getting it; now they’re checking each other!”

Other faculty members have attested to witnessing more socialization, concentration, and self-discipline between the students as result of the ban on cell phones.

“There’s definitely more engagement in class and much less playtime,” said Upper School Language Faculty Tabatha Ma. “Outside of class, students socialize more.”

“I notice that students are more likely to talk about what is going on in class before and after,” said Upper School Math Faculty and Upper School Academic Dean Christine Miller. “Prior to no cell phones, students were very consumed with posting, scrolling and winning the game they were playing just before class started and directly after it ended."

“I love seeing more students talking to and interacting with one another instead of being on their phone,” said French and Spanish Faculty and Twelfth Grade Dean Marilina Kim. “Students have told me that it’s been easier to concentrate in my class because they know the phone is off limits.”

 

As a cell-phone free environment becomes more normalized for students and teachers, we encourage faculty to continue offering positive feedback on their integrity and restraint. These clear improvements in their mental health, academic participation, and connectivity will inspire them to think twice before reaching for that cellular device.