At the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, using the knowledge that students perform better in classrooms without cell phones, the administrative team at Academy of Holy Angels made some small but significant updates to an existing cell phone policy. The main update was that if students were using a cell phone during the school day, they had to bring it to the main office for their parents to pick up. The revised policy was shared with all students, faculty, staff and families with the hopes of virtually no cell phone usage during the school day - including lunch and passing time.

Now, during the second full school year of restricting cell phones, teachers report that it’s simply part of the school day culture. “Looking back, it really was not much of a struggle to implement the cell phone ban,” said Tim Wolfgram, assistant principal. “Parents and students were cooperative, and teachers and staff helped make it happen as well. The fact that it was so easily implemented here at Holy Angels is a reflection of our respectful school culture.”

Upon the initial implementation in the fall of 2023, students shared with teachers that they felt a sense of relief not having to check their phones all day. Sienna Dhariwal ’25, student body president, agreed. "AHA’s no cell phone policy allows everyone to stay more connected, especially in a classroom setting,” Sienna shared. “I am able to focus and engage with my classmates and my learning, rather than being distracted by my phone. I've also noticed that I'm able to go without my phone for longer periods of time; I don't feel the need to be on my phone as much when I get home from school. Overall, I think it has been very positive."

Additionally, the admissions team has shared that many visiting families have continued to notice and appreciate AHA’s cell-phone free culture. Dan Keller, admissions director, added, “School cell phone policies are often a talking point during family tours. It is so refreshing for families to know that Holy Angels takes this seriously. They can see firsthand that students here are more engaged with one another in the classroom, in the hallways, between classes, and at lunch."

There are countless studies showing increased productivity, attention, and performance in class. Studies have also found a 62% increase in note-taking during class, higher test scores, and more social interaction during class compared to classrooms where cell phones were allowed. 

“As more schools and more districts are now moving to more robust cell phone policies, we are excited that AHA was on the forefront of the issue and was proactive about how cell phones can take away from the learning in the classroom and the connections made throughout the day,” reflected Tim Wolfgram. “AHA was able to make this happen without investing in cell phone pouches, lockers, or other infrastructure which speaks to the positive school environment we have. I thank the teachers, staff, parents, and especially the students, for how they have all been 'A Part of the Solution' for the past two years.”